Is there any difference between the Lord’s money and my money?

• Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit. Before the land was sold and the money given to God, it was under their control. When they brought the money to God, it was under apostolic control.

• The Lord’s money is still under apostolic control.

• I Timothy 5:16 – The individual was given a different responsibility than the church.

Since there is a difference, are there any restrictions on how the Lord’s money is used?

• II Peter 1:3

• II Timothy 3:16-17

• Yes, the usage is restricted.

Since there are restrictions, how is it restricted?

• The Lord’s money can only be used for what He has specified.

For what is the Lord’s money to be used?

• The local church is authorized to provide for means to worship God.

• I Corinthians 9:14 – The local church is to support men to preach the gospel.

• II Corinthians 11:8

• Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-36 – The local church should relieve needy members in some circumstances.

• What is the difference between using the Lord’s money for kitchens and fellowship halls and using instruments for worship? They both go beyond what is authorized.

Who is to oversee the use of the Lord’s money?

• Acts 20:28

• Elders of local churches have this responsibility. Their responsibility extends only to the work of their own local church.

I John 2:15

II Corinthians 2:11

Self-deception

• Luke 18:9-14

• I Corinthians 6:9-11

• James 1:22-27 – Be a doer of the word! Don’t deceive your own heart.

• I John 1:8-10

• Be honest!

Defensiveness

• Genesis 3:13

• Galatians 5:14-15

• Be humble! II Samuel 12:13 is a good example of humility in the face of sin.

  • Psalms 51:1-4

Busyness

• Luke 8:7, 14 – Don’t let the worries of this life choke out your good intentions!

• Don’t dog paddle in the waters of busyness!

• Luke 10:38-42

• Luke 14:16-24 – Don’t reject God’s invitation!

• Luke 12:29-31

• Make God your priority!

Acts 3:6 – The lame man received two things much better than he expected: healing and the gospel!

Acts 3:11-26 – Peter’s 2nd sermon

• Acts 3:14-15 – Peter accuses the people of disowning and murdering Jesus.

• Peter cites three lives of evidence:

  • Acts 3:15 – Jesus’ resurrection.

  • Acts 3:16 – Jesus’ power healed this man.

  • Acts 3:18-25 – Prophecy.

Acts 4:4 – The message was what had caused people to believe and obey!

• Philippians 1:12-14 – The devil can’t stamp out the message!

Light speed and light years

Genesis 1:1-5, 14-19

Psalms 147:4-5

The earth’s oceans

• Genesis 1:6-10, 20-23, 31

Ephesians 1:4, 7

Isaiah 46:9; 55:8-9

Job 38:4-11, 16, 18-19; 40:2; 42:1-6

Hebrews 12:28-29

Matthew 13:47-50 – The good and bad will be separated in the end.

Luke 16:24

Romans 8:21

Hebrews 2:3

I Peter 1:3-4

Matthew 27:54

Revelation 21:11, 18-23

Let us make time in our busy daily lives:

• To stop!

• To focus!

• To appreciate the vastness of:

  • God’s creation!

  • God’s plan!

  • God’s punishment!

• And be in awe!!