2010 The Year for Giving as Christ Gave!

1. 2010 The Year for Giving as Christ Gave!

2. Why in the world would we have that theme?

3. Answer Because we are never more like Christ than when we are giving…

4. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Is the greatest, most generous, gracious giver ever to live.

5. Our Premise “Giving as Christ Gave” begins with the acknowledgment that it is God’s will that disciples deny themselves of that which others refuse to relinquish including time, passions, prominence, acceptance, relationships, possessions, resources, and anything that interferes with us bearing the image of Christ to a lost and dying world.

6. Hard Sayings • Luke 14:26 • If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

7. The Cost of Being a Disciple:Self-Denial Matthew 16:21-27

8. Context Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

9. Context Matthew 16:22 • Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, • Be it far from thee, Lord: this [suffering & being killed] shall not be unto thee.

10. Suffering & Death • Peter was NOT interested in Christ or anyone suffering, experiencing loss or dying prematurely • All the disciples • were very earthly minded • wanted the Romans kicked out • were jockeying for positions of power and influence in the NEW kingdom

11. Question Do we ever make statements that are completely contrary to the will of God?

12. Contrary Statements “I could never forgive….”

13. Contrary Statements “I know God understands my…”

14. Contrary Statements “The church doesn’t need my money”

15. What was Christ’s reason for coming to the earth?

16. Luke 19:10 Was what Peter objected to necessary to save the lost? For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

17. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

18. Ephesians 5:25 Jesus was trying to explain to the disciples what giving of Himself was going to look like. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

19. Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

20. Christ’s Response Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

21. This is what we might call a “Stiff Rebuke”

22. Commentary • Christ plainly associates Peter’s response with Satan by directly addressing him as “Satan.” “Jesus is not accusing Peter of literal demon possession, but he is dramatically indicating that the perspective Peter represents, however unwittingly, is the same as Satan’s.” Craig Blomberg

23. Christ’s Response Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24. “thou Savourest not” Peter was NOT keeping His thinking right! Keep giving serious consideration to To ponder To let one’s mind dwell

25. Follow-Up Question Am I open to a “stiff rebuke,” like Peter received, WHEN I need it?

26. Commentary Not only did Peter and the other disciples need to change the way they thought about Christ and His Kingdom, but the way they thought about themselves was going to have change as well.

27. What is the mission of the church? Matthew 28:19-20

28. The Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

29. The Great Commission Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

30. How do we accomplish our mission from Christ? What do we need to accomplish that mission?

31. Answer The church needs the time, talents, spiritual gifts, and resources of disciples of Christ who have been impacted by the gift of salvation.

32. Anyone & Everyone • Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If anyman will come after me, let him deny himself… • Mark 8:34 • And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also

33. Self-Denial Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

34. Self-Denial Is: • The willingness to deny oneself possessions or status, in order to grow in holiness and commitment to God. This practice is commended and illustrated by Jesus Christ himself, and underlies Christian fellowship within the church. • Zondervan Dictionary of Bible Themes

35. Self-Denial • Consider all that Christ denied Himself in order to accomplish the will of the Father • Glories of Heaven • Food • Respect and Honor of Men • Suffering and Rejection • Intimate Fellowship with the Father

36. Likewise Christ’s Disciples • Are expected to deny themselves • If any man will come after me let him deny himself [of his] • Carnal Desires • Time • Resources ($)

37. First Century Church Consider the self-denial in the early churches.

38. Berean Baptist Church Consider the self-denial of the founders of this church and those who make it what it is today.

39. National Application On average over 97% of those who claim to be Christians do not give 10% of their income to the church for the work of the Lord.

40. What is the Issue? • 97%of professing Christians are not willing to deny themselves of $.10 of every $1 they earn. • If they have a combined annual gross household income of $50k they are not willing to deny themselves of $100 a week for the work of the Lord through the church.

41. Church Application On average, nearly half of the members of Berean do not believe the church needs even $10 a week from their household income to accomplish the work of the Lord.

42. $10 A Week $10-20 a Week There are easily 300 adults, associated with BBC, who can make a huge impact with a commitment of:

43. Peter’s Issue • Initially, all Peter could grasp was an earthly kingdom with Christ ruling now. • Likewise, so many professing Christians are living as though there is • NO eternity, • NO judgment seat of Christ, • NO eternal reward for those who have denied themselves on this earth.

44. Question What will you say at the Judgment Seat of Christ when the issue of your refusal to deny yourself of anything comes up?

45. Moses Understood Self-Denial Hebrews 11:24-27 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence [payment] of the reward.