Pastor Jon Burgess
January 24, 2016 - W1604

 Good morning. Let’s take out your notes and read at the top of the page Psalm 24:1-2:

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. For He laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.”

So He owns everything. He owns the land, He owns the sea, He owns you, and He owns me.

We had over 800 of you last week take the jump in tithing. You either said, “I'm already giving God my 10 percent, and I'm going to keep doing it for 2016.”  And a bunch more of you said, “You know, I've never really done that before, but I'm going to take God on the 90?day giving challenge, I'm going to put God to the test.  I'm putting him first in my finances,” and this is what you're doing. You're letting the God who already owns you have it all back again, and watch what happens when He does. Watch what happens when He gets it all!

1.      I'll either live life as one who is owned by God or one who is owned by fear.

I'll either live life as one who is owned by God Almighty, the God of heaven and earth that we just read in Psalm 24, or I'm going to be owned by fear. Who are you going to hand the keys to? That's what I want to know. Who gets the contract to your heart? 

And a lot of us live our life kind of in this back?and?forth struggle between can I trust that God is for me, or am I going to try and do it myself out of fear and control? Now, Jesus hits this straight?on. In fact, many of us just read through this if you're reading through our Bible and Life Journal at Luke chapter 12:29?32.

Jesus just got done teaching us about how we must not let worry consume our lives, and look at what he says here.

In Luke 12:29-32 it says:

"Don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world. But your father already knows your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else and he will give you everything you need. So, don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the kingdom." 

God isn't someone who is going to fight you. No. This is invitational. He's inviting us into a fresh place of freedom when he's calling us to stewardship, and we simply have to recognize who's truly in control.

Let’s take a look at,

The Ownership Principle in Person:

If I am owned by the shepherd, then I am his sheep.

Luke 15:3?5 says,

"So Jesus used this illustration: ‘If you had one hundred sheep and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety?nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?" (I love this part.) ‘And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders.’”

In other words, you are very valuable to Him.

If I'm owned by the Father, then I am his son/daughter.

That is why the Bible says:

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" (Luke 11:11-13)

We know that even though we make mistakes all the time that at least we're going to care for our kids, and Jesus's point is if even your earthly parents will do that, how much more will He give you? The Holy Spirit will bring you everything that you need when you need it.

And, finally, the last part of the imagery that Jesus uses for why we don't have to be owned by fear – If I am owned by the King, then I am His servant.

Luke 10:2, 8-9 says,

"The harvest is great, but the workers are few … If a town welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you and heal the sick. As you heal them say, 'The kingdom of God is near you now.'"

Jesus said it gives your Father great happiness to give you the kingdom---and likewise to give other people the kingdom. So He wants you to serve by spreading the Word of God.

You see, He's not giving lollipops to everybody and promising a chicken in every pot. No. He's doing so much more than that. He's saying that whatever is His, now belongs to you because you are a kingdom citizen. You belong to Him. You operate according to a different set of rules, a different set of laws, and that's always going to be in conflict with the world around you. 

And here's what I want you to know, that when you serve the King, who knows but God just whom you might lead to salvation that not even Billy Graham could have lead to the Lord. You never know what can happen because it's on God's agenda, it's on His time, it's according to His plan, and we're not here to serve ourselves. We're here to serve Him.

2.      When I trust God with everything, He can trust me with anything.

Look how Jesus continues here in Luke 12:33?37. 

"Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes.  Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you are waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded.  I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!"

The ownership principle in person.

As His sheep, I'm going to trust the shepherd's timing. Are you going to trust God’s timing?

As His son/daughter, I'm going to receive my Father's guidance.

I'm going to trust the shepherd's timing. I'm going to receive my Father's guidance. 

As His servant, Will I enjoy His providing?

And will I be thankful for what He has given me?

Will you trust His guidance right now? He has brought you to this moment.  He has guided you to this place where you understand that as you've been trying to do it on your own, as you've been willfully disobedient against Him, that your Father isn't sick of you.  He's not tired of you.  He loves you and wants to bring you home.  And your King wants you to enjoy life as you never have before. 

Will you enjoy the fact that He has brought you to this moment? He has provided this entire setup right here because you're His servant. I just ?? I want you to make sure you don't walk out of here without knowing Him as the one who owns everything. What that means is if you've taken it, will you give it back? Give it all back. Let's pray.

Questions:

1. Why does God own everything?

2. Why should we trust God with everything?

3. Why should we enjoy His providing?

4. Why is it important to appreciate everything that God has given you?

5. What are some stories in which you were blessed by God?