Church Explained Part 2

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

There are many reasons to give, but our greatest reason should be out of a relationship with God and desire to support His mission on earth.

“Tithing is not a requirement for salvation—it is a reflection of it” Neil Kennedy

Many people have chosen not to give because other have abused what God meant for good, however just because someone has abused the offering does not mean we stop doing what God has asked us to do.

Malachi 3:6–12 NIV

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Malachi 3:

When we offer the offering this is simple in invitation for you to respond to God.

We practice brining you offering forward as a spiritual act of obedience.

Somethings you should know about offering at the PAG

Very few people know who and how much people give. The Pastor does not know unless he is told by the person giving.

We do not have tithing police! We love you the same even if you choose not to give.

Our tithing goes to...

Local Missions

Missionaries

Support our staff

Various ministries in the church

Benevolence

Building expenses

We believe in a checks and balances system. Integrity it HIGH PRIORITY!

Preaching or Teaching the Word of God

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 NKJV

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 3:1–2 NIV

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

1 Corinthians 3:1–2 NKJV

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

I Corinthians 3:1-

We believe in preaching the Bible so that we can live God’s life. The Bible is truly alive.

Not only will we preach the word of God, but we believe in the Spirits demonstration of the word of God.

We believe in connecting with you to understand the word of God, but we don’t feel the pressure to entertain you.

Our greatest desire is to see you grow. Paul said we cannot teach you as spiritual, but we must teach you as carnal.

Alter Call

This is an opportunity for people to respond to God.

Salvation

Prayer

Final Thought

We come to church not just to say we completed our spiritual task for the week, that is religion. We come to church to connect to God and His people, to grow in our knowledge of God, and to have a place were Gods spirit can move corporately.