Community Life Church Gulf Breeze, Florida

LIVING GENEROUSLY  "The Love of Money"

In our second week of Living Generously, we study the Apostle Paul’s instruction to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul prepares this young pastor for ministry in Ephesus. This letter covers many topics ranging from theology to basic community life instruction.

Our focus comes from chapter 6 in which Paul offers insights about wealth and the dangers of allowing life to be consumed by its pursuit. This chapter informs our understanding of Living Generously by reminding us that a life of service and generosity leads to the storing up of treasure that is real life in Christ.

Living Generously   "The Love of Money"

In our second week of Living Generously, we study the Apostle Paul’s instruction to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul prepares this young pastor for ministry in Ephesus. This letter covers many topics ranging from theology to basic community life instruction.

Our focus comes from chapter 6 in which Paul offers insights about wealth and the dangers of allowing life to be consumed by its pursuit. This chapter informs our understanding of Living Generously by reminding us that a life of service and generosity leads to the storing up of treasure that is real life in Christ.

The Widow’s Offering

In our first week, consider one of the most famous giving passages in scripture, the widow’s mite found in Mark 12:38-13:2. This short story has stood as the standard lesson on proportional giving. The central figure of this story is a widow who chooses to present an offering that goes beyond generosity. This offering was all that the widow had to live on and represented literally the giving of her life. Jesus contrasts her gift with that of those giving out of their abundance. We are left to determine what lesson is to be garnered here.

 

Our task in this first sermon is to wrestle with the text leading into this story and immediately follow it to determine if we may have misunderstood the point Jesus was making. Could the widow’s gift be proof of Jesus’ rebuke lodged at the scribes just a few verses prior? Was this sacrificial gift offered as a result of scribes who made a practice of devouring resources while losing sight of their responsibility to care for those like the widow? We will unpack, working through the text, to see what lessons can help shape our hearts as we strive to live generously.

: The Widow’s Offering

In our first week, consider one of the most famous giving passages in scripture, the widow’s mite found in Mark 12:38-13:2. This short story has stood as the standard lesson on proportional giving. The central figure of this story is a widow who chooses to present an offering that goes beyond generosity. This offering was all that the widow had to live on and represented literally the giving of her life. Jesus contrasts her gift with that of those giving out of their abundance. We are left to determine what lesson is to be garnered here.

 

Our task in this first sermon is to wrestle with the text leading into this story and immediately follow it to determine if we may have misunderstood the point Jesus was making. Could the widow’s gift be proof of Jesus’ rebuke lodged at the scribes just a few verses prior? Was this sacrificial gift offered as a result of scribes who made a practice of devouring resources while losing sight of their responsibility to care for those like the widow? We will unpack, working through the text, to see what lessons can help shape our hearts as we strive to live generously.

The closing of Habakkuk’s writing is profound. This prophet has been challenged to the greatest degree of his faith. His response to this challenge is found in chapter three. He writes a song of worship. In this song, Habakkuk echoes the story of faith for the Israelites and proclaims God’s salvation and strength to be found in the struggle. This song of declaration can be taken as an affirmation to all who have experienced injustice. God can be trusted!

Join us as we sift through Habakkuk's words to see what hope is offered as we struggle through a world of injustice. Maybe his song of worship can be one that we decide to cling to.

Habakkuk starts Chapter 2 by expecting to receive an answer from God. This begs the question, how do we listen to God? What happens if God’s response is not what we expect? Are we willing to be challenged?

In this chapter, we find God willing to go to great lengths to see justice prevail. But, the unfolding of God’s story seems incomprehensible to Habakkuk. The lessons we learn in this dialog teach us about the nature and character of God. The chapter ends with Habakkuk declaring that the Lord is in his temple. In other words, God is on the throne and fully in control.

Join us as we study chapter two and consider the unique ways that God responds to injustice.

Habakkuk starts Chapter 2 by expecting to receive an answer from God. This begs the question, how do we listen to God? What happens if God’s response is not what we expect? Are we willing to be challenged?

In this chapter, we find God willing to go to great lengths to see justice prevail. But, the unfolding of God’s story seems incomprehensible to Habakkuk. The lessons we learn in this dialog teach us about the nature and character of God. The chapter ends with Habakkuk declaring that the Lord is in his temple. In other words, God is on the throne and fully in control.

Join us as we study chapter two and consider the unique ways that God responds to injustice.

Why does evil seem to thrive? Does God even care? Why would God allow this to happen?

Have you ever found yourself pondering the answers to these questions? You are in good company. Habakkuk, one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament, has a full-blown conversation with God about injustice. He questions, wrestles, pushes, and processes God’s response.

In chapter one, Habakkuk lodges his complaint with God. A response quickly follows but God assures Habakkuk that he will not be able to comprehend the degree to which God will go to ensure that Justice prevails. As usual, God is correct.

Join us as we study chapter one and contemplate what God has to say about injustice and what our response should be.

Every year at Community Life Church, we set aside at least two weeks to bring focus to our Recovery Ministry. Celebrate Recovery is an international recovery program that follows 12 steps linked to Biblical truth. We believe that every person is in recovery from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits The ultimate goal of this series is to normalize recovery and connect people to Jesus. For each of the two weeks, Celebrate Recovery volunteers will participate in various aspects of the services. Rolls range from greeting, opening prayer, and welcome to sharing a testimony.

 

We invite you to follow this service and pay special attention to the testimony. We pray that you will discover someone who recognized their brokenness and decided to take steps toward healing. If you would like to find out more information about Celebrate Recovery or to attend a meeting click here, or for questions, you can email Steve.

Every year at Community Life Church, we set aside at least two weeks to bring focus to our Recovery Ministry. Celebrate Recovery is an international recovery program that follows 12 steps linked to Biblical truth. We believe that every person is in recovery from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits The ultimate goal of this series is to normalize recovery and connect people to Jesus. For each of the two weeks, Celebrate Recovery volunteers will participate in various aspects of the services. Rolls range from greeting, opening prayer, and welcome to sharing a testimony.

 

We invite you to follow this service and pay special attention to the testimony. We pray that you will discover someone who recognized their brokenness and decided to take steps toward healing. If you would like to find out more information about Celebrate Recovery or to attend a meeting click here, or for questions, you can email Steve.