Redemption is the Ultimate Stone DR. KEN HEMPHILL

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1 Redemption is the Ultimate Stone DR. KEN HEMPHILL God will accomplish His eternal purpose through those who follow Christ and invest their lives to advance His kingdom In Revelation 2:17, the apostle John wrote that those who overcome will be given a white stone on which will be written a new name that no one knows but him who receives it. White stones were used in several different contexts in the ancient world. They signified acquittal by a jury, whereas a black one signified condemnation. They were used as tickets of admission to public festivals. Both uses may signify that those in Christ are fully acquitted and welcomed to the messianic feast. The stone with a new name conveys both assurance and full blessing for those who receive it. Revelation 21:2-19 tells of a new Holy City. The 12 foundation stones supporting the wall of the city were visible to all. They were gloriously adorned with beautiful jewels. The stones are indicative of beauty and majesty beyond earthly description. Verses 3 and 4 tell us that this city is where God will dwell among us and where we will be His people eternally. As we contemplate the ultimate outcome of all things, we are called to invest our earthly resources in the endless pursuit of establishing missional communities that reflect and foster God s eternal purpose.

2 Mission is the Kingdom Stone DR. KEN HEMPHILL Persons who encounter the one true King seek ways to declare His message to the nations. Approaching Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion, Jesus made an unusual request of His disciples. They were to go into the village and bring back a donkey colt that had never been ridden. As Jesus approached the city riding on the colt, the crowd began to praise God in a loud voice. People spread coats and branches on the road. People formed a procession in front of and behind Jesus shouting, Hosanna! and, Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:38, NIV). Jesus riding on a humble donkey would have brought to mind the prophecy of the coming King from Zechariah 9:9-10. The reference to the King indicates that people were declaring Jesus to be the Messiah who came to bring redemption. Persons who encounter the one true King seek ways to declare His message to the nations. Missional stewardship is marked by sacrificial and cooperative support of God s mission to reach the nations through congregational ministry and collaborative global strategies as illustrated by the Cooperative Program. Cooperative giving is kingdom focused because it requires us to give to people we may never see in a manner where only Jesus can receive the glory.

3 Faith is the Foundation Stone DR. KEN HEMPHILL Faithful stewardship of our time, talents, testimony and treasure validates our profession of faith. Who do you say I am? Jesus asked of Peter. This question really marks a turning point in Matthew s gospel and in the disciples understanding of who Jesus is. The first question Jesus asked was an easy one to answer. Who do people say that the Son of Man is? Some today believe Him to be a great teacher, a prophet or religious leader. But what happens when we are confronted with the question of who Jesus is to us personally? Peter declares, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God! Peter declares that Jesus is much more than a prophet or teacher; He is the very Son of the living God. Jesus affirms this radical declaration by stating that His Father in heaven revealed this. It is significant that in the very first context where Jesus allows His disciples to profess their faith in Him as King, He declares His intention to build His church upon that foundation. An authentic profession of faith leads to our understanding that Jesus is Lord over every area of our lives. Faithful stewardship of our time, talents, testimony and treasure validates our profession of faith.

4 Christ is the Capstone DR. KEN HEMPHILL For those who follow Him, He is the capstone that makes all life s efforts cohere and have lasting meaning. The cornerstone described in 1 Peter 2:6 creates a powerful image. The head of the corner was a massive stone set, not in the foundation, but in the upper corner of a building to bind the walls firmly together. The huge stone would have been useless in other positions in the building. It lay rejected in the building yard while the walls were being built. Its size would have made it a stumbling block to the builders as long as it lay on the ground unused. But once in place, it became the capstone on which all else in the building depended. Christ is too great to be neglected or rejected. For those who follow Him, He is the capstone that makes all life s efforts cohere and have lasting meaning. But for those who stumble over and reject Him, life will lack purpose and meaning. There will be judgment in the life to come. The first mark of a genuine disciple is the recognition of the gift of salvation graciously offered in Christ. Christian stewardship is marked by the confession that all we are and all we have has been received from God and therefore belongs to God.

5 Faithful Giving DR. ERNEST STANDERFER Through faithful giving, we care for others and honor our Lord. Faithful constant, dedicated, devoted, loyal, steadfast, dependable, reliable, responsible Faithful giving giving through one s church with dedication and loyalty A church member who had been a widow for several years recently passed away. Though living on a fixed income, she had committed to give what many would say was a large gift each month through her church. Few knew of her commitment, but nothing deterred her from giving not sickness, the advice of others nothing. Her church was important to her, and she was a dedicated and faithful giver. Once, the Apostle Paul commended a church for their faithful giving. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:14-16, 18, NIV). Through faithful giving, we care for others and honor our Lord.

6 Cheerful Giving DR. ERNEST STANDERFER God wants each of us to learn the joy of giving. One has said, We are never more like God than when we give. Cheerful - happy, contented, glad, enthusiastic, merry, joyful Cheerful giving - giving through one s church with a contented and joyful attitude How difficult is it to find a cheerful giver? Most people seem more concerned with keeping their material resources than in giving them away. But what does God s Word say about cheerful giving? You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7, NLT). Cheerful giving comes when we recognize the need to give. Giving is not optional. God wants each of us to learn the joy of giving. Someone once said, We are never more like God than when we give. Cheerful giving comes through a personal and prayerful decision. Our giving is not based on how much others may give, but on what we believe God would have us give! Cheerful giving comes because we desire to give. The only valid pressure should be from the Holy Spirit Who motivates us to give. Cheerful giving comes when we desire to please God. Saint Francis of Assisi said, I want what God wants, that s why I am so merry. Lord, may we discover new joy in our giving!

7 Obedient Giving DR. ERNEST STANDERFER Our blessings find their source in our generous God. He is the Great Giver. Obedient law-abiding, submissive, dutiful, surrendering, yielding, disciplined, teachable Obedient giving giving through one s church with a submissive and disciplined attitude In some settings, the words obedient giving might evoke negative thoughts of being forced, threatened, or being made to give. For example, in Jesus day the practice of tithing had faded into a legalistic adherence to religious rules and displays of selfrighteousness. The truth is that obedient giving is just the opposite when viewed in a biblical context. We actually have nothing of ourselves. Our blessings find their source in our generous God. To express our gratitude and to remind us that He is sovereign, we obediently tithe our income. Three truths give us clear direction for giving obediently. Remember the Lord is the SOURCE. The earth is the Lord s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1, NIV). Remember His COMMAND. A tithe of everything belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30, NIV). Remember the REASON. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives (Deuteronomy 14:23, TLB). The late evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said, Never think that Jesus commanded a trifle, nor dare to trifle with anything He has commanded. Lord, help us to be obedient and tithe!

8 8 Stewardship Tract 4: Heartfelt Giving DR. ERNEST STANDERFER Heartfelt giving flows from a deep love for Jesus and the mission He has given us Heartfelt devout, earnest, fervent, genuine, honest, sincere, true, warm, wholehearted, the real thing Heartfelt giving giving through one s church with a genuine and wholehearted attitude A well-known preacher relates an experience he had when he was 12. He had earned some money and put it in the bank. A few weeks later, he heard a missionary to Native Americans speak. He was deeply touched and couldn t get the missionary and the Native Americans out of his mind. Finally, he withdrew some money and sent a money order to help. Years later he still remembered that heartfelt gift. Every time he thought about it, he felt good. The Bible relates a heartfelt gift given to Jesus not long before His earthly ministry ended. A woman had some expensive perfume. Finding Jesus, she broke open the jar and poured the perfume on His head. Some rebuked her saying it had been wasted. What did Jesus think? Leave her alone, said Jesus. She has done a beautiful thing to me I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her (Mark 14:6,8-9, NIV). Heartfelt giving flows from a deep love for Jesus and the mission He has given us. Heartfelt givers are committed givers. Lord, may our giving be from the heart the real thing!

9 True or False: What s Mine is Mine DR. ROBERT L. ROSS Christian stewardship always begins with acknowledgement of God s ownership and His abundant blessings. In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus tells a story about a man who made such an assertion. The point of the parable is that personal ownership is a fragile and temporary arrangement at best and can be terminated by circumstance or death. In conclusion, Jesus asked: Then whose shall these things be? God is the owner of us and all that we have. The apostle Paul reminds us: The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and in Him we live and move and exist (Acts 17:24,28, HCSB). That which we claim comes from the hand of God. He has given us the health and skills to earn an income. You may say to yourself, My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me, but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth in order to confirm His covenant (Deuteronomy 8:17-18, HCSB). Christian stewardship always begins with acknowledgement of God s ownership and abundant blessings. But it also requires accountability what we do with what He has given us. In managing the resources entrusted to us, will we generously and faithfully give back a portion to advance His kingdom on earth?

10 True or False: Tithing, a New Testament Principle DR. ROBERT L. ROSS Giving in response to the grace of God is always greater than what the Law requires. The Pharisees were out to get Jesus. They tried to entrap Him with clever questions. They criticized Him for keeping company with sinners and tax collectors. They accused him of violating the Sabbath. They leveled the charge of blasphemy against Him because He claimed to be the Son of God. Yet never did they accuse Him of failing to observe the practice of tithing. Mark and Luke report that Jesus witnessed worshipers putting their offerings into the temple treasury. He noticed a widow who put in two copper coins of insignificant value and declared that her gift was the greatest because she gave all she had. Many times Jesus addressed practices of Old Testament legalism with a new and different perspective. However, there is no record in the New Testament where He ever revoked the Old Testament law that the tithe belongs to the Lord and is holy to Him. Quite the contrary, He commended tithing as a practice to be continued (see Matthew 23:23). The giving pattern of the New Testament church is consistent with the practice of giving a tenth and beyond as one prospers. Giving in response to the grace of God is always greater than what the Law requires.

11 11 True or False: Money is the Root of All Evil DR. ROBERT L. ROSS The danger of wealth is not that we possess it, but that it can possess us Words are important. A single word added or omitted can change the whole meaning of a sentence. A perfect example is 1 Timothy 6:10: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil This verse is often misquoted as saying that money is the root of all kinds of evil. Money in itself is neither good nor bad. The morality of money is determined by the premium one places upon it, the manner in which it is acquired, how it is used, on what it is spent and to what it is given. The danger of wealth is not that we possess it, but that it can possess us, supplanting our desire to live for God and in wholehearted devotion to Him. Money can also be used for good to finance kingdom causes, to spread the gospel, to minister to the poor and needy. When Christians invest material resources in spiritual undertakings, their spiritual life is deepened. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. When one gives to missions and ministries, an even greater heart for missions and ministries will soon follow.

12 True or False: You Can t Take It With You DR. ROBERT L. ROSS For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out. Did you know you can extend your Christian stewardship beyond your lifetime and very likely give more after death than while you were living? Here is how it works. In a will or living trust document, one directs how the assets of his estate are to be distributed. In my case, estate assets will pass to my spouse. After her death, 90 percent of our assets will go to our children and the remaining 10 percent will go as a gift in trust to the Lord s work through the Baptist Foundation. As trustee, the Baptist Foundation will manage those assets so they increase in value. The foundation will then distribute the income generated to the causes I have designated. The administration of that gift is perpetual; it will keep on giving as the original amount is multiplied. I can remain faithful in my Christian stewardship even while I am in heaven serving and honoring my Lord. Contact the Southern Baptist Foundation or the Baptist Foundation of your state convention to learn of gifting arrangements through which you can also extend your Christian stewardship beyond your lifetime.

13 13 When I Tithe the Church is Strengthened The church becomes an extension of our Heavenly Father s house when we provide care and strength for our fellow believers. Barnabas, one of the early disciples, was known as the Son of Encouragement. Barnabas encouraged his fellow church members through generous giving. Acts 4:36-37 describes his decision to sell a piece of property and give the proceeds to the church. As a result the Bible says: There were no needy persons among them (Acts 4:34). We all long for a supportive environment where needs can be alleviated. Jesus describes heaven as a place of many mansions where all our needs will be met. The church becomes an extension of our heavenly Father s house when we provide care and strength for our fellow believers. Our willingness to strengthen ministry through giving a tithe or more of our income on a regular basis makes church like heaven on earth. You can be a son of encouragement, if you will set your heart on financial obedience. God provides all of our resources, and when we acknowledge His care for us by giving a tithe or more, our church is strengthened. If you have never practiced tithing, now is a good time to start. Spiritual encouragement will overflow because of your obedience. Be an encourager: Tithe!

14 When I Tithe, the Church s Ministry is Extended When God s people combine their spiritual gifts with faithful tithes and offerings, many people will come to know Jesus as Lord. Barnabas was known in the early church as the Son of Encouragement. In Acts 9:27-28 Barnabas gives his endorsement with the church to introduce Saul, a young dynamic preacher who had been recently converted from Judaism. Saul had a checkered past and had been actively involved in persecuting and imprisoning Christians. Through the gift of encouragement and endorsement, Barnabas was able to introduce the struggling new church to a minister who would become the greatest evangelist of the first century. We all long for a church that is growing and vibrant in ministry. When Barnabas and Saul combined their gifts at the church in Antioch a great number of people were brought to the Lord (Acts 11:24-26). The same promise of blessing is ours today. When God s people combine their spiritual gifts with faithful tithes and offerings, many people will come to know Jesus as Lord. You can extend the ministry effectiveness of your church by regularly giving a tithe or more of your income. Your gifts encourage other believers to play a larger role in ministry in today s world. Who knows when another evangelist like the apostle Paul will appear? Perhaps he awaits your encouragement. Be an encourager: Tithe!

15 When I Tithe, Missionaries are Multiplied We have the opportunity every Sunday to multiply missionary performance through gifts of prayer, encouragement, and faithful tithing. Barnabas and Paul were the first missionaries commissioned by the early church at Antioch. Acts 13 and 14 describe their success in planting churches in the Middle East and their report of encouragement to the church at Antioch. Though they were successful in working together, when it was time for a second journey, they had a sharp disagreement centered on John Mark, who had failed to complete the first missionary assignment with them. Paul chose Silas as a partner instead, and they headed for Greece. Barnabas, ever the encourager, chose John Mark and sailed for Cyprus. What could have been interpreted as a failed effort, actually resulted in twice as many missionary teams. All of us long to see more missionaries and to see the kingdom of God increase and multiply. By faithfully giving a tithe or more of our income through the church, we encourage the commissioning of more missionaries. We have the opportunity every Sunday to multiply missionary performance through gifts of prayer, encouragement and faithful tithing. If we fail to be generous, we could impair the growth of God s kingdom and shrink His missionary force. Be an encourager: Tithe!