Over the past several weeks we have been preparing ourselves for something that we have never done.  We are preparing ourselves for our first annual benevolence offering.  An offering designed and designated to directly benefit the Poor - those that are less fortunate.  We have been looking at some scriptures that talk about giving to the Poor.  Asking ourselves do we give to the poor, and when do we give to the poor?  And then last week we asked ourselves do we care about the Poor?

Title.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  We are living in a very strange and interesting period of time.  I believe with all my heart we are living in the last days.  We are at the end of the world.  There are things that are happening and have been happening that just shouldn't be.  In the news...  Are these the signs of the second coming of our Lord Jesus?  At the same time in the church...  It just feels like half of the Church is asleep when at any moment just like He came the first time Jesus could appear and rapture the Church.

I am led by the Holy Spirit this morning to minister about the kingdom of God.  I want to ask you to pay very close attention to what will be said here because of the times that we are living in.  Things appear to be getting out of control in the world around us.  And the question could be asked where is God in the midst of all this?  A kid shoots up a school?  Two well known preachers died due to covid?  What in the world is going on?

Yet some in the Body of Christ would have us to believe that God is in control.  Really?!  Well if He is in control down here, then He sure has everything in a mess.

John Wesley wrote in an article during a time of war and great tribulation in the world.  He said, "It seems as though God is limited by our prayer life.  It's as though He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him."

God has limited control in the earth.

So my assignment for today is to ask and begin to answer the question, "Where does God dominate?"

**John 12:1-6 (NKJV) 1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s [son,] who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

Not that he cared for the poor.

People who take issue with churches that teach what God says about money and prosperity are aligning themselves on the wrong side of the table.

Seems like there are some people at FFC that don’t like how much we talk about it.

The first murder (sin) was over an offering.

You could say Judas murdered Jesus over an offering.

So guard your heart when it comes to the subject of prosperity.

John 12:5 (NLT) “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”

Should the church give to the poor?

But that’s not the issue here. Jesus was constantly giving to the poor.

**John 13:29 (NKJV) For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy [those things] we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

The issue was that he was a thief. God says of His children that are not tithing that they are robbing Him.

Be addicted to giving God praise!

I want to begin talking to you over the next few weeks about Giving to The Poor.  On December 12 we are going to have a special offering to benefit the poor.  It will be our first annual Special Benevolence Offering.  The goal and idea of this offering is simply to benefit those that are less fortunate.  We have Faith Projects.  These are things that we are believing for and as a result sowing or saving towards.  And rightfully so, we should always have Faith Projects.  Now, our Faith Projects are directly and indirectly self benefiting.  Do you know what I mean by that?

For example, we are currently saving seed to sow into other churches while we believe for the harvest of our own debt free facilities.  This Special Benevolence Offering is also indirectly self benefiting.  What?  We are going to sow into the poor specifically for their benefit.  However, because we are giving to the poor it is also indirectly self benefiting.  You just can't beat God giving, no matter how hard you try.  The more you give, the more He gives to you.

You can see the evidence of what I am saying in these foundational verses.

Proverbs 19:17 - He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,

And He will pay back what he has given.

NLT - If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—

and he will repay you!

ESV - Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will repay him for his deed.

NIV - Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

CSB - Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD,

and he will give a reward to the lender.

Do you really think that the Lord is one for one in this verse?  No way!  When He does something it's not according to our standards, it's always "according to His riches in glory."  So let's just say you will be rewarded.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Giving thanks for the little blessings leaves room for bigger blessings. 

Thanks Giving 

I want to begin talking to you over the next few weeks about Giving to The Poor.  On December 12 we are going to have a special offering to benefit the poor.  It will be our first annual Special Benevolence Offering.  The goal and idea of this offering is simply to benefit those that are less fortunate.  We have Faith Projects.  These are things that we are believing for and as a result sowing or saving towards.  And rightfully so, we should always have Faith Projects.  Now, our Faith Projects are directly and indirectly self benefiting.  Do you know what I mean by that?

For example, we are currently saving seed to sow into other churches while we believe for the harvest of our own debt free facilities.  This Special Benevolence Offering is also indirectly self benefiting.  What?  We are going to sow into the poor specifically for their benefit.  However, because we are giving to the poor it is also indirectly self benefiting.  You just can't beat God giving, no matter how hard you try.  The more you give, the more He gives to you.

You can see the evidence of what I am saying in these foundational verses.

Proverbs 19:17 - He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,

And He will pay back what he has given.

NLT - If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—

and he will repay you!

ESV - Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will repay him for his deed.

NIV - Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

CSB - Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD,

and he will give a reward to the lender.

Do you really think that the Lord is one for one in this verse?  No way!  When He does something it's not according to our standards, it's always "according to His riches in glory."  So let's just say you will be rewarded.

I have dreamed again.  When was the last time that you let yourself dream?  When was the last time you removed the limitations in your mind of your current life situation, your income, your savings & retirement, your education, your age, etc., and let yourself dream?  Well I am directed of the Lord to tell you, "It's Time to Dream Again!"