Dr. Gary VanDeWalker

July 19, 2009

Evangelical Free Church of Mount Shasta 

Adapted from a series from LifeChurch

I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT I CAN DO IT MYSELF

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.

1.      Poor Richard

2.       You trust your own efforts to provide

·         Happiness

·        Security  

But God doesn’t balance your good deeds against your bad

3.      THE #1 COMPETITOR FOR OUR HEARTS IS MONEY.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for  money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6: 10

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13

TWO RICH MEN ENCOUNTER JESUS

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Luke 19:8

4.      WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS

1)      YOU BECOME STRANGELY CONTENT.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  1 Timothy 6:17-19

·         You don’t worry about what other people think anymore

·         Pride and self-love and never far from our grasp

·         You realize you can’t do anything without God’s help

2)      YOU BECOME IRRATIONALLY GENEROUS.

When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
Malachi 1:8 

…No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

·         You become willing to lose anything when it’s for God’s Kingdom

·         Your first pleasure comes from pleasing God