Sermon Tone Analysis

Service Notes

Review of morning service and Strategic Partners in Missions

Vote to give to the McCormacks

Last service with Justus Mize / have him up for a brief report

Evaluate your motives

Proverbs 23:1–3 (KJV 1900)

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before thee:

2 And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties: For they are deceitful meat.

Invitation to sit with the powerful

This was lived out with the men of Daniel 1 & gets lived out often among all of you.

This is an a desire that I know I must be mindful of.

I love meeting new people and “networking.”

What I must consider is whose kingdom am I looking to advance.

Consider what is before you.

We aren’t talking about food on the table.

Given to appetite: “Though referring here narrowly to food, can be interpreted broadly with reference to all appetites.

Total prohibition is necessary for a person who cannot control his appetites; the disciple can give no place to lust

Matthew 5:29-30 “29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

Met at an Indian buffet and ate way more than I should have and was unprepared to respond.

A lack of moderation in one area will lead to indulgence in other areas.

How do we consider what is before us in regards to our motivation?

How do I know if I am driven with zeal for good works or driven by an ungodly ambition?

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 may create a burden that can be relieved only by the words of Jesus in.

Matthew 11:28–30 (KJV 1900)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The labor that pleases God is a labor that embraces the easy yoke and light burden of obedience.

For his commands are not burdensome 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

“We serve God best when we know he has no need of our service.”

Beware of the idol of wealth.

Proverbs 23:4–5 (KJV 1900)

4 Labour not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?

For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There’s a crown and you can win it if you will go in Jesus’ name.

Labour to be rich Vs.

Work to pay the bills

Seen in the end of the verse Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom.

Once again we are reminded of the focus of our eyes.

Set not thine eyes

Eagles are hard to capture.

Ever went into a doctor and told them you were self-insured?

That usually means one or two things.

Bible gives a charge to those who are rich in this world.

1 Timothy 6:17–18 (KJV 1900)

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Be not high minded

Trust not in riches but the living God

Be rich in good works - ready to be generous

There is no problem with money flowing through your hands.

The problem is wanting to be rich—wanting to have for only your own pleasure.

The “will be” speaks of motivation.

1 Timothy 6:9 (KJV 1900)

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

A problem not just for the 1%

It is easy to look at others and believe that this is not an issue we face.

Video showing “saying poverty may look different than you imagine and shows a person with a simple life below poverty line”

The New Testament gives a relentless push toward what some have call towards intentional simplicity

Pleasures of this world can choke out our joy even though they are marketed as the answer to all our problems

The opposite of covetousness is knowing your identity is not a reflection of things you have.

“Thou shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17).

Covetousness means simply loving something too much, loving it the way you shouldn’t love it — like loving a boyfriend, or your husband, or your health, or your life, in such a way that it starts to undermine your love for God.

Teenage years seems to be the time you realize the garden has things I am allowed to enjoy and things I am not suppose to enjoy.

This is the age we start getting tired of the things provided for us and seek something else.

Laying up treasures for ourselves goes against the purpose of treasures.

It shows the same heart as those who will try to steal it.

We are told how to let our treasures serve their God given purpose and effect eternity.

We are told where are ambitions should be placed.

The Bible provides a constant reminder of how little value earthly things are in light of eternity.

Jesus tells us riches are a hindrance to one’s obtaining eternal life

Luke 18:23–25 (KJV 1900)

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The ruler was more attached to his wealth than to the idea of obtaining “eternal life” which he had so nobly asked about at the beginning of his conversation with the Lord.

Which means that our discipleship to our kids concerning wealth is vitally important.

Our talks about finances have to be more than just about the “envelope system” but it needs to include an understanding of their God given purpose in life.

Reminded being generous is not a matter of early resources but abounding in an understanding of God

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 (KJV 1900)

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

The antidote for greed is not stop but behold

Ephesians 4:28 (KJV 1900)

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The bare minimal needed for contentment is far lower than we like to believe, especially today and here.

1 Timothy 6:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Picture of a home scene from two perspectives.

Foster training.

Covetousness doesn’t only effect our check accounts and daily planners but our conversations

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV 1900)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Simply: A love for things can come in direct conflict with a love for God.

1 John 3:17 (KJV 1900)