Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
What's God's Will? - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Sunday August 19, 2007
“WHAT’S GOD’S WILL?”
Text: 1John 4:1(NIV)
SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK
I. Does it agree with the Bible?
Luke 21:33
II. Am I in a right relationship with God?
Romans 12:2
III. Does it make me more like Christ?
James 3:14-17
IV. Have I sought godly counsel?
Proverbs 11:14
V. Is it my responsibility?
Romans 14:4,12,22
VI. Do I sense God’s peace?
1Corinthians 14:33(KJV)
VII. Is it my will or God’s will?
Matthew 26:39
MY WILL OR THY WILL?
1. I want what I want.
James 4:13-15
2. I want what God wants—but.
Mark 10:21-22
3. I want what God wants—period!
1John 2:17
Luke 9:23
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Markers on the Road - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Sunday August 12, 2007
WHAT’S GOD’S WILL
“Markers on the Road”
INTRODUCTION: Don’t you sometimes wish we could just call 1-800-GOD and immediately know God’s will? But the fact is that God really wants to talk with you and you may not realize it but He already is.
The key is, tuning in to what He’s already saying and doing. God has been speaking to you!
John 10:27(NIV)- “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”
That’s the whole goal of this series. Hearing His voice and following Him. I’m reminded of what John Osteen said was the key to his success at Lakewood Church. “Hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying and obeying.”
THREE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO ACCOMPLISH THE ABOVE
1. Eliminate the Distractions.
Even Jesus had to do this.
Luke 5:16- “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
2. Listen for God’s voice.
Isaiah 30:21- “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way; walk in it.”
Something on the inside pulling you.
How many remember the C.B. radio. “You got your ears on good buddy.”
“He that has an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit is saying.”
Eliminate distraction, listen for God’s voice and then,
3. Cooperate with what God says.
God works in ways we sometime don’t expect. God speaks to us in ways we sometimes don’t expect.
Matthew 7:24- “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
We build our house on a firm foundation when we here God and cooperate with Him!
TRANSITION: What does it look like when God speaks to me? How will I know it is God speaking to me?
There are some pretty predictable stages when God speaks to us. Today we’ll call these stages “MARKERS ON THE ROAD.”
Acts 20:22-24- “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Paul said “I’m compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem.”
The following four stages are absolutely going to happen if you’re going to fulfill God’s will for your life.
I. The prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 20:22- “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I ma going to Jerusalem….”
Compelled- to be wrapped up with cords, like you’re being dragged toward something, bound up by it.
It almost feels like you’re pregnant. Something I just have to do, it just has to happen.
Job 32:18,19- “For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.”
It’s time to get stirred. It’s easier to stir yourself rather than be stirred by God.
Pray, read the Word, get involved in church. Get stirred up!
Proverbs 29:18- “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”
Many people are dying on the inside. Allow the Holy Spirit to STIR YOU! IS GOD STIRRING ME?
TRANSITION: The first marker on the road is The prompting of the Holy Spirit.
II. CERTAIN UNCERTAINTY
God will never give you all the information. He will leave out so many details it often frustrates us.
God put a stirring in our spirit (a vision) then He doesn’t give us all the information.
Why does God do that? (1) Because we couldn’t handle all the information (2) We wouldn’t need Him in the process if He gave us all the info.
GOD GIVES US JUST ENOUGH INFORMATION TO REQUIRE A STEP OF FAITH!
This is the part many of us don’t like. We want all the facts!
“The righteous live by faith.”
Acts 20:22- “….I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.”
Uncertainty- A step in the process a lot of us aren’t willing to take.
When God speaks to you it’s going to be a prompting, but then God’s going to require you to take the big leap!
Until you get used to that you can never learn to follow God’s will and His ways.
Look at how used the Apostle Paul got to uncertainty.
1Corinthians 16:5-9- “After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you-for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”
Can you see the uncertainty in the Apostle Paul?
For some of you it’s time to take a step. You’ve has a stirring but you’re waiting for more information.
MORE INFORMATION IS NOT COMING, GOD REQUIRES A STEP OF FAITH!
Some of us are going to stay in the same spot forever if we don’t take the step of faith!
TAKE A BOLD STEP, IT’S TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST AND HAVE A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE!
2Corinthians 5:7- “We live by faith, not by sight.”
TRANSITION: God gives us a stirring in our spirit, and then we have to take a step of faith.
III. PREDICTABLE RESISTENCE
All hell will break loose! Many times we interpret resistance in the wrong way. You think you’re messing us!
Here’s another way to put it. If you’re not butting heads with the devil once in a while you might be walking with him.
“In this world you will have trouble.”
1Tessalonians 2:18- “For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us.”
Satan cut a ditch in our road.
Many people change course and go around to the delight of the enemy.
OR, YOU AND I CAN BE MORE THAN CONQUERORS LIKE GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE!
The Lord never promised that life would be easy but He did promise to make us OVERCOMERS!
TRANSITION: Markers on the road. (1) The prompting of the Holy Spirit (2) Certain Uncertainty (3) Predictable resistance.
IV. UNCOMMON CLARITY
Nothing is going to stop me. I’m going to do this!!! A tenacious attitude that says, nothing is going to get me down.
Acts 20:24- “However, I consider my lie worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus Christ has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Paul said- “I’M GOING TO FINISH MY TASK!!!”
Nehemiah 6:3- “So I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you.”
I’M STAYING FOCUSED!!! I’M DOING A GREAT WORK!!!!
CONCLUSION: What few things should I focus my life on now?
1. The prompting of the Holy Spirit
2. Certain Uncertainty
3. Predictable resistance
4. Uncommon clarity
IT’S ALL ABOUT VISION.
Getting something stirring on the inside of you and then taking a huge step of faith. Then being met with resistance requiring my undying clarity and focus!
Let’s pray
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Marriage and Materialism - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
New Life COTR Wednesday August 8, 2007
BUILDING AND MARRIAGE THAT ROCKS
“Marriage and Materialism”
INTRODUCTION: Last week we talked about Marriage and Money. Money, if not handled correctly can cause much stress in a marriage. While it is God’s plan for money to be a blessing for many it is a curse. One of the leading causes of divorce in America is money problems.
Matthew 6:24(NIV)- “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
The managing editor of money magazine summed up a study his magazine did concluding that money has become the number one obsession in America. Money has become the new sex in this country.
Tonight we’re going to talk about “MARRIAGE AND MATERIALISM.”
Television and advertising convinces us that we need it all and Master Card promises us that we can have it all.
To many Christians have left their FIRST LOVE and are having a love affair with the world.
A gentleman was wearing a T-Shirt that said “ALL I WANT IS MORE.” This is a symbol of a very serious situation not only in America but in the CHURCH as well.
Luke 12:15- “Then He said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
From time to time we all struggle with MATERIALISM. We must learn to balance success and significance.
What are our real priorities in life? WE ALL WANT MORE!
Many believe that when we get more things it will make us happier. The truth is more possessions has nothing to do with true happiness.
We get more things thinking it will make us happy when all along it puts us in bondage! It causes an inner conflict! WHY?
“YOU CAN’T SERVE TWO MASTERS.” You cannot be caught up in the secular rat race and serve God at the same time!
John Stott: “We cannot maintain a good life of extravagance and a good conscience simultaneously. One or the other has to be sacrificed. Either we reduce our affluence by giving generously and helping those in need or we keep our affluence and smother our conscience. We have to choose between man and God!”
He’s not saying we have to make ourselves poor and give everything away! He’s saying that we must be generous givers in order not to smother our conscience. We need to have open hands and open heart.
IT’S NOT ABOUT LIVING IN A HUT, IT’S ABOUT THE HEART!
What is MATERIALISM?
1. Webster’s Dictionary- materialism is a pre-occupation with or a tendency to seek after or stress material rather than spiritual things.
2. Thorndike and Barnhart Jr. Dictionary- a person who cares too much for the things of this world and neglects spiritual things.
A Materialist is a person who is preoccupied with the things of this world.
Mark 4:13-20- Turn and Read
The following scripture is a picture Jesus paints of a Materialist.
Luke 12:15-21(NIV)- (Also Read from the Message Translation)
The storing up of things is not evil. It’s when you store up things and you are not rich toward God. That’s the issue. Going after possessions but you’re not rich toward God!
Materialism is not POSSESSION, but OBSESSION. Wanting things more than you want God.
Here’s a good balance. Do you put more energy into getting more of God or more of the world?
Materialism is a matter of the HEART not the wallet. Materialism is not determined by how much or little you have. It’s a matter of the heart.
Howard Hedrix- “Materialism has nothing to do with the amount. It has everything to do with the attitude.
1Timothy 6:17,18- “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
Paul didn’t tell the rich to get rid of all their wealth or tell them to feel guilty about their wealth. He said to be generous with your wealth and not to put your hope in the wealth.
Putting your hope in the wealth is materialism.
Are you more afraid of loosing your house than your walk with God? Are you more afraid of loosing your savings account than your walk with God? If so your securities are in the wrong place.
SEVEN WARNING SIGNALS
There is no formula to determine what and what is not materialism. It is between the person and God. The line is different for everybody. We can get into a dangerous area of a judgmental spirit or pious attitude if we have some kind of formula. Materialism is not about a dollar amount. It is about the heart.
There are seven warning signals of Materialism:
1. When you go from managing your money to being anxious over it.
2. When envy and jealousy creep into your life. (You get upset when someone gets a new car).
3. When you loose appreciation for what God has already given you.
4. When you loose the joy of cheerful giving.
5. When you seek things more than God.
6. When you think that things will make you happy.
7. When enough is never enough.
THE CURE FOR MATERIALISM
Contentment is the only scriptural cure for Materialism!
Six steps toward contentment
1. Meditate on scripture. Psalm 1, Philippians 4:12,13, Matthew 6
2. List your assets and regularly express gratitude.
3. Reflect on what really makes you happy.
4. Make a wish list on paper and tell God what you want. (But be willing to live without). This gives you permission to be real. This gives you space to be honest with your humanity.
5. Don’t rush major purchases.
6. Decide how much is enough before you get it. You decide what your lifestyle is going to be before you get there. When you get there stop and give the rest to God. .
CONCLUSION: Contentment is the secret of inward peace. It remembers the stark truth that we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. Our enemy is not possessions but excess.
2Corinthians 9:6-11(NIV) Turn and Read
Sunday, August 5, 2007
What am I doing Wrong? - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Sunday August 5, 2007
WHAT’S GOD’S WILL?
“What am I doing Wrong?”
INTRODUCTION: Does God have a unique specific plan for my life? If He does how am I supposed to find that out?
Psalm 139:16- “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
How do I get what God knows about me into me? How do I figure that out?
Last week I gave you a fundamental foundational message to frame this whole series. We have God’s sovereign will, moral will and then His personal will for our lives.
Ephesians 5:17- “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
We must pursue and find out God’s will. Just because it’s in the Bible doesn’t mean it’s going to automatically happen.
Okay I’m in the zone of God’s sovereign will and moral will. I know God has a plan for my life.
Today’s message is dedicated to the things I’m doing wrong. The things that keep us from discovering God’s will.
The truth is that many of us use unreliable methods to try and discover God’s will. Fortune cookie Christians. Dr. Phil or Oprah. The latest magazine or our horoscope.
Proverbs 14:12- “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
There are things or ways we think should work out but in the end they lead to death.
TRANSITION: So what are some things I might be doing wrong that hinder me from hearing God’s voice and knowing His will?
1. We hear to many voices
One of the reasons we can’t hear God isn’t because He’s not talking! It’s because we’ve got way to many voices competing inside us.
The truth is that many of us are just way to busy. Have I allowed too many things to pile up in my life?
(STORY OF FOOTBALL STADIUM)
There are just too many voices competing with God’s voice.
MANY TIMES THE VOICE COMPETING WITH GOD’S VOICE IS OUR OWN VOICE!
2Timothy 4:3- “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
Many times we say, “God I want Your will,” but do we really? Or is it God come and bless my will. God, here’s what I want now come and be a part of this.
Many times we can’t hear God’s voice because we’re listening to way to many other voices.
WE NEED TO SETTLE THE VOICES.
The second thing we might do wrong. Now this seems simple but it’s really profound.
2. We don’t ask God
James 4:2- “You do not have, because you do not ask God…”
Many times we don’t involve God. Or we don’t involve God until it’s too late.
We ask everybody but God!
James 1:5- “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given unto him.”
We hear too many voices and we don’t ask God.
3. We give up too early
We know God’s will but things aren’t working out like we thought they would. All hell breaks loose when you obey God.
(STORY OF PASTOR WHO PLANTED CHURCH AND ATTENDANCE DROPPED)
God is way more interested in our character than our comfort. I don’t like that but it’s true.
If God has the opportunity to teach us something in the middle of doing His will, He’ll do it! Even if it means we have to suffer for a while!
Sometimes God brings us through difficult times to build our character then He moves us into His perfect will!
Hebrews 10:36- “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
TRANSITION: We hear too many voices, we don’t ask God and we give up to early. Now here’s the big one that causes many people to miss God’s will.
4. We rely too much on logic.
We rely way too much on logic. Our minds literally get in the way of the process. I’ll figure this out myself.
YOUR MIND WILL KEEP YOU FROM GOD’S BEST!!!!
God’s ways are not your ways and His thoughts are not your thoughts. His ways are higher and bigger and better than your ways!!!!
IF WE RELY ON LOGIC WE’LL MISS THE BEST THINGS OF GOD! WHY?
God is often not logical. God hardly ever does it the way our minds would think!
OUR MINDS WILL LIMIT GOD’S ABILITY!
Let me say something you really need to understand. Your mind is keeping some of you from God’s best!
Parts of God’s ways are a little strange and some of you are a little uncomfortable with that.
We reduce God down to a size we can understand. The size of our brains! God can be no bigger than our own minds!
It keeps us from miracles! We serve a God who does signs and wonders!
1Corinthians 2:14- “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
(STORY OF A PASTOR WHO WAS PLANTING A CHURCH AND ASKED TO GO AND PASTOR A DEBT FREE MEGA CHURCH)
Sometimes when faced with God’s will it’s not always logical!
TRANSITION: So how do I get on the right track? How do I tune in to God’s will? What can I do to get on the right track?
If you’ll do the four things I’m about to share with you I guarantee you that you’ll get closer to God and hear His voice and discover His will for you’re life.
1. Eliminate distractions
Silence the other voices. For some of us it’s the voice of sin. The world will cloud you’re judgment.
Hebrews 12:1,2- “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”
How can I do that? One way is fasting. A missing discipline in the church. Another is to take a retreat. Get away.
God’s talking, we just can’t hear.
John 10:4,5- “When He has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger, in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
Eliminate distractions.
2. Give your whole heart to God
Here in the Bible belt it’s easy to be a cultural Christian. God’s a part of my life, He’s just not my life.
I have a Sunday and maybe Wednesday relationship with God. GOD WANTS TO BE YOUR WHOLE LIFE!
Jeremiah 29:13- “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Christianity doesn’t work even when you give God 99% . It only works when you go after God with everything you have.
Trying Christianity doesn’t work, YOU HAVE TO SELL OUT!
Psalm 37:4- “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Delight- “to adorn yourself like a bride does on her wedding day.
Then He’ll give you the desires of your heart. God won’t give you what you want, He’ll give you the want!!!
Your desires will start lining up with His desires!
Do you want to get on the right track? Eliminate distractions and give God your whole heart.
3. Trust God
When God speaks to you He’s going to give you the big free-fall. Go ahead and take the leap! God will do it every time.
Proverbs 3:5,6- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Sometimes God is going to ask you to do something that seems like the big-leap. TAKE IT! God will never ask you to do something easy that you don’t need Him!
1Corinthians 1:20- “…Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world.”
TRANSITION: Get on the right track to God’s will. Eliminate distractions. Give your whole heart to God. Trust God! And now something very, very important.
4. Follow Peace
Peace is something the devil can’t counterfeit.
That still small voice deep down inside. The peace of God!
Philippians 4:6,7- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
CONCLUSION: Some of you here today need to do these four things. For some of you, you really need to give your whole heart to God. Some of you need peace.
Let’s pray
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Marriage and Money - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Wednesday August 1, 2007
BUILDING A MARRIAGE THAT ROCKS
“Marriage and Money”
INTRODUCTION: Many Marriages today are on the rocks because of MONEY! Fifty percent of couples filing for divorce list financial problems as the leading cause!
Money and material blessings are meant by God to be a source of blessing and security, but for many couples, finances are a curse and a cause for fighting and insecurity in their relationships.
Regardless of your financial situation you and I need to respect the power finances have on our lives and marriage.
Money molds men and women and marriages. In the process of getting it, of saving it, of using it, of giving it, of accounting for it.
Depending on how money is handled it proves a blessing or a curse to its possessor.
IN YOUR MARRIAGE, YOU WILL EITHER MASTER MONEY OR MONEY WILL MASTER YOUR MARRIAGE!
Matthew 6:24-34- Turn and Read
*****Understand, that when it comes to money it’s about YOU AND GOD IN PARTNERSHIP!********
Let’s first look at God and His part in the partnership. FOR THE PARTNERSHIP TO WORK YOU MUST BELIEVE THE NEXT THREE POINTS.
I. OWNERSHIP- He is the sole owner of everything.
Psalm 24:1- “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it;”
II. GOD IS IN CONTROL
1Chronicles 29:11,12- “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord is the Kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”
III. PROVISION- God is the provider
Genesis 22:14- “The Lord will Provide.”
TRANSITION: God is doing His part! Now what is our part in this partnership?
I. FAITHFUL STEWARDS- Accountable to God
1Corinthians 4:2(NIV)- “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
God owns, we possess. That makes us STEWARDS OR MANAGERS of His stuff.
TRANSITION: In Genesis 2 God prepared the garden of Eden for Adam and put Adam in the garden and commanded Adam to DRESS and KEEP the garden. God was telling Adam, “Manage and Protect My Garden.”
God the owner is in control and gives us provision to manage or be stewards over. So how do we end up in financial problems which in turn cause unnecessary stress on our marriages?
1. DEBT- This is simply spending more than you make.
Proverbs 22:7- “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Debt- Few things are so easy to get into and so difficult to get out of. Few things are so fun to get into but so difficult to get out of.
2. IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF RESOURCES
Impulse buying- Don’t buy under pressure. If God wants you to have it, it will be there for you. If you don’t have peace, don’t do it.
Will Rogers- “We spend money we don’t have to but things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.”
Indulgence Buying- It is important to discern between NEEDS and WANTS. Indulgence buying is buying just because you want it.
But it was on sale! Do you know how much money I saved? Do you know how much money you spent?
The third thing that causes financial problems and unnecessary stress on the marriage.
3. CARELESS MANAGEMENT
Lack of attention to Money Details. Here is a common statement, “I DON’T KNOW WHERE IT ALL GOES.”
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES IS NOT A MYSTERY! Get a budget.
Proverbs 24:30-34- Turn and Read
What you invest your money in is important.
You are 12 times more likely to be struck by lightening than to win the lottery.
The Fourth way you can get into financial problems which can cause unnecessary stress on your marriage.
4. WITHHOLDING BENOVOLENCE
There are two Biblical principles that go hand in hand. GIVING AND RECEIVING
Luke 6:38- “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
It is possible to give and be richer. It is possible to hold on to things and be poorer as a result.
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.”
Biblically we are commanded to give in three ways:
(1) 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.”
(2) To Other Christians- Galatians 6:10- “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
(3) To the poor and needy-Proverbs 14:21- “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.”
The fifth way to get into financial problems and cause unnecessary stress on your marriage,
5. CHEATING
Taxes, Work, Time!
TRANSITION: Now, how do we experience financial peace that helps our marriage be a marriage that Rocks?
1. PERSONAL DISCIPLINES- that where it all begins. Financial peace comes from your own personal disciplines.
The maturity of your personal disciplines is second in making this whole thing work. The first is God.
Ownership, control, provision, this is all about God! BUT SECOND IS YOUR DISCIPLINE!
WITHOUT THESE TWO ALL THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE WORLD WON’T HELP ONE BIT!
Master yourself first through Jesus Christ and then master your money.
Proverbs 25:28- “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”
Proverbs 1:1-7- Turn and Read
TRANSITION: God calls us to personal disciplines and faithful stewardship for three reasons:
1. TO DEVELOP CHARACTER- Money molds men. It proves to be a blessing or a curse. EITHER A MAN BECOMES A MASTER OF HIS MONEY OR THE MONEY MASTER OF THE MAN!
Money is an exact index to the character of a man. Your checkbook reveals your true character.
The second reason God calls us to personal discipline and faithful stewardship
2. TO DEEPEN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
In order to trust God with your finances you’ve got to know Him and to know Him you must spend time with Him.
All major financial decisions require time with God.
Matthew 6:24- “….you cannot serve two masters…”
The third reason for personal discipline and faithful stewardship
3. TO LEAD US TO CONTENTMENT
Hebrews 13:5- “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
There is great joy in doing the right thing but you just have to do it.
Without a strong mature character you have no discipline for a budget.
Without a deep spiritual life you have no motivation to give to God’s church.
Without contentment you will never get out of debt because you’ll always want more.
CONCLUSION: I want a marriage that rocks, how about you? Be free financially! Keep unnecessary stress out of your marriage.
