Today’s sermon addresses three reasons to consider giving first to your local church.

1. The tithing pattern in the Old and New Testament

2. The church is God’s “Plan A.”

3. Giving to the local church is an investment in our family, neighborhood and the nations.

This sermon addresses how to develop a plan for managing our money in a way that best aligns with what the Bible teaches. When we prioritize our spending God’s way, we invite Him to move powerfully in our lives.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells the parable of the sheep and the goats to illustrate that having a heart for the poor reflects a heart transformed by God. The Father has a heart for the poor; therefore, He blesses people so that they can help others.

Our relationship to our money and possessions is an indicator of our spiritual health. The goal is to be spiritually healthy. Are we setting our minds on earthly or spiritual treasures? Delight in spiritual treasures because 1. It is lasting 2. It is life giving 3. It is freeing. Watch/listen to learn ways to break free from money’s hold.

In Matthew 25:14-30, we learn three key principles from a parable Jesus shared with His disciples.

1. God owns everything

2. We manage the resources God entrusts to us according to His expectations.

3. We are responsible for how we manage God's resources.

We learn in Jonah chapters 3-4 that no one is beyond the reach of God's saving grace. In chapter 4:10-11, God calls attention to Jonah's attitudes of apathy and judgement toward the Ninevites. Like Jonah, we should examine our hearts for the presence of apathy and judgement toward those who need our compassion.

Like Jonah, we also should pray desperate prayers for these reasons:

1. God responds to desperate prayers.

2. Desperate prayer closes the distance with God.

3. Desperate prayer transfers control to God.

4. Desperate prayer reorients our worship.

5. Desperate prayer leads to obedience.

6. Desperate prayer brings deliverance.

Pastor Nate begins a three-part message on the book of Jonah. We learn from this prophet that (1) running from God is dangerous; and (2) God pursues runners in order to win them back to Himself.

The Old Testament book of Ruth is a story of friendship, love, loyalty and redemption. Ruth experienced the gift of redemption from her mother-in-law Naomi, her kinsman Boaz and God. We too receive redemption by God through Christ when we understand (1) our need; (2) our inability to redeem ourselves; and (3) that our redemption must come from outside of ourselves.

The prophet Malachi addresses the Jewish people regarding the covenant God made with them beginning with Abraham. The primary message of the book is contained in Chapter 1:1-5. We see: (1) God's covenant commitment; (2) Israel's callous condition; and (3) God's perpetual proof of His love.