To Give or Not to Give

A WORD 

FROM PASTOR McCRARY

 

To Give or Not to Give 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

 

 

Is it a question for you? Ignoring the ongoing debate in theological circles about the tithe and whether or not it is an ordinance of the New Testament Church, I want to discuss giving as Paul describes it in this set of scriptures.   I intend to re-visit the matter of the tithe in the future.

 

It is clear to me that giving is the way Jesus intended for the church to meet the needs of the members.  This is indicated in Acts 4:32-37.  This giving was often 100% as with the Widow in Mark 4:41-44. Notice in that text that Jesus sees our giving now as He did then.  Jesus is more impressed with the percentage of the gift than he is the amount of the gift    But let’s look at this chapter:

 

Your giving is an INVESTMENT v6

 

Giving to the Lord’s work is our investment in what God wants to accomplish. The use of the word “sow” indicated the expectation of a harvest.   The more we “sow” the more we reap in Spiritual harvest.

When you give, to whom are you giving?  Are you giving to the Church, the Pastor, the Missionary, the Sunday School, or the Building Fund? No!  When you give in worship, you are giving to the Lord! The Church, the Pastor, the Missionary, the Sunday School and/or the Building Fund will benefit, but your giving should be to God. 

 

Remember these Standards of Sowing:

1)     You will always reap what you sow!   If you plant corn then corn you’ll have.  And if you give pennies – - – well! This works in giving love, time, concern, prayer, and just about everything. 

 

2)     You always reap more than you sow!  A few seeds seem to grow a bumper crop. Mark 4:20 say you can reap 30, 60 or even 100 times what you plant. 

 

3)     You always reap later than you sow! Galatians 6:9 tells us that we will reap in due season.  God will provide what we need when we need it. Sowing calls for patience and faith and prayer.  It will work. 

 

 

Your Giving is an ENCOURAGEMENT  v7-15

 

Plan your giving.  V7   You should put it in your budget.  The farmer who sows does not begin the plan with how much seed he should plant but with how much crop he wants to reap. You will give if you understand the results.  You’ll give if you “purpose in your heart” The text may also be indicating that each one give as figured in his mind and not a standard quota.

 

Give cheerfully. V7 .  Farmers don’t begrudge the amount of seed they have to buy. They do it cheerfully because they anticipate a bountiful harvest. That’s why verse 7 says God loves a cheerful giver. Not counting the pennies and reckoning them to be as precious as drops of blood-but giving with ease, spontaneity, freeness, pleasure-this is a cheerful giver. That word actually means a hilarious giver. You should be hilariously happy that you’re able to invest in God’s work. Thank him for the ability to give because you know God is going to repay you many times more than what you gave.

 

Reap the harvest v8 -15

Look at the result of giving;

God will bless us abundantly when we give. I love the words used in these verses: “All grace-abound-all things-at all times, all you need for
every good work. You can’t beat God’s giving.  When we sow into the Kingdom work First (Matthew 6:33) then all these things will be added.

God will be thanked because you will be enriched.  So giving provides bountiful blessing.  The church will have supply, thanks will be offered unto God, and the giver will be prayed for.  God will hear and bless all.

 

And, He already has -

God has given more than we could ever give (His Son). Vs. 15

Paul calls Him THE UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.

His Birth & His Miracles are UNSPEAKABLE

His Teaching UNSPEAKABLE

THE PRICE WHICH JESUS PAID IS UNSPEAKABLE

THE POWER OF JESUS is UNSPEAKABLE

His Soon Return is UNSPEAKABLE.

 

 
In Christ’s Name,

Pastor Edward K. McCrary

Walk With God Like Enoch

A WORD 

FROM PASTOR McCRARY

 

WALK WITH GOD LIKE ENOCH 

Genesis 5:21-24, Hebrews 11:5-6

 

Enoch walked with God - Genesis 5-21:24

How did Enoch obtain this position – that “He walked with God”?  The answer may be found in his name.

He was Dedicated to God

Names have significant meanings in the Bible. They in a sense identify the personality or character of a person. Jacob means “crooked.” Abraham means “father of many nations.” Enoch means ‘dedicated to God.’ 

To truly walk with God we must be dedicated to Him.  Psalms 37:5 says “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Enoch must have cast all his cares on God.  He believed his word and trusted God to fulfill it.  We must do what we should and can do, then leave the event with God. We should be still, and see how the matter will fall. We must follow Providence, and not force it, subscribe to His Wisdom and not prescribe it to him. 

Enoch laid the whole burden of his life on God.

 

If the truth be told we don’t always walk with God.  We constantly leave his guidance, go our own way and find ourselves in great trials and trouble then we consult the Lord. 

 

Enoch was not for God took him 

Hebrews 11-5:6

When we live our lives dedicated to God we will walk with Him on earth and be assured of being with Him in Glory.  How did Enoch obtain this place with God?

He Pleased God.

While we trust Jesus for our salvation and translation, our lives and moreover our lifestyle should be pleasing in His sight.  So it is more than just an avoidance of “serious sin.” Enoch’s life was so separated that this was his legacy – He Pleased God.

God said that he was “Well pleased  with Jesus at his baptism and transfiguration. (Matt 3 and Matt 17)

 

To please God and receive the benefits of peace here and of eternity with Jesus we should;

          Have Faith in Jesus               

                     Hebrews 11:6 ; John 6:28-29

          Be Obedient                           

                     1 Samuel 15:22; Romans 6:22

          Have a Humble Heart            

                    Psalms 51:16, 17

Give Thanksgiving and Praise  

                    Hebrews 13:15; Jeremiah 33:11

Possess Holiness

                    Romans 12:12; 2 Timothy 2:4

Have Knowledge of God.           

                    Hosea 6:6; Colossians 1:10

 

In First Corinthian 10:5 we read “But with many of them God was not well pleased”

A lot of people think they can hide things from God. You can’t hide anything from God. It doesn’t matter where you’re at, if you’re a born again believer, God is watching you.

Romans 8:8 “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

 

If God isn’t first in your life, you’ll be last.

 

 

In Christ’s Name,

Pastor Edward K. McCrary

Question: Are you walking close to God like Enoch? Give an example to encourage other readers.

 

 

A Meeting with the Master

A WORD 

FROM PASTOR McCRARY

 

A Meeting with the Master                 Mark 5:1-15
 
 
A Maniac -
This demon possessed man was viewed as a crazed manic by the community at Gardarenes.  They had previously tried to train him, tame him and eventually tried to chain him. He could not even dwell with civilized people and lived among the dead. It’s very true that the unsaved prefer darkness rather than light.  He exemplified the traits of one who wanted help (cutting himself and crying out) but none could deal with his condition because he had an unclean spirit.  The Word says that the chains and fetters could not hold him. These chains and fetters could represent the law.  The chains being demands to keep the law and the fetters curses if you don’t.  But we know the law cannot save anyone or keep the peace. It only attempts to punish those who break them.
 
These cases are still in the community today.  There are those who seem:

           UN Teachable
To learn you need instruction and experience.  There are some who don’t benefit from having either.  Hebrews 5:12; Proverbs 5:12-13
           UN Tamable
Even with knowledge and age some are still wild, out of control and live as if there is no God. (I don’t need to provide examples, do I?)  Romans 1:19-21
          UN Chainable  
The things that would normally make us live responsible lives don’t affect these people.  They are just out of control.  They can even attend church and not be bound by the laws of God.   Galatians 3:24-25
 
Meets the Master -
The text says Jesus came to the other side.   We should go to the other side sometimes to serve, minister and deliver.  Now when Jesus comes: every knee shall bow; crooked shall be made straight; high places will be made low; demons must flee. The man saw Jesus and ran and bowed before him.  The demon in the man knew who Jesus was and called him by name and title!!  

 

Look at the results of -

A Meeting with the Master:
 
He commands Demons -
Jesus here demonstrates his power over evil spirits.
He cast out seven in Mary   Luke 8
In Luke 9 He gave His apostles that same power.

In Luke 10:17 the disciples of Jesus exclaim “Devils are subject to us through thy name”
 
He creates Disciples -
This man was sitting at Jesus feet. No doubt being taught the Word that would save him.  So he was now Teachable.

This man was in his right mind. Now in control of his faculties and Tame

This man was free from the law, he was saved by the grace of Jesus and no longer in Chains.

Everyone Needs A Meeting With The Master

 

In Christ’s Name,

Pastor Edward K. McCrary

Storms Keep Coming

A WORD 

FROM PASTOR McCRARY

 

Storms Keep Coming 

Matthew 7: 21-28
 
Besides the main theme of this parable of the two builders there is another theme I’d like to magnify for you.   While Jesus was teaching us to be a hearer and doer of the Word, He also revealed some secrets about storms.   

 

                     Truth about storms
 
Storms keep coming
We are either in a storm, just coming out of a storm or headed into a storm. I advise that you keep your rain gear handy. 
 
Storms fell on both houses

The Word says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust Matt 5:45.  Just because you are saved doesn’t mean you won’t have trouble. 
 
Storms come out of nowhere
Most storms come in our life at un-announced and at inopportune times.  These two men just finished building their house and were totally unaware that a storm was brewing.

  
                Types and Sources of Storms
 
The parable says the (Matt 7:25) “the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house”
 
This verse may describe three types of storms from three different sources. 
 
The Rain Descending  could be storms from above – Storms from God.

God sends storms
As a Display – How helpless we are sometimes in a storm.  It shows God is in control not us
As a Detour – If you keep running into storms your may be going the wrong way.
As Discipline – Sometime we have storms to correct our actions.
 
The Floods Came up could be storms from below – storms from Satan.

Satan’s taunts come on like a flood, remember the Word says “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up A standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19
 
 
The Winds Blew could be storms from earth -storms from People.

Family and friends can sometimes bring fierce storms in our lives
 
No matter what the source or type of  the storm you are in, you can weather it if you hear and do the Words of Jesus.  
 

In Christ’s Name,

Pastor Edward K. McCrary

 

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