|
Pastor's October 2009 Message |
|
|
|
|
Maturing as Stewards Through Faith, Love, and Hope The theme for this year's stewardship emphasis beginning on October 4th is titled "Maturing as Stewards Through Faith, Love, and Hope." In Paul's letter to the people in Thessalonica, he wrote, "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:3). God graciously gives us faith, love, and hope — virtues essential for our lives as Christians and as God's stewards. For three of the 5 weeks of this program, we will be focusing on one of the triads of faith, love, and hope. In the first week, we will introduce our Stewardship program and remind ourselves what the Biblical meaning of stewardship is. In week two, we are reminded that it is through faith that we have access into God's grace and a new relationship with Him. Not only does faith justify us and give us peace with God (Romans 5:1), we are told by Paul in our theme verse that faith produces works. Faith leads to action. Through faith, we are empowered to fulfill God's purposes. Our deeds as stewards are evidence of our faith. The third week we will focus on the virtue of love. Love seeks the welfare of others. ". . . since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us" (1 John 4:11-12). God's love in Christ will compel us to do things that appear foolish to unbelievers. God's love prompts us to give freely of our time, talents, and treasures to help others and extend His kingdom. The fourth week we will focus on the virtue of hope. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we, as believers, are given the victory over death and the assurance of our salvation. Filled with the hope of eternal life with Jesus, we "give [ourselves] fully to the work of the Lord, because (we] know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58). In the final week, we will wrap up this program of our stewardship emphasis and give everyone an opportunity to respond to God’s leading as we make a specific covenant/commitment toward healthy stewardship living. As your pastor, I pray that each of you will be in worship and in Bible study as we focus on the theme "Maturing as Stewards Through Faith, Love, and Hope.
|
