“Peace reigns where gratitude is practiced.” “Gratitude is more than an expression, it's a posture.” “Praise is the outward expression of an inward posture of gratitude.” “Gratitude is rooted in remembering what God has done.”
“Generosity practiced is partnership with God.”
“If we don't teach on money, we are not teaching the Bible.”
The Spiritual Practice of Tithing
The Tithe: = Tenth
Malachi 3:8–12 (NIV) 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 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. 11 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. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
Matthew 22:21 (NIV) “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
“Tithing isn't giving, it's yielding”
What Practicing the Tithe Does 1. The Tithe Reveals Our Priorities Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.
2. The Tithe Breaks The Power of Mammon Matthew 6:24 (NIV) No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money(Mammon).
1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
“Giving is spiritual warfare!”
3. The Tithe Positions us for Blessing Malachi 3:10 (NIV) 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.
The Path of Generosity: “Greed will cost you more than generosity.”
2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV) But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
“We partner by planting.”
“If all you do is consume, eventually you will be empty-handed."
Generosity: We are blessed to be a blessing.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV) 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
1. Intentionally 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion....
2. Cheerfully 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) for God loves a cheerful giver. "Generosity is an attitude."
3. Sacrificially 2 Corinthians 8:3 (NLT) They gave not only what they could afford, but far more. “In generosity, sacrifices are more pleasurable than painful!”
4. Consistently 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV) ...You can be generous on every occasion.
“Generosity is a rhythm, not a reaction.” 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 (NIV) 1 Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.
Romans 8:32 (NIV) He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
“Gratitude is more than an expression, it’s a posture.”
“Praise is the outward expression of an inward posture of gratitude.”
“Gratitude is rooted in remembering what God has done.”
“Blessings can make ungrateful people forget God.”
Deuteronomy 6:12 (NIV) Be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Joshua 3:15–17 (NIV) 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
Joshua 4:1-9 (NIV) 1 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.” 4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” 8 So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. 9 Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
The Ark of the Covenant Reminds us: Ark of the “Testimony” 1. God’s Presence 2. God’s Precepts 3. God’s Provision 4. God’s Power 6. God’s Promotion
Isaiah 46:8-9 (NIV) 8 “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
Stacking Stones 1. Get past the past- Burn regret
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. Is your past a stepping stone or a stumbling block? “Regret will hold you in bondage to the past.”
“Monuments can become idols when they hinder progress.”
2. Don’t live in the “Good ol’ days.”
Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV) Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
3. Develop your Story. 2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV) You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
A. Start today B. Don’t bail in the process
C. Win some Battles “Your investment in the battle now will be your inspiration later.”
D. Celebrate every win E. Capture Moments
4. Share your story
Revelation 12:11 (NIV) They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.
Luke 22:19–20 (NIV) 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
“Peace reigns where gratitude is practiced.” “Gratitude is more than an expression, it’s a posture.”
“Praise is the outward expression of an inward posture of gratitude.”
Colossians 3:15–16 (NIV) 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Acts 16:16–26 (NIV) 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment, the spirit left her. 19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once, all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.
“Praise is stronger than protest.”
“A Christian may find more true joy in a prison than the monarch on his throne.” -Albert Barnes
The Spirit of Praise 1. Praise brings us in- Praise Engages us. Psalm 100:4(NIV) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
“Praise is not hype — it is holy engagement.”
2. Praise brings Him in-Praise engages Him. Psalm 22:3 (NKJV)You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
“When we set our Attention, Affection, and our Appreciation on Jesus, it sets us at an Advantage.”
“Enthroning Jesus engages dominion.” Psalm 24:3-8 (NIV) 3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
“When the gates are lifted, our King doesn’t come quietly; He comes mightily.”
“Praise Proceeds Victory”
3. We put praise on Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Wearing the Garment of Praise: “Heaviness breaks when we put praise on.”
1. Show up Psalm 122:1 (NLT) I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2. Lift up
3. Open up Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
“If you want peace in your heart, put praise on your lips.”
“Gratitude is more than an expression, it’s a posture.”
Luke 7:36–50 (NIV) 36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Postures that stifle Gratitude: 1. Pride “The proud analyze Jesus; the grateful adore Him.” 2. Greed 3. Negativity “Negativity comes out of those who have not nurtured an internal culture of gratitude.”
Practicing the posture of Gratitude. “Our posture of gratitude reveals the economy of our heart.”
Colossians 3:15–17 (NIV) 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1. Allow Peace to Rule Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... “Peace comes by yielding to the will of Jesus, rather than imposing your own will.”
2. Absorb the Word of Christ Colossians 3:16 (NIV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom...
3. Adore the Lord Colossians 3:16 (NIV) as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Psalm 103:2–5 (NIV) 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
“In the practice of gratitude, we learn to find the melody in the moment.”
4. Apply the attitude of Gratitude. Colossians 3:17 (NIV) Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Romans 12:9-21 (NIV) 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. 17 Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. A. Sincere love B. Honor C. Fervency D. Generosity E. Grow with others F. Humility
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Luke 7:50(NIV) Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
“Peace reigns where gratitude is practiced.”
Practicing gratitude rewires your brain.
Romans 8:6 (NIV) The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
“God, who wants the best for us, wills us to function with a grateful spirit!” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Luke 17:11–19 (NIV) 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Learning from Lepers 1. Gratitude crosses the threshold between Healing and Wholeness.
“Don't just settle for the miracle, pursue the man!”
2. Entitlement Numbs Gratitude
“Gratitude reveals how deeply we understand grace.”
3. Choose grace, not just mercy.
“Be the one! Don’t get over what Jesus has done for you!”
Practicing Gratitude: Philippians 4:4–9 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
1. Remember it Luke 10:17–20 (NIV) 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
2. Rejoice in it Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
3. Request with it Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
4. Rehearse it. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
5. Record it Philippians 4:9 (NIV) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
The Ascension Acts 1:6-10(NIV) 6 When they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Revelation 1:7–8 (NIV) 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
“The Return of Christ is not a rescue mission, it’s a Dominion crusade.”
Matthew 24:21 (NKJV) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
“Our hope is not found clinging to speculation—but the resonating promise of our bridegroom King: “Behold, I am coming soon!”
Our Posture Concerning His Return: 1. Be Hopeful
Revelation 22:20–21 (NIV) “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Titus 2:11–13 (NIV) 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20 (NIV) Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Be Watchful “We are not fearful, we are hopeful and watchful.”
4 Signs of the End of The Age Matthew 24 1. Wars and Strife 2. Increase Persecution and Martydom 3. Moral Collapse Matthew 24:12 (NIV) “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…” 4. Increased Knowledge:
3. Be Ready
“For the beloved, the end of the age is not a funeral, it's a wedding!”
Matthew 25:1–13 (NIV) 25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Readiness in Waiting Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV) 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Revelation 19:6-8 (NIV) 6 I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) A. Oil- Intimacy
B. Purity- Devotion
C. Expectation-Longing
Revelation 22:17 (NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
“Lord, I want to be found faithful in this hour and in the hour to come.”
