Stewardship (part 2)

Intro

Text - Romans 14.11-12; 2 Cor 5.9-11; Galatians 6.4-5

Romans 14:12 NKJV

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Galatians 6:4–5 NKJV

4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Background

Part 1 of the series

Man was made steward of creation and the human family

Through Adam we have become poor stewards

Christ was given stewardship of all creation before the foundation of the world

Through Christ God is producing good stewards out of our broken lives

Part 2 (this sermon)

Each of us have personal accountability to God

before the judgment seat of Christ, we will give account of all we’ve done in the body

We must know the things that have been entrusted to the church

We must learn how to properly perform our stewardship

Point no. 1 - The essence of Christian service is stewardship

We are stewards of the manifold grace of God

1 Peter 4:10–11 NKJV

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

manifold grace of God - different gifts, spiritual abilities, spiritual gifts

The purpose of the gifts

for the edifying of the Body of Christ

Ephesians 4:12 NKJV

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:16 NKJV

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

1 Corinthians 14:12 NKJV

12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

1 Corinthians 14:26 NKJV

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

everyone of us is responsible for the proper use and function of our God-given gifts

how we use them

how we take care of them

How to properly manage the gifts

stir up the gift in you

2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

do not neglect the gift in you

1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

minister the gift in you

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

We are stewards of the mysteries of God

we are responsible for the proper use and keeping of the Word of God

1 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Mysteries - things that God has revealed to His people

How to become good stewards of the Word of God

be faithful to the word

1 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV

2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

proclaim the Word willingly

1 Corinthians 9:16–18 NKJV

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

necessity - because it is a responsibility

stewards are to be rewarded

the reward is given to those who will not charge the people for the gospel, and not abuse the authority in the gospel

defend the truth

1 Timothy 3:14–15 NKJV

14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

pillar - used to hold a structure in upright position

support - used to hold the structure against

The church has two primary responsibilities towards the truth of God

promote the truth

defend the truth

We are stewards of the house of God

Titus 1:7 NKJV

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

God appointed elders to take care of the local congregations

Acts 20:28 NKJV

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

an elder functions as “overseer”, episkopos, bishop

How to become good stewards of the church

Shepherd the flock - take care of them as a shepherd would to the sheep

serve willingly

serve patiently

serve selflessly

Point no. 2 - Requirements of Good Stewardship

Good stewardship hinges on two key qualities - wise and faithful

Luke 12:42 NKJV

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

Faithfulness

Faithfulness to God’s purpose

Luke 12:43–44 NKJV

43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

Faithfulness to the work

Luke 12:45–46 NKJV

45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Wisdom

wisdom to effectively perfom one’s duties

Luke 12:47–48 NKJV

47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

wisdom to know the master’s will

wisdom to prepare oneself to the do the master’s will

Conclusion

What then?

Know your stewardship.

what gifts have been strusted to you?

Are you entrusted with the care of the church? a group of people in the church?

Are you part of the local church?

Give yourself wholly to your stewardship.

1 Timothy 4:14–15 NKJV

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

Discover how your stewardship can grow with you.

Explore the many possibilities of ministering beyond your present sphere or function.

Don’t limit the things that God can do through your life.

SONG