Sermon Cloud

Spending
I think that the greatest threat to the Church in the 21st Century Western World is not atheism, communism, or even false doctrines promoted by those who want to discard the biblical faith. Rather it is the worldview of consumerism. In this worldview the self is lord.
The consumer culture creates the consumer church, which gives us consumer Christians. The consumer Christian culture is about receiving benefits and getting into heaven.
Consumer Christians create the corporate church.

• Lot's of menu choices designed to please our appetites and personal tastes. Give the people what they want.
• Hold down the price of commitment in time and money.

Thom Rainer’s research reveals, “For most of the generations born before 1950, church is a place where you serve, sacrifice, and give. For most of the generations born after 1950, the question is not ‘What can I do to serve the church?’ but ‘What has the church done for me lately?’

When churches stop catering to consumers and Christians stop behaving like consumers, then the Kingdom will begin to advance in local communities.
• Believe the reason for the church's existence is to MEET OUR FELT NEED. The Church is viewed as providing a product or a service: good religious feelings, self-help programs, children's activities, practical advice for living successfully, sports leagues, etc.
• We leave when we don't feel like we are getting their money's worth or proper service. "Give me what I want and you will keep my business."
• Our motto is "Ask not what you can do for God, but what can the Church do for me?"
Consumer Christian                Missional Christian

I want the best church experience        I want to be fully involved in God’s mission.
What can the church do for me?        What does Jesus want me to do for the church?
Church exists for my needs            Church exists for God’s mission
My needs should be met             Jesus’ Way of the Cross should be upheld
My preferences                What others need
What do I get out of it?            What can I give?
My benefit?                    My service to others?
Lots of Good Programs for our Family?    My Family’s Responsibilities to Jesus’ Kingdom?
How much do I have to give?            How much can I give?
How much time do I have to give up?    How much time can I find?

Give me what I want – get my support    What Jesus asks for – gets my support
Feed Me                    Help me feed myself
Serve Me                    Help me serve others
Give me a Good Sunday Show        Challenge me to connect and serve


Here is what we know  . . . . and why we are rejecting consumer Christianity and corporate church . . . .

Matthew 25?



Commit First Fruits to God

Proverbs 3:9-10  Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Firstfruits = the first 10% earned is given back to God.


-First and Best of your Free Time . . .

Be Generous, Not Stingy

Proverbs 11: 24-25 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
 Proverbs 28: 22,27 A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

-Be Generous with Your Time

Help the Poor

Proverbs 21: 13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,  he too will cry out and not be answered.
Proverbs 22:  9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
 Proverbs 14:  20-21 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

-    Poor may not always be financial
-    Marriage, Addictioins, Parenting,

Seek God and Contentment

Proverbs 15:  16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
Proverbs 17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
Proverbs 16:8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
Proverbs 23:  4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
Proverbs 30:  7-9 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die:  Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD ?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

-See God . . . serving him . . .

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Open Doors is about a Journey . . . . .

Michael Ford

Ron Reeves