Friday, September 10, 2010

Whole Not Broke! "The Tales of Tithing"

Lesson Summary – 8 Sept 10

Lesson Text: Gen 28: 20-22
Sermon Series: Whole and Not Broke
Lesson Title: “The Tale of Tithing”

“Jacob vowed a vow: “If God stands by me and protexts me on this journey. On which I’m setting out, keeps me in food and clothing, and brings me back in one piece to my father’s house, then the Lord will be by God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Gen 28: 20-22 NIV

Jacob is currently in Beersheba and has slept through the night. During the night, Jacob dreamed a dream in which God promised to give him the ground that he slept on, increase his descendants, protect him wherever he goes, and bring him back to the place where he slept. God promised to stay with Jacob until all He promised was accomplished. Upon hearing from God, Jacob negotiates with God regarding his everyday concerns.

Jacob’s concerns ~
• Safety
• Welfare
• Food
• Shelter
• Comfort

Jacob pledges to give God a tenth (tithe) of everything God gives him if God will take care of his everyday concerns.

What is this thing about tithing?
• Not about convincing you that tithing is right
o How to trust God with his money
o Tithing is connected to human concern; not about the spiritual, but everyday life and concerns
o Tithing is relational – Haggai 1: 7-11; 14b
 Think about your ways; make sure you are doing what you are supposed to do

Tales of Tithing

Story #1 – Overcoming Adversity – Mal 3:11
• Agrarian language
o Windows: clouds
o Pour: rain
o Room: harvest
o Pest, pestilence, drought
 Car repairs, appliances break down, bills
 Give back what belongs to me

Story #2 – Trust God, not money
• Trust God enough to have faith in the word of God
• Not about the money

Story #3 – Debt Free – 1Tim 6: 10; Matt 6: 21
• Tithing
o Disciplines
o Prioritizes
o Puts heart in order
o Causes you to love God
o Build trust
o Re-orders your life; God is first
• The love of money is the root of all evil; all kinds of things can grow from roots

Story #4 – Life Changing – Mal 3: 8-10; Prov 13: 22
• God says test Him in this
o Work the word
• Leave an inheritance

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

“Whole and Not Broke: You Must Protect This House”

Lesson Summary – 1 Sept 10

Lesson Text: Haggai 1: 7 –11, 14b
Sermon Series: Dominion In A Hip-Hop Culture
Lesson Title: “Whole and Not Broke: You Must Protect This House”

“So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubabbel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadek, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God” Haggai 1: 14b NIV

Historical Context –
Israel has just come out of exile. They have settled in the land and have built the wall. The temple has been started, but the people became focused on completing their homes and taking care of their things and the temple remained incomplete. God speaks to the prophet Haggai and the high priest Joshua. He tells them that
He is not pleased with the fact that the people completed their houses and focused on taking care of their things while His house remained in ruin. God emphasized that Israel must protect His house.

Five Points – How To Protect This House
1. Community
2. Connected/Consequences
3. Covenant
4. Carry Out
5. Celebrate


1. Community – Hag 1:2-4
• Haggai reminds Israel they are a part of community.
• Houses make a community
o Community: a place where people live together
o House: the common denominator between God and the people
• God has a house, therefore He is a part of the community (Hebrew concept)
o The temple is the center of Jerusalem
o The people (Israel) have nice houses, but God’s house is in ruin (incomplete)
o The same practice has leaked into today’s culture
• God’s house is connected to the community
o The church drives what goes on in the community
o If the church is thriving but the community is falling apart, something is not right

2. Connections/Consequences – Hag 1:5-10, 2: 10-14
• God urges the people to consider what they are doing.
• There are consequences for their actions and these consequences will affect everyone (connections)

3. Covenant – Hag 2:5
• The relationship with God is timeless
• God of covenant; I will take care of you no matter what
• I am always with you; I have proven that I am always with you
o Egypt
o The Red Sea
o The Promised Land
o The Exile

4. Carry out – Hag 2:14
• Carry out the will of God
• When Israel did not do what they were supposed to, everything was defiled
o Get materials
o Give tithes – Mal 3:8-10
o Get understanding – Prov 4:7

5. Celebrate – Hag 2: 20-23
• Israel has been dealing with this situation 23 days; under Gentile rule, using Gentile calendar
o Dates in the text match 29 Aug; started the work of completing the campus
• God will shake heaven and earth to take care of you when His house is taken care of
• God will give you victory over your enemies
• God will make you His signet ring
o You will be blessed
o You will have authority
o You will be a blessor

Virtual Family Sunday Questions

What ways can we create community as a family? How has our viewership/church attendance enhanced or diminished our family covenant? What way...