Sermons About Conspiracy
Advent Conspiracy - Part 2 - Give More
Jesus said at the end of time, he would separate his true followers from the false based on how they ministered to Him (by giving to the least of these) when he was hungry, sick, poor, unclothed and imprisoned. This Christmas, give more to Jesus by giving to the poor and oppressed as we drill fresh water wells throughout Africa.
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Joy
Advent begins today as we look at joy! God has invited us to live the unexplainable life which produces unexplainable joy. Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth were two that did just that. In spite of their dissapointment due to Elizabeth being barren they worshiped God. But God broke through and did the unexplainable by providing them a son, but not just any son. They are to be the parents of John the Baptist, the forefunner of the Messiah. We are encouraged today to live in the unexplainable realm and experience unexplainable joy.
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Gift
God doesn't need our money. In the area of contributing, He is more concerned about our hearts than the dollar amount. II Corinthians 9:5-7 teaches the principle of planned giving. We are to plan our giving (need for budget) in order that our gifts can be cheerfully offered. However, planning can never exclude our hearts. God loves a cheerful giver and despises a begrudged heart. All our gifts (worship, prayer, time in serving, and money) are to be offered in cheerfulness.
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Cow
God revealed Himself to his people as a God whose beginning is not known. So at Mt. Sinai, the people of God exchanged this God they could not control for an idol with more mangeable qualities. Today, we worship money which promises to give us power over our lives, rather than risk it with a God who is beyond our control. When Jesus called a rich dude to give it all up, He really called him to give up where he had security and instead place his trust in Jesus. Are we choosing the safety of the known (what is our golden/sacred cow?), rather than following Jesus?
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2 Sameul 15 - The Politics of Impatience
Absalom leads a consiracy to take over the throne of Israel from David by becoming impatienct with God and his will. His Scheme seems to work as David decides to feel Jerusalem. The Author brings out the teme of impatience with God in this chapter through the following contrasts: 1) a Me-First Strategy vs. a Humble Strategy, 2) Godless Ambition vs. Self Sacrifice, 3) Rebellion vs. Submission, and 4) a Selfish Perspective vs. a Honest Perspective. One will learn that being impatient with God is like catching a knife on the wrong end - it will hurt. Like David Jesus crossed the Brook of Kidron to pray and accept the will of God. Are you more like Absalom or David and Ittai when it comes to your trust in the will of God? Listen and find out.
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Seed
Imagine an ancient farmer scattering seed on the ground. What are sowing lessons that we need to learn when it comes to giving? First, there is a mystery of reproduction. No one can truly explain why a tiny seed grows into a massive tree. Second, farmers use their brain. Freestyle farming leads to poverty. Instead, the wise farmer uses the practices that maximize the harvest. Third, farmers are looking for the biggest harvest possible. In that interest, they set aside the minimum amount needed to feed their family and plants the rest. This is opposite to our culture's approach to building wealth. Based on Proverbs, if we have nothing it may come from a lack of generosity. Worry will cause us to hoard, but Jesus calls us to not worry. God will not abandon us but provide for His kids. Our priority is to seek Him first.
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