Bible Text: II Timothy 3:14-17 | Preacher: Pastor Ken | Series: Stewardship
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a steward as someone who is responsible for the careful management of something of value that has been entrusted into his or her care.
Here at Abundant Life we believe we are responsible for how we invest or steward, our Time, our Talents, and our Treasures.
John 1:1-4, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of him.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 But you must continue in the things which you have learned…you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Luke 12:35-44 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.  Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching…But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Luke 12:35-44 Then Peter said to Him, Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
Matthew 25:14-15…28-30 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling 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.
Matthew 25:14-15…28-30 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 22:37 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment…
Deuteronomy 6:1-7
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth…
James 1:1-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:12-18 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
James 2:14-26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also…
1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth
James 3:1-12 – The Power of Our Words
James 4:1-10 – Living Humbly
James 5:7-13 – Patient Persistent Prayer
James 5:13-18 – Healing Prayer
Question we all must answer:
How am I different because of what I have integrated into my life and behaviors from what I learned in our study of James?
Questions that lead to integration, that lead to change:
So what do I do now?
What do I need to change with the help of the Holy Spirit?
A behavior
A habit
A belief
How do I want to treat my family, friends, spouse, children, co-workers, or others differently?
What activities do I need to change, start or stop?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls.  For he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
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Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.