Point of Grace Online Worship - July 27, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 7.28.25 “Seek Wisdom – Part 3 – The Way of Wisdom is the Way of Humility”

Seek Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”.  Prov.9:10

“Seeking Wisdom = Seeking Jesus “ – Proverbs 8

“The Way of Wisdom is the Way of Humility”- Proverbs 10-31

Proverbs 10-31
Hundreds of proverbial sayings on a myriad of topics applying wisdom to living … “with the grain living”.

Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. (10:10)
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (10:11)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  (16:24)
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. (10:12)
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.  (10:18)
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.  (10:19)
A gossip betrays a confidence; so, avoid anyone who talks too much. (20:19)

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. (16:2)
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (16:3)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.  (16:18)
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. (19:20)
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.  (16:20)
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.  (16:25)
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (16:32)

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!  (16:16)
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (22:9)
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.  (15:16)
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. (15:17)
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (3:9-10)
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. (11:28) 

Which proverbs will cost you something when applied in your life?

1 Peter 5
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Humility costs the “self” something… prying it loose from its authoritative position.
The “self” is relegated to the back seat and God is trusted in the driver’s seat.
Humility is the practical path moving us from “self-reliant” living to “God-reliant” living.

Philippians 2
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Corinthians 1:21-30
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength….
28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  

What does The Way of Wisdom cost me?

What does The Way of Wisdom offer me?

Point of Grace Online Worship - July 20, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 7.20.25 “Seek Wisdom – Part 2 – Proverbs 8-9”

Seek Wisdom

“Wisdom “- Chokmah (חָכְמָה):  Biblical wisdom denotes knowledge with understanding as well as practical skill in applying wisdom guided by a moral component.  To live with “wisdom” is to flow with the way the universe was designed to function.  Folly (wisdom-less-ness) on the other hand is living “against the grain” of the designer’s design for a meaningful life in this world.

“Fear of the Lord” – Awe and reverence with deeply relational love, trust and submission.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

The Case for Seeking Wisdom Above All (Spoiler Alert – Seeking Wisdom = Seeking Jesus)

Proverbs 8:1-11          Wisdom Pleas (Passionately)

Does not wisdom call out?    Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Proverbs 8:12-21       Wisdom Gives

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Proverbs 8:22-31       Wisdom Is … … … Divine Creator

22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth

30 Then I was constantly at his side, as a master craftsmen, I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Proverbs 8:32-36       Wisdom Blesses (don’t miss out the consequences are devastating)

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 9     Who will get my “Yes”… … … everyday?
Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,
4     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”  To those who have no sense she says,
5     “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

13 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead. 

“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.” - Jesus

Point of Grace Online Worship - July 13, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 7.13.25 “Wisdom – Proverbs and Ecclesiastes – Part 1”

Proverbs 1:1-7
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1 Kings 3:7-12  7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 

Wisdom - Chokmah (חָכְמָה):  Biblical wisdom denotes knowledge with understanding as well as practical skill in applying wisdom guided by a moral component.  To live with “wisdom” is to flow with the way the universe was designed to function.  Folly on the other hand is living “against the grain” of the designer’s design for a meaningful life in this world.

Fear of the Lord – Awe and reverence with relational trust and submission.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

The Problem – The folly of fools. 
Proverbs 3:1-10
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the  first fruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,  and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Where does God rank in your decisions, priorities and values?

“We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.  1 Cor. 1:23-24

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 19, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 1.19.25 Sermon Notes – “Showing Up to Armor Up”

The Temptation of Jesus – Luke 4:1-13

… The real battle with a real enemy is real

… Jesus is the only One that wins

… If I can live connected to Jesus, I can win too!

Ephesians 6

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The battle is real! The enemy is real!

1 Peter 5 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,

The enemy is an unholy trinity – the devil and his accomplices!

The Devil – the enemy above -Satan – the lying deceiver- accuser – a conscienceless enemy of God and His children

The World – the enemy around - collective humanities values, initiatives, institutions and culture formulated without God in the center– a godless endeavor

The Sinful Self – the enemy within – every person is born estranged from God – our natural default is to trust “self” over God for life

The enemy is so effective because he has “power” but only “illegitimate authority”.

We don’t have enough power or authority on our own to fight him. We win when we come clothed in Christ who has “legit” power and authority. That is why we must “Show up to Armor up every day!”

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

In my baptism, God gives me real and effective armor …to wear daily!

Putting on the armor of God is like a parent helping a child get dressed.

The question is … will I be present with Him every day for Him to dress me?

Will I show up to armor up?  

Prayer in His Presence is like the “dressing room” for “armoring up”!

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

Jesus is the Truth who speaks truth. We need to be belted with truth and the Truth!

“I am the Way the Truth and the Life” John 14

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God

The end of striving …. True life is not performing to be approved it is the overflowing result of being given approval.

Jesus, I renounce the devil as the Father of lies and surrender to You as my Truth.

I confess I am vulnerable to believe lies about You, about me and about the rights and wrongs of life.

I repent of all untruths I have treated as truth and ask You to reveal the lies I have believed that I might repent and turn to You as Truth. I now buckle on You and your Word as my Belt of Truth.

Jesus, You were perfectly righteous on my behalf and I receive your righteousness as my own.

I turn now from all my attempts to prove my self-worth, validate the value of my existence and author my own version of righteousness.

Instead, I now receive your righteous sacrifice for me as an unmerited gift – a covering of value, worth and righteousness found only in You which protects my vulnerable heart as a breastplate.

Jesus, I surrender to You and your Righteousness as a Breastplate of worth, value, identity, and validation.

Jesus, I take my stand today in You and You alone. Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - November 10, 2024

Point of Grace – 11.10.24   Giving is the Gift - Part 4     Sermon Notes

Giving is the Gift!

Why and How?

An Offering Prayer of Consecration
Father, Son, Holy Spirit - gathering in Your presence in the first part of the first day of this week is a great joy.  Accept our “sacrifices of praise” as an offering …. You are worthy to receive our first and best for You gave first and You gave your best in the sacrifice of Yourself for us……
Thank you for your sacrificial generosity!

The “first and best” principle is so helpful when practicing financial giving.
We also bring our financial offerings before you this week. 
Thank you for calling us to regularly return to You a sacrificially generous portion of what you have already graciously given us through our income.

God is the abundant provider and never asks us to give anything He has not already abundantly given to us.
Increase our faith so that our offerings honor you, reveal relentless dependence on you, flow with joyful love and help advance Your Kingdom cause. 

Giving is an act of faith that focuses on God’s Promises, Presence and Provision.

Sacrificially Generous Giving has an unlikely partner ……… Joy!

 2 Corinthians 8-9
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.  7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

We pray that our offerings “flow with joyful love and help advance God’s kingdom cause”?

2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
7 But since you excel in everything—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

Cheerful Giving is

-        An intentional and regular act

-        Priority 1 in our budgeting

-        A percentage amount that is sacrificial and generous        (What about 10%?)

-        An act of “relentless dependence” and authentic worship

-        A participation in God’s life changing kingdom work

Jesus, Thank you for calling us to regularly return to You a sacrificially generous portion of what you have already graciously given us through our income. Increase our faith so that our offerings

·       honor and worship You for who you truly are,

·       reveal relentless dependence on You,

·       flow with joyful love for You and others

·       and help advance Your Kingdom cause. 

Thank you for your abundant provision.

Point of Grace Online Worship - November 3, 2024

Point of Grace – 11.3.24 Giving is the Gift - Part 3 Sermon Notes

Giving is the Gift!

Why and How?

Part 1 – Giving is a vital offering of ourselves in worship.

“present you bodies as a living sacrifice… this is your reasonable act of worship” Rom 12:1  

Part 2 – Giving helps renew our thinking with regards to money and possessions.

“… be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you might know the will of God for you” Rom12:2  

Financial giving as a regular rhythm of life is a powerful way to worship God with money, grow our relentless dependence on Him for daily living and keep in check money’s power in our life.

An Offering Prayer of Consecration Father, Son, Holy Spirit - gathering in Your presence in the first part of the first day of this week is a great joy. Accept our “sacrifices of praise” as an offering …. You are worthy to receive our first and best for You gave first and You gave your best in the sacrifice of Yourself for us…… Thank you for your sacrificial generosity!

The “first and best” principle is so helpful when practicing financial giving.

We also bring our financial offerings before you this week. Thank you for calling us to regularly return to You a sacrificially generous portion of what you have already graciously given us through our income.

God is the abundant provider and never asks us to give anything He has not already abundantly given to us. Increase our faith so that our offerings honor you, reveal relentless dependence on you, flow with joyful love and help advance Your Kingdom cause.

Giving is an act of faith that focuses on God’s Promises, Presence and Provision.

1Kings 17:8-16 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Faith is powered by what it is focused on.

It is natural to focus on our problems and the resources we bring to the situation.

Jesus directs us to focus our faith on His Promises, His Presence and His Provision for the power to take the step of faith He is calling us to.

What would it look like to take the step of faith and give a “sacrificially generous portion of what God has already given us through our income”? Where would my faith need to be focused?

What would it look like not to take the step of faith?

Malachi 3 :6-12 6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Focus on God’s Promises, Presence and Provision to have the power to take the steps of faith the Jesus following life requires.

“But since you excel in everything— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you— see that you also excel in this grace of giving. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8

Jesus, Thank you for calling us to regularly return to You a sacrificially generous portion of what you have already graciously given us through our income. Increase our faith so that our offerings

•                     honor and worship You for who you truly are,

•                     reveal relentless dependence on You,

•                     flow with joyful love for you and others

•                     and help advance Your Kingdom cause.

 Thank you for your abundant provision.

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 27, 2024

Point of Grace – 10.27.24 Giving is the Gift - Part 2 Sermon Notes

Giving is the Gift!

Why and How?

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Our thinking needs renewing to be able discern the will of God in every aspect of life.

October 31st – Reformation Day

“Jesus, renew our thinking when it comes to money, wealth and possessions.”

Luke 12 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 0 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Matthew 6 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up, for yourselves, treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/wealth-and-worry/

How is Jesus renewing our thinking regarding Money, Wealth and Possessions?”

Several things are becoming clear…

•                     Jesus loves us too much to let us handle money on our own!

•                     It is natural and normal to see money and possessions as proof of success, sources of security and a ticket to happiness and a well lived life. Jesus never leads us in that direction when discussing the subject. Rather, Jesus actually warns that although using money is necessary it is by nature a stumbling block to faith and a seductive temptress to lure our hearts away from God.

•                     Money is a tool to honor/worship God and to love others.  

1 Timothy 6 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 17 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.18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Financial giving as a regular rhythm of life is a powerful way to worship God with money, grow our relentless dependence on Him for daily living and keep in check money’s power in our life.

Tale of Two Jesus Followers

John 12:1-8 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Jesus, Thank you for calling us to regularly return to You a sacrificially generous portion of what you have already graciously given us through our income. Increase our faith so that our offerings

•                     honor and worship You for who you truly are,

•                     reveal relentless dependence on You,

•                     flow with joyful love for you and others

•                     and help advance Your Kingdom cause. Thank you for your abundant provision!

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 20, 2024

Point of Grace – 10.20.24    Sermon Notes

Giving is the Gift!

Why and How?

Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”  NIV

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” MSG 

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters,
in view of God’s mercy, (our giving to God starts with His giving to us)
to offer (present) your bodies  (our whole beings)
as a sacrifice (a surrender), that is
                                        living,  
                                      holy, (set apart to God, consecrated to Jesus)
                                      pleasing to God—
this is your true and proper (spiritual/reasonable) worship.  

“… it is incorrect to presume that Christ ends all sacrifice.  Yes, His once-for-all bloody sacrifice accomplished the purpose anticipated by all the OT sacrifices as the all-availing sacrifice of atonement for sin.  He is the sin offering… At the same time, the NT repeatedly calls for believers
to sacrifice themselves to God and others in response to the Gospel.” 
(Michael Middendorf – Concordia Commentary – Romans 9-16)
 

God always calls His people to offer their whole selves as “living sacrifices” in worship of Him. This is a significant part of following Him of learning the life of trusting Him. 

Proverbs 3:5-12
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 

Luke 12 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
0 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” 

Why is this important for the giving of financial offerings?

Money is important and represents something significant about us which is why it must be part of what is offered to God as a “living sacrifice” which is true and proper worship.  If it is not sacrificially offered to God it will remain a powerful and cruel god in our lives as we look to it for security, significance, hope, and evidence of a well-lived life.  If we cannot “let go of” a sacrificially generous percentage of our income as an offering to God, money has become too important to us. 

Father, Son, Holy Spirit - gathering in Your presence in the first part of the first day of this week is a great joy.  Accept our “sacrifices of praise” as an offering …. You are worthy to receive our first and best for You gave first and You gave your best in the sacrifice of Yourself for us……
Thank you for your sacrificial generosity!

We also bring our financial offerings before you this week.  Thank you for calling us to regularly return to You a sacrificially generous portion of what you have already graciously given us through our income. Increase our faith so that our offerings honor you, reveal relentless dependence on you, flow with joyful love and help advance Your Kingdom cause. 
Thank you for your abundant provision!

We consecrate this coming week of life to You, our gracious Savior and Lord!

Amen