Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
The Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
This week we continue our study focusing on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
Today we are talking about We Have This Treasure.
Text
1 Corinthians 3:22-23 NKJV
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours.
23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 3:22-23 NKJV
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours.
23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
Christians are the wealthiest people in the world.
As Christians look up, down, and all around, everything they see is theirs.
In this passage of Scripture, Paul began to enumerate the Christian’s possessions.
He referred to messengers that deliver the truth, the “world” and all its riches and beauty, “death”, the key that unlocks the door to the Christian’s eternal reward, “things present,” which would include such things as homes, families, friends, and businesses, and “things to come,” which would include blessings and curses.
These gifts are piled high before believers’ eyes and serve as a subject for this message.
- Look at the fact that Christians do have these treasures.
These treasures are from God.
Each person who has had an experience with God through Jesus Christ knows that all spiritual possessions are from God.
They are marks of love.
The recipients should accept the experiences in a spirit of gratitude and not take them for granted.
Each person should also realise that material possessions come from God.
They are not merely the result of our own efforts but are gifts from God.
These treasures are for a holy purpose.
There are three views of material wealth.
First, material wealth is intended for personal comfort and delight.
This is what the parable in Luke 12 is describing.
These gifts are to be used for the divine purpose of honouring God.
Second, material wealth is something that may be hoarded.
There is a difference in saving for a holy purpose.
Those who hoard violate the principle of having possessions for a holy purpose.
Third, material wealth is a gift for a high and holy purpose.
In this view, we realise that god controls all things and does all things for a holy goal.
These treasures are to be surrendered to God.
God is patient.
He patiently waits for pertinent sinners so that He can give them eternal salvation.
He patiently waits for His children to learn vital lessons.
And He patiently waits for wayward Christians to return to Him.
People suffer when they withhold these treasures from God.
They build a false sense of security and retard the progress of God’s kingdom.
2. Consider what Christians have in these treasures.
We have power, especially to evangelise the world.
To utilise this power, we must take our stand for righteousness.
We must be busy proclaiming the gospel.
We have influence.
We have an influence for good in a world that is plagued with evil.
We can especially influence others to accept Christ as Saviour.
We have talents given to us by the Lord to accumulate material wealth.
They are talents to be used in specific service for the Lord.
3. Consider the use of these talents.
There are different levels of giving.
At the “tip” level, a small gift is given as a token of appreciation for a service rendered.
The “entertainment” level is similar to purchasing a ticket to a football game or concert, or only giving when we go to church.
At the “emotional” level a person only gives when their emotions have been stirred.
Some people give on the “promise” level, they make a pledge but do not fulfil it.
God’s way is the giving of tithes and offerings.
Token giving is not pleasing to God.
Token giving is giving only a small portion of what we are capable of giving.
It is often used as an excuse for not giving more and a way of redirecting attention.
It is used to soothe one’s conscience.
Token giving s a sin, as it breaks the first commandment.
Love is the basis for all giving.
When we love, we give.
When we do not love, we find excuses.
Giving is an act of worship.
Worship has been defined as self giving to God.
Conclusion.
Paul said that all these things are yours.
Because of the bountiful way the Lord gives to us and because of the rich benefits we receive from giving, we should follow God’s plan for giving.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.
So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us
2022 IS A YEAR OF REPENTANCE AND BLESSINGS
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