This month I am preaching a sermon series called "FIRST." It is about realigning priorities according to the Scriptures. The foundational verse for the entire series is Matthew 6:33. Jesus told his disciples that if they invested themselves in his kingdom FIRST, the Heavenly Father would provide for all their other needs. This is a good reminder for each of us as we evaluate our priorities this New Year. We should be consumed with God's kingdom not with anxiety about our personal needs.
It is also a good reminder for our church. If as a church, we steep ourselves in God's kingdom and righteousness instead of being consumed with anxiety about our financial situation, we can trust God to provide what we need. Good stewardship includes both, making adjustments when times are lean, and relying on God to provide what we need.
One of the sermons in this series is called "First Fruits" (January 16). We will talk about the principle of honoring God with our wealth FIRST. As part of this sermon, I will share with the congregation how Calvary practices this principle and how the financial resources of the church are used for ministry.
I am leading our staff in the publication of an Annual Ministry Review booklet where we will report what God did during 2010 and what is budgeted for 2011. It is my hope that this booklet will help inform members about the kinds of things that God is doing through our church and how they are a part of it through their praying, giving and participating. I pray that the booklet will be a blessing to our congregation and will help us lift our eyes up to our Heavenly Father. May he be honored and glorified for what He has done and for what He is going to do.
I ask for your prayers in this regard.
We are off to a great year!
I totally agree that God has good things in store for our church this year. Trusting in Him is what we need to do and making Him the priority in our lives...
ReplyDeleteRolando D. Aguirre
Love the message and the plan. Great idea to share what God is doing and how we are doing it though the faithfulness of the Calvary family! Soli Deo Gloria!
ReplyDelete-Victor Hugo Valenzuela
Most definitley need to pay less attention to CNN, USA TODAY, and more attention to the bible. Reading a while back(maybe when we were searching for the new pastor) that perhaps the greatest witness we can offer as the people of God is to refuse to bow at the altar of anexeity. Rudyard Kipling writes, " If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs...you'll be a man, my Son". We need to be that city on a hill as a witness to our hope in Christ. Let us rest on God's track record; it's very good. Blessings-Bobby
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Rolando, Victor and Bobby. You are a blessing and an encouragement.
ReplyDelete