08/20/2023 Midtown Church Sacramento & Online
Series: The Church Beyond the Building
“Building Up Generosity”
Dr. Efrem Smith
1 Timothy 6:17-21 (NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Wouldn’t we all like to win the lottery? If we did, what would we do with it?
Biblical Background:
- The Building is Important for the Church, But it’s Not the Identity of the Church
- What’s on inside of Christians and who they are collectively is deeply connected to what’s going on inside the church building
The Church Going Beyond the Building to a Community of Generosity by:
1.) Rediscovering Our First Love (1 Timothy 6:10)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
2.) Pursuing What’s Most Important in Life (1 Timothy 6:11-16)
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
3.) Living Out God’s Mission of Generosity (1 Timothy 6:17-18)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Allowing God to Have a Say Over our Money (1 Timothy 6:19)
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
WE’LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK MIDTOWN!
STAY CONNECTED:
Midtown Sacramento: Instagram | Facebook
Midtown Elk Grove: Instagram | Facebook
