The People Of Stewarding Grace

Introduction: I am wanting to spend our time together this morning establishing the identity of God’s steward and the imperative nature of living this life in light of that reality.

Today there is an overwhelming confusion about where stewardship belongs in the doctrine of justification (how someone becomes born-again). If stewardship is not in it’s proper place, you soul will face bitter consequences in the final judgement!

So, who is a steward? Can someone be a good steward outside of saving grace? Does stewardship have anything to do with my POSITION as a son or daughter of God? Finally, is stewardship something God requires faithfulness to from every believer?

1) Stewardship Outside Of Grace (saving grace)

A. Stewardship defined

Who was a steward in Biblical times?

OT — “a man over a house”

NT — (two Greek words translated as steward)

1st — one to whose care or honour one has been entrusted, a curator, a guardian.

2nd — a manager, a superintendent

The word is used to describe the function of delegated responsibility.

(New Bible Dictionary 3rd ed.) More profoundly, it is used of the Christian’s responsibility, delegated to him under ‘Christ’s kingly government of his own house’. All things are Christ’s, and Christians are his executors or stewards. Christians are admitted to the responsibilities of Christ’s overruling of his world

B. A false concept of stewardship

you may steward good things and a good life, but it can never change your lack of Holy goodness.

you may say, "I know I can steward good things outside of being "in grace."

Here is the problem, you only do it for yourself and not for the glory of God.

the key element in stewardship is for God to receive glory from it!

The grace mentioned here is the grace a heavenly Father gives to His children; gifts of His favour on your life.

God the creator does provide what we call common grace to all His creation. That is not the same grace Peter is talking about. God creator provides a common grace in order that you would come to Him and receive His fatherly grace of life.

It is only when you receive the gift of soul saving grace do you then surrender your personal gifts for a purpose that actually matters and makes the biggest impact for the glory of God.

What I am saying is this," You can never steward God's graces (gifts) for God's glory until you have received God's gift of saving grace.

You might say," Why should I care about God getting glory from my gifts?"Well, the same glory of God your stewardship should praise is the same glory Christ brought you back to to one day enjoy when this life is over!

2) The Steward In Christ

A. Declared by God

The doctrine of justification is so misunderstood today.

Illustration: You as a lost sinner are in the courtroom facing the sovereign judge with all the evidence against you. The judge must DECLARE you FORGIVEN, JUSTIFIED...

Know second string power can over-rule the declaration of the Judge’s final ruling!!!

This same Judge (i.e. God) also declares you a STEWARD of His graces.

B. Happy, willing and faithful to steward

“arm yourselves likewise with the same mind”

Before the fall of man, there was no difficulty present in man’s heart to be a faithful steward of God’s graces.

A mind surrendered is equal to a life surrendered.

LISTEN…Jesus operated under the power of the Holy Spirit.

If your life does not reflect this new life of stewardship, your prayer life is off the mark!; conforming to His image.

Luke 16:1-13

Was Jesus happy and willing to do the work of the Father?

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3) Time Is Slipping Away!

A. The dispensation of Stewardship

1 Corinthians 9:17

Colossians 1:25

Conclusion: Does the stewardship of your life give God the glory He deserves? Are you withholding or misappropriating God’s gifts to your life? Does your stewardship points others to Jesus?

Are you trusting Jesus alone by faith alone in order to go to Heaven? The works of your life can never bring you life, but the life work of Jesus can! Place your faith in the one who can give you a new life and make you ready for Heaven.