© 2015, All rights reserve  

 A Three-week Stewardship Emphasis

 

 

 

 

Ron and Phyllis Chewning Stewardship Advisors

2225 East 14 Mile Road Birmingham, MI 48009

248-644-6150

Copyright © 2015, All rights reserved

Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love

 

To Pastors and Stewardship Leaders: I, along with my wife Phyllis, have spent the past 17 years developing Scripturally-based, grace-centered stewardship resources. We have authored two books, Becoming Money Wise and Life at its Best: Living Wisely in an Unwise World, several stewardship Bible studies, and many annual stewardship emphases. Our stewardship material has been used by over a thousand different churches. I serve currently as the chairperson for the Michigan District Stewardship Committee. We are both active and involved at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Birmingham, MI. Our three adult children along with their spouses and five granddaughters live in Michigan and Texas. I pray that God is honored and that the members of your church are drawn closer to Him through this emphasis, Stewards transformed by God’s Grace, Faith, and Love. Your Fellow Steward, Ron Chewning stewardshipadv@aol.com Thanks to Scott Jung for the drawings and John Mittelstadt for the flyers. A special thanks to the following pastors for their sermon messages:

•   Pastor William Roper, Senior Pastor at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Birmingham, MI •   Pastor Steven Woodfin, Executive Pastor at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church,

Birmingham, MI Churches that purchase this emphasis are permitted to reproduce any of the materials on the CD for use within your church. Additional stewardship resources can be found at stewardshipadvisors.org.

Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love

Week One: Stewards Transformed by Grace

Week Two: Stewards Transformed by Faith

Week Three: Stewards Transformed by Love

Three-weeks of sermon messages and Bible studies

Coming Soon!

Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love Leader Tips: A three-week Stewardship Emphasis

•   Stewards Transformed by Grace •   Stewards Transformed by Faith •   Stewards Transformed by Love

Be prepared to find this stewardship emphasis a very rewarding, educational, and enjoyable program. The virtues of grace, faith, and love are essential to our Christian faith and our calling and work as God’s stewards. This three-week emphasis addresses whole-life Christian stewardship. The focus is on how God makes us His stewards so we can do the acts of stewardship He prepares for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). God changes us from being…

•   Self-centered to Christ-centered •   Owners to stewards •   Selfish to generous •   Controlling to submissive •   Disobedient to obedient

Sunday Morning Bible Studies: In order for your members to grow in their relationship with the Lord and to grow as stewards, it is necessary to spend time reading and studying God’s Word. The three studies for weekend adult Bible study are available on the CD and printed in this binder. An answer guide also is on the CD. Testimonials/ Lay reader talks There are three lay reader talks provided or you may choose to use the talks that have been prerecorded. The audio CD files are titled “Lay reader talk audio.” There are also power point slides to show during the talks. Personal testimonials are more effective, but, if no willing member is found to share his/her stewardship story with the congregation, these talks may be used. The talks may be given at the start of the service or during the time of the offering. Daily Devotions It is recommended that you distribute the copied daily devotions for the first week on the Sunday prior to the start of the emphasis, and the other two sets on the following two Sundays (one set each Sunday). Then members will be able to read the daily devotions focusing on the weekly theme prior to the message on Sunday.

Emphasis CD All the material in the binder and on the CD may be copied. Please find sheet with a complete listing of CD files listed alphabetically. Banners Art work is available for you to develop a banner. There are two files on the CD for you to use in making your banner. For more information please refer to the banner information sheet. Elders/ Council Members In order to obtain the support and prayers of the elders and council members, you should discuss the emphasis with them. Any input they offer should be considered. Commitment Sunday (weekend) Members should be encouraged to make financial commitments to the Lord through their church. Commitment forms can be distributed with the bulletins/worship folders on Commitment Sunday (Commitment Weekend), which is the third week of the emphasis. It is a meaningful part of the service to give members the opportunity to bring their commitments forward to the altar. Every effort should be made to make Commitment Sunday a special and meaningful day. To show the joy and importance of making a commitment to the Lord, you may want to have balloons and/or other decorations. You could provide some special snacks. Some churches have found that inviting a special guest preacher is helpful. Some churches celebrate their commitments by having a lunch on Sunday. The commitment forms need to be available on Commitment Sunday. If you send the pastor’s letter to your members prior to the emphasis, please enclose a commitment form and the trifold brochure with the letter. This will act as a reminder for members to think and pray about their commitments. If they fail to bring their commitment forms with them, it won’t matter because there will be another form for them on Commitment Sunday. After Final week You are encouraged to send reminder letters to members who failed to return their commitment forms and send thank-you letters to members who returned their commitment forms. You will find these letters in this binder and on the CD (as are all materials mentioned).

CD Files listed Alphabetically•   Answer guide for Bible studies

•   Banner

•   Banner for 3’ x 5’

•   Banner information

•   Bible study week one

•   Bible study week two

•   Bible study week three

•   Bulletin message prior to start of emphasis

•   Bulletin messages week one

•   Bulletin messages week two

•   Bulletin messages week three

•   CD files listed alphabetically

•   Children’s message for week one

•   Children’s message for week two

•   Children’s message for week three

•   Commitment form

•   Cover with chalice

•   Daily devotions for week one

•   Daily devotions for week two

•   Daily devotions for week three

•   Devotions title page

•   Flyer coming soon

•   Flyer coming soon 2

•   Getting organized

•   Lay reader talk audio week one

•   Lay reader talk audio week two

•   Lay reader talk audio week three

•   Lay reader talk week 1 ppt slides

•   Lay reader talk week 2 ppt slides

•   Lay reader talk week 3 ppt slides

•   Lay reader talk week one

•   Lay reader talk week two

•   Lay reader talk week three

•   Leader tips

•   Letter from pastor

•   Letter to members who have not turned in a commitment form

•   Letter to thank members for their financial commitment

•   Logo

•   Newsletter article

•   Sermon for week one

•   Sermon for week two

•   Sermon for week two ppts

•   Sermon for week three

•   Sermon week one notes for bulletins

•   Sermon week three notes for bulletins

•   Slide for ppt week one

•   Slide for ppt week two

•   Slide for ppt week three

•   Worship helps week one

•   Worship helps week two

•   Worship helps week three

Because some of these files are JPEG and MP3 Format Sound files, you will need to find them through My Computer.

Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love Getting Organized Prior to the Emphasis: Publicity/ Communication One month prior: Newsletter article Have a banner created (optional) Begin copying Bible studies, trifold brochure, letter from pastor, commitment forms, and daily devotions Two weeks prior: Place “coming soon” bulletin messages in bulletin.

One week prior: Place devotions “Stewards Transformed by Grace” in bulletins or have ushers hand them out. Members should be encouraged to read the devotions prior to next week’s sermon on the theme “Stewards Transformed by Grace.” Place bulletin message in bulletins.

Send letter, commitment form, and trifold brochure from pastor to church members.

Launch the Three-week Emphasis:

First week: “Stewards Transformed by Grace” Place the bulletin message and bulletin message with illustration in the bulletin

Have a person share a testimonial or use either the lay-reader talk or audio lay- reader talk for the first week provided on the CD. Power point slides are also available on the CD. First week of weekend Bible study

Place copied devotions, “Stewards Transformed by Faith,” in bulletins or have ushers hand them out. Members should be encouraged to read the devotions prior to next week’s sermon on the theme “Stewards Transformed by Faith.” Children’s message

Worship helps Sermon

Second week: “Stewards Transformed by Faith” Place the bulletin message and bulletin message with illustration in the bulletin.

Have a person share a testimonial or use either the lay-reader talk or audio lay reader talk for the second week provided on the CD. Power point slides are also available on the CD. Place copied devotions, “Stewards Transformed by Love,” in bulletins or have ushers hand them out. Members should be encouraged to read the devotions prior to next week’s sermon on the theme “Stewards Transformed by Love.”

Second week of weekend Bible study Remind people that next Sunday is Commitment Sunday

Children’s message Worship helps

Sermon

Third week: “Stewards Transformed by Love” On Commitment Sunday, it would be fitting to make this a time of thanks and celebration as people make their commitments to their Lord through the church. You may want to consider having special snacks, balloons, a celebration lunch, or a guest preacher, etc.

Place the bulletin message and bulletin message with illustration in the bulletin Have a person share a testimonial or use either the lay-reader talk or audio lay reader talk for the third week provided on the CD. Power point slides are also available on the CD.

Third week of weekend Bible study Place commitment form in bulletins. Allow members time to fill them out and collect them at the altar. Children’s message

Worship helps Sermon

Banners

A banner can be helpful in bringing attention to the stewardship emphasis. To create a banner, the pictures below are available for you to use. The picture on the left is located in the file titled: “Banner.” Email the file or download the file on a CD or flash drive to give to the printing company. The picture on the right can be used to develop a three foot by five foot banner. The file is titled: Banner for 3’ x 5’. Suggestion: At my church, we have used 30 inch by 40 inch banners because they can be clipped on foam board that comes in 30 inch by 40 inch at business supply stores. We place the foam board and banner on a tripod easel. The estimated cost for a 30 inch by 40 inch banner would be approximately $55.00 which will vary depending on your location.

Newsletter article

Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love

The theme for this year’s stewardship emphasis is titled Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love. We will begin this emphasis on ___ (date) _____. As God’s people, we have been given the high honor of being His stewards. As His stewards, we are called to manage faithfully all that we’ve been entrusted with according to God’s will and benefit. Because of God’s generous gifts of grace, faith, and love, we can accomplish all that God asks us to do. God works in and through us as we become His hands, feet, and mouth. Each week during this three-week emphasis, we will be focusing on one of the three virtues, grace, faith, and love. In week one, our focus is on God’s undeserved kindness and love which the Bible calls grace. God’s grace comes from God through Jesus and His work for us. It is not something we have a right to. Jesus obtained it for us. We get it freely because of the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus. This saving grace also enables and motivates us to be God’s stewards. The power of God’s grace in our lives compels us to use our time, talents, and money in ways that glorify God. In week two, we are reminded that it is through faith that we have access into God’s grace and a new relationship with Him. Through faith, God changes us, and we are born anew of Him. Not only does faith justify us and give us peace with God (Romans 5:1), we are told by James and other writers that faith produces works (James 2:18). Faith leads to action. Through faith, we are empowered to fulfill God’s purposes. Our deeds as stewards are evidence of our faith. The third week we will focus on the virtue of love. Love ought to follow faith. Love seeks the welfare of others. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12). God’s love in Christ will compel us to do things that appear foolish to unbelievers. God’s love prompts us to give freely of our time, talents, and treasures to help others and extend His kingdom. I hope and pray that God will use the sermon messages on Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love to draw you closer to Him. I also urge you to make every effort to attend the Bible studies as we focus on grace, faith, and love. Pastor _____________________________

Bulletin Messages (Use two or three-weeks prior to emphasis) Coming Soon! “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love” On Sunday ___ (date) ___, we will begin a three-week stewardship emphasis titled “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love” As God’s people, we are so blessed that His abundant gifts of grace, faith, and love never cease and are new every morning. How great is His faithfulness to us (Lamentations 3:23)! Filled with God’s presence, we become God-pleasing stewards, who manage all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes. Each week during our emphasis, we will focus on one of the virtues of grace, faith, and love. Please join us for both the worship services and the Bible studies. Coming Soon: “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love” STEWARDSHIP IS OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S GIFTS. “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Color version Coming Soon: “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love” STEWARDSHIP IS OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S GIFTS. “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

God working in and through us. Our new life in Christ finds expression in Christian stewardship through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not what we do, not what we give, not how we serve—but what God does, what God gives, how God serves. Stewardship is our response to His love and gifts to us. Through faith, we are empowered to be God’s hands, feet, and mouth to the world. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Through faith, we are saved, and that same faith energizes us to live out our faith by doing the good works that God has planned for us to do. Our good works as stewards are evidence of our faith. “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). Love Prompts Action In 1 John 4:19 we read, “We love because He first loved us.” Because God loved us so much that He would give His Son for us (John 3:16), we, too, can love. And just as Christ’s love for us led Him to labor for us through His passion, His death, and His victorious resurrection, so we, too, are prompted by our love for Him and others to labor.

God expects that the love He “lavishes” on us will naturally flow out of us into others. Real love is evidenced by action, both in labors of love to fellow believers and to our neighbors as well (Galatians 6:10). Christian stewardship should never consist of only occasional activities, but is rather a steady and increasing outflow that shares God’s love in us with others. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, NIV). By grace, our giving, helping, and serving are joyful expressions of gratitude motivated by love because of what God has given to us and done for us. The love of Jesus strengthened in us by the Holy Spirit, through Word and Sacrament, flows through us so we can show love to people around us. Through faith, we understand that we exist only out of God’s love and grace, and we are enabled to see God’s love at work in our lives. With God’s strength, we are empowered to live lives worthy of His love.

Stewardship Advisors Birmingham, MI 48009

Copyright © All rights reserved

Stewards Transformed

by Grace, Faith,

and Love

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast,

immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,

knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Grace, faith, and love are the focus for this stewardship emphasis. These three spiritual pillars are foundations for the steward who has received these gifts from God. As sinful and selfish people, we have done nothing to deserve or earn God’s grace, faith, and love, but we receive them with joy and gratitude. These three pillars transform our hearts so we become “God-centered” rather than “self-centered” people. We have a new direction and purpose for our lives. Through His gifts of grace, faith, and love, God transforms us into responsible stewards who seek to please Him. Our faithful stewardship is evidence that we are people transformed by grace, faith, and love. Grace Engenders Gratitude Webster’s New World Dictionary defines grace as “the love and favor of God toward man.” Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It is unmerited, unearned, and undeserved. Grace is not ours to earn; it is God’s to give. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). As Christians, we understand that all we are and have are by God’s grace. “And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). God lavishes us with His grace. Each day we celebrate God’s gift of life. We bask in the beauty of God’s creation.

We receive blessing after blessing from our wonderful, giving, and gracious God. The zenith of God’s grace is the gift of His Son, Jesus, who gives us the gift of salvation. As the acronym for grace so aptly states, we have “God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.” Even though we are sinful and undeserving, God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross, and we are given eternal salvation. God was not bound by necessity to give salvation. It is the result of God’s gracious will. Salvation is a gift. Many strive to earn this gift, but none of us is capable of doing so.

By God’s grace, God calls us to be His stewards. Rev. James Ryle, founder of Truth Works Ministry, wrote, “Grace is the empowering presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do.”

God’s grace gives us both the desire and the power to do His will. Knowing that God has graciously given us our physical and spiritual lives, we seek to show our gratitude by how we live and what we do with our lives. An important way to show our thanksgiving is to be God-pleasing stewards. Faithful stewardship expresses our love and gratitude to God, and our faithful stewardship gives evidence of God’s grace in our lives. Faith Produces Works Faith is the most precious gift anyone can receive from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith is “more precious than gold” (1 Peter 1:7). It is dependent solely on God. By His grace, He gives us faith. The writer of Hebrews defines faith as follows: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith enables us to place our trust in Jesus. By grace through faith, we are saved from our lives of sin and ensured that we can live with Jesus forever in Heaven. Stewardship is faith in action. Stewardship is a whole-life response to God’s acts of creation and redemption. Through faith, we understand that our stewardship is

Letter to introduce stewardship emphasis Dear Friends in Christ, I greet you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! With excitement, I write this letter to inform you that in the coming weeks our congregation will be involved in a stewardship emphasis titled Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love. We begin this three-week emphasis on Sunday ___ (date) ___. During the three weeks, we will focus on God’s gifts of grace, faith, and love and how God uses these gifts to shape us so He can accomplish His plan on earth through us. Sunday ___ (date) ____, “Stewards Transformed by Grace:” By grace, we acknowledge God’s call to be His stewards, and we express our gratitude for the wonderful privilege to serve God through our stewardship. By grace, God gives us physical and spiritual blessings, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus. God’s grace gives us life and salvation and that same grace makes it possible for us to know God’s will and be equipped so we can do His will. Sunday ___ (date) ____, “Stewards Transformed by Faith:” By grace, God gives us faith. This precious gift of faith enables us to place our trust in Jesus. Through faith, along with God’s strength and wisdom, we, as ordinary people, can do extraordinary things. Stewardship is our faith in action. Stewards guided by faith become Jesus’ hands, feet, and mouth. Sunday ____ (date) _____, “Stewards Transformed by Love:” Love comes from God. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God demonstrated His awesome love for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to the cross to atone for our sins. He wants His love within us to overflow to others. I pray that each of you will join us for worship and Bible study as we focus on the virtues of grace, faith, and love. We will learn how God uses these virtues to develop a closer relationship with us as well as to prompt us to action with our time, talents, and money. Please bring the enclosed Commitment Form with you to church on Commitment Sunday, _____ (date) _____, or drop it off in the church office at your convenience. God’s blessings on your continued faithful stewardship of the many blessings He has entrusted to your care. Serving Christ together, Pastor ___________________________

Thank-you letter to members who turned in Commitment Forms Dear Fellow Christians, Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus! Thank you for the financial commitment that you made for 2016. Your commitment will further God’s work at our church. The generosity of so many people supports our ministries for children and youth, the elderly, the, sick, the shut-ins, our staff, and our facilities, along with outreach and missions. The stewardship emphasis, Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love, helped us understand that God calls and equips us to be His stewards. God uses and works through us to accomplish His work for which we give Him praise and thanks. It is truly an honor and privilege to be God’s stewards through whom He accomplishes His purposes. The Holy Spirit, working through God’s Holy Word, transforms us to be His faithful stewards. Through faith, we know all of our gifts are from God, the motivation to serve and to give is from Him, the cause to support is His, and the promise to bless the gifts and the givers is His. We will keep you and the entire congregation informed on the work of our ministries throughout the year so you can see your contributions in action. We pray for your ongoing involvement, also, in the ministry and mission of our church. Thank you again for sharing your blessings and being a partner in this journey of faith. May God’s blessings be with you as you faithfully manage all that He has entrusted to you. In His love, Pastor ___________________

Letter to members who have not turned in Commitment Forms Dear Member, Greetings in the name of risen Lord and Savior, Jesus! “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints” (Colossians 1:3-4). Through the faithful stewardship of the Body of Christ here at our church, we are able to proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed. During our recent stewardship emphasis, Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love, we focused on how God transforms us so we are equipped and inspired to be His stewards. By His grace, God calls us to be His stewards, and, through our God-given faith, we understand that God is the source of all good things. As recipients of His grace, faith, and love, we demonstrate our gratitude by faithfully receiving, managing, and sharing God’s blessings. How can we respond to this great love of our Father and use all His gifts to us for His glory? God is totally committed to us. Are you willing to make a commitment to Him? Your commitment form has not yet been received. Perhaps you’re still praying about it; maybe you’ve forgotten it; maybe it’s been lost. We are enclosing another form and ask that you complete it and return it to the church office at your earliest convenience. Thank you and may God continue to pour out His blessings on you as you experience the joy of being God’s steward. Serving Christ together, Pastor ________________________

WEEK ONE

Week 1 Power point slides for Lay Reader or Audio talk CD file titled: “Lay Reader Talk week 1pptslides”

Worship Helps Week One: “Stewards Transformed by Grace” Readings: Old Testament: Genesis 22:1-14 Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-14 Gospel: John 1:1-18 Hymns: Today Your Mercy Calls Us If Your Beloved Son, O God By Grace I’m Saved Stewardship Litany: Leader: Lord, we thank You for giving us the privilege and the opportunity to be stewards of Your creation. People: Lord, transform us into trustworthy stewards by Your grace, faith, and love. Leader: We thank You for Your grace that enables us to understand that we were created for Your purposes, not ours. People: Lord, transform us into trustworthy stewards by Your grace, faith, and love Leader: Lord, we thank You for the abilities and spiritual gifts that You give to us so we might be blessings to others and Your Church. People: Lord, transform us into trustworthy stewards by Your grace, faith, and love Leader: Jesus, You said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV). Help us to be channels through which Your blessings flow. People: Lord, transform us into trustworthy stewards by Your grace, faith, and love. Leader: Lord God, we ask that You would bless us with the desire to become faithful stewards who practice Godly stewardship. Grant us, Lord, generous hearts that want to give and serve. People: Through Jesus we pray. Amen.

Lay reader talk for week one:

God’s Transforming Grace

This is the first week of our stewardship emphasis Stewards Transformed by God’s Grace, Faith, and Love. Our focus for week one is the virtue grace. We often hear the word “grace” used to describe a dancer, or we refer to the prayer prior to a meal as “grace.” However, to God’s people, the word “grace” has a much more profound meaning, because we know it is only by God’s grace that we have life. Only by God’s grace do we live and delight in God’s awesome creation. Only by God’s grace in Jesus do we have the forgiveness of sins, an abundant life here on earth, and life eternal. Yes, all that we are and have are by God’s grace. Grace can be defined as God’s unmerited favor. It is unmerited because we have done nothing to deserve God’s gifts. Just as parents or married couples give freely to their family members or to one another, God in a much more meaningful way gives to us. Even though we are sinful and wayward people, God keeps on giving and giving. We can never outgive God. God’s grace also equips us to do His will. The writer of Hebrews tells us that God will “equip [us] with everything good that [we] may do His will” (verse 13:21). As God’s stewards, we know that He wants us to manage His blessings His way and for His glory. God equips us with resources to do His will. In 2 Corinthians 9:8, the Apostle Paul wrote, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” He abundantly supplies everything we need to be His faithful stewards. Filled with faith and the resources to do His will, we are then guided by His Holy Spirit in doing His will. By God’s grace, we are God-pleasing stewards. May we all experience great joy in faithfully stewarding the many blessings God has entrusted to our care.

Bulletin messages for week one: Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love This is the first week of our three-week emphasis, “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love.” Today our focus is on grace, which God graciously gives us through Jesus. Only by God’s grace do we understand that all we are and have are God’s gifts. Even though we are sinful, undeserving people, God lavishes us with blessings day after day. As stewards, we can by God’s grace show our gratitude to God by using our blessings and gifts faithfully. Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love BY GOD’S GRACE IN JESUS, WE ARE TRANSFORMED INTO GOD-PLEASING STEWARDS. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11).

Week One Children’s Message Receiving and Giving Gifts How many of you like to receive gifts for their birthday or Christmas? I bet each of you get a gift from Mom and Dad for all your birthdays and Christmas. Just think how many gifts your parents give you. Your parents are special people who love to give you things. Your parents have given you everything you have, your life, food, clothes, toys, a place to sleep, a home and on and on. I know you like to receive gifts, but do you like to give gifts to your mom and dad for their birthdays and Christmas? Isn’t it true that even the gifts that you give to your parents have come from them? Maybe you get an allowance (which comes from Mom and Dad), and don’t Mom and Dad take you to the store to pick something out and then give you the money to pay at the check-out register? It’s the same way with God. He gives us everything we need. It may be a bit harder to see than it is with our parents, but He gives us everything: life, all that we need to support it, and most of all the greatest gift of all, Jesus, Who gives us eternal life. So we love to give gifts to God just like we love to give gifts to our parents. Telling others about Jesus, helping others, and giving of our things are all ways we give gifts to God. And just like our parents beam from ear to ear when we give them gifts, so God loves it when we give back Him back from what He has given us. As we are eager to give gifts to our parents, so we are eager to give gifts to God. Let’s pray. Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us and for giving us so much. Lord, help these boys and girls experience the joy of giving. Amen.

1

Sermon Week One “The Grace of Giving” Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today, we begin our stewardship program Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love. For this week, our focus is on stewards transformed by grace.

The text is from 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 in particular verse 8, which reads, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor so that you by His poverty might become rich.”

It had been a hard winter in the Rockies. The snow piled deeper and deeper. The temperature dropped below zero and stayed there. The rivers froze over. People were suffering. The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies.

After a long, hard day, as they were returning to their base, the rescue team in a helicopter saw a cabin nearly submerged in the snow. A thin wisp of smoke came up from the chimney. The men figured those people in that cabin were probably critically short of food, fuel, and medicine. Because of the trees they had to set down about a mile from the cabin. They put their heavy emergency equipment on their backs, trudged through waist-deep snow, and reached the cabin exhausted, panting, and perspiring. They pounded on the door and a thin, gaunt mountain woman finally answered. The lead man panted, “Ma’am, we’re from the Red Cross.” She was silent for a moment, and then she said, “It’s been a hard, long winter, Sonny I just don’t think we can give anything this year!” We have become accustomed to people’s relentless asking for money. The salesman who rings at the door, the computer recording on the other end of the phone, the appeal letter in the mail, the panhandlers on the street corners, and the Girl Scouts selling cookies outside of Walmart and Kroger are all out to get our money. We brace ourselves to say “no.” When somebody approaches claiming to want to help us, we become suspicious. There has to be an ulterior motive. The Apostle Paul was traveling all over the world taking up a collection for the poor, distressed Christians in Jerusalem. They were in need of help. Usually the mother church supports the mission churches, but there was a famine in Judea, so the economy was suffering and the mother church at Jerusalem needed help. On top of that, Christians were being persecuted, and many of them had lost their jobs. As a result, many of them were just barely staying alive. So Paul went from church to church urging the Christians to give generously to support those who were in need in Jerusalem. Paul said, “Just as you excel in everything…see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (8:7).

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Friends, whenever we talk about grace and giving, we have to talk about God. Grace begins with God. Grace is the gift He gives to us undeservedly. It is unmerited on our part. But you know God is not only gracious, He is giving. In fact, He is the greatest giver ever. John 3:16 tells us, “God so loved the world that He gave is one and only Son that whoever should believe in Him shall have every lasting life.” He gave His Son and that is an expression of His love. When He wanted to tell us how much He loved us, He didn’t send us a letter, an email, or put something on Facebook. He sent His only Son. His Son Who was rich became poor. Paul said, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Yes, this was something they already knew, but something they needed to keep on hearing. To describe the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul used the term rich and poor. He applied these words to Jesus. He was rich, Paul reminded them. He was referring to the eternal riches that were His as the Son of God from all eternity. There was and is nothing that does not belong to Him. But for your sake He became poor. Paul’s reminding them that he is referring to what Christians today call Christ’s state of humility. Writing to the Philippians, Paul put it this way, “Christ made Himself nothing." Literally He emptied Himself. The Macedonians Christians had very little. The very little they had they gave. Jesus had absolutely everything. He was Lord of the universe, and He gave it all. As Paul told the Corinthians, He died so that they may become rich. Jesus, the God-man swapped places with us sinners. He underwent the agony, desolation, and the deserved punishment of fallen mankind. In return, we sinners receive a share in His Sonship and the forgiveness of sins. You see, because of Christ’s poverty, we are rich. But we are not rich by nature. By nature, we are poor. Scripture tells us we are spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God. There is no goodness of our own. There is no one good—not even one, we are told in Romans. There is no way for us to gain acceptance with God. All of our efforts fall short, but in Christ we have become incredibly rich. We have forgiveness of sins. The slate is wiped clean. We have all things working for our good. We have eternal riches. Friends, that is grace in action. We are rich. We may say, “Me rich?” We might say, “We get by, but we’re certainly not rich.” But we are rich, becomes Christ became poor. If you question yourself becoming rich, just ask God, “How much did your salvation cost?” Martin Luther reminded us that our salvation was not bought with gold or silver but with His innocent suffering and death. Friends, we are rich and to be rich means that we belong to Him. We have been chosen by Him. We have been bought by Him, by His own blood. To be rich is to live for Him. Doing His will instead of ours. Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:15: “And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him Who for their sake died and was raised.” How much of every day do you live for God? You see friends, we can live every day for God by remembering that we are stewards. We are all stewards by creation and our recreation in Baptism. As God’s stewards we are managers not owners. God is the owner. We just confessed a few moments ago that we believe in God the Father, almighty maker of heaven and earth. But friends, He is not only the maker of heaven and earth; He is the owner because He has never given up ownership. Being stewards means that we’ve been entrusted with life and life’s resources. We’ve been given the privilege of responsibly and joyfully managing them for Him. We can do that because

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we are stewards who have been transformed by God’s grace. We have been changed. It’s an internal change. We’ve been changed in heart and mind. We are no longer the same person we once were. Paul says that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Being transformed or changed starts with thinking of things differently. Having a different mindset and different attitude. And it results in behavior that is pleasing to God and in accordance with God’s will. In accordance with God’s will, we are givers not just takers. Giving now becomes a privilege rather than a problem or obligation. We want to give willingly and cheerfully. In our text we learned that Christians in Macedonia begged to be part of the offering. How often have the people at our church applauded when we collect the offering? I asked that because I’ve heard of a congregation that did applaud when an offering was collected. Well, there is room for growth at our church. Wouldn’t it be great if, when I, as the pastor, announced the offering, the congregation would applaud? Because through our giving we are given an opportunity to give back to God what He has given to us. We give back not because we have to give but because we want to give. As we give, we give of ourselves. In verse 5 of our text it says, “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” A pastor told me about a time when his church received a $1,000 check from a member who never attended church. The pastor’s secretary said that the man considered his gift as his dues. A year later another check for $1,000 was received from the same man. The pastor later met with the man and returned his $1,000 check. The pastor told the gentleman that “God doesn’t want your money; he wants you.” Friends, God doesn’t want our money; he wants us. When we refuse to give ourselves, we are withholding what belongs to God. When we give ourselves, we give our time. Time gives us the opportunity to serve God by serving our fellow man. Have you ever wondered why God allowed you to keep on living after He had saved you? We are still here because God has a purpose for us. God has things for us to do. Many people don’t know their purpose in the world. As a giver, we give our treasures. Our text says, “They gave according to their means.” If the readiness is there, the gift is acceptable to what a person has not what he doesn’t have. We have not all been blessed the same way, but the gift is acceptable if it is given according to how God has blessed us. Last weekend you were given daily devotions to read during this past week. I’d like to read a paragraph from last Friday’s devotion. In writing to the Church in Corinth, Paul referenced the example of the Macedonians who

gave so generously to the needy Christians in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:1-9). They were empowered to give because of God’s grace and generosity to them. Even though they lived in poverty, the Macedonians gave generously and sacrificially. Paul referred to their giving as an “act of grace” (vs. 6). By grace, the Macedonians in their extreme poverty gave “beyond their means” (vs. 3). They were so eager to give that they pleaded for the privilege of sharing with the needy in Jerusalem. Their giving, while they were in such a difficult economic position, gave witness to God’s grace in their lives. God’s grace makes it possible for people to have very little and yet want to give generously.

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Friends, the word generosity comes from the root word that means “single.” The basic idea is of single-mindedness of purpose. It points more to the attitude of the giver rather than the amount given. The ultimate source of the single-minded generous spirit is the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia. Generous givers aren’t born that way. That kind of attitude is the result of being reborn or being changed or being transformed. The grace of unmerited love of God that brings salvation to the sinner also inspires a new life of service that includes unselfish, generous giving. To be able to give cheerfully and generously is a gift of grace. The grace of giving means, “For the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.” In a sermon on generosity, Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, the sainted speaker of the Lutheran Hour, said, “I’m not afraid to talk about money because all that we have belongs to God including our salvation being bought through the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” To that we say, “This is most certainly true.” Now may the peace of God that transcends all understanding keep your minds and hearts in Jesus. Amen.  

WEEK TWO

Week 2 Power point slides for Lay Reader or Audio talk CD file titled: “Lay Reader Talk week 2pptslides”

Worship Helps Week two: “Stewards Transformed by Faith” Readings: Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) Epistle: Romans 3:21-31 (or Hebrews 11) Gospel: Luke 7:1-10 Hymns: With the Lord Begin Your Task LSB 869 Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing LSB 584 My Faith Looks Up to Thee LSB 702 Stewardship Litany: Leader: Our poor stewardship is often seen in how we mismanage and misuse the blessings that You entrust to us. People: Lord, transform our hearts and grant us faith so we can be God-pleasing stewards. Leader: Because we are self-centered people, we fail to love our neighbors as You call us to do. People: Lord, grant us faith so we can be Christ-centered people who, through the work of the Holy Spirit, become God-pleasing stewards. Leader: We confess that we often fail to make giving to our church and those in need a priority. People: Forgive us, Lord, for ignoring the opportunities You place before us to witness and to help those in need of Your love and care. Help us to be the God-pleasing stewards that You have equipped us to be. Leader: Lord God, we thank You for Your Spirit’s continuing work of sanctification as He transforms us into God-pleasing stewards. People: Through Jesus we pray. Amen.

Bulletin messages for week two: Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love This is the second week of our stewardship emphasis, “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love.” Today our focus is on faith, which God graciously gives to us. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Through faith, we acknowledge God as our Creator and Redeemer, and we are made right with Him. In our sermon message and Bible studies today, we will hear that stewardship is faith in action. Our faith empowers us to be God-pleasing stewards. Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love STEWARDSHIP IS FAITH IN ACTION. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Lay reader talk for second week

Transformed by Faith

As part of our stewardship theme, Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love, we are focusing today on the virtue of faith. One of the most inspiring chapters in Scripture is Hebrews chapter 11 which is referred to as the “Faith Chapter.” Here we learn that, by faith, men and women such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Isaac, Joseph, and Rahab pleased God by their faithful obedience. Just as these Biblical patriarchs knew that God was real, merciful, and faithful to them, we know that He is active and present in our lives as well. Nurtured by Word and Sacrament, our faith motivates and empowers us in our acts of stewardship. God equips us for good works and transforms us into faithful stewards. However, our faithfulness may come at a price, as it did for the faithful in the “Faith Chapter.” It may cost us our financial treasures, our time, and our energy. It may cost us friends and family who don’t understand our ways that are countercultural. It may cost us status, prestige, and pride. Jesus gave the call to faithful obedience by saying, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). At times, the price may seem too high to pay. When things get tough and we get down, we should consider Paul’s words: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything

as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:7-9).

What does the world offer? Rubbish! What results from bearing the fruit of faithful obedience? We grow in the knowledge and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and we find true treasures. May God grant us faith not only to know Him but also to be faithful stewards of all that He entrusts to us.

Week Two Children’s Message Placing our Faith in Jesus (You will need a rope and a piece of paper with the word “faith.”) Who can tell me what this says? (Holding up paper with the word “faith.”) Yes, it says faith. Who can tell me what faith means? Yes, faith is believing. We are saved by faith. Faith is trusting in someone or something. You all trust in your parents because you know if you are in trouble they will help you. However our parents can’t save us. Our parents give us food to eat and a home to live in. They give us their love, but the Bible tells us that only Jesus can save us. I have a rope (throw the rope out). Let’s say that you are swimming, and you can’t get back to shore. The rope can be used to save you. In order for you to be saved, you need to hold onto the end of the rope very tightly. The key is to be holding onto the end of the rope very tightly so someone can pull you out of the water. The thing is, though, that the person on the other end of the rope also has to be holding tightly onto the rope. (At this point, drop the rope.) Our faith is centered on the cross and Jesus. (Take the rope and tie it to a cross, preferably a large one.) Through faith, we know that Jesus is at the other end of the rope. Jesus won’t let go because He loves us. The cross is our reminder of Jesus’ love. Faith that saves us is centered in Jesus. Let’s pray. Jesus, thank You for loving us. Help us to place our faith and trust in You. Amen.

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Sermon Week Two “Stewards Transformed by Faith”

The point: God has radically transformed us by faith so we can turn to Him and pray, “Lord, use me.” SLIDE 1: Up from Start God’s grace, mercy, and peace…. Today is our second week of our stewardship emphasis “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love.” Slide 2: Text – Heb. 10:14 Text: Hebrews 10:14 - “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Slide 3: adds µεταµορφούµεθα (metamorphoumetha) Here’s what we’re focusing on today. (pronounced: meh-ta-mor-FOO-meh-tha) You see the root of an important and fairly radical word in the English language, and in our message today, as well. Okay, here’s the English: Slide 4: adds “Be Transformed.” Transformation – not a little thing, a big thing. Slide 6: Caterpillar to Butterfly slide Greek word for transformed – metamorphosis – completely different in every way. This is the way we typically illustrate metamorphosis – caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Something that crawls changes into something that flies! This word is only used three times in the New Testament, and I think it’s interesting to see where. Slide 7: Matthew 17:2 “There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Just so you get a sense of how big a change the Greek word for “transformed” really is, It is used to denote the change Jesus underwent as He was transfigured. The disciples were able to see Him as He truly was. In that moment, He changed from earthly to heavenly. Slide 8: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In Romans 12, meh-ta-mor-FOO-meh-tha talks about a similar change – but it’s about us. By faith, we are changed from creatures of the world to citizens of Heaven To followers of Jesus. Slide 9: 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all…are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2nd Corinthians ties these two together – It is the change God

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works in us through the Holy Spirit, Whom we receive by faith. He makes us more and more like Jesus. It’s interesting to see how God uses the word “transformed” in HIS Word. It illustrates a completely change…just like caterpillar to butterfly. From darkness to light; from death to life; from sinner to saint; from guilty to innocent; from slavery to freedom. From earthly to heavenly. Slide 10: Stewards Transformed by Faith Remember our text from verse 14? It says “perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” That’s true metamorphosis. We have moved from earthly creatures to saints, and have been given this joyful task and challenge of working together to support and strengthen God’s church so we can disciple the faithful, and reach the lost, with the love of Christ. We are stewards transformed by faith. Are you feeling transformed? Do you feel different? I have to admit, some days I feel a lot less like a butterfly, and a lot more like a caterpillar, dragging myself around in the dirt. Or maybe a cocoon, kind of stuck in place, just waiting. Yes, we’re saints of light because of Jesus, but we’re also still bound to this sinful world. For now. Slide 11: Hebrews 10:17 But that’s the beauty of God’s transformation of us. We don’t have to feel it to know it’s there. The fact that we sometimes don’t feel it, or even feel the opposite, doesn’t make the metamorphosis any less real. Verse 17 from our epistle says – “then [the Holy Spirit] adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” It’s not about what we do; what we think; what we feel. It’s about what Jesus has done for us. Because of Jesus, we ARE transformed from that caterpillar. We ARE free from our cocoon. We truly can fly, by His power, by the love of the Spirit, by the grace given to us through Jesus. “Fly?” You’re asking. “Me? Fly? I’m just lucky to crawl out of bed each morning When we think of truly flying through life, it’s usually when we think of someone else. But you know what? SLIDE 12: EVERYONE FIGHTS BATTLE We all fight a hard battle in this world. Pastor Ian Maclaren said that in 1897, and it’s always been true. But often it’s within the battles that God allows the transformative power of faith to truly show. SLIDE 13: SUSIE SMITH Tell Susie’s story; through it all, she has turned more and more to Jesus through the faith He has given her; she has modeled faithfulness for her family; she has encouraged countless Christians and non-Christians through her simple, powerful testimony. Susie is flying, even in the midst of her pain.

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SLIDE 14: RACHEL and PATRICK Tell Rachel and Patrick’s story. The baptism of each of the triplets; turning to God in prayer. Their outward display of faith caused their nurse to also express her faith in Jesus to them. Yes, it hurts terribly; but in the pain is also bright, certain hope for an eternal future together with their three sons. “Our Gracious God took our three beautiful boys into His loving arms and carried them to Heaven this past Sunday and Monday.” “We were blessed with irreplaceable time with them during which they received the amazing gift of life and forgiveness through Baptism!” SLIDE 15: OLD PHOTO OF DAVID BERKOWITZ Do you want to see the transforming power of faith? Look at this man. The one called the “Son of Sam” killer was arrested, tried, and convicted in 1977. This is a man who struggled his entire life. Seizures as a boy. His mother passed away when he was 14. Later in life, he met some people who encouraged him to openly worship the devil, and at one point as he describes it, “gave himself over to Satan.” David Berkowitz received six life sentences. It would seem there could be no greater darkness than what David Berkowitz experienced. SLIDE 16: BOTH PHOTOS Yet today his fellow inmates call him “Son of Hope.” He has been given the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. He is a model prisoner, a constant evangelist for Christ. He said this: “One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Romans 10:13. It says, ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Here it is clear that God has no favorites. He rejects no one, but welcomes all who will call upon Him.” God doesn’t just paint the walls and change the carpeting. Through faith, He tears it all down and builds up something new. David Berkowitz took lives – and now God is using him to bring eternal life to those around him. He thanks God every day for the ministry he is able to accomplish within the prison in New York where he will spend the rest of his life. SLIDE 17: CASSIE BERNAL Cassie Bernal’s story – book “She Said Yes.” Columbine shooting, April 20, 1999, age 17. Many people don’t know just two years prior to the shooting, Cassie was practicing witchcraft and was constantly thinking about suicide. Her parents dragged her into the Youth Minister’s office at their church, and when she left, he said to himself, “she is a lost cause.” But God transformed her. Six months later, she came back into the Youth Minister’s office and told him 'You'll never guess what I did today. I gave my life to Christ!' The Youth Minister’s jaw hit the floor. Cassie became an evangelist in her high school, and many others came to know Jesus through her. When she had a gun pointed at her and was asked if she believed in God, she replied, “yes, I believe in Jesus.” It cost her this life on earth, but you know what? At her funeral they played a video of Cassie giving her testimony, and 75 young people came forward to give their lives to Jesus

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for the first time. How many eternal lives were saved through that horrific act at Columbine High School? Transformed by faith. For eternity. SLIDE 18: YOU AND ME Well we’ve talk about some other folks. Let’s talk about US. Yes, these stories are encouraging. Strengthening. Yes, they show the transforming power of faith. But what about OUR lives? Our own struggles? What about this caterpillar within? SLIDE 19: HEBREWS 10:23 Our Epistle lesson has something to say about that. And I love that verse 23 is my confirmation verse. “Let us hold steadfast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Don’t feel like you’re flying today? It’s okay, you’re still radically transformed through faith in Jesus. God is faithful. No matter what you’re struggling with, no matter how far away from Him you feel, He’s. RIGHT. HERE. He has chosen you. He has given you the gift of faith. He will never leave you nor forsake you. That’s the truth of Jesus Christ. And it’s happening in your life right now. SLIDES 19 and 20: HEBREWS 10:24-25 Verses 24 and 25 tell us what to do with all of this: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (GOOD STEWARDS, I STUCK THAT IN THERE), not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We live transformed lives through faith, in part, when we stir up one another to love and good works. That’s simply another way of saying “be good stewards.” It means we use what we’ve been given, no matter how small or how large, to turn to Jesus at all times, just like Patrick and Rachel. We encourage one another in the faith, as Susie Smith does, even in her suffering. We talk about Jesus and what He means to us, just like David Berkowitz and Cassie Bernal. SLIDE 21: LORD, USE ME We simply take the things God has given us and turn right back around with a simple prayer, “Lord, use me.” Let’s do that now. Pray with me. - Prayer - SLIDE 22: µεταµορφούµεθα Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting. Amen.

WEEK THREE

Week 3 Power point slides for Lay Reader or Audio talk CD file titled: “Lay Reader Talk week 3pptslides”

Worship Helps Week three: “Stewards Transformed by Love” Readings: Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 29:1-19 Epistle: 1 John 4:7-5:3 Gospel: John 12:1-8 Hymns: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling LSB 700 Love in Christ Is Strong and Living LSB 706 (They’ll Know We Are Christians by our Love) Thee Will I Love, My Strength My Tower LSB 694 Stewardship Litany: Leader: Heavenly Father, You have called us to be stewards so others will hear the Good News. Help us, Lord, by word and action to be faithful to our calling as we acquaint those around us with Your love, the redeeming power of Your Son’s death on the Cross, and His resurrection from the grave. People: Lord, continue to transform us by Your grace, faith, and love so we can be Your stewards who strive to serve and honor You Leader: Lord, we thank You for the privilege of being Your stewards, and we pray for wisdom, strength, and conviction to live each day faithfully in the stewardship of Your blessings. People: Lord, help us to mature as Your stewards. Leader: Dear God through Your grace, change our attitude toward giving so that we view our giving as a privilege rather than an obligation. Grant us loving and giving hearts so we willingly share our time, talents, and money with others. People: Help us to see our money as a tool that can be used to help others and extend Your kingdom. Leader: Dear God, through Your grace, our stewardship changes from sporadic good deeds to a lifestyle of stewardship. Because You transform our hearts, we are eager to return Your love for us through good works that please and honor You. People: Father, thank You for allowing us to be Your hands, feet, and mouth to the world. May we as Your stewards allow Your love within us overflow to others.

Bulletin messages for week three: Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love Our focus for the third and final week of our three-week stewardship emphasis, “Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love” is on the virtue of love. In first John 4:7 we read, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” Jesus tells His followers that God’s will for us is summarized in two commands: love God and love your neighbor. The love we are to give is expressed not only in feelings of love, but, much more important, in acts of love as we show kindness and compassion to those around us. Love seeks the best for others. Jesus told his disciples they were to love not only their neighbors and friends but their enemies as well. God’s love for us has achieved its purpose in us when it causes us to love others. Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love AS GOD’S LOVE RESIDES IN US, WE LOVE OTHERS. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Lay reader talk for week three:

Stewards Transformed by Love

In this the third and final week of our stewardship program, Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love, we are focusing today on the virtue of love. In Romans 5:8 Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God has never stopped pouring out His love for us. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down His life for His friends” (John 15:13). He demonstrated His tremendous love not because of our worthiness, but because He is a God of unfathomable love. Jesus’ love for His heavenly Father and for us changed the world. Through His birth, life, death, and resurrection from that death, we through faith have received the forgiveness of our sins and life eternal. God’s love to us in Christ is that power that enables us to love Him. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The love of Jesus empowers us to be His stewards. Because of Jesus’ love, we become people responding out of love to serve those He places in our lives. When needs arise, Jesus opens our eyes and hearts so we can respond to those needs. Because Jesus’ love for us motivates us, we find joy in our serving and giving. Love changes our giving from an obligation to a privilege. He is the source of the love that we give to Him and others. There is a story of two brothers who were farmers. They farmed together, and their agreement was to share their crops equally. One brother was single while the other brother had a wife and three kids. The brother who was single did not think it was fair for him to receive half of the crops because his brother had a family to support. At night, he would get up and take some of the harvest from his pile and put it on his brother’s. The brother with the family thought it wasn’t fair for him to receive half of the crops, because his single brother would have no one to take care of him in his old age. At night, he took some of the crops from his pile and put it on his brother’s. One night they met each other as each was performing his act of love. They were blessed knowing how much they loved each other. How wonderful it is that, as Christians, we know that Jesus loves us even more than the brothers loved each other. Jesus continues to love us even when our love and faith wane. He continues to provide for us even when we jealously hoard His blessings. But let this not be the case with us who have experienced His great love. Let us instead live lives that genuinely reflect Jesus’ love for us.

My Commitment for the Lord through _____(Church) _____________

1 I (we) promise to worship regularly. Please return top portion to the church. 1 I (we) commit to diligent study in God’s Word. 1Regular group Bible study 1 Personal and/or family devotions 1  I (we) commit to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 1 My (our) faith offering each week in 2016 will be $___________ NAME(S):__________________________________________________Please return card to the church (please print) office or drop in the offering plate.

“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace (giving) also” (2 Corinthians 8:7).

My Commitment for the Lord through _______(Church) __________

I (we) promise to worship regularly. 1 I (we) commit to diligent study in God’s Word. 1Regular group Bible study 1 Personal and/or family devotions 1  I (we) commit to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 1 My (our) faith offering each week in 2016 will be $___________

Please bring card with you on Commitment Weekend or mail it (or drop off at) to the church office.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Please detach and keep for your records rererecords

Children’s Message Week 3 I’m going to tell you a story today about two little girls, Angie and Laura. They had been best friends since they had been babies. Laura was a very active child while Angie was content to watch while Laura scooted all the way across the monkey bars. Then she’d clap and cheer for her friend. Angie didn’t have a lot of energy, so Laura quieted herself and played quiet games with her. Before long, even that tired Angie out, and Laura came to realize that her friend was sick. So Laura brought books to read to Angie while she lay in bed and told her jokes to make her laugh. Then one day, Laura’s mother told her gently that Angie’s heart had just given out and she had gone to Heaven to live with Jesus. Laura was broken-hearted over the loss of her friend, but one day it occurred to her that Angie’s mom and dad were even sadder than she was. She started to pray for them every day. One day Laura was late after school. “Where have you been?” her mom asked. “Oh,’ replied Laura, “I just went to cheer up Angie’s mom.” “What did you do?” her mom asked with curiosity. “Well, I just sat in her lap and cried with her,” said Laura. Now I ask you: Can you see how these girls showed love to each other? To whom else did Laura show love? How? Did you know that God tells us that, whenever we show love and kindness to someone else, it’s the same as showing it to Him? How do you think Laura and Angie learned to show love? 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because [Jesus] first loved us.” How did Jesus show His love for us? That’s right. He died on the Cross to take away our sins. That’s why Laura could be sure her friend Angie was in Heaven with Him. That’s how we know we will be in Heaven with Jesus some day too.

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Sermon Week Three “The Proof of our Love” Grace, mercy, and peace to you and from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today is the last week of our stewardship emphasis Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love. For this week, our focus is on stewards transformed by love. Our text is the epistle lesson found in 1 John 4. There is a sermon outline in your worship folder that you may be interested in using. Six year old Johnnie comes home from first grade, and he asks his mother, “Mom where do I come from?” His mother thought, Oh dear, I wish his father was here to answer the question. She had hoped the question would not have come up for a few more years. After she had slowly and carefully explained the anatomy of males and females, she asked Johnny, “Why did you ask?” He said, “My friend Bobby came from Chicago, so I was wondering where I came from.” There is also some misunderstanding when we talk about God’s love so I would like to make three points that we need to understand about God’s love for us. In our epistle lesson for today we find our first point which is “love begins with God.” Verse seven of our Epistle lesson says, “Beloved, let us love one another for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” By ourselves, we are incapable of loving. But many people consider love to have originated with themselves. If we were to love, it would be a very selfish and self-centered kind of love. Christians know that God is the origin of love. God first loved us, and He enables us to share that love with others. God is not only the origin of love. Verse 8 tells us “God is love.” The very nature of God is love. Everything that God does and says originates from His love for us. He created us in love, and, when we fell into sin, instead of giving up on us or destroying us, He set about to redeem us. He showed His love for us as He sent His Son to pay the sacrifice for sins. He sent His Son into the world to die on the Cross as the propitiation for our sins. In verse 10, we see that propitiation means that He was the atoning sacrifice for our sins. A sacrifice had to be made for our sins. Jesus was the perfect lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, and He does that so that we might live through Him. Because of God’s love and forgiveness, we have eternal life in His name. So we see, “Love begins with God.” The second major point is that “God’s love has a dramatic effect on us.” Verse 7 says we are born of God. Through Holy Baptism, we are born again of water and the Spirit and become children of God. Our old natural birth has been superseded by a new supernatural birth. We have been transformed or changed. We are no longer the same persons we once were because of that transformation. We all know about the metamorphosis that takes place in a caterpillar as it becomes a butterfly. As great as the transformation is from a caterpillar to a butterfly, the transformation that occurs in our lives is much greater than that, because at one time we were lost, and now we are found. At one time, we were dead, and now we are made alive. At one time, we were enemies of God, and Scripture says that now we are considered His dear friends and dear

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children. Not only are we born of God, we know God. We possess knowledge of God that unbelievers do not have. We do not just know about God intellectually, but we know God personally and intimately, because we are the recipients of His love as sons/daughters. At home, little boys and girls often call their father “daddy.” In much the same way, because of our intimate relationship with God, we can refer to our Heavenly Father as “Daddy,” because we are His children. And we also love others because God first loved us (verse 11). This is one of the effects God’s love has on us. It enables us to love others as He first loved us. Our love for one another is in response to God’s infinite love for each and every one of us. We show the same kind of selfless, sacrificial love toward others thereby witnessing to the love of God in Christ Jesus. The Apostle John says it very well: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also out to love one another.” You see, love that is of God is dynamic and explosive. It cannot be and just remain between God and me. Its presence in our lives is shown by the way that it reaches out to others. Love originates with God, and God’s love has a dramatic effect upon us. Third “Love becomes the distinguishing mark of Christ’s followers.” After Jesus had washed His disciples’ feet, we are told in John chapter 13, He tells His disciples: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” (verses 34-35). Unbelievers recognized Jesus’ disciples by their love. Believers gave evidence to being disciples by their love for one another. When the early church was just getting started, those outside the church would watch how people inside the church treated one another and they responded by saying, “My, how they love one another.” You see, friends, they will truly know we are Christians by our love. Our standard for loving is Christ’s love for us. He loves us unconditionally without setting any limits. He loves us sacrificially. However our love is not always like that because we put conditions on our love. Sometimes we say, “I will love you if you do this, this, and this.” Or we say, “I’ll love you until you do something that upsets me or bothers me that keeps me from loving.” No matter how much we love, we are under obligation to keep on loving. To love is one debt that is never paid off. St. Paul tells us in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love each other.” You see, Jesus was a living example of God’s love so we are to be living example of Jesus’ love. Whenever we talk about love, we have to remember that love is more than simple warm feelings. Love is an attitude that reveals itself in action. Love is really more a verb than a noun. Read the great love chapter 1 Corinthians 13 sometime and see how Paul describes love. He says, “Love is patient, love does not envy or boast, it does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful.” Paul then says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (verse 7).

So as we think about love, love that originated from God, love that changes us and transforms us, we have to ask ourselves, “How can we love others as Jesus loves us? How can we prove that our love is real?” There are many ways, but I want to share five different ways today.

1.   One way we can show our love is by helping others when it is not convenient. It is easy to help others when it is convenient in our schedule. If we have to change our schedules, are we going to be willing to help?

2.   Another way to show our love is devoting our time and energy to another person’s welfare rather than our own. Time is precious so often we don’t want to give up time that we

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reserve for ourselves. Sometimes we draw a line, thinking we’ve given up too much. God says He’s given us plenty of time to do what He calls us to do.

3.   We can prove that our love is real when we love those we don’t even like. Is there someone who gets under your skin or irritates you so much? Do you know anyone like that? Even if we don’t like someone, God expects us to love them.

4.   We can prove our love when we are hurt by others and we don’t seek revenge or fight back, but instead we forgive them. Wow, that is something different, isn’t it? By nature when we are hurt, we want to retaliate or seek revenge. The proof our love is that we are forgiving. Because we are loved and forgiven by God, our response can be to be forgiving people.

5.   We can prove our love by giving generously, cheerfully, and sacrificially. Giving until it hurts; that’s what sacrificial giving really is. This kind of giving is what proves the genuineness of our love. When St. Paul was writing to the Corinthians about the Macedonians who gave so generously to the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul said that you can “Prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine” (2 Corinthians 8:8). The way they gave would prove their genuineness. You see, love changes our giving from an obligation to a privilege. We are not giving to a budget or giving to anything. We are giving from the heart and from what God has first given to us.

These things that I’ve mentioned are not easy to do. People notice when we do them. Please know we are empowered by a supernatural power. Jesus was calling for something far greater than we can accomplish on our own. Only in Christ can we truly be stewards transformed by grace, faith, and love. In a few moments, you are going to have the opportunity to bring your financial commitments up the altar. Perhaps some of you are not ready to make a financial commitment today. That’s okay. Maybe you want to take the commitment form home and talk and pray about it with your spouse. Please do so and remember this is also a commitment of our time, our commitment to being in worship services, Bible studies, and prayer. Whether you are turning your commitment paper in now or next week, I would like to pray because God wants us to be good stewards of all that He has entrusted to us. Let us bow our heads for prayer. Father God, we know that You are the giver of all good gifts and all that we have comes

from You. In fact, You are not only the giver of our gifts, You are the owner. You’ve entrusted to us our time, talents, and treasures. As we soon will be making a commitment to You, we pray that the commitments we make on this piece of paper will reflect the fact that we are stewards transformed by Your grace, faith, and love. And we pray that our commitment will be pleasing to You and helpful for the growth and edification of Your church in this place and throughout the world. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

BIBLE STUDIES

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Bible Study 1 “Stewards Transformed by Grace” Prayer: Heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, we come to You in awe for who You are and all that You’ve done for us. Thank You for Your grace that makes all things possible. By Your grace, use us through our serving, witnessing, and giving, so that we can be about extending Your kingdom and giving You praise. Bless our study as we focus on Your gift of grace to us. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen. Introduction: Grace is not just a prayer at mealtime or a lovely name for a girl. Grace is a foundational pillar of our faith and understanding grace is essential for us as God’s people. God’s grace is not something we deserve or have earned. Grace is a gift that we don’t warrant. Grace is not ours to earn; it is God’s to give. Because we are sinful people incapable of doing anything in our helpless state, we are in need of God’s grace. God chose us to be His by His grace in spite of our sins. We don’t deserve God’s love and mercy, but, by His grace, He gives us all things. Grace changes everything. All that we are and have are evidences of God’s grace at work in our lives. Knowing that both our physical and redeemed lives are gifts from God, we thank, serve, and praise Him. In the Lutheran Study Bible, grace is defined as follows: “God’s free and undeserved favor toward sinful humanity is demonstrated in Christ’s work of redemption. It is an unearned and undeserved gift, a weighty teaching for Paul” (page 1902). God’s grace was costly to Jesus.

•   It was Jesus Who was stricken and afflicted by God. •   It was Jesus Who was wounded for our transgressions

and crushed for our iniquities. •   It was Jesus Who bore the punishment that brought us

peace (Isaiah 53:4-5). •   It was Jesus Who carried out God’s gracious will

toward us who were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Because of His great mercy God, through His only beloved Son, made us “alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4).

Because of God’s grace which made us new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), we can serve, witness, give, and do the work of the Lord. It is God’s grace that gives us power to do our best in doing His will. God’s rich supply of grace is our power source. God not only forgives and saves us, but He also gives us strength for service to Him. By ourselves, we are powerless. In our humanity, we are weak and foolish. God pours out His grace on us because He loves us,

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calls us, and gives us His work to do and the desire to do it! “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7). The Apostle Paul wrote “I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). When we abide in the Lord, we have the same strength that Paul had so we can do our best in service to the Lord. If the connection to Jesus is ever broken, our source of strength is severed. When we remain in Jesus, we share Christ’s power because He dwells in us. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

In this study, the encouragement to do our best is made with the understanding that what we do is always in response to what God has already done and through His power at work in us. Our stewardship does not originate with what we do for God. We love because God first loved. We give because God first gave. We speak because God first spoke. It is God Who does the initiating. All that we are and have are because of God’s grace. We are sinners who don’t deserve what God does for us. Because of grace, we have new lives in Him (Romans 6:4). Through faith, we willingly serve the Lord with our whole hearts and minds out of gratitude for who God is and what He has done for us. Paul encourages us to demonstrate our gratitude in faithful obedience and action. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Questions for Discussion:

1.   Why is grace so important to Christians?

2.   Why can you say that grace has been the basis for our relationship with God from the very beginning of creation?

3.   In the 12th through the 25th chapters of Genesis, we read about Abram (Abraham) to whom God gave His Covenant. Where do you see God’s grace working in Abraham’s life?

4.   Why can we say that God’s grace is not reserved for good people? Any examples?

5.   In the final 13 chapters of Genesis, we read about Joseph who was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. Where do we see God’s grace working in Joseph’s life?

6.   As sinners, we all fall short of the glory of God. Read Romans 5:15. Through God’s grace, we have been redeemed. Define grace by completing the following acronym. G __________ R __________ A __________ C ___________ E ___________

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7.   Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. What did the Macedonians do and how were they able to do it?

8.   Read Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10. What does God’s grace in Jesus do for you?

9.   Rev. James Ryle, founder of Truth Works Ministry, wrote, “Grace is the empowering presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do.” It has been written that “God’s grace gives us the desire and the power to do His will.” What do these two quotes mean for your life?

10.  Read Acts 20:24. Through God’s grace, Paul served the Lord with his whole heart and mind. What task did God give Paul that He now gives to you? How does your life show that this task is important to you?

11.  Read Titus 2:11-12. What does God grace enable you to do?

12.  Grace has two sides. It is something to be

received. It is something to be extended. Is grace easier to give or to receive?

13.  Read John 1:14. What does it mean to be “full

of grace and truth?”

14.  Read Luke 15:11-32. Did the younger son receive what he deserved from his father? Why

is this story of a restored relationship a great story of grace for you and me?

15.  Explain the connection between (and order of) grace, faith, and works?

Prayer: Dear good and gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful gift of grace. Open our eyes and hearts to see Your grace continually at work in our lives. Help us to receive Your grace and to show grace to others. In Your precious name we pray. Amen.

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Bible Study 2: “Stewards Transformed by Faith” Prayer: O Lord, we thank You for all our blessings, especially our spiritual blessings. Thank You for the gift of faith, Heavenly Father, and for boldness and confidence in asking You to work in us and through us to produce the works that You have planned for us, Your faithful stewards, to do. Through Jesus we pray, for His glory and honor. Amen. Introduction How freeing for the believer to realize that the only thing essential for his salvation – faith – is God’s gift! It is not an emotion or a state of mind we work up through our own willpower. It is a reality given to us by God. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

Faith is not dependent on our circumstances or our abilities. It is dependent solely on God. As we read about the heroes of faith in chapter 11 in Hebrews, we may remember their sins as well: Abraham went ahead of God’s plan and had a child with Hagar; Jacob was a liar and a deceiver; Moses was a murderer; David an adulterer and murderer. Their sinful nature is not what Hebrews 11 stresses, however. What is important is what God did with these heroes, sinners just like you and me, as they acted in obedience through the faith God gave them. Faith enables us to be God’s agents for action. His gift of true faith is revealed through works. Faith is essential for

stewardship. God, Who gives us resources to use as stewards, also gives us faith to practice good stewardship of those resources for His glory and honor.

1.   Read Acts 16:29-33. What was Paul’s answer to the jailer who asked, “What must I do to be saved?”

2.   Ephesians 2:8-9 is a passage many Christians know by heart, and for good reason, for it lays

out unequivocally the basis of our salvation. It says, “For by ___________ you have been saved through ___________. And this is not your own ________________; it is the __________ of God, not a result of _____________, so that no one may boast.”

3.   What does Hebrews 11:1 tell you about faith? Obedience Is the Result of Faith Just as the Holy Spirit enables us to believe, so He enables us to be obedient. True faith results in obedience. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him,” we read in Hebrews 11:6. It is by faith that we are enabled to be obedient to God’s will, and obedience (good works) apart from faith avails us nothing (Isaiah 64:6). Obedience is the mark of Christian faith. This is what stewardship is – the

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expression of our faith through obedience to God’s command to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the prisoner (Matthew 25:35-36).

4.   Read Romans 15:15-16. What did Paul say he’d received grace to do? In his epistle, the Apostle James uses Abraham and Rahab as illustrations of the obedience resulting from faith.

5. Read James 2:21-25. a. How are these two heroes of faith different? Alike? b. How did Abraham demonstrate his obedience? c. How did Rahab demonstrate her obedience? d. Which came first – faith or obedience? (See also Hebrews 11:17-19, 31.) Both of these servants of God, one renowned for his faith, and the other noted for her sin, proved they possessed sincere and saving faith by their obedience to the Lord’s will. Good Works Are the Natural Outgrowth of Faith Closely intertwined with obedience are good works. We don’t earn our forgiveness and salvation by our works and obedience, but true faith always produces good works and obedience. We just read in Ephesians 2:8-9 that it is by grace through faith that we are saved. Following these all-important verses is another of equal significance.

6. Read Ephesians 2:10. a. What is the person of faith? b. What is the redeemed person created to do? c. Whose works are these?

7. Read James 2:14-18. a. What did James say about faith without works? (See verse 26 also.) b. What did James declare to be proof of faith?

8. What do the following verses tell us about faith? a. Isaiah 64:6 – b. Hebrews 11:6 –

These verses from James with their strong emphasis on works may seem to be a contradiction of Paul’s strong emphasis on faith. An understanding of who their readers were helps to clarify this seeming inconsistency. James was writing to Jewish Christians who, learning that they were justified by faith alone, had wandered too far in one direction. They mistakenly believed that, since their works didn’t earn them any merit with God, they were unnecessary.

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Paul, on the other hand, was writing to those who were leaning in the other direction, falsely believing that, by their good works, they could be righteous before God. Scripture shows that Paul, in fact, is in agreement with James on the importance of works. 9. Along with Ephesians 2:10, read the following verses to discover what else Paul had to say

regarding good works: a.   1 Timothy 6:17-19 –

b.   Titus 2:11-14 –

c.   Hebrews 10:24 (although it is doubtful that Paul is the

writer of this epistle) – Application for the Steward 10. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.

a. What prayer did Paul offer his readers? b. Why?

To the church in Rome, Paul wrote, “For in [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’ ” (Romans 1:17). Therefore, as stewards of all God’s gifts – spiritual and material – we give Him thanks and praise. We continually rely on Him to enable and equip us to please Him by our works produced by His gift of faith. We pray for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in the faith that Christ will be glorified in and through us. 11. Through faith, God’s people understand that in Christ…

a.   2 Corinthians 5:17 – b.   Galatians 2:20 – c.   Philippians 2:13 –

Often we fail in our stewardship. Like the Biblical heroes of faith, we sometimes take our eyes off our Lord and go our own ways. In Christ there is forgiveness and there is restoration, so, by His grace, we begin again. We take up our role as stewards of the Gospel, reading and studying and hiding it in our hearts and sharing it with others through our words and our work produced by faith. God has entrusted us with the privilege of sharing His Gospel of salvation with a lost world. Therefore, let us use our financial resources to support our pastors, teachers, missionaries and others who are called into fulltime Christian vocations as well as to support the ministry and programs of the Church which strive to go, teach, and baptize (Matthew 28:19). 12. Read 1 Peter 2:11-12. a. What are you as God’s steward to avoid?

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b. Instead, what should you do? Why? 13. According to 1 Corinthians 4:2, what obligation do you as a steward of the Word have? Prayer: Oh Lord, how gracious You are to make us Your stewards and to give us a meaningful part in making Your Kingdom come! Allow us to rely on You for grace to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called” (Ephesians 4:1). Cause us to turn to You in repentance when we fail, confessing our sins, and then let us eagerly and confidently receive Your forgiveness and act on Your promise to enable us to continue to do Your work, work produced by faith. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

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Bible Study 3: “Stewards Transformed by Love” Prayer: Lord, we pray, “Your will be done,” but so often we ignore Your will and do what pleases our sinful natures instead. Give us the desire to love others as You have loved us. Make us willing stewards who give of ourselves as You gave Yourself. Let the love that You have put within us be eager to expend itself in service to You as we love others through our labor on their behalf. Through Christ we pray. Amen. God First Loved Us In 1 John 4:19 we read, “We love because He first loved us.” Because God loved us so much that He would give His Son for us (John 3:16), we, too, can love. And just as Christ’s love for us led Him to labor for us throughout His passion, His death, and His victorious resurrection, so we, too, are prompted by our love for Him and others to labor. “God is love” (1 John 4:16), the Apostle John asserts. God’s nature is love, and all He does is motivated by love. Despite what we are, despite what we’ve done, God loves us. It is God, the maker of Heaven and Earth, Who sent his only Son, Jesus, from the glories of heaven to rescue us from sin and death. Apart from God, we cannot truly love. Conversely, if we do not love, we are not of God. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). 1. According to 1 John 4:10, what is love? 2. Read 1 John 5:1-3.

a.   How are you “born of God”? (See also John 3:3-8)

b.   Can you love God without loving others? Love Prompts Our Labor God’s love is not mere sentimentality, nor should ours be such. Filled with God’s love, we learn to love like Jesus (1 John 4:10-11). God lavishes us with love, and that love naturally flows out of us into others. Real love is expressed through action, first in labors of love to fellow believers and then to our neighbors. Love transforms our motivations, as we delight in God and obey out of love and gratitude. God calls us to “be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2)). We want to imitate God and walk in love because Jesus paid the ultimate price to call us His own. Paul exhorts his readers in Galatians 6:10, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

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3. Read 1 John 4:11-12. Because God loves you, what are you expected to do? 4. According to 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, what does the love of Christ cause you to do? The greatest commandment was stated by Jesus: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37). Then He illustrated for us what this love in action looks like through His telling of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). 5. Read Luke 10:30-37.

a.   Why is it especially disturbing that the priest and the Levite passed by the beaten man?

b.   Why is it so significant that it was a Samaritan who stopped to help the victim? In what specific ways did the Samaritan show love to the victim?

c.   What do you learn from this parable about how God expects you to love your neighbor?

6. Read 2 John 6. How do we show love to God? 7. Both the apostles John and James give us practical counsel

on how we are to show love for others. What acts are suggested by the following references?

a.   James 2:1-4 –

b.   James 2:14-17 -

b. 1 John 3:16-18 – The Apostle Paul speaks to the attitude of love that should accompany our acts of love. 8. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9.

a.   Describe the attitude Paul and his partners in the Gospel displayed toward those among

whom they labored. b. In what two ways did they show their love to the Thessalonians? 9. Read 1 John 2:15-17. How does love for the world prompt improper action? Love Motivates Our Gratitude Love came down from Heaven to us in the incarnate Christ. Because of His love for us, our Father gave His only Son, Who, through His death, destroyed death. He, Who became one of us so that He could atone for our sins, has suffered for us and is therefore able to help us through our earthly trials

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(Hebrews 2:14-18). Certainly, as we consider what His love has brought about for us, we can have no response but humble gratitude. In Ephesians 1:11-14, Paul tells his readers that we are chosen by God to believe in Him and “be to the praise of His glory.” As believers, the Ephesians had been sealed and set apart for God. 10. According to Ephesians 1:15-16, what motivates Paul to give thanks to God? Application for the Steward The giving of ourselves and all we have – our time, our gifts, our money – is a meaningful way to show our love and gratitude to God for all He has done for us through His Son, our Savior Jesus. His love for us prompts us to acts of love in response. 11. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-9. a. According to verse 6, how should you give? b. How is such an attitude possible? 12. Read 2 Corinthians 9:10-12. What things will happen as you give generously?

13. Read 1 John 3:17-18. How will God’s love in you be seen?

Christian stewardship should never be occasional or sporadic activities, but rather a steady and increasing outflow that shares God’s love in us with others. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV). By grace, our giving, helping, and serving are joyful expressions of gratitude motivated by love because of what God has given to us and done for us. God’s great love for us prompts us to act in words and deeds that bring Him glory, serve His people, and enlarge His Church.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, how we thank You for Your Indescribable Gift! Your love motivated You to act on our behalf. Because of Your great love for us, we learn to love others and that love prompts our action as well. Lord, we pray that, as we grow in grace through Your Holy Word and Sacraments, our love for You, expressed through loving acts toward others, would attract others to God Who is love. To that end, may You receive all glory and honor and praise. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

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Answer Guide Stewards Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love

Bible Study 1: “Stewards Transformed by Grace” 1.   Because all that we are and have are gifts given to us by God’s grace. By grace, God loves us

and has forgiven us. We have done nothing to deserve His grace. In fact, we are most undeserving of His grace. Through faith, we understand how important God’s grace is to us.

2.   By grace, God created the world and made mankind the masterpiece of His creation. God was

not forced to create the world. He created us out of His grace and love. We were created in God’s image. Almost immediately this image was lost because of the fall into sin. We were doomed to death and hell. By grace, God sent His Son into the world to atone for our sins and reconcile us with God. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are made righteous through Jesus’ blood allowing us to approach our Heavenly Father.

3.   By grace, Abraham was both wealthy financially and spiritually. By grace, God changed Abraham from a pagan idolater to a man of faith. Even though both he and his wife Sarah were well past child-bearing age, God blessed them with their son, Isaac. Through Abraham, God made a Covenant that promised that through his descendants a Savior would be born.

4.   First of all, “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3b). Obviously, grace is for all, for we all have “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All of us are sinners saved by grace. Example: me!

5.   God’s grace kept Joseph’s brothers from killing him. God’s grace put him in a position to interpret dreams that gave him the recognition and the opportunity to be elevated to the second highest position of leadership below the Pharaoh of Egypt. God’s grace gave Joseph faith and great wisdom. Through the account of Joseph’s life, Scripture says, “The Lord was with Joseph.”

6.   God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense

7.   2 Corinthians 8:1-7. The Apostle Paul tells us that they were empowered to give by the grace of God. In their distress, they gave generously to the needy Christians in Jerusalem, having first given themselves to God. Paul uses the giving of the Macedonians as an example to encourage the people in Corinth to give.

8.   Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10. In spite of our trespasses, God lifts us up and rescues us. By grace, we are saved. And we are saved to do the works God has prepared for us to do.

9.   Personal response. God’s grace not only saves us, but it empowers us to become the people that God wants us to be. By grace, we understand God’s will through His Word, and we are enabled to follow His will and even delight in it and accomplish His purposes for us.

10.  Acts 20:24. To testify or share the Gospel. Personal response.

11.  Titus 2:11-12. God’s grace enables and trains us to renounce ungodly living and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.

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12.  Through faith, we have open hearts willing to receive God’s grace, and we are able to see

God’s grace at work in our lives. After receiving grace, we can extend it to others. As new creations in Christ, we seek God’s grace. It is likely that most of us receive grace better than giving it.

13.  John 1:14. Grace is God’s generous mercy toward undeserving people. God’s free and underserved favor toward sinful humanity is demonstrated in Christ’s work of redemption. God’s Word is truth so we know all that He has promised will be fulfilled.

14.  Luke 15:11-32. The prodigal son was underserving to be welcomed back by his father, but his father extended his grace and heartily welcomed his son home. In the same way, our Heavenly Father continually extends His arms to encourage and welcome us His sinful, wayward children, home.

15.  Grace comes before faith, and by grace, God gives us faith. Through faith and in grateful response to God’s grace, we do good works.

Bible Study 2: “Stewards Transformed by Faith”

1.   Acts 16:29-33. The Apostle Paul told the jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” The Gospel was shared with the jailer and his family. Their worship was a powerful witness. Those in the prison heard Paul share the Gospel, pray, and sing. After coming to faith, the jailer and family were baptized. The jailer and family did nothing for their salvation. The Holy Spirit gave them faith and changed their hearts.

2.   Ephesians 2:8-9. Grace, faith, doing, gift, works

3.   Hebrews 11:1. Faith is knowledge, and it is also a state of confidence and trust. Faith is

certitude. We are certain of God's promises. Faith involves both the future and the present. Faith does not insist on knowing the reasons for God’s action. Faith allows us to leave everything to God. Only God through His Word gives faith. Read Romans 10:17. Through the Word, the Holy Spirit opens hearts.

4.   Romans 15:15-16. Paul received God’s grace to be a minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Rev. James Ryle, founder of Trust Works Ministry, wrote, “Grace is the empowering presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do.” We are saved by faith and empowered by faith.

5.   James 2:21-25. a.   Different? Abraham was already righteous before God told him to sacrifice his son Isaac.

Rahab was not a lady of faith. She was well known for her sinful life. But she had heard about the Lord (Joshua 2:8-13) and believed. She hid the spies, helped them escape, and made them promise to save her and her loved ones when, she was certain, her city would be demolished by God. Alike? As people of faith, they evidenced their faith through good works.

b.   Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son. c.   Rahab risked her life by aiding the spies d.   Faith came first.

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6.   Ephesians 2:10.

a.   God’s workmanship (believers). The Holy Spirit is received through faith; hearts are renewed and given new interests and attitudes which bring forth good works.

b. Bear fruit or good works c. God has prepared them in advance. God is working through the faithful steward.

7.   James 2:14-18.

a. Faith without works is dead. “Faith apart from works is dead.” Works naturally follow faith. A living faith leads us to share gladly with others what we have freely received in Jesus. Just knowing about God will not produce good works. b. Works done by faith.

8.   a. Isaiah 64:6. All of our own righteous acts are like filthy rags or polluted garments. b. Hebrews 11:6. Without faith God is not pleased.

9.   a. 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Those who are rich should not trust in their wealth but are to be rich in

good deeds and be generous and ready to share. b. Titus 2:11-14. Zealous for good works. c. Hebrews 10:24. Stir up one another to love and do good works along with encouraging one

another to meet together.

10.  2 Thessalonians 11:11-12. a.   Pray that “God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good

and every work of faith by His power.” Only God can make us worthy. God gives His people power. ESV study note: “Though justification and sanctification are distinct, as are faith and works, they are never separate…We are saved through faith alone, but faith is never alone; it always produces good works of faith.”

b. So that the name of Jesus may be glorified.

11.  a. 2 Corinthians 5:17. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. (We are new creations.) b.   Galatians 2:20. Christ lives in us and the life we lead is in faith. (that “we have been

crucified with Christ…” We longer live, but Christ lives in us) c.   Philippians 2:13. God works in us “to will and to work for us His good pleasure.”

12.  1 Peter 2:11-12. a.   Avoid passions of the flesh. b.   Keep our conduct honorable and do good deeds so others will see them which glorifies

God.

13.  1 Corinthians 4:2. We are to be found trustworthy.

Bible Study 3: “Stewards Transformed by Love” 1.   1 John 4:10. God’s love for us. He loved us so much He sent His Son to redeem us from sin.

We can only return His love because love originates from God. “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

2.   1 John 5:1-3

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a.   Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ have been born of God. We are born of water and Spirit in Baptism (John 3:3-8).

b.   Whoever loves God also loves the children of God. Loving others gives evidence of God’s love in us. Therefore, if we don’t love others we show we don’t love God.

3.   1 John 4:11-12. We ought to love one another. We serve God by serving others. God’s love

has achieved its purpose when it causes us to love others.

4.   2 Corinthians 5:14-15. God causes us to live no longer live for ourselves because we live for Jesus.

5.   Luke 10:25-37. a.   The man beaten and the priest and Levite were all Jews. Also the priest and Levite were

leaders of the church so they should have been willing to offer support. God holds His teachers and leaders to a high standard.

b.   The Samaritans were outcasts and looked down upon. There was hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans. Yet the Samaritan took care of the man’s wounds, brought him to an inn, and paid for his stay at the inn. He showed great compassion.

c.   God wants us to show love and compassion to all people. Any person we meet is our neighbor.

6.   Read 2 John 6. “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” Tell others

about Jesus. Spend time in His Word, prayer, and worship. Love others.

7.   a. James 2:1-4. Love all by showing no partiality. Love all alike. c.   James 2:14-17. We are called to use our material positions for those who need our support. d.   1 John 3:16-18. If we see a need, we are to show compassion and fill the need.

8.   1 Thessalonians 2:7-9. a.   Sharing both the Gospel and themselves. Paul referenced the care that a mother gives to

her baby. b.   Paul labored to provide his own support without insisting that it comes from others. He

worked hard in sharing the Gospel and worked to provide for his own physical needs.

9.   1 John 2:15-17. If someone is in love with the world, they are not interested in using their resources to help people in need.

10.  Ephesians 1:15-16. He gave thanks to God for the love for the saints.

11.  2 Corinthians 9:6-9. a.   Share bountifully and generously. b.   We can give cheerfully because of the relationship that we have with Jesus. We know how

much Jesus loves us. We willingly and cheerfully give to Him Who has given Himself to us.

12.  2 Corinthians 9:10-12. God will provide more for us to give and, as we give, God is glorified.

13.  1 John 3:17-18. In Christ name, we give what we have to help others.

DAILY DEVOTIONS

(Place Church’s Name Here) Stewardship Emphasis 2016

Daily Devotions

for

(Week of ___date_____)

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Daily Devotions for the whole family!

 

Stewards  Transformed  by  Grace,  Faith,  and  Love    

Week  1:  Stewards  Transformed  by  Grace    

Weekday  Devotions:  Monday:     “God’s  Grace  Shapes  His  Stewards”  Tuesday:     “Strengthened  by  Grace”  Wednesday:     “Hope  in  God”  Thursday:     “God’s  Grip  Doesn’t  Slip”  Friday:       “Giving  Is  an  Act  of  Grace”    Week  1—Monday  “God’s  Grace  Shapes  His  Stewards”  Scripture:  “But  by  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am,  and  His  grace  toward  me  was  not  in  vain.    On  the  contrary,  I  worked  harder  than  any  of  them,  though  it  was  not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God  that  is  with  me”  (1  Corinthians  15:10).    

hen  sin  entered  the  world,  our  perfect  knowledge  of  God  and  our  relationship  with  Him  was  shattered.    The  unregenerate  person  may  know  about  God  but  doesn’t  truly  know  Him  personally.    The  Apostle  Paul  tells  

us   that  God’s  divine  nature  has  “been  clearly  perceived,   ever   since   the   creation  of   the  world,   in   the   things   that  have  been  made.     So   they  are  without  excuse.     For  although   they  knew  God,   they  did  not  honor  Him  as  God…”  (Romans  1:20-­‐21).    We  may  know  some  things  about  God  from  creation,  but  it  is  impossible  to  know  God  in  and  of  ourselves.    To  know  God  is  a  great  gift  of  the  grace  of  God.    “Now  we  have  received  not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the  Spirit  Who  is  from  God,  that  we  might  understand  the  things  freely  given  us  by  God”  (1  Corinthians  2:12).        Because  of  God’s  grace,  we  are  enabled  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  working  through  Word  and  Sacrament  to  know  God  as  our  Heavenly  Father,   Jesus  as  our  Lord  and  Savior,  and  the  Spirit  as  our  Comforter.    By  grace,  we  know  that  we  are  redeemed  by  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus  and  that  God  seeks  a  relationship  with  us.    By  grace,  we  know  that  God  has  adopted  us  as  His  children  and  given  us  His  Spirit  that  we  might  be  His  stewards  of  all  that  He  entrusts  to  us.    Because  we  know  that  we  have  a  God  Who  loves  us,  has  adopted  us  as  His  children,  and  wants  the  best  for  us,  we  are  energized  to  be  about  His  work.    Out  of  gratitude  for  who  God  is  and  what  He  has  done  and  continues  to  do  for  us,  we  respond  by  using  our  lives  and  blessings  in  ways  that  give  honor  and  praise  to  our  Lord.    Acknowledging  God  as  our  creator  and  sustainer  of  all  things,  we  understand  our  role  as  God’s  stewards.    As  God’s  stewards,  we  seek  to  manage  our  time,  talents,  and  money  faithfully  and  according  to  His  will,  which  we  discover  in  His  Word.    We  become  God’s  instruments  through  which  He  works  to  further  His  kingdom  and  help  those  in  need.    What  a  blessing  and  great  honor  it  is  that  God  has  chosen  us  to  be  His  stewards!    May  we  remain  faithful  to  our  calling  as  His  faithful  stewards  who  have  been  shaped  by  His  grace.    

Prayer:  Dear  Heavenly  Father,  shape  and  make  me  into  a  person  who  is  zealous  to  do  Your  will  and  boldly  share  the  Good  News  of  Jesus’  love  and  grace  with  others.    In  Jesus’  precious  name  I  pray.    Amen.  

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Week  1—Tuesday  “Strengthened  by  Grace”    

Scripture:   “But   He   said   to   me,   ‘My   grace   is   sufficient   for   you,   for   My   power   is   made   perfect   in   weakness.’    Therefore   I  will   boast  all   the  more  gladly  of  my  weaknesses,   so   that   the  power  of  Christ  may   rest  upon  me”   (2  Corinthians  12:9).    f  you’ve  done  some  carpentry,  you’ve  probably  needed  to  pull  out  some  very  stubborn  nails.    The  strength  of  a  hammer  may  not  be  sufficient  so  you’ve  had  to  bring  in  a  pinch  bar,  that  two-­‐  or  three-­‐foot  metal  rod  with  claws  

on  the  end.    With  the  power  from  the  pinch  bar,  you  could  wrench  the  nails  out.    As  helpless  as  the  carpenter  is  with  just  a  hammer,  we  are  even  more  helpless  without  God.    Although  it’s  a  weak  analogy,  we  may  say  that,  as  the  pinch  bar  helps  us  with  nails,  God  helps  us  in  life.    God  enables  us  to  understand  that  all  we  are,  have,  and  do  are  the  result  of  God’s  grace  in  Christ.    God’s  grace  not  only  brings  us  salvation;   it  trains  “us  to  renounce  ungodliness  and  worldly  passions,  and  to  live  self-­‐controlled,  upright,  and  Godly  lives  in  the  present  age”  (Titus  2:11-­‐12).    Knowing  that  our  lives  are  gifts  from  God’s  grace,  we  live  our  lives  in  gratitude  for  who  God  is  and  what  He  has  done  for  us.    God’s  purpose  becomes  our  purpose.    Strengthened  by  grace,  we  seek  to  do  God’s  will  leading  to  productive  and  abundant  lives.    Even  though  we  are  sinful  and  undeserving,  God  loves  us  and  wants  only  the  best  for  us.    Being  in  a  relationship  with  God   through  His   Son,   Jesus,  our   lives  have  purpose,  and  we  are  changed   from  being   self-­‐centered,   selfish  people   to   people  who   serve  God  by   loving   and   serving   others.       As  we   call  upon  the  “strength  of  His  might”  (Ephesians  6:10),  we  are  empowered  by  His  grace  to  be  Godly  stewards.    Through   Word   and   Sacrament,   we   are   equipped   and   energized   to   do   our  best.     The   Apostle   Paul   tells   us   to   “put   on   the   new   self,   which   is   being  renewed  in  knowledge  after  the  image  of  its  creator”  (Colossians  3:10).    Being  renewed  by  God  grace,  we  live  the  Godly  lives  He  calls  us  to  live.    We  live  new  lives  marked  by   the  mysterious  union  with   Jesus  described  by  Paul   in   these  words:  “It  is  no  longer  I  who  live,  but  Christ  Who  lives  in  me”  (Galatians  2:20).    God   directs   us   to   areas   and   activities   He   wants   us   to   pursue.     God   takes  ordinary  people  like  us  and  does  some  extraordinary  things  through  us.    We  become  His  hands,  feet,  and  mouth.    We  just  need  to  be  willing  to  be  tools  in  God’s  hands.    

Prayer:  Dear  Father,  fill  me  with  Your  faith  and  grace  so  I  can  do  Your  will  and  be  Your  faithful  steward.    Amen.    

 Week  1—Wednesday  “Hope  in  God”    

Scripture:  “For  whatever  was  written  in  former  days  was  written  for  our  instruction,  that  through  endurance  and  through  the  encouragement  of  the  Scriptures  we  might  have  hope”  (Romans  15:4).      t   is  wise   to   plan   for   our   current   and   future   financial   needs,   but   listen   to   the  words   of   Paul   as   recorded   in   1  Timothy  6:17:  “As  for  the  rich  in  this  present  age,  charge  them  not  to  be  haughty,  nor  to  set  their  hopes  on  the  

uncertainty  of  riches,  but  on    God,  Who  richly  provides  us  with  everything  to  enjoy”  (1  Timothy  6:17).    Paul  reminds  us  that  worldly  wealth   is  still  uncertain.    He  boldly  states  that,   if  we’re  trusting   in  worldly  wealth,  we  are  acting  arrogantly.    The  only  thing  that  is  certain  is  God’s  love  for  us.    His  grace  and  love  enable  us  to  make  our  livings.    He  loves  us  so  much  that  He  “richly  provides  us  with  everything”  –  and  here’s  the  surprising  part  –  for  our  enjoyment!  

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How  do  you  plan  to  “enjoy”  God’s  rich  blessings  to  you?    Take  cruises  or  buy  a  new  luxury  car  every  year?    God  has  blessed  us,  not  so  that  we  can  enjoy  His  gifts  by  hoarding  them,  but  so  that  His  purposes  in  the  world  can  be  fulfilled.    In  verse  18,  Paul  tells  us  how  to  enjoy  the  gifts  God  gives  us:  “[We}  are   to  do  good,   to  be  rich   in  good  works,  and  to  be  generous  and  ready  to  share.”      

When  our   hope   is   in  God,  we   have   no   need   to   amass  worldly  wealth.     By  grace,  we  can  place  our  hope  in  God  and  trust  Him  to  provide  for  us  all  we  need  and  even  more  so  that  we’ll  always  have  something  to  share.    By  His  grace,  God  calls  us  to  be  His  stewards.    His  grace  enables  us  to  carry  out  His  will.    And  there’s  another  bonus!    Not  only  will  we  receive  enjoyment  from  sharing   God’s   gifts,   we   will   be   storing   up   treasures   in   heaven   (1   Timothy  6:19).    Put  your  hope  in  God.    Prayer:  Lord,   thank  You   for  Your  grace   that  enables  me   to  place  my   trust  and  hope  in  You.    In  Jesus  name  I  pray.    Amen.      Week  1—Thursday  “God’s  Grip  Doesn’t  Slip”    

Scripture  “I  will  never  leave  you  nor  forsake  you”  (Hebrews  13:5).    

sn’t  it  amazing  that  birds  go  to  sleep  on  their  perches  and  never  fall  off?    This  is  because  God  has  created  them  so  that,  when  their  legs  are  bent,  the  claws  contract  and  grip  like  a  steel  trap.    The  claws  will  not  let  go  until  the  

knees  are  unbent.    The  bended  knee  enables  the  bird  to  hold  tightly  to  its  perch.  

As  strong  as  this  grip  is,  it  is  not  as  strong  as  the  hold  God  has  on  us.    Think  about  Daniel,  a  young  man  in  a  pagan  environment.    With  all  the  temptations  and  threats  around  him,  he  was  safe  because  of  God’s  grace  which  kept  an  everlasting  grip  on  him.    On  his  bended  knees  before  his  open  window,  he  prayed  every  day  –  three  times  a  day  –  giving  thanks  for  God’s  grace  and  protection,  and  God  didn’t  let  go  of  him,  even  in  the  lions’  den  (Daniel  6:10-­‐22).  

We  might  also  consider  Joseph  who,  through  all  the  twists  and  turns  of  his  lifetime,  found  one  constant:  “The  Lord  was  with  Him”   (Genesis   39:3,   21,   23).     Taken   away   from  his   family   at   a   young   age,   immersed   in   an   idolatrous  culture,  tempted  by  Pharaoh’s  wife,  he  was,  by  God’s  grace,  safe  in  God’s  everlasting  grip.  

Like  both  Daniel  and  Joseph,  we  live  in  a  sinful  world.    We  may  not  be  facing  false  accusations  and  a  den  of  lions,  but  we,  too,  face  temptations  and  threats.    We,  too,  earnestly  pray  for  God’s  grace,  protection,  and  safekeeping  of  our  souls,  and  His  Word  assures  us   that  we  can  rest  secure  and  have  hope   in  His  everlasting  grip.    May  God  grant  us  faith  to  put  our  hope  in  Him  Who  promises  to  keep  His  grip  on  us  always.    Prayer:    Lord,  You  are  so  gracious  to  me.    Thank  You  for  Your  protecting  grace.    In  Jesus’  name  I  pray.    Amen.                  

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 Week  1—Friday  “Giving  Is  an  Act  of  Grace”    Scripture:  “And  God  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound  to  you,  so  that  having  all  sufficiency  in  all  things  at  all  times,  you  may  abound  in  every  good  work”  (2  Corinthians  9:8).    

s  Christians,  we  understand  that  all  we  are  and  have  are  by  God’s  grace.    Life  is  a  gift.    “And  from  His  fullness  we  have  all   received,  grace  upon  grace”   (John  1:16).    By  the  grace  of  God,  we  have   life  now  and  the   life   to  

come.    God  has   lavished  us  with  His   love  and  grace.    As   the  acronym  for  grace  so  aptly  states,  we  have  “God’s  Riches  At  Christ’s  Expense.”    We  receive  God’s  “abundance  of  grace  and  the  free  gift  of  righteousness  through  the  

one  man   Jesus   Christ”   (Romans   5:17).     God   graciously   sent   His   Son   to   live  among  us  and  to  suffer  and  die  for  us.    “For  you  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  though  He  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sake  He  became  poor,  so  that  you  by  His  poverty  might  become  rich”  (2  Corinthians  8:9).        Knowing  that  God  has  graciously  given  us  our  physical  and  spiritual  lives,  we  seek   to   show  our  gratitude  by  how  we   live  and  what  we  do  with  our   lives.    An  important  way  we  show  our  thanksgiving  to  Him  is  through  giving.    Giving  provides  evidence  to  God’s  grace  and  faith  at  work  in  our  lives  as  we  give  to  others  and  extend  God’s  Church.    Giving  is  a  fruit  of  grace  and  faith.    Without  God’s  grace,  we  are  not  able   to  give  up  our   resources  generously,  and   it   is  only  through  faith  that  our  giving  pleases  God  (Hebrews  11:6).    Believers  are  

empowered   by   the  working   of   the   Holy   Spirit   to   give  willingly   to   fellow   believers  who   need   support.     As   Paul  urged,  “Contribute  to  the  needs  of  the  saints  and  seek  to  show  hospitality”  (Romans  12:13).    In  writing  to  the  Church  in  Corinth,  Paul  referenced  the  example  of  the  Macedonians  who  gave  so  generously  to  the  needy  Christians   in   Jerusalem  (2  Corinthians  8:1-­‐9).    They  were  empowered  to  give  because  of  God’s  grace  and  generosity   to   them.    Even   though   they   lived   in  poverty,   the  Macedonians  gave  generously  and  sacrificially.    Paul  referred  to  their  giving  as  an  “act  of  grace”  (vs.  6).    By  grace,  the  Macedonians  in  their  extreme  poverty  gave  “beyond  their  means”  (vs.  3).        They  were  so  eager  to  give  that  they  pleaded  for  the  privilege  of  sharing  with  the  needy   in   Jerusalem.     Their   giving,  while   they  were   in   such   a   difficult   economic  position,   gave  witness   to  God’s  grace  in  their  lives.    God’s  grace  makes  it  possible  for  people  to  have  very  little  and  yet  want  to  give  generously.        Prayer:  Dear  Heavenly  Father,  by  Your  grace,  please  grant  me  a  giving  and  loving  heart.    In  Jesus’  name  I  pray.    Amen.      

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Daily Devotions for the whole family!

 Stewards  Transformed  by  Grace,  Faith,  and  Love  

 Week  2:  Stewards  Transformed  by  Faith    Weekday  Devotions:  Monday:     “Love  through  Faith”  Tuesday:     “Faith  Empowers  God’s  Stewards”  Wednesday:     “Being  a  Faithful  Steward”  Thursday:     “Faithful  in  all  Things”  Friday:       “Faith  that  Pleases  God”    

 Week  2—Monday  “Love  through  Faith”    Scripture:  “If  you  had  faith  like  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  you  could  say  to  this  mulberry  tree,  ‘Be  uprooted  and  planted  in  the  sea,’  and  it  would  obey  you”  (Luke  17:6).        

hat  is  it  that  precedes  the  disciples’  request  of  Jesus  to  increase  their  faith?    It  is  Jesus  command  to  count  others  so  precious  as  to  avoid  putting  any  kind  of  temptation  in  their  paths.      

 How  is  this  possible?    If  we  are  honest  with  ourselves,  we  must  admit  that,  in  and  of  ourselves,  we  cannot  follow  these  commands.    Then  we,  like  the  disciples,  must  ask  of  our  Lord,  “Increase  our  faith”  (Luke  17:5).    How  does  Jesus  respond  to  their  request?    He  assures  them  that  even  faith  as  small  as  a  mustard  seed  can  accomplish  great  things.    It  is  God  Who  gives  faith,  and  it  is  God  Who  gives  us  the  ability  to  act  on  it.    It  is  God  Who  gives  us   love  through  faith  that  sacrifices  our  own  desires   for   the  good  of  others,   love  through  faith  that  knows  no  limit,  love  through  faith  that  serves  instead  of  asking  to  be  served.    It  is  faith  that  gives  us  such  love  for  God  and  our  neighbor  that  we  serve  and  help  and  give  without  thought  of   reward,   so   that   we   “when   [we]   have   done   all   that   [we]   were   commanded,   say,   ‘We   are   unworthy  servants;  we  have  only  done  what  was  our  duty’”    (Luke  17:10).    Prayer:  Dear   Heavenly   Father,   certainly,   in   order   to   measure   up   to   Your   standards,   I   must   ask   You   to  increase  my   faith.     Still   I   fail,   for   I   do   not   love   You  with  my   entire   being,   nor   do   I   love  my   neighbors   as  myself.    Therefore,  I  thank  You  for  the  gift  of  Your  Son  Who  has  met  Your  standard  of  perfection  and  has  lived  that  standard  in  my  place.    Forgive  me,  Lord,  for  my  failures.    Teach  me  to  depend  on  You.    Give  me  grace  to  be  obedient  to  Your  command  to  love  others  as  You  love  me.    Through  Christ  I  pray.    Amen.  

 

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Week  2—Tuesday    “Faith  Empowers  God’s  Stewards”  

 

Scripture:  “Truly,  truly,  I  say  to  you,  whoever  believes  in  Me  will  also  do  the  works  I  do;  and  greater  works  than  these  will  he  do,  because  I  am  going  to  the  Father”  (John  14:12).  

 he  writer  of  Hebrews  defines   faith:  “Now  faith   is   the  assurance  of   things  hoped   for,   the  conviction  of  things  not  seen”  (Hebrews  11:1).    Faith  enables  us  to  be  God-­‐pleasing  stewards.    “And  without  faith  it  is  

impossible   to   please  Him,   for  whoever  would   draw  near   to  God  must   believe   that  He   exists   and   that  He  rewards   those  who   seek  Him”   (Hebrews  11:6).     The  eleventh   chapter  of  Hebrews   is   known  as   the   “Faith  

Chapter.”     From  Abel   down   through   the   ages,   the  writer   names   the  heroes   of   faith,   listing   their   accomplishments,   preceding   each   one  with  “by  faith.”    Through  faith,  we  understand  that  our  stewardship  is  God  working  in  and  through  us.    It  is  not  what  we  do,  not  what  we  give,  not  how  we  serve  –  but  what  God  does,  what  God  gives,  how  God  serves,  and  our  response   to  His   love  and  gifts   to  us.    God  has   shown  us  His  plan   for  our   lives.     “For   we   are   His   workmanship,   created   in   Christ   Jesus   for  good  works,  which  God  prepared  beforehand,  that  we  should  walk   in  them”   (Ephesians   2:10).     This   is   the   definition   of   stewardship:   doing  the  good  works  which  God  has  prepared  for  us  to  do.    God  empowers  and  equips  us  to  be  faithful  stewards.    God  has  chosen  us  to  carry  out  

His  work  on  earth.    “You  did  not  choose  Me,  but  I  chose  you  and  appointed  you  that  you  should  go  and  bear  fruit  and  that  your  fruit  should  abide”  (John  15:16).    It   is   through  faith  that  our  pastor  confidently  enters  the  pulpit   to  speak  forth  the  Word  of  the  Lord.     It   is  God’s  message,  God’s  gift,  and  he   is  only   the  channel   through  which   it   flows.    Through   faith,   the  servant  humbly  steps  forward  to  serve.    His  only  motive   is  that  God  may  receive  the  glory  as  he  offers  his  hands,  feet,   lips,   his   whole   body,   soul,   and  mind   in   service.     Through   faith,   the   teacher   diligently   prepares   her  lessons,  seeking  the  leading  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  studying  the  Word  of  God,  and  looking  into  the  hearts  of  her  students.    God  creates  the  learning;  His  Spirit  creates  the  faith.    As  stewards,  we  are  the  faithful  vessels  that  God  uses.    Through  faith,  we  are  empowered  to  be  His  faithful  stewards.    Prayer:   Lord,   You   are   the   creator   and   source   of   all   good   things.     I   thank   You   for   the   privilege   and  opportunity  to  be  a  steward  of  Your  creation.    I  thank  You  for  faith  You  give  me  which  enables  me  to  carry  out  Your  will.    In  the  name  of  Christ  I  pray.    Amen.      Week  2—Wednesday    “Being  a  Faithful  Steward”  

 

Scripture:   “As   each   has   received   a   gift,   use   it   to   serve   one   another,   as   good   stewards   of   God’s   varied  grace”  (1  Peter  4:10).    

hat   if   your   pastor   asked   you   to   give   a   testimonial   about   your   life   as  God’s   steward?     If   you  were  asked   to   share   how   you   manage   and   care   for   God’s   property,   what   would   you   say?     Have   you  

considered  what  a  faithful  steward  is  expected  to  be  and  to  do?  

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God-­‐pleasing   stewards   acknowledge   that   God   is   the   creator   and   source   of   all   things,   and   that,   as   the  creator  of  all,  He  owns  everything.    God’s  property  is  on  loan  to  us.    As  stewards,  we  are  to  manage  what  He  has  entrusted  to  us  responsibly  and  for  God’s  purposes.    As  God’s  stewards,  we  are  not  to  be  passive  managers  but  active  and   involved.    We  are  caretakers  and  managers  of  God’s  gifts,  so  we  are  accountable  for  what  we  do  with  His  gifts  of  time,   talents,   and  money.     As   faithful   stewards,   we   can   glorify   and  honor  God  with  lives  of  service  and  faithful  use  of  our  gifts.    We   stewards   live   lives   expressing   gratitude   to   God   for   both   our  created  and  our  redeemed  lives.    We  live  lives  saying  “thank  you”  to  God  for  His  love  and  mercy.    Stewardship  is  faith  in  action.    Filled  with  God’s  grace,  we  share  our  gifts  with  others.    To  answer  the  question,  “Are  we  being  faithful  stewards  with  our  lives  and  gifts?”  we  may  want  to  check  our  calendars  and  check  registers.    Faithful   stewards   would   have   times   marked   on   their   calendars   for  helping  others,  church  meetings,  and  Bible  studies.    We  would  be  spending   time   in  prayer  and  attending  worship  services.    Through  faith,  we  try  our  best  to  use  our  time  doing  God’s  will.    Our  check  book  registers  would   show  weekly   offerings   being  made   to  God   through   our   church,   and   there  would   be   some   checks  written  to  help  those  in  need.    Thus,  our  calendars  and  check  registers  will  show  us  what  our  priorities  are  and  where  they  lie.    God   has   blessed   us   as   stewards   with  many   blessings,   and,   through   the   work   of   the   Holy   Spirit,   we   are  enabled  to  use  our  gifts  faithfully.    May  God  grant  us  grace  to  be  the  faithful  stewards  He  wants  us  to  be.    Prayer:  Lord,  I  give  You  praise  and  thanks  for  who  You  are  and  all  that  You  have  done  for  me  through  Your  Son  Jesus.    Help  me  to  respond  as  a  faithful  steward  to  Your  love,  goodness,  and  mercy.    May  all  that  I  do  and  say  give  You  praise  and  glory.    In  Jesus’  precious  name  I  pray.    Amen.    

 Week  2—Thursday    “Faithful  in  All  Things”    

Scripture:  Jesus  said,  “One  who  is  faithful  in  a  very  little  is  also  faithful  in  much,  and  one  who  is  dishonest  in  a  very  little  is  also  dishonest  in  much”  (Luke  16:10).        n  this  verse,  Jesus  is  saying  that  faithful  stewards  will  handle  God’s  gifts  faithfully  regardless  of  whether  they  have  few  or  many  gifts  entrusted  to  them.    What  we  do  with  what  we  have  shows  our  faithfulness.      

A   faithful  person  will  do   the  small   things  well.    One  day  a  young  man  went   to  a  bank   to  apply   for  a   job.    After  his  interview,  he  was  leaving  the  bank  and  happened  to  notice  some  trash  on  the  floor.    He  picked  it  up  and  put  it  in  the  waste  paper  basket.    Seconds  later,  he  helped  an  elderly  lady  with  the  door.    Unknown  to  the  young  man,  the  man  who  had  interviewed  him  for  the  job  was  observing  him.    The  young  man  was  promptly  summoned  back  and  given  the  job.    The  employer’s  comment:  “Anyone  who  pays  attention  to  the  small  things  as  you  just  did  needs  to  work  here.”    Unfortunately,  we  Christians  may  incorrectly  think  that  small  things  aren’t  important  to  God.    We  may  have  the  attitude  that  God  isn’t  concerned  with  the  small  amount  of  money  that  we  have  which  allows  us  to  give  only  small  contributions  or  gifts.      In  the  Bible,  God  spoke  mightily  through  the  little  that  people  had.    God  used  the  widow  and  her  two  mites  to  teach  us  a  lesson  about  sacrificial  giving.    He  used  the  small  amount    

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of  flour  and  oil  that  the  widow  of  Zarephath  had  to  demonstrate  that  great  things  can  result  from  faithful  obedience.    Jesus  used  the  loaves  and  fish  of  a  young  boy  to  reveal  how  God  can  magnify  a  small  gift.    God  commends  our  faithfulness  with  small  things,  and  He  doesn’t  overlook  what  faithful  people  do  with  small  things.    Through  God’s  Word,  we  understand  that  small  things  do  count.    Because  we  understand  our  need  to  be  faithful  with  all  things,  we  should  ask  ourselves  how  we  are  handling  the  seemingly  small  things  in  our  lives.    Are  we  handling  small  things  well  in  our  homes,  jobs,  and  churches?    Can  non-­‐Christians  see  a  difference  in  us?    With  God’s  help,  we  can  be  faithful  with  ALL  that  we’ve  been  given.    Through  our  faithfulness,  God  will  be  glorified.    Prayer:   Lord,   please   grant  me   faith   to   be   faithful  with   small   things   so   You   can   trust  me  with  more   and  bigger  things.    Help  me  to  live  a  life  that  gives  You  honor  and  glory.    In  Christ’s  name  I  pray.    Amen.      Week  2—Friday    “Faith  that  Pleases  God”    

Scripture:  “And  without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  Him,  for  whoever  would  draw  near  to  God  must  believe  that  He  exists  and  that  He  rewards  those  who  seek  Him”  (Hebrews  11:6).        

he  first  gifts  that  we  read  about  in  Scripture  are  the  offerings  made  by  Cain  and  Abel  who  were  the  sons  of  Adam  and  Eve.    In  Genesis  4:2-­‐4  

we  read,  “…Now  Abel  kept  was  a  keeper  of  sheep,  and  Cain  a  worker  of  the  ground.      In  the  course  of  time  Cain  brought  to  the  Lord  an  offering  of  the  fruit  of  the  ground,  and  Abel  also  brought  of  the  firstborn  of  his  flock  and  of  their  fat  portions.”    Cain  and  Abel  brought  offerings  or  gifts  for   the  Lord.    Because  one  worked   the   land  and   the  other   raised  animals,   their  gifts  were  different.    We  read  that  Cain  “brought  to  the  Lord  an  offering,”  whereas  Abel  “brought  the  firstborn  of  his  flock.”        Between  the  two  brothers  there  is  also  an  indication  of  a  difference  in  the  attitudes  of  their  hearts.    While  Cain  wasn’t  concerned  about  giving  the  first  or  best  of  his  crop,  Abel  gave  the  firstborn  of  his   flock.    God  looked  with  favor  upon  Abel’s  offering  given  in  faith.    God  looked  into  the  hearts  of  both  Cain  and  Abel  as  He  looks  into  our  hearts.    He  saw  Abel’s  humble  faith.    By  giving  his  first  and  best,  Abel  showed  his  sincere  gratitude  for  all  that  God  had  done  for  Him.        We  need  to  understand  that  it’s  not  the  size  of  our  gifts  and  offerings  which  makes  them  acceptable  to  the  Lord,   but   rather   it   is   the   attitude   of   our   hearts   and  minds   toward   God.     God   wants   our   gifts   to   be   an  expression  of  our  love  for  Him.    He  wants  us  to  give  cheerfully  rather  than  grudgingly.    He  wants  us  to  give  our  love  through  faith.    We  are  told  by  the  writer  of  Hebrews  that  without  faith  it   is   impossible  to  please  God  (Hebrews  11:6).      Knowing  this  story  of  giving  by  Cain  and  Abel  will  help  us  examine  our  attitude  toward  giving.    If  we  are  not  giving  our   first  and  best  out  of   faith  and   love   to   the  Lord,  God  does  not   look  with   favor  upon  our  giving.    May  God  grant  us  all  faithful,  loving,  and  giving  hearts.    

Prayer:  Lord,  we  thank  You  for  giving  us  the  ability  and  desire  to  give  to  You.    Make  us  willing  to  give  our  first  and  best  to  You.    May  we  always  use  our  lives  and  resources  to  give  You  honor  and  glory.    Amen.    

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Daily Devotions for the whole family!  

Stewards  Transformed  by  Grace,  Faith,  and  Love    

Week  3:  Stewards  Transformed  by  Love    Weekday  Devotions:  Monday:     “Loving  All  People”  Tuesday:     “Love  Makes  Us  Do  It”  Wednesday:     “Stewardship  Is  a  Matter  of  the  Heart”  Thursday:     “Giving  from  the  Heart”  Friday:       “Loving  our  Neighbors”    

Week  3—Monday      “Loving  All  People”  Scripture:   Jesus   said,   “This   is  My   commandment,   that   you   love   one  another  as  I  have  loved  you”  (John  15:12).        esus  showed  His  tremendous  love  for  us  by  going  to  the  cross  to  suffer  and  die  for  us  so  that  we  can  be  reconciled  with  our  heavenly  Father.    Christ’s  love  is  in  us,  and  He  asks  us  to  reflect  His  love  to  others.    As  

Christ  loved  all  people,  we  are  called  to  love  all  people  whether  or  not  they  like  us.    Former  President  Abraham  Lincoln  exemplified  the  ability  to  reach  out  in  love  to  an  enemy.    His  staff  often  criticized  him  for  his  positive  treatment  of  his  sworn  enemies.    One  of  the  President’s  enemies  once  stated  in  print  that  he  thought  Lincoln  was  an  obvious  incompetent  in  the  White  House.    The  nature  of  the  critic’s  attack  on  Lincoln  even  degenerated  to  the  level  that  Lincoln’s  physical  features  were  compared  to  those  of  a  gorilla.    Later,  when  war  broke  out  between  the  States,  Lincoln  asked  that  critic  to  serve  as  his  secretary  of  war.    Lincoln’s  advisers  were  appalled  with  the  President’s  actions.    When  they  asked  him  why  he  would  choose  his  critic  for  such  an  important  post,  he  responded  that  he  thought  Stanton  was  the  best  man  for  the  job.    When  they  advised  him  that  he  should  seek  to  destroy  his  enemies  rather  than  treat  them  like  friends,  he  reminded  them  he  was  destroying  his  enemies  when  he  made  them  his  friends.    When  Lincoln  died  some  years  later,  Stanton  was  standing  by  the  President’s  bedside.    As  he  watched  Lincoln  breathe  his  last  breath,  he  uttered  the  words,  “There  dies  the  greatest  ruler  of  mankind  the  world  has  ever  seen.”    We  show  our  spiritual  maturity  by  how  we  respond  to  those  who  have  treated  us  wrongfully.    It  is  easy  to  show  kindness  to  friends  or  people  who  treat  us  with  kindness.    God’s  love  in  us  is  most  evident  when  we  show  our   love   to   those  who  dislike  us  or  mistreat  us.     It   is   by  God’s   grace   that  we  are  enabled   to   show  Christian  kindness  to  all  people.    Prayer:  Lord,  You  love  me  so  much  that  You  sent  Your  one  and  only  Son  to  the  cross  to  atone  for  my  sinful  ways.    I  thank  You  for  Your  love.    Help  me,  Lord,  to  love  others  as  You  love  me.    Amen.    

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   Week  3—Tuesday    “Love  Makes  Us  Do  It”  Scripture:  “Beloved,  let  us  love  one  another,  for  love  is  from  God,  and  whoever  loves  has  been  born  of  God  and  knows  God”  (1  John  4:7).    

 young  girl  was  dying.    Her  only  hope  lay  in  a  complete  blood  transfusion,  but  she  had  a  very  rare  blood  type.    Only  her  brother,   even   younger   than   she,   had   the   same   type  blood.    His   parents   and  doctors  

explained  the  situation  to  him,  giving  him  time  to  ask  questions.    He  agreed  and,  without  delay,  he  was  laid  on  a  bed,  the  needle  was  pushed  into  his  tiny  vein,  and  slowly  his  blood  seeped  from  his  small  body  into  the  bag  hanging  from  his  bed.    He  lay  quietly  as  the  nurse  stood  next  to  him,  ready  to  attend  to  any  need  he  might  have.    “How  do  you  feel?”  she  asked.  “Ok,”  he  answered,  “but,  Nurse,  when  do  I  die?”    What  love  this  little  boy  had  for  his  sister!    What  must  he  have  thought  when,  from  his  limited  knowledge,  it  seemed  that  his  own  parents  were  willing  for  him  to  sacrifice  his  life  in  order  to  save  his  sister’s.    The   boy’s   love   for   his   sister   can   help   us   see   how   much   Jesus   loves   us.     Jesus   suffered   abuse,   torture,  persecution,  and  death  for  all  of  us.    “Greater  love  has  no  one  than  this,  that  someone  lay  down  His  life  for  His   friends”   (John   15:13).     He   demonstrated   His   tremendous   love   not   because   of   our   worthiness,   but  because   of   His   tremendous   love.     Jesus’   love   for   His   heavenly   Father   and   for   us   changed   the   world.    Through  His  death  and  resurrection  from  that  death,  we  through  faith  have  received  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins  and  life  eternal.    God’s  love  for  us  in  Christ  is  that  power  that  enables  us  to  love  Him.    “We  love  because  He  first  loved  us”  (1  John  4:19).    The  love  of  Jesus  empowers  us  to  be  His  stewards.    Because  of  Jesus’  love,  we  change  from  people  giving  what   is   necessary   to   supply   a   need   to   people   responding   generously,   even   sacrificially   out   of   love.    Certainly,  we  give  to  needs  such  as  our  church  budget,  Christian  causes,  and  people,  but  our  primary  reason  for  giving  stems  from  our  love  for  and  commitment  to  Jesus.    When  needs  arise,  Jesus  opens  our  eyes  and  hearts  so  we  can  respond  to  those  needs.    However,  our  primary  reason  for  giving  is  a  desire  to  express  our  gratitude   and   thanksgiving   for   our   Lord   and   the   love   that  He   shows  us   every   day.     Because  our   love   for  Jesus  is  our  motivation  for  giving,  our  giving  becomes  joyful.    Love  changes  our  giving  from  an  obligation  to  a  privilege.    Prayer:  Lord,  You  fill  me  with  love  to  share  with  my  family,  neighbors,  and  co-­‐workers.    I  know  that  I  can  love  because  You  first  loved  me.    Place  in  me  the  desire  to  seek  out  opportunities  to  share.      Amen.  

 Week  3—Wednesday    “Stewardship  Is  a  Matter  of  the  Heart”    Scripture:  “You  shall  love  the  Lord  your  God  with  all  your  heart  and  with  all  your  soul  and  with  all  your  mind”  (Matthew  22:37).    

od  gives  us  the  privilege  and  opportunity  to  be  His  stewards.    Even  though  God  gives  us  all  things,  He  still  allows  us  the  freedom  to  choose  whom  or  what  we  will  serve.    Whether  we  are  stewards  for  the  

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Lord,   for  ourselves,  or   for   some  other  master  depends  on  what   controls  our  hearts.    What  or  whom  we  love,  serve,  and  follow  is  dictated  by  what  our  hearts  value  as  most  important.    The  choices  we  make  reflect  what  is  in  our  hearts.    Satan  is  doing  everything  possible  to  take  the  love,  compassion,  and  peace  from  our  hearts  that  only  Jesus  can  place  there.        Jesus  said,  “Where  your  treasure  is,  there  your  heart  will  be  also”  (Matthew  6:21).    We  can  paraphrase  this  by  saying,  “Show  me  your  treasure,  and  I  will  show  you  your  heart.”    What  we  treasure  the  most  receives  our  time,  energy,  money,  and  heart.    Each  of  us  determines  where  his  treasures  lie.    What  do  you  love  and  treasure  the  most?    Unfortunately,  some  of  us  may  find  treasures  in  our  homes,  careers,  cars,  hobbies,  or  investments.    God  continually  invites  us  to  make  Him  our  treasure.    If  our  hearts  are  right,  our  treasures  will  be  right.    Jesus  spoke  about  the  relationship  between  the  condition  of  a  tree  and  the  fruit  that  it  bears.    “Either  make  the    tree  good  and  its  fruit  good,  or  make  the    tree  bad  and  its  fruit  bad,  for  the    tree  is  known  by  its  fruit”  (Matthew  12:33).    Just  as  the  condition  of  the  tree  determines  its  fruit,  so  will  the  thoughts  of  our  hearts  dictate  our  words  and  actions   (Matthew  12:34-­‐35).    When  our  hearts   are   filled  with  God’s  presence,  we  reflect  God’s   love,  goodness,  and  kindness.    When  our  hearts  are  right  with  God,  our  eyes  are  opened  to  the   opportunities   to   serve   and   help   others.     When   God   controls   our   hearts,   we   willingly   use   our   time,  talents,  and  money  in  ways  that  glorify  Him.    Good  hearts  produce  good  fruit.    Through  time  spent  in  God’s  Word  and  through  participation  in  the  Sacraments,  God  changes  our  hearts,  making  us  into  faithful  disciples  and  stewards  for  Christ.    As  Solomon  wrote,  “Keep  your  heart  with  all  vigilance,  for  from  it  flow  the  springs  of  life”  (Proverbs  4:23).    Prayer:  Lord,  I  thank  You  that  You  give  me  the  privilege  and  the  opportunity  to  be  Your  steward.    Grant  me  faith  to  be  a  God-­‐pleasing  steward.    Help  me  to  see  stewardship  as  a  free  and  joyous  activity.    Amen.    Week  3—Thursday    “Giving  from  the  Heart”    

Scripture:  “The   Lord   said   to  Moses,   ‘Speak   to   the  people  of   Israel   that   they   take   for  Me  a   contribution.    From  every  man  whose  heart  moves  him  you  shall  receive  the  contribution  for  Me’  ”  (Exodus  25:1-­‐2).    n  God’s  Word,  we  find  many  examples  of  people  who  gave  in  loving  and  generous  ways.    In  2  Corinthians  8:1-­‐5,  Paul  uses  the  Macedonians  as  an  example  of  people  who,   in  their  extreme  poverty,  gave  beyond  

their   ability.     Because   of   the   famine   in  Macedonia   at   the   time,   they   didn’t   have   a   surplus   to   give   from;  however,   they   put   God   first   and   trusted   Him   to   provide.     Out   of   overflowing   joy,   they   gave   from   their  hearts.    For  another  example  of  giving  from  the  heart,  we  can  look  at  the  Widow’s  Offering  found  in  Luke  21:1-­‐4.    In  this  story,  Jesus  is  at  the  temple  in  Jerusalem  speaking  to  His  disciples.    In  the  verses  just  preceding  Luke  21,  Jesus   tells  His  disciples   that   the  Pharisees  were   roaming  around   in   their   long,   flowing   robes  making   sure  people  saw  them  and  ooed  and  aahed  about  them.    In  a  gaudy  display  of  vanity,  they  tossed  big  gifts  into  the  temple  treasury.      In  contrast,  the  widow  quietly  dropped  in  two  small  copper  coins  which  was  all  she  had.    She  gave  from  the  heart,  and  she  placed  her  total  trust  in  God.    She  was  relying  on  Him  for  her  future  care.    Although   the  Pharisees  gave   larger  gifts   than   the  widow,   they  were  chastised   for  having  hardened  hearts  from  which  they  gave  to  the  temple.    They  gave  for  recognition  and  praise.    Even  though  the  widow  gave  only  a  small  gift,  Jesus  praised  her  for  her  generosity  because  He  knew  she  gave  from  a  loving  heart.    

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A  third  illustration  of  one  giving  from  the  heart  is  Zacchaeus.    Before  he  met  Jesus,  his  money  was  his  god  so  he  hoarded  it.    When  Jesus  changed  Zacchaeus’  heart,  he  cheerfully  gave  away  half  of  what  he  had  and  four  times  to  those  from  whom  he  had  cheated.    With  a  changed  heart,  he  gave  generously.    God  wants  our  giving  to  come  from  hearts  filled  with  gratitude  for  who  God  is  and  for  all  that  He  has  done  and   continues   to   do   for   us.     As   our   faith   grows   and  matures   through   spending   time   in  God’s  Word   and  participating  often  in  the  Lord’s  Supper,  our  attitude  toward  giving  will  change  from  being  an  obligation  to  being  a  privilege.    May  God  change  and  fill  all  our  hearts  so  we  can  experience  the  joy  of  giving  to  our  Lord  and  Savior.    

Prayer:  Lord,  You  are  a  loving  and  giving  God.    I  pray  that  the  Holy  Spirit  will  transform  me  into  a  loving  and  giving  person.    Help  me  not  to  grip  my  money  tightly.    Grant  me  a  generous  heart.      Amen.  

 Week  3—Friday    “Loving  Our  Neighbors”    Scripture:  “So  then,  as  we  have  opportunity,  let  us  do  good  to  everyone,  and   especially   to   those   who   are   of   the   household   of   faith”   (Galatians  6:10).    n   the   Parable   of   the   Good   Samaritan   found   in   the   tenth   chapter   of  Luke,   we   read   that   the   Good   Samaritan   not   only   helped   an   injured  

person,  he  took  him  to  an  inn  where  he  paid  for  his  room  and  care.    The  Samaritan  sacrificed  money,  time,  and  possessions  and  risked  his  own  health  and  safety  for  the  wounded  person.     He   fulfilled   the  Golden   Rule.     By   putting   no   limits   on   how   far   he  was  willing   to   go   to   help   this  stranger,  the  Samaritan  demonstrated  the  love  we  should  have  for  our  neighbors.    He  was  the  example  for  Jesus’  command  to  “Go,  and  do  likewise.”    Helping  others  may  mean  more  than  calling  911.    We  may  need  to  get  involved,  get  our  hands  dirty,  and  go  the  extra  mile.    Why  don’t  we  become  more  involved  in  helping  others?    One  explanation  could  be  that  we  have  become  so  smug  and  settled  in  our  material  luxury  that  we  are  blind  to  the  opportunities  to  reach  out  to  others.    We  forget   about   the   thousands   and   thousands   around   the   country   and   world   and   next   door   who   may   be  starving  in  body  and  soul.    Like  the  priest  and  the  rabbi  who  passed  by  the  injured  person,  we  possess  the  attitude  that  what  is  mine  is  mine  and  I’m  going  to  keep  it.    God  will  get  our  attention  in  many  different  ways.    One  day  someone  observed  a  wonderful  lesson  from  the  little  birds  hopping  around  in  search  of  bits  of  food.    Some  snowbirds  were  busy  picking  up  the  crumbs  that  had  been  thrown  out   the  window.    One  of   the  birds  apparently  had  a  stiff  neck.    Because  of   its   injury,   it  could  not  stoop  over  to  pick  up  the  crumbs,  so  the  other  birds  assisted  by  picking  them  up  and  dropping  them  into  his  open  bill.    God  has  placed  in  each  of  us  a  heart  that  can  be  trained  to  be  unselfish.    Through  the  redeeming  sacrifice  of  our   Savior   Jesus  Christ  Who   faithfully   gave  His  own   life,  we   can   show   love   to  others.     The   love  of   Jesus,  strengthened  in  us  by  the  Holy  Spirit  through  Word  and  Sacrament,  flows  through  us  so  we  can  show  love  to  people  around  us.    

Prayer:  Lord,  the  Parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan  gives  us  a  wonderful  example  of  how  we  can  share  the  love  that  You  have  given  to  us.    Help  us  to  be  ready  and  willing  to  come  to  the  aid  of  others.      Amen.  

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