SEEKING WISDOM SEEKING TRUE WEALTH Sunday Experience February 28

We're so excited you've joined us this morning to hear this message on living well and finding life in God's word from Lead Pastor, Cole Beshore.

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Message notes by Cole Beshore, February 28 2021

SEEKING WISDOM: SEEKING TRUE WEALTH

1) THE DANGERS OF WEALTH:

James 5:1-6

Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.

Worthless wealth | v. 1

Harding clutters our heart | v. 2-3

Luxury, self-indulgence and injustice destroy our soul | v. 4-6

2) TRUE WEALTH:

James 5:7-12

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

Courageous patience vs. getting even | v. 7-8

Gratitude vs. complaining | v. 9

Perseverance–crashing through the quitting points | v.10-11

Truth telling | v. 12

“But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!… By the earth!’… Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”

Matthew 5:34,35,37

3) TWO COURAGEOUS DECISIONS

1. TAMING THE MONEY MONSTER

Earning

Work is not curse – joining God in the world. Diligent. Paid work unpaid work

“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.”

1 Timothy 5:8

Budgeting

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

Proverbs 21:5

Generosity

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”

Proverbs 3:9-10

2. EMBRACE PATIENCE, ENDURANCE AND INTEGRITY

Take the long view:

Look to what God has done.

Look for what God is doing.

Tell the truth