Plain, Simple, Powerful — First Jesus

I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who He is; then Jesus and what He did — Jesus crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (MSG)

A legacy isn't just what you leave behind. It's what you live right now.

ALL SHE HAD

Two Coins. One Life ~ What Happened Next?

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few pence. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’ Mark 12:41–44 (NIV)

Jesus sat watching ~ Gr. theōreō: sustained, intent observation — not a glance but a gaze with intent.

They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely. Mark 12:40 (NIV)

Two Coins, A Whole Life

A poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins… They all gave out of their wealth (surplus); but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. Mark 12:42, 44 (NIV)

All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—all she had to live on. Mark 12:44 (MSG)

God judges what we give by what we keep. — George Müller

You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3 (NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’

 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:21–22 (NIV)

Stewardship is not fundamentally about money; it is about ownership. The question is not, ‘How much of my money should I give to God?’ but rather, ‘How much of God’s money should I keep for myself?’ — R.C. Sproul

The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. Deuteronomy 14:23 (TLB)

The widow of Zarephath

Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow. Deuteronomy 27:19 (NIV)

1.      She had heard from God. I have instructed a widow there to supply you with food. 1 Kings 17:9 (NIV)

2.      She had a servant's heart. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink? As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread.’ 1 Kings 17:10–11 (NIV)

3.      She had to overcome her fear. Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 1 Kings 17:13 (NIV)

4.      God performed a miracle. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15–16 (NIV)

At the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter shall be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 (LSB)

Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. Mark 12:43 (NIV)

Put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you. Malachi 3:10-11 (ESV)

Pete Grieg ~ Dirty Glory: Go Where Your Best Prayers Take You

What Happened Next

She, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. Mark 12:42, 44 (NIV)

His name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. Psalm 68:4-5 (NIV)

Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me. Luke 18:22 (NIV)

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor.’ Luke 19:8 (NIV)

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH WHAT HE HAS GIVEN YOU?

I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who He is; then Jesus and what He did – Jesus crucified.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:2 (The Message)

A legacy isn’t just what you leave behind, it’s what you live right now.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise, he who had received two gained two more also.

But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

MATTHEW 25:14-30 (NKJ) 

1.  THERE IS NO LACK WITH OUR MASTER.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

PSALM 84:11 (ESV)

If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?

MATTHEW 7:11 (TPT)

2.  THE MASTER IS RETURNING.

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines … He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

ISAIAH 5:1-2 (NIV)

3. WHO IS YOUR MASTER?

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid.

MATTHEW 25:24-25 (NKJ)

When FEAR is a part of your life, its sister ANXIETY always holds its hand.

The lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the road! There’s a lion in the streets!” Like a door turning back and forth on its hinges, the lazy person turns over and over in bed. Lazy people may put their hands in the dish, but they are too tired to lift the food to their mouths. The lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give sensible answers.

PROVERBS 26:13-16 (NCV)

FIRST JESUS demands knowing the real Jesus.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 4:19 (NKJ)

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8 (NKJ)

What you are, is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God.

I have a great need for Christ; and I have a GREAT CHRIST for my need.

C.H.SPURGEON

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 (AMP)

4.  JESUS LONGS TO SAY WELL DONE TO YOU.

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

MATTHEW 25:21, 23 (NKJ)

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord … The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.

PSALM 112:1-3 (NKJ)

Serve the Lord with gladness.

PSALM 100:2 (NKJ)

Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 (The Message)

5.  JESUS VALUES YOUR TIME, TALENT, TREASURE.

For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

MATTHEW 25:29 (NKJ)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

MATTHEW 6:19-21 (NIV)

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:

·       With your TIME & TALENT, commit to SERVING.  Join a Serve Team NOW and build our legacy. This is just as much a part of our Life Legacy as any financial gift.

·       With your TREASURE, you can bring a one-off offering or a 12 month pledge, or an ongoing monthly giving.

Faithful in the In-Between

A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.

Matt 24:45-47 NLT

“Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”

Luke 12:41 NLT

Be faithful. Because the way we live today is shaping who we become tomorrow.

1. Faithfulness Is Built in Ordinary Moments

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of (Potiphar) his Egyptian master.

Gen 39:2 NLT

God often does something in us before He does something through us.

2. What We Do With God's Resources Matters

Every servant who does not know his master’s will and unwittingly does what is wrong will receive a less severe punishment. For those who have received a greater revelation from their master are required a greater obedience. And those who have been entrusted with great responsibility will be held more responsible to their master.

Luke 12:48 TPT

Your Time Matters

Your Talent Matters

Your Treasure Matters

Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:21 NLT

3. Legacy Is Built One Day at a Time

‘My master won't be back for a while.’

Luke 12:45 NLT

What has God placed in your hands?

·      What relationships?

·      What opportunities?

·      What gifts?

·      What resources?

·      What influence?

And what would it look like to faithfully invest those things into what God is doing?

Because a legacy isn't built through one extraordinary moment.

It's built in the ordinary choices we make every day:

·      To trust God

·      To serve others

·      To be generous with our time, our talent and our treasure

·      And to be obedient to the next step He’s asking us to take

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Matt 25:23 NLT

Plain, Simple, Powerful — First Jesus

I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who He is; then Jesus and what He did — Jesus crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (MSG)

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of negotiation; it is a matter of recognition. Once you see it, you don’t haggle over the price. — Dallas Willard

Living Legacy — a legacy isn't just what you leave behind. It's what you live right now.

Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give.’ Acts 3:6 (NIV)

‘I will open My mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.’ Matthew 13:35 (NIV)

Jesus’ parables are not pretty stories with morals attached. They are like depth charges dropped into the imagination, designed to explode old worldviews and create new ones. — N.T. Wright

The Currency of Joy

When You Find the Real Thing, Nothing Else Compares.

What if Jesus hid a single Greek phrase in a 35-word parable, buried in plain sight, that, when discovered, has the power to transform the drudgery of religious sacrifice into the joy of surrendered worship?

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

The heart of the Kingdom: apo tēs charas autou — “from his joy.”

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (NIV)

The Field

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 (NLT)

The Discovery

I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. Psalm 119:162 (NLT)

1.         Where Is Wisdom Found?

There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. Job 28:1–3 (NIV)

But where can wisdom be found? Job 28:12 (NIV)

It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold. Job 28:15–19 (NIV)

Job is not making a list. Job is making a case.

Where then does wisdom come from? …God understands the way to it, and He alone knows where it dwells. Job 28:20, 23 (NIV)

2.         How Is Wisdom Discovered?

My son, if you accept my words and treasure my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then… Proverbs 2:1–4 (NIV)

Blessed (happy, joyful) are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. Proverbs 3:13 (NIV)

3.         What Does Wisdom Cost?

‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Isaiah 55:1–2 (NIV) 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Mt 5:6 (NIV)

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)

The Hidden Treasure

Truly, You are a God who hides Himself… the Saviour. Isaiah 45:15 (ESV)

1.         The Treasure in Christ

That they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2–3 (NIV)

2.         The Treasure in You

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

We had to celebrate and be glad (overjoyed). Luke 15:32 (NIV)

The Joy-Driven Exchange

…then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

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 through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Ps 51:12 (NLT)