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Hope During A Slumping Economy. Hope During A Slumping Economy. What do we worry about? Iran with a nuke Terrorist strike in USA Deteriorating freedoms & opportunities Stock market crashes Economic recessions & depressions Layoffs, cut-backs, slow-downs. Hope During A Slumping Economy.
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Hope During A Slumping Economy • What do we worry about? • Iran with a nuke • Terrorist strike in USA • Deteriorating freedoms & opportunities • Stock market crashes • Economic recessions & depressions • Layoffs, cut-backs, slow-downs
Hope During A Slumping Economy • The Bible tells us not to worry, Phil. 4:6, 7 • Turn to God • Pour out your heart to God • Find help & hope in God
Hope During A Slumping Economy Biblical Economic Downturns Called To Trust In God Lay Up Treasures In Heaven
Hope During A Slumping Economy Biblical Economic Downturns • Regions affected by natural disasters • Gen. 41-47 • 7 years of plenty, 7 years of famine • Food ran out, Gen. 47:13 • Money failed, Gen. 47:15 • Possessions sold, Gen. 47:16, 17 • People & land sold, Gen. 47:19, 23
Hope During A Slumping Economy Biblical Economic Downturns • War brought economic upheaval to a nation • 2 Kgs. 6 & 7 • Enemy laid siege to Samaria, 2 Kgs. 6:24 • Donkey heads & dove dung, 2 Kgs. 6:25 • Ate their own children, 2 Kgs. 6:28, 29 • Abundant food predicted, 2 Kgs. 7:1 • Lepers found enemy gone, 2 Kgs. 7:3-6 • City was relieved, 2 Kgs. 7:16
Hope During A Slumping Economy Biblical Economic Downturns • Man’s life plagued by poverty, Lk. 16:19-22 • One man rich & comfortable • Lazarus poor & sick • Death brought relief
Hope During A Slumping Economy Biblical Economic Downturns • The God of heaven ruled in all these accounts • Watched over His people • God may be working something out
Hope During A Slumping Economy Called To Trust In God • God will take care of you, Mt. 6:25-32 • Given you a body & life, Psa. 139:13, 14 • Provides for creation – lower & higher • Do not follow the world
Hope During A Slumping Economy Called To Trust In God • Keep your priorities straight, Mt. 6:33, 34 • Seek the kingdom & His righteousness • Kingdom – Church, Mt. 16:18, 19 • Righteousness – Truth, Rom. 1:16, 17 • First
Hope During A Slumping Economy Called To Trust In God • Keep your priorities straight, Mt. 6:33, 34 • God will provide for you • All things added • Do not be obsessed with cares of life
Hope During A Slumping Economy Lay Up Treasures In Heaven • Material goods are temporary, Mt. 6:19 • Theft, 1 Kgs. 21:14-16 • Decay, Heb. 1:10, 11 • Destruction, Joel 1:4 • Life, Prov. 23:4, 5 • Will dissolve, 2 Pt. 3:10-12
Hope During A Slumping Economy Lay Up Treasures In Heaven • Heavenly treasures are immovable & eternal, Mt. 6:19, 20 • Inheritance, 1 Pt. 1:3-9 • Incorruptible ransom, 1 Pt. 1:17-19 • Incorruptible seed, 1 Pt. 1:22-25 • Incorruptible body, 1 Cor. 15:42-55 • Incorruptible crown, 1 Cor. 9:24, 25
Hope During A Slumping Economy Lay Up Treasures In Heaven • Heavenly treasures are immovable & eternal, Mt. 6:19, 20 • Inheritance, 1 Pt. 1:3-9 • Cannot be defrauded, Jn. 10:27-29
Hope During A Slumping Economy Lay Up Treasures In Heaven • Our hearts follow our treasure, Mt. 6:21 • Where do you invest the following • Time • Money • Energy & Efforts
Hope During A Slumping Economy Lay Up Treasures In Heaven • Our hearts follow our treasure, Mt. 6:21 • What is your heart set on? • Graduating • College • Marriage • Career • Retirement • Heaven