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    • God’s Economy: Messages of Hope in Financially-Uncertain Times

    The six-message series, “God’s Economy: Messages of Hope in Financially-Uncertain Times” is now available through matthewmthomas.com.

    Firstfruits: http://www.matthewmthomas.com/2012/01/08/gods-economy-1-firstfruits/

    Debt: http://www.matthewmthomas.com/2012/01/15/gods-economy-2-debt/

    Generosity / Tithing: http://www.matthewmthomas.com/2012/01/22/gods-economy-3-generosity-and-tithing/

    Provision: http://www.matthewmthomas.com/2012/01/29/gods-economy-4-provision/

    Ownership: http://www.matthewmthomas.com/2012/02/05/gods-economy-5-ownership/

    Work: http://www.matthewmthomas.com/2012/02/12/gods-economy-6-work/

    Written on February 13th, 2012 , God's Economy, Sermons Tags:
    God’s Economy #6: Work

    Today, we come to the final of the six messages on God’s Economy, as we seek to bring a message of hope to people living in economic difficulty and uncertainty. Today, we address the topic of work, and how “work” doesn’t have to be a four-letter word: there is hope for those who work.

    The Bible has a lot to say about work and rest. We are going to take a look at three major topics today on work, the last of which will be split into four sections:

    Work’s Purpose

    What’s Broken with Work?

    Work’s Boundaries

    Within work’s boundaries, we are going to look at:

    Consequences of Work and Laziness

    Sabbath

    Being a good boss

    Attitude

    Instead of our normal pattern of all of our Bible verses up front, we’re going to hear from the Bible throughout this message, in each section. Read the rest of this entry »

    Written on February 12th, 2012 , God's Economy, Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
    God’s Economy #5: Ownership

    I have a confession to make: I actually watch the show “Hoarders” on a regular basis. It’s amazing to see people’s homes filled with junk and filth so deep that it often collapses floors – and how people are so unwilling to part with it. It’s truly a mental health issue.

    Today, we turn to the topic of ownership: a significant facet of God’s Economy. Even without hoarding, the Bible has much to say about our relationship to stuff. Today, as we look at ownership, we will begin to scratch the surface of God’s message to us about what we own, and what we should do with what we own – and at what level we actually possess it. Read the rest of this entry »

    Written on February 5th, 2012 , God's Economy, Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
    God’s Economy #4: Provision

    So far, we have looked at First Fruits, Tithing, Generosity and Debt in our series on God’s Economy. Today we move to another essential part of God’s Economy: Provision. There are a number of key Biblical passages that speak to God’s provision, but all derive, ultimately, from the very first sentence in the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

    This profound statement places all that follows in context. In some of the most basic formulations of Christian faith, we hear, “We believe in God the Father, the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.” This faith affirmation of the Biblical message causes us to realize that all we see around us – and even that which we do not see, but is, nonetheless, present – is made by God and derives its existence from him.

    This realization of material origins quickly gives way to yet another discovery: that God has apportioned part of the creation for our use – provided that we use it for its intended purpose so that we may fulfill our intended purpose. This further leads us back around to the message of the Gospel: that living out of alignment with God’s purpose for our lives disconnects us from his eternal provision (described in Genesis 2 & 3 and Revelation 22, and elsewhere, as the Tree of Life) and causes us to experience death and deprivation. This misalignment is called sin and evil, and so profoundly affects our human condition that only God can extricate us from the mess we are in – through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord. Read the rest of this entry »

    Written on January 29th, 2012 , God's Economy, Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
    God’s Economy #3: Generosity and Tithing

     

    Draft transcript follows:

     

    When we begin to move toward financial health, we discover that we have more available money. Freedom from debt, and the income-based prioritization growing out of our Firstfruits orientation means that we have both greater financial discipline and a greater ability to be generous.

    So how does Firstfruits interact with the Biblical discipline of Tithing? How do Firstfruits and Tithing interact with faithful generosity?

    Let’s look at three passages that deal with generosity and Tithing. But first, let’s remind ourselves of our growth questions:

    1. How do my current financial practices reflect Biblical values?
    2. How does the message of the Scriptures give hope to those in financial uncertainty or difficulty?
    3. Whom can I tell about this financial message of hope who could join us for worship?
    4. How can this financial message of hope impact our community through my own words and actions?
    5. What challenges does this passage offer to my current financial practices and attitudes?

    2 Chronicles 31:1-10

    Malachi 3:6-12

    Acts 4:32-37

    You may say, “One of these passages is not like the others.” It is true, in tone; Malachi 3 is different from the other two. In the spectrum of discomfort, this passage makes me quite uncomfortable. My tendency, with that discomfort, is to soften or explain away its message. I will do my best not to do that today, however, as we start from the point of generosity. Read the rest of this entry »

    Written on January 22nd, 2012 , God's Economy, Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    God’s Economy #2: Debt

    Due to technical difficulties, the audio of this message is not available. The message draft follows:

    God’s Economy #2: Debt

    Enter “Debt Relief” or “Debt Consolidation” into Google, and you’ll get thousands upon thousands of hits. Debt is a serious concern for many people in this country, and even around the world. Debt at the national level both in this country and in Europe is causing global financial instability. Poor loan choices made both by borrowers and lenders for homes in large part created the financial crisis of 2007 and beyond. In May 2011, the total American revolving debt, mostly on credit cards was $793.1 Billion. Given the population of the US is 310 Million, that’s $2558.39 for every man, woman and child in this country, owed and paid on a monthly basis. Given that 50.2 million households carry debt on a credit card (16%) the average balance per household there is $15,799. The total consumer debt (everything but mortgages) in this country is $2.43 Trillion, or $7838 for every man, woman and child. Add in mortgages, it’s over $16,000 per household.

    The Bible has a lot to say about debt: both for borrowers and lenders. Once again, we are entering into a conversation that may make some people uncomfortable. Nevertheless, if we can find a gracious, Biblical approach to debt, we have a message of hope in financially uncertain times.

    Once again, let’s look at our questions:

    1. How do my current financial practices reflect Biblical values?
    2. How does the message of the Scriptures give hope to those in financial uncertainty or difficulty?
    3. Whom can I tell about this financial message of hope who could join us for worship?
    4. How can this financial message of hope impact our community through my own words and actions?
    5. What challenges does this passage offer to my current financial practices and attitudes?

    Proverbs 22:26-27 – Surety for debts (cosigning)

    Deuteronomy 24:6 – Don’t take someone’s livelihood as security for a loan

    Deuteronomy 15:1-15 – remission of debts every 7 years

    Proverbs 22:7 – borrower slave of lender

    Debt closely connected with slavery

    Throughout the Bible, debt is closely connected with slavery. Those who become debtors could become slaves for up to seven years (although in practice, people were held for longer, evidently). In the days before bankruptcy, people became their own collateral. The Old Testament had structures in place for both borrowers and lenders: lenders were not supposed to take someone’s livelihood as security for a loan, and loans were to be forgiven every seven years. Borrowers were to keep the promises they made to pay – often incurred by an oath. People were commanded to make good on what they promised to pay – even knowing that loan forgiveness could come every seven years. Read the rest of this entry »

    Written on January 15th, 2012 , God's Economy, Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    God’s Economy #1: Firstfruits

    Americans don’t like talking about money directly. This message begins a series of topics about economic and financial issues from a Christian perspective.

    Why is it important to give our First and Best to God? What impact can Firstfruits have on our community?

    Today, we begin a six-week series on economics from God’s perspective. People today talk about economics in all sorts of ways – “the economy” is one of the most lamented structures of our world today. We talk about needing jobs, dealing with debt, the 99% vs. the 1%, regulation, deregulation, “who’s going to pay for it,” Social Security, Healthcare, college tuition, gas prices, and so on and so on. In so doing, we talk about money all the time.

    Nevertheless, Americans like to avoid talking about money. If you are applying for a new form of identification, you most likely will be asked to give all sorts of private information, but not how much money you make. In many cases, people get extremely uncomfortable talking about their finances.

    Nevertheless, we display our relative wealth in non-verbal ways: through our houses, cars, clothes, mobile devices of all sorts, and sometimes (although usually somewhat secretly) through generosity. Read the rest of this entry »

    Written on January 8th, 2012 , God's Economy, Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Something’s Coming #6: Spiritual Discipline

    New Year’s Resolutions or Disciplined Transformation?

    Written on January 1st, 2012 , Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
    Something’s Coming #5: Announcement

    Merry Christmas!

    Does “Peace on Earth” work without “Glory to God?”

    Written on December 24th, 2011 , Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Conversations for Transformation #3: Programmatic Emphases

    The third message in a 10-part series based on George W. Bullard, Jr.’s “Generative Dialogue Issues” in Pursuing the Full Kingdom Potential of Your Congregation, (St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2005)

    Acts 4:32-37, 5:12-16

    Written on June 19th, 2011 , Scripture, Sermons Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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