Servanthood and Stewardship

February 17, 2019 |
Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:5 | Series: |

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2 Corinthians 4:5: For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.


*Romans 6:17–18, 20-23; 1 Corinthians 7:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 1 Corinthians 4:7

 

 

  1. Servanthood

“Fellowship involves sharing what we have with others. One of the most valuable things we can share is ourselves: our time, our talents, and our energies in serving one another in the Body of Christ.”  —Jerry Bridges

 

  1. The Christian’s call to serve. (Hebrews 9:14).

 

  1. Servanthood is modeled by Jesus’ _________________.

Philippians 2:5-8; John 13:14-17

 

  1. Servanthood is mandated by Jesus’ _______________.

Mark 10:43-45

 

  1. Servanthood is motivated by Jesus’ _______________.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

“We should serve God not just because it is a duty, because serving him is much more than that. We should serve God because it glorifies God. He is worthy of everything we can do for him and his church. Wouldn’t you agree?” —Donald Whitney

 

  1. The marks of Christian service:

 

  1. Christian service is __________________-centered.

Colossians 3:23-24

 

  1. Christian service is _______________________-focused. Galatians 5:13

 

  1. Christian service is characterized by _______________.

Philippians: 2:3-4

 

  1. Christian service is ______________________________ by the Spirit of God. 1 Peter 4:10-11

 

  1. Giving expression to servanthood in our church family
  2. Spontaneous ministry opportunities
    2. Structured ministries of the church
  3. Stewardship

“Christian stewardship is the management of life and all its resources for the glory of God.” —Murray J. Harris

 

  1. The reality of stewardship. Psalm 50:10-12
  2. The purpose of stewardship.

 

  1. In the Old Testament (Genesis 14:20; Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 14:22-24).

 

  1. In the New Testament (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).

 

  1. Giving to support the needs of _____________:

Acts 4:34-35

 

  1. Giving to support the church’s ______________ so they can devote their time and energies to serving the church: 1 Corinthians 9:13-14

 

  1. Giving to support the ______________________ of the gospel: Philippians 4:15-16

 

  1. The practice of _______________________ illustrates important guidelines and provides a helpful starting point for regular giving to the church.

 

  1. Believers are commanded to financially support the local church where they receive care and training. 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14; Matthew 10:10

 

  1. In the New Testament, obedience to God’s law is intensified due to the transforming work of the Spirit in light of Christ’s work on the cross. In the same way, our giving is not merely to be thought of as “paying our dues,” but should flow from the giving of our entire selves to God. In light of this, tithing is a reminder of God’s ownership of us, and is an appropriate starting point for our giving.

2 Corinthians 8:3-5

 

  1. We are to give _______________________ and ______________________. 1 Corinthians 16:2
  2. Offerings over and above our regular giving provide for special needs, specific ministries, care for the deserving poor, and the expansion of the gospel. Acts 4:34-35

 

  1. The character of stewardship. Luke 16:11-13; Matthew 6:19-21

 

  1. Giving is to be ______________________, not stingy. 2 Corinthians 9:6

 

  1. Giving is to be ________________________________, not grudging. 2 Corinthians 9:7

 

  1. Giving is to be ________________________________, not haphazard. 2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 11:29

 

  1. Giving is to be _______________________________, not showy. Matthew 6:1-4

 

  1. Giving is to be with ___________________________, not anxiety. Malachi 3:10

 

III. Participation in God’s church is a ______________________.

 

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down here what you would say:

 

Today’s Lunch Discussion: 1. Considering our introductory Scriptures, does your lifestyle reflect the Christian teaching that you are not your own? 2. What areas of your life need to more accurately reflect your identity in Christ? 3. Are you an active or passive participant in the church? 4. Do you see serving the church as a duty or as a privilege? 5. Are you faithfully stewarding God’s resources He has entrusted to you? 6. Do you waste money on temporal things? 7. Does your giving reflect that you are living for God’s glory alone?

 

Brian Hendry, the Lead Pastor of Providence Church, is passionate about proclaiming the glory of God in the Gospel, and faith that practically applies to all of life. Brian and his wife Lilliana have four children. He also co-founded and led a classical Christian school in San Diego for 17 years. He holds a B.A in Biblical Studies and enjoys reading, good food and coffee, sports, and travel.