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Published byOctavia McLaughlin Modified over 6 years ago
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This Series Five Core Practices of a Methodist Church Member
Brief Methodist History Our Congregation
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Available in Narthex Available in Narthex Available in Narthex
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“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:25-28
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Relationship Stages
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Church/Family Role God’s Role – Grace (Prevenient, Justifying, Sanctifying) Church’s Role – Worship, Do Life Together, Serve Together Individual’s Role – Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness
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A Deeper Prayer Life Set a Time & Place Each Day Remove Distractions
Prepare Your Heart & Mind Pray for Others/Self (Five Fingers) Spend Time in Silence/Listening Act on Promptings/Leadings
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No solo disciples! “Without Jesus, there can be no church; and without the church, we cannot stay united with Jesus. I’ve yet to meet anyone who has come closer to Jesus by forsaking the church.” Henri Nouwen “Everyone who belongs to Christ belongs to everyone else who belongs to Christ.” E. Stanley Jones
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The importance of Being “present”
To Receive To Give To Engage To Encourage
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Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life Timothy 6:17-19
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Biblical Principles of Generosity
God Created Everything (Gen 1:1) God Owns Everything (Psalm 24:1) We are Trustees of things that belong to God (Matthew 25:14-30) Financial generosity is a discipline (1 Timothy 4:7)
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Discipline of Generosity
Generosity begins with God Generosity is essential Generosity is intentional Generosity grows with practice Generosity brings joy Generosity results in blessing
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Wesley’s “Three Plain Rules”
“Gain all you can” – without hurting health, mind, or others “Save all you can” – not about hoarding, but living frugally “Give all you can” – the goal of the process
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Got It Backwards? “Rather than deciding on how much of my money I will give to God, I decide how much of God’s money I need to take of myself and my family”
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Heart & Joy of Giving Mark 12:41-44 – “Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (empathy) I Corinthians 13:3 - If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
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Are You Managing Your Money OR Is your Money Managing You?
Do you know where your money goes? (Budget) Waiting until the end of the month to save? Making minimum payments?
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Practical Steps Forward
Pick a Percentage (Give-Save-Spend) Learn more about managing money (Financial Peace University, etc) Make a “first fruits” offering Write a “Money Biography” (available in narthex)
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The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Proverbs 11:24-25, The Message
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