Podcasts about faithful stewards

Faithful Stewards - 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Luke 16:1-13 1. You are a steward of God's stuff 2. You can invest now, for eternity 3. Investing in eternity is faithfulnesss 4. Your stewardship reflects your heart

Principle: Stewardship is a matter of trust; not scarcityScripture: Luke 16:10 (NIV) - “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.Message: Giving isn't about what we lack, but about trusting God with what we have. Support the show

We are Lifepoint Church located in Louisville, Kentucky. Whether you're brand new and exploring what we're all about or you've been with us for a while and want to dive deeper, we're glad you're here! To learn more about Lifepoint Church, visit http://www.lifepointlou.org. To connect with us socially: • Facebook: / lifepointlou • Instagram: / lifepointlou At Lifepoint Church, we believe in gathering in person every week to worship, grow, and connect as a community. If you can't make it on Sunday, no worries! You can catch the message here on our YouTube channel. We'd love for you to join us in person this week or tune in to one of the hundreds of messages here online! #lifepointlou #jennifermcgill #shawnmcgill We are Lifepoint Church located in Louisville, Kentucky. Whether you're brand new and exploring what we're all about or you've been with us for a while and want to dive deeper, we're glad you're here! To learn more about Lifepoint Church, visit http://www.lifepointlou.org

Jesus teaches that we are to be faithful stewards for the gifts God has given us, using them to further His Kingdom rather than hiding them in fear. Those who invest in God's work will be rewarded, while those who reject His authority will face judgment, emphasizing the importance of living by faith and expressing it through love.

Spirit of Prophecy Seminar - Session 5 - Faithful Stewards by CHOOSE LIFE Church

Speaker: Chris Cooke

Speaker: Chris Cooke

In the Kingdom of God, we are called to be stewards of everything that's been entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father. We're called to faithfully and responsibly take care of all that God has given to us. We're called to be stewards of our physical bodies, of our time, of the gifts that God gives to us, and the presence of God. We're called to steward everything that's been entrusted to us. That also includes our finances and the resources that God entrusts to us. In order to do this, one of the first things we need to understand is that everything that we have comes from God Himself. In this week's message, Pastor Chuck focuses on what it means to be good stewards of our finances and resources as we walk as faithful stewards of all that God has given us. Livestream:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abqV8xtKZyU&t=249s

"So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." - Matthew 22:21This statement from Jesus is one of the most profound and thought-provoking verses in the New Testament. While it is often quoted in discussions about paying taxes, it carries far deeper implications. What does this passage truly mean for us as Christ-followers today? Let's explore its historical context and the spiritual truths that challenge us to live with a kingdom perspective.The Trap Set for JesusThe words of Jesus in Matthew 22:21 came during a tense confrontation between Him and the Pharisees. They sought to trap Him with a politically charged question:"Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"At that time, Israel was under Roman rule, and paying taxes to the emperor was a sore subject among the Jewish people. Saying “yes” would alienate Him from His Jewish followers, who resented Roman oppression. Saying “no” would paint Him as a revolutionary in the eyes of the Roman authorities.But instead of falling into their trap, Jesus turned the question back on them. He asked for a denarius—a Roman coin bearing Caesar's image—and posed a question of His own:"Whose likeness and inscription is this?"When they answered, “Caesar's,” Jesus delivered His famous response:"Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."On a surface level, Jesus affirmed that people should fulfill their civic duties, including paying taxes. The coin bore Caesar's image, signifying that it belonged to the government. By saying, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's,” Jesus acknowledged the legitimacy of human authority.This teaching aligns with what the Apostle Paul later wrote in Romans 13:1-7, where he urged believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing them as instruments of God's order. Paying taxes, respecting laws, and contributing to society are responsibilities of every Christian.Yet, Jesus did not stop with Caesar—He introduced a deeper spiritual truth.What Belongs to God?Jesus followed His statement: "Render unto God what is God's.” This raises an important question: What belongs to God?To answer this, we must look at Genesis 1:27, which tells us that humanity is made in the image of God (Imago Dei). Just as the denarius bore Caesar's image and belonged to him, we bear God's image—meaning our entire lives belong to Him.This truth calls us to complete surrender. While we owe taxes, respect, and obedience to earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance is to God. He doesn't just claim a portion of our income—He claims our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.Many people compartmentalize their lives, separating the "secular" from the "sacred." Work, finances, and citizenship belong to the earthly realm, while prayer, worship, and church belong to God. But Jesus' teaching destroys this false divide.If everything belongs to God, then every aspect of our lives—including our work, relationships, finances, and civic responsibilities—should be offered to Him as an act of worship.By pointing to the coin's image, Jesus subtly challenges us:Whose image do we bear? To whom do we belong? Where does our primary allegiance lie?This is not just a lesson about paying taxes—it's about our identity and purpose in God's kingdom.Jesus' words also highlight the temporary nature of earthly governments compared to God's eternal reign. Rome's empire, like every human government, would eventually fall. But God's kingdom is everlasting.This is why Scripture reminds us:"Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." - Philippians 3:20"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." - Matthew 6:19-20While we must live responsibly within earthly systems, we do so with the understanding that our true home is in God's unshakable kingdom.Faithful Stewards in Both Realms"Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" is a call to faithful stewardship both in earthly and heavenly matters. As followers of Christ, we are called to:Honor our civic responsibilities (pay taxes, obey laws, engage in society). Live with eternity in mind (prioritizing God's kingdom above all else). Offer our whole lives to God (because we bear His image and belong to Him).As 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us, we are "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession." This identity should shape every decision we make, including how we manage our finances, serve others, and navigate our role in the world.Ultimately, Jesus' response was not just a clever answer to a political trap but a profound statement of divine truth.While we live in this world, we are not of it (John 17:16). Our ultimate purpose is not to accumulate wealth, power, or influence in earthly systems but to live in a way that reflects God's glory.So, as you navigate financial decisions, work responsibilities, and civic duties, ask yourself:Am I honoring God with everything I have? Am I living as a faithful steward of both my earthly and heavenly citizenship? Am I prioritizing the eternal over the temporary?By faithfully rendering what is due to Caesar and God, we live as true citizens of heaven, bearing witness to His sovereignty and grace in a world that desperately needs Him.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm on a limited budget, paying for school, and my husband covers more of the bills. We've been asked to give small gifts at work, like $10 for the boss, and contribute to other occasions. But these little gifts have added up, and I've spent over $200 in the last month. I don't have the budget for this. Is it wrong or unchristian of me not to want to give? Should I have a different mindset or tell my co-workers I don't have the budget for this?I'm 57, and my wife and I are debt-free. We want to start a business together, but I'm unsure if it's too risky at my age. Am I ever too old to start a new venture? What process should I consider, and should I set it up as an LLC or sole proprietorship?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly PublicationLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

We greatly appreciate you tuning into this podcast. If we can pray for you in anyway please email us at rayreynoldsrap@gmail.com. If you are interested in a deeper, richer study of the Bible please download the FREE study guides available for a limited time. We also encourage you to sign up for a FREE Bible course for a comprehensive study of the entire Bible. The ministry of Reynolds Rap is meant to bring a message of inspiration and encouragement. Our hope it will bless you to find your calling and inspire you to engage in your own distinctive and personal ministry.  Our goal is to help mentor, coach, and motivate you.  We will do this through sharing Scriptures, Bible studies, blogs, podcasts, and LIVE videos.  Our website has many tools to help you in your walk with God to maintain an authentic Christian life (www.rayreynoldsrap.com). This podcast is partially sponsored by Peachtree Press LLC (www.peachtreepress.org), Getting To Know Your Bible (www.gettingtoknowyourbible.com), the Summerdale Church of Christ (www.summerdalechurch.org), and the Reclaiming Hope Ministry (www.reclaiminghopeministry.com). Also we are excited to partner with Didasko Bible Institute to offer 8 certificates of study. Read more here: https://didaskobible.wixsite.com/institute You are loved. Ray Reynolds, PhD

Pastor Lee Michael Grzywinski gives a sermon titled "Faithful Stewards" from 1 Corinthians 4:1-6 Subscribe for more content just like this! Website: http://montclair.church/ Facebook:   / montclair.church   Instagram:   / montclair.church   To support this ministry and help us continue to connect people to Jesus and to each other. Please go to https://www.montclairchurch.net/give Montclair Community Church 143 Watchung Avenue Upper Montclair, New Jersey 07043 info@montclair.church 973.746.0042

Today Pastor Noe will help us learn to manage our finances better and challenge each of us to be "Faithful Stewards" of what God has given us. Thanks for listening.

Those with Deep Roots are faithful stewards of what God has given them. By looking at the lives of Joseph and David, we are reminded that God uses the context of our current circumstances to prepare us for future opportunities and purpose in our lives.

Message from Tom Shirk on October 13, 2024

A sermon on 1 Timothy 1:12-20.

In this episode of The Wisdom Journey, we delve into 1 Corinthians 4, where the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church's issues of pride and division. Using vivid imagery and sanctified sarcasm, Paul reshapes their understanding of what it means to be a faithful steward and servant of Christ. He reminds them that the true measure of ministry is faithfulness, not status or eloquence. Paul warns against judging prematurely and highlights the humility and hardships faced by the apostles. Ultimately, he appeals to the Corinthians as a spiritual father, urging them to follow his example and embrace a spirit of humility and unity.

Episode 931 (11:45) In this episode: The Kingdom of God begins in small ways; Parable of the Mustard seed; Story of learning Spanish and gaining a lot of weight; Our culture of "Demanding Consumers" vs "Faithful Stewards"; Take a measurement of your faith and life now and then check it again at the end of the summer; How did things go? Related Web Sites:  My Website Podcast PageAll Previous Episodes

Salvation is a free, unconditional gift. We receive that gift through faith in the work that God already completed in Jesus Christ—his life, death, and resurrection. This gift can't be taken away or lost and is all about God's work for us. The Scriptures also teach that we can receive rewards for our faithfulness with the good gifts and opportunities God gives us in life. These rewards can be won or lost and are conditional—based on our faithfulness and good works. The second story Jesus tells in Matthew 25 encourages us to be faithful stewards of the resources, gifts, and opportunities God entrusts to us. How can we live a life worthy of rich rewards in eternity?Support the show

Central Baptist Church in Kansas City Sunday sermon with Samuel Nelson. 2 Timothy 4:1-8

In week 3 of our sermon series, Marked for Life, Pastor Dawn Jackson breaks down the passage of the talents in Matthew 25.Did you decide to follow Jesus after listening to this? Let us help you get started on your journey at https://oneandall.church/jesus Join our global online community https://discord.gg/vvrwf6N Sign up to receive weekly content from ONE&ALL straight to your inbox | http://bit.ly/oneandallemailAsk us a question! Email media@oneandall.church

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

 In this episode of Pray the Word on Esther 4:14, David Platt calls us to fully steward the precise time and place in which God has called us to live.

1 Corinthians 4:1-7

Sunday School Message: Effective Ministers are Faithful Stewards of God Sunday Teacher: Pastor Jonathan Gallo Sunday Message: Stop the Little Secret Sins Sunday Teacher: Pastor Stan Johnson

Sunday School Message: Effective Ministers are Faithful Stewards of God Sunday Teacher: Pastor Jonathan Gallo Sunday Message: Stop the Little Secret Sins Sunday Teacher: Pastor Stan Johnson

Sunday School Message: Effective Ministers are Faithful Stewards of God Sunday Teacher: Pastor Jonathan Gallo Sunday Message: Stop the Little Secret Sins Sunday Teacher: Pastor Stan Johnson

Sunday School Message: Effective Ministers are Faithful Stewards of God Sunday Teacher: Pastor Jonathan Gallo Sunday Message: Stop the Little Secret Sins Sunday Teacher: Pastor Stan Johnson

The Third Sunday in Advent: Faithful Stewards 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 & St. Matthew 11:2-10 by William Klock As Advent continues, our lessons continue to call us to be prepared.  Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  And Christ will come again—to finally bring to completion what he began that first Christmas and that first Easter.  And as we continue with this theme of being prepared, our lessons today focus our attention on the faithfulness of God's ministers.  The Epistle focuses on St. Paul and the Gospel on John the Baptist.  The choice of lessons is linked to the Ember Days.  They fall later this week.  You all know what the Ember Days are, right?  The Embers Days come around four times a year and, at least historically, they were the traditional times for ordinations.  So with that in mind, our advent lessons today call the clergy to faithfulness to our mission and remind the Church of the importance of faithful ministers.  But even though today's focus is on what we might call “professional” ministers, there's a broader application for all of us, because, Brothers and Sisters, never forget that every Christian is a steward and minister of the gospel.  We're all ministers and as our Declaration of Principles makes abundantly clear, Christian ministers are not “priests” in any other sense than that in which all believers are what Peter called a “royal priesthood”. So let's start with our Epistle, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5.  And we'll want a little background to understand it.  The Church at Corinth had a lot of problems and a big part of it was that some of them were having trouble setting aside their old, pagan ways.  They had compromised much.  There were some serious sins in the church that needed to be dealt with, but weren't.  People were justifying them by appealing to Christian liberty.  Some of them were even patting themselves on the back for their tolerance.  (There's nothing new under the sun, is there?)  There were also divisions within the congregation.  Paul had founded this church, but the people didn't want to listen to him anymore.  They'd become enamoured of other preachers.  As far as we know these other preachers were faithful to the gospel.  The problem in Corinth doesn't seem to have been their fault.  The problem was that Paul was about the least flashy person you could imagine and when other preachers came along who were more attractive and who were better speakers than Paul—that was something the Greeks put a lot of value on—the church kicked Paul to the curb.  That, and they didn't like him trying to hold them accountable.  Not only would they not listen to him, he wasn't even welcome anymore.  They judged him a loser.  That's what's behind our Epistle today.  Let's read: This is how we should be thought of, as servants of the Messiah and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court.  In fact, I do not even judge myself.  For I am not aware of anything standing against me, but that isn't what vindicates me. It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time when the Lord comes.  He will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will lay bare the intentions of the heart.  Then each one will receive his commendation from God.   I've always wondered how hard it was for Paul to write this, especially the bit about “This is how we should be thought of: I'm a servant of the Messiah and a steward of God's mysteries.”  Good clergymen tend to err on the side of humility, even to a fault.  The only guys I've ever known to say things like this have been egotists who never should have been in ministry in the first place.  But Paul had one advantage that only the apostles had and that was that they had known Jesus in the flesh and had been commissioned by him personally.  I can't say that and neither can anyone else alive today.  That said, there is a place for God's stewards to assert their calling in the face of unjust judgement.  Most pastors, when faced with unjust criticism just nod humbly, say nothing, and take it to God, but Paul reminds us that there is a time to speak up against these kinds of judgements.  And not just “pastors”.  I think this goes for every Christian.  We're all ministers of the gospel, but we live in an age that is becoming increasingly hostile to the gospel and to gospel people.  Sometimes the criticisms we receive can be justified.  Sometimes Christians and sometimes churches have failed and done awful things.  But those are the outliers.  Most of the criticism we face comes from people who hate Jesus and the message of the cross, who don't want to hear about sin and don't want to repent, who have their own ideas of what the world should be like and only want new creation on their terms, not God's.  Jesus warned us this would happen, but most of us still aren't prepared for the attacks.  And so even though we're ministers of the gospel and stewards of the mysteries of God, all too often we let the false judgements and accusations of pagans back us out of the room.  We go silently and sit facing the corner like scolded children—and I think a lot of the time we actually feel guilty when we hear these accusations, even though we know better. Brothers and Sisters, Paul stresses that ministers are to be found faithful.  That goes for apostles and for pastors and for all of us.  Yes, we need to weigh criticism.  We need to ask if there's anything to it.  Sometimes there may be.  Maybe we're not being faithful to Jesus' instructions and we need to hear it.  But Jesus' instructions aren't hard to understand or discern.  As a minister, I'm called to preach the word, especially the gospel about Jesus, and to administer the sacraments.  It's not quite that simple, but that is the core.  And for all of us, we're called to proclaim the gospel about Jesus to the world around us and to live in a way that accords with being the people of God.  We proclaim Jesus and we live the life—the fruit—of the Spirit. We need to reflect on our lives in light of that and ask if we're being faithful.  This is one of the reasons we need to steep ourselves in God's word.  If we don't know what God expects, how will we be faithful?  It's a bit like a bread recipe—one of the simplest things in the world.  But first you have to read it and then you have to follow it.  Start changing things up and you spoil the bread.  But that's what we all too often do.  It's not that we're not well-intentioned.  We want to see things happen, but sometime we get impatient.  We take shortcuts.  Or we think we can make better bread by changing the recipe.  People out there don't like to hear about sin, so we'll tone that part of our preaching down.  People out there don't like commitment, so we'll make church commitment-free.  People out there don't like liturgy and sermons, so we'll have a rock concert and preach pop-psychology instead.  People don't feel like getting up on Sunday mornings and driving to church, so we'll broadcast it to their TVs and computers instead.  We're not confident in the power of the gospel and the Spirit to change hearts and to bring them to Jesus, so we instead build churches around programmes and activities that people do want or we use manipulative techniques to get them to believe.  We make the gospel about them and not so much about Jesus and the glory of God.  These things can and often do bring short-term gains, but in the long-term they've been a disaster.  We wonder why people won't commit, why they're still worldly, why we're losing our children, and why we're seen as increasingly irrelevant.  It's like we've tried to bake bread by replacing the flour with glitter.  The end product might look exciting, but in the end it's not only unable to nourish, it's slowly poisoning us.  In contrast, the real work of the gospel is rarely flashy.  Sometimes it brings persecution and even martyrdom.  It means relying on God, not ourselves.  And it means being in it for the long-haul.  Consider Israel.  God called Abraham and it was two thousand years before Israel's story culminated with Jesus.  And the in-between was as full of hardship, slavery, judgement, and exile as it was prosperity and growth.  And that was God working with a single, small people.  Brothers and Sisters, our mission is the world. So be faithful to the gospel, build churches around word and sacrament, pray and fellowship together, raise covenant children who know Jesus.  Proclaim the good news and call your friends and family and neighbours to take up their crosses daily and to follow Jesus.  And let them see you do it—when it's a joy to follow Jesus and when you struggle to bear that cross.  And as we do that, remember that the judgement that matters is not the judgement of other people or the world, but of God.  That doesn't mean we shouldn't have an ear to the ground.  That doesn't mean we shouldn't listen to the world's judgements.  Sometimes we need to know how the world sees us—even if it's false—so that we can better know what we're up against.  So that we can better respond with the gospel.  And, sometimes, the world's rebukes may have some truth to them.  Jesus promised that his people would be persecuted for his sake, but we need to make sure that we're actually being persecuted for his sake and for our faithfulness to his word.  I know some Christians who claim they're being persecuted, but when you get down to it, it's just that people don't like them because they're jerks, not because they're preaching Jesus.  People will still hate us for preaching Jesus, but Friends, we do need to be sure that as we preach Jesus and as we stand firmly on the Scriptures that the world rejects, we remain committed to being a godly people in every respect.  We need to live the gospel as much as we preach the gospel.  We're to announce God's judgement on sin, yes, but we're also to announce God's mercy to repentant sinners. So that's the Epistle.  Let's turn over to today's Gospel in Matthew 11as we continue with this theme.  Again, what does it look like to be gospel ministers who are prepared.  John the Baptist.  In the Gospel, John has gone from announcing the coming kingdom and baptising people in the Jordan to being locked up in prison.  He got there by way of criticizing Herod.  It wasn't just some off-the-wall criticism.  Tied up with his announcement of the kingdom was John's denouncement of Herod for marrying his former sister-in-law.  Herod couldn't help but draw a connection between John's fiery preaching and himself.  If John was saying that the King was soon to come, it meant John was saying that Herod wasn't really the king.  So poor John is now in Herod's dungeon and he's frustrated and confused.  He'd been faithful in his divine calling to herald the coming Messiah—his cousin, Jesus—and he's landed in prison.  No big surprise there.  He wasn't the first prophet to offend a king and end up in prison.  But Jesus—the Messiah—was on the outside, preaching, teaching, healing, forgiving, having dinner with tax collectors and sinners…and leaving John to rot.  Something was wrong with Jesus' priorities, or so John was beginning to think.  We'll pick up from there: Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  (St. Matthew 11:2-10) I don't think John was really doubting whether Jesus was the Messiah.  I think this was his way of saying, “Um…Jesus.  Shouldn't the Messiah be getting his faithful herald out prison?”  Of course, that also meant all the other things to go along with it.  A simple jailbreak wouldn't do.  The jailbreak would have to be part of a wholesale overthrow of Herod and the Romans—which, of course, is what most people expected the Messiah to do.  Here's what Jesus says to John's men in return:  “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.  And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”  (Matthew 11:5-6) You see, John expected the Messiah to be like Elijah, confronting the prophets of Baal and calling down fire from heaven.  John wanted to see fire and brimstone.  There is a place for that.  In a sense John wasn't wrong.  Jesus is the Judge and, you can be sure, he will judge the world and everyone in it.  There will be a time for fire and brimstone and judgement.  I suspect that being a fire-and-brimstone sort of prophet—and that is what John was called to be so there's nothing wrong with that—I suspect that being that kind of guy means that you get a little fixated on judgement.  And Jesus responds by saying something like, “You expected Elijah…and you've got Elijah…but before I come in judgement, there are a lot of people…people like the widow of Zeraphath…people who need to know God's mercy.”  As Jesus says in John's Gospel: “I came not to condemn, but to redeem.”  Brothers and Sisters, remember: Sinners already stand condemned.  Judgement is coming.  Announcing that judgement and calling people to repentance was John's mission.  But before the judgement comes, what Israel needed most was to know God's mercy, to know his salvation.  This is why Jesus' road to the throne had to be by way of the cross. So Jesus corrects John.  He sets him straight about the Messiah.  But he then turns to the crowd and praises John: As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?  What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing?  Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  What then did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,          who will prepare your way before you.' (Matthew 11:7-10) Even though Jesus' mission was one of humility and of mercy, Jesus praises the faithfulness of John to his ministry as the fiery herald of judgement.  Again, John was expecting the Messiah to come like Elijah, bringing confrontation and fire from heaven, but what Jesus says—albeit a little obliquely for reasons that get beyond our lesson today—what Jesus says here is that John is the prophet like Elijah.  John is the fire-and-brimstone preacher.  John is the herald announcing judgement and calling the people to repentance.  Jesus quotes from Malachi 3 and confirms two things: John is truly the one sent to herald the Messiah and, two, that means that Jesus truly is the Messiah—the one whom Malachi said would come both to refine Israel and to make her offerings pleasing to the Lord and to judge the unrepentant. Now, in the short-term this was bad news for John.  It was bad news for Jesus, too.  Both the Messiah and his herald would be put to death.  But death was not the end.  As it turns out, we know, it was by the death of Jesus that deliverance was bought and in his resurrection he was vindicated and the unjust verdict on him overturned.  In his resurrection and his ascension, Jesus was confirmed as the Messiah, as Lord.  In that we see the faithfulness of God to his promises and knowing God's faithfulness, we have hope.  As St. Paul wrote to the Romans: “If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall surely be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5).  This is one of those parts of the gospel that we often prefer to ignore or to leave out of our preaching, because it offends.  We've sort of got the opposite problem John had.  John was fixated on judgement and on fire from heaven.  Like so many Jews, he wanted to see God vanquish Israel's enemies and he nearly forgot about God's mercy.  Our problem is the opposite.  We've become so afraid of preaching about sin and about judgement, that we can't even preach mercy and grace anymore—because mercy isn't mercy and grace isn't grace if we're not guilty of anything and if there is no judgement headed this way.  And if we gut our preaching of mercy and grace, we can talk all day about the love of God, but there will be no depth to it.  We will make the cross of Jesus pointless.  Why?  Because we can only begin to plumb the great depths of God's love when we see that he gave his Son to die for our sake—for the sake of sinners who would otherwise stand condemned to destruction. And that brings us back to the recipe for bread.  Brothers and Sisters, bread is simple and often kind of boring.  But if you make it right, it nourishes.  It keeps us alive.  There's a reason why Jesus used it as a metaphor for himself when he said, “I am the bread of life.”  There's a reason why it's a symbol over and over in the story of God's people for his faithful care and sustenance.  And it points to the way God works and the way his gospel and his word work in the world.  It's hardly ever flashy.  And you have to be patient, because it takes time to rise and it takes time to bake.  But like the Messiah, who humbled himself to take on lowly human flesh, who humbled himself to be born of a lowly virgin, and who humbly went to death on a cross, the simple bread of the gospel, the good news that Jesus died, that he rose, and that he is Lord, brings life to the world.  To preach it faithfully means to preach it whole and to preach it pure.  Friends, be faithful stewards.  Stick to the recipe.  Preach the Lord Jesus, crucified and risen to give forgiveness and life to sinners.  Pursue holiness.  Build churches centred on the faithful preaching of God's word and the administration of the sacraments, where, knowing God's faithfulness, God's people sing and pray together, where they raise covenant, gospel children, where we live as people who know the hope of God's life in the age to come. Let's pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

WHAT DOES A "MOVEMENT OF FAITHFUL STEWARDS" LOOK LIKE AND WHAT IS FAITHFI TRYING TO ACHIEVE?FaithFi aims to integrate faith into financial decisions, moving beyond just wise money management. The mission is to help Christians see their finances through the lens of faith, as every aspect of life, including finances, should be influenced by faith. FaithFi supports this integration, recognizing the challenge but stressing its importance. The goal is to guide Christians to be good stewards of their resources.It's about integrating faith and finances, not just being wise with money.FaithFi's mission is to equip Christians to integrate their faith and financial decisions.The goal is to help people be good stewards of God's resources, even in challenging times. HOW DOES FAITHFI DIFFER FROM OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND WHAT IS ITS VISION?FaithFi differs from secular financial advice by centering on God, not self. The goal is to replace worldly financial promises with gospel truth, seeing God as the ultimate treasure. This perspective changes financial decisions to reflect one's identity in Christ. FaithFi offers guidance with practical, biblical wisdom and tools, fostering a community of stewards who prioritize God in their financial decisions.FaithFi focuses on a God-centric view, differing from self-focused worldly advice.The vision is to redeem God's design for money, seeing Him as the ultimate treasure.FaithFi guides with biblical wisdom, aiming for financial decisions to express one's faith. WHAT IMPACT DOES FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAVE ON FAITHFI AND ITS INITIATIVES?Financial support for FaithFi fuels various initiatives like the radio show, podcast, and a new Bible study series. It enables the production of content that delves into what the Bible says about money and possessions, aiding in personal growth and reevaluation of money's role in one's life. The FaithFi app, supported by donations, offers tools for wise financial management aligned with faith. Overall, contributions expand the reach of FaithFi, helping more Christians align their finances with biblical teachings.Donations support FaithFi content creation, including radio shows, podcasts, and Bible studies.Financial support enhances tools like the FaithFi app, aligning financial decisions with faith.Contributions expand FaithFi's reach, growing the community of Christians integrating faith and finance.If you've benefited from this ministry and would like to help us reach our goal, please go to Faithfi.com and click Give.ON TODAY'S PROGRAM, ROB ALSO ANSWERS LISTENER QUESTIONS:I'm retired and considering adding a Lady Bird deed to my will for my home, which is worth over $500,000 and fully paid for; what are your thoughts on this?I have purchased three rare coins from the US government; do you think this is a good investment?I have about $30,000 in I Bonds maturing in March 2024, but with decreasing rates, I'm considering withdrawing them before maturity to invest in CDs; is this advisable given my plan to buy a house in summer 2025?As an 83-year-old with over 61 years of stock market experience, I'm considering moving my $2.5 million in stocks and mutual funds into CDs due to distrust in the stock market and for more security; can I do this without paying taxes?I have $10,000 in I Bonds but am contemplating moving them to a higher interest CD with my credit union; is this a wise decision, especially considering I'm leaving for a nonprofit in Thailand? RESOURCES MENTIONED:Find a Certified Kingdom AdvisorChristian Community Credit Union Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network as well as American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.comwhere you can join the FaithFi Community, and give as we expand our outreach.   Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

There’s a growing momentum of Christians that want to be good stewards. Many of us have recognized that it's not just about being wise with money—it’s about our faith influencing our money decisions. On today's Faith & Finance Live, host Rob West will talk with Chad Clark about a movement of faithful stewards and how you can join in. Then Rob will answer your calls and questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 In this episode of Pray the Word on Amos 3:2, David Platt teaches us the importance of being faithful stewards of God's goodness and grace.