Today was a pretty relaxed day. I slept in a little bit and then did some cooking and cleaning. I also listened to a message online from a church in TN. What a blessing we have technology at our fingertips to be able to to just that. We had practice this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Edirne. Apparently with traffic and stuff it will take us 4 or 5 hours to drive there. I will let you know how the trip goes. We will practice there in the afternoon and then we will play on Saturday.
I wanted to copy the notes that I took from the message I listened to earlier today:
Redeemer Community Church
Jeff Martin
02.07.16
Resourced – The Playbook Series
Matthew 6:19-24
- Money is awkward, but it is important.
- 3 Types of Churches:
- Legalistic Church
- ABC Church – Attendance, Buildings, Cash Flow
- Don’t talk about money
- Money/Finances is a “heart issue”
- 3 Types of Churches:
- This last sermon is tied to our vision as a church.
- A vision without resources is just a dream.
*Material things can be deceptive.
How do I store up treasures in Heaven?
- Give to gospel ministries.
- Simple acts of kindness.
- Give to the poor.
“Two Eyes” – What are you filling your eyes with?
- The eye illuminates a person’s inner being.
- What we are focused on drives our heart.
- Greed is a sin that is most hidden in our hearts.
- When you focus on God’s Kingdom that directs the way you think, feel, and act (single mindedness on God’s Kingdom).
- Healthy is where generous and simple overlap.
- Generous giving is giving and expecting nothing in return.
“Two Masters” – cannot serve God and Money
- We need to prioritize God’s Kingdom and not our own when it comes to our finances.
- PLAN of Generosity:
- P –ray for generous hearts
- L – ifestyle cap – “American way is spend what you make.”
- Find what is comfortable and doable within a budget and then cap your lifestyle.
- A – ccountability - Budget
- N – ot less than a tithe
- The average Christian gives less than 3%
Why aren’t you giving to the local church?
- Do you agree with their mission?
- Is the church accomplishing that mission?
- If the answer is “no’ to any of these questions then you need to find a different church.
How we treat IDOLS: (can be money)
- We love idols
- We trust Idols
- We serve idols
“We need to think on the costly grace of Christ until it makes us generous people.”
God bless,
Megan