Quiet Times Search

1. Types of Debt
   1. Legitimate
      1. To meet real needs, to provide for necessities (e.g. home mortgage)
      2. To enable you to earn a living (e.g. auto loan, educational loan, business loan)
   2. Sinful, Foolish
      1. To make purchases which are not essential (e.g. entertainment items, vacations, etc.)
      2. Borrowing what you cannot repay or do not know when you can repay.
      3. Borrowing at excessive rates of interest (credit cards).
2. Borrowing
   1. As Christians, borrowing should be an exception, not the rule.
   2. God calls those wicked who borrow and do not repay. (Psalms 37:21)
   3. Let your "yes" be "yes." When you borrow, repay on time. (Matthew 5:37)
   4. When you borrow someone"s property you are responsible for it. For example, if you borrow someone's car and get into an accident, you are responsible to pay the cost of repairs.
3. Lending
   1. Do not charge interest when lending to a brother in need. Have compassion and do not add to people's burdens. (Exodus 22:25-27)
   2. Be generous in lending to those in real need. (Deuteronomy 15:7-8)
   3. Do not lend expecting repayment; therefore, do not lend what you need to get back. For example, do not lend out money you need to pay your rent, expecting the borrower to repay you on time. (Luke 6:34-36)
   4. Do not lend or give money to someone, especially a brother who is idle or unwilling to work Do not lend to people if it promotes their irresponsibility, laziness, or self-indulgence.

• Make a list of your debts. Contact your creditors, ask for forgiveness and let them know your intention to pay in full.

• Humbles us because we have receive from others
• Shows us the true disciples of Christ

• Whose heart might open?
• Whose attitude might soften
• Who might get curious and start asking spiritual questions?

• Just witnessed 5,000 people being feed
• They were looking for free food but in reality they had to work at it find it
• The bread they needed was to spend time to know about Jesus - the bread of life
• Are you searching for the right kind of bread?
• The search and hunger for God does not end when we are baptized, it only begins
  

• We need to find God like hidden treasure
• God does not change but our viewpoint changes
• Example - Engagement ring to a couple verse the a jewelery store owner

• Money, worries, wasted time choke out our hunger for him
• During the holidays this becomes a bigger issue

• They asked for a miracle but they had already forgotten about the miracle they just saw - feeding the 5,000
• The work is to believe - it takes work to believe
• NOT working to get salvation but we need to work at our salvation

• Money
• Relationships
• Control over resources

• God is love but he also just and holy
• There is no sin that can go unpunished
• This the parents dilemma - should I punish or let it go?
• God can not let anything go because of his nature
• We do not have to have all the answers - not our "wisdom" but God's wisdom

• In him all things hold together
• How God can be just and for us to have salvation because of the blood of Jesus
• It all comes through Jesus Christ

1. Age 4 - Going potty
2. Age 12 - Having friends
3. Age 17 - Having a car
4. Age 35, 45, 55, 65 - Having Money
5. Age 75 - Having a car
6. Age 80 - Having friends
7. Age 85 - Go potty

• Deversity in the church
• Strong Marriage
• Unity

• Acceptance
• Future
• What others think

• If you asked a person who is street smart or the person on Wall Street or just a person who watches a lot of TV, what is at the heart of the world’s wisdom about how to live?
  
  • “Look out for number one.”
    
  • “Get what you want.”
    
  • “Get the power, the pleasure, the control you want.”
    
  • “Get the money.”
    
  • “Protect yourself.”
    
  • “Guard your rights.”
    
  • “Maintain your independence.”
• And so what is at the center of man’s wisdom? Self! (See 2 Timothy 3:2)
  

• What is Jesus’ message? How is it the opposite of the world’s message?
  
  • Deny self– “disown” (Matthew 26:34). We renounce our old self, our old approach to life.
    
  • Take up the cross (instrument of death). Die to ourselves.
    
  • Follow Jesus. Make his life our model. Jesus life is a demonstration of his message.
    
• What does Jesus say will be the bottom line for those who “save their own lives”? For those who foolishly lose their lives for him?
  

• What is everything on the left side (world’s wisdom) called? Sin.
  
• What is everything on the right side (God’s wisdom) called? Love.
  
• How have you lived according the world’s wisdom?
  
• Have you ever made a decision to renounce it?
  
• Which side was Peter still on (though he was religious)?
  
• Which side are you on?

• Job
• Money
• Internet
• Pain

• Evangelism? Jesus' reason for being here
• Quiet Times? Jesus got up early and make effort to get away to do so
• Christian Fellowship? Jesus was a friend even to Judas

• We are concerned with how we look
• Jesus is concerned with your heart

• They found the most important thing and sold it all to find it
• They knew what they wanted

1. How closely are you looking at how you live?
2. Why should you always watch what you are doing?
3. How would your life change if you were always watchful?

1. Your time
2. Your money
3. Your feelings
4. Anything else of yours that you value

1. What will you be judged for on the last day?
2. Why is it not enough to simply give money to beggers?
3. Which of the six things listed in verses 35-36 have you done recently?
4. Who are we really ignoring when we neglect the needy?

1. What does it mean to be "hard-hearted" or "tight-fisted"?
2. What kind of giving does God expect from you?
3. Who are some of the poor and needy around you - and how are you going to help them?

1. What are some small acts of kindness that will not be forgotten by God?
2. How can you help the needy even if you have little money?

1. Why was Martha distracted?
2. How was she feeling?
3. What are some things you have let distract you this week?
4. Are you more like Martha or Mary?
5. What did Mary choose?
6. How was it better?

1. What does it mean to be "choked"?
2. What is the result?
3. What are the worries/money and business concerns/pleasures that are keeping you from growing more?

1. Why do we need to stay alert and ready for Jesus?
2. How does Jesus feel when we get distracted from our purpose and start doing other things?

1. What does God promise to those who seek him with all their hearts?
2. Are you seeking him or something else?

1. What should make you content?
2. What will a desire for money and things do to your life?
3. How does someone "wander" from the faith?
4. What other desires could make us wander?

1. What do you learn from this widow's example?
2. Think of at least 3 reasons she could have given to be "stingy".

1. Have you decided to give generously to God?
2. Are you giving that amount regularly?
3. What does God promise to those who give freely?
4. How does your giving benefit others, God, and yourself?

• What sinful situations are you holding back on?
• Have you decided to get so close to God that you would be that disciple making great impact?
• Do people think of zeal when they think of you?

• Romans 1: 21 - being ungrateful can be at the root to many sins in your life
• Luke 7: 36-50 - those who are more grateful show a greater capacity to love.
• Luke 17: 11-19 - the thankful are commended before God.
• Psalms 50: 5-23 - note that the sacrifice that means the most to God is one of 'Thanks!'

Summary

Sarah died in Kiriath-arba and Abraham asked the Hittites for a burial site. He bought a cave at full price from Ephron and buried Sarah there.

Observations

Genesis 23:6 - Listen, my lord, you are an honored prince
Abraham's reputation was above reproach. Those who invest their time and money in serving God often earn a good return on their investment - a good reputation and the respect of others. He was in front of the elders of the land to witness this as a legit transaction (v16). No one could say Abraham stole and cheated someone in this first recorded real estate transaction. He simply waited on God to fulfill his promise in his own timing. Unlike Jesus' disciples, Abraham did not have a battle plan on how He would take the land. [Matthew 26:52]

Genesis 23:15 - Land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends?
Abraham paid the initial price even after refusing the land as a gift time and time again. He was not trying to take anything he didn’t deserve. Even though God had promised the land to Abraham, he was did come with a attitude that he owned the place. Instead, he waited for God's timing and will to fulfill his promise. Like David, he did not want to take what was someone else's and give it the Lord. [1 Chronicles 21:24]

Application

What kind of reputation do I have at work, at home, and at church? What do others say about me? How has that helped or hindered me?

Do I become impatient in waiting for God's promises? Do I try to fulfill God's promises for him?

Do we avoid giving when it really costs us something?

Prayer

Lord, help me to have the faith to wait on your promises and to always be ambassador of yours no matter where I am.

He jumped up, stood on his feet and began to walk - Acts 3:7-8

That is the power of a transformed life

This man was not looking for a miracle

The apostles had no money to give him but they did not leave him empty handed

Get up your mat and walk and he took off running and leaped and praise God

Thousands likely turned to Jesus Christ from the personal testimony of one man - Acts 4:4

A changed life is a powerful testimony to the reality of the gospel

You may not feel qualified to a large crowd about Bible doctrine or deep theology but can certainly testify to what God is doing in your life

Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven - Matthew 19:21

He was a good man who kept God's commandmetns,yet he was aware of an empty place in his life

Jesus called him to leave everything behind and follow him

The rich man wanted to follow Jesus but not as much as he wanted to hang on to his stuff

This reluctant young man ended his life as a sad case of unfulfilled potential

Neve see Jesus' call to follow him as a deal breaker

Motives can be everything

The Bible insists that God sees not just what we do but also why we do it

Example: Balaam spoke blessings on the Isreal three times but he was denounced in scripture as an evil man

Joshua tells us that the only reason Balaam didn't curse Israel was because God made hime speak blessings - Joshua 24

Balaam was considered a false teacher who:

• Lured unstable men into sin - 2 Peter 2:14
• Loved money by doing wrong - 2 Peter 2:15
• Showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel - Revelation 2:!4

Do you obey God from the heart? Do you find yourself doing the right thing for the right reasons?

Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple - John 2:15

Jesus became angry times when he saw authorities have a lack of love and true faith in his heavenly father

He espcially got angry this time with the money changers who were greedy in their dealing with those pilgrims trying to purshase sacrificial animals

Jesus always directed his anger at things that stood in the way of God's purposes for mankind

Do you express your anger over the same kind of issues that angered Jesus?

When you become angry, ask yourself:

• Is it for the right reason?
• Is it for the right people?
• Is it at the right moment?

Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do what you've said - 1 Kings 17:13

When you speak and demonstrate your faith openly, it is bound to infect others

It seemed Elijah was the only man with faith in Israel but he didn't let that stop him speaking God's Word who desparately needed to hear it

Drought had led to famine, God sent a woman with little money to feed

Elijah didn't allow the lack of wealth affect his faith and persuaded the woman to share what little she had

She never again lacked food for herself or her son

Faith isn't real unless you put it to work, don't worry about running out - God will give you what you need

With his wife's consent, he kept the rest - Acts 5:2

Ananias was apparently a strong leader at home, unfortunately, he took his family in horribly wrong direction and paid a heavy price

He was among the 1st generation believers who sold their property, pooled their resources, and cared for those in need

Ananias sold his property but instead of bring all the money to the apostles, he keep some of it for himself

There was nothing wrong with keeping some of the money - Acts 5:4

Where is failed was when he lied about him giving all of it

Ananias lead his family in the wrong direction, where are you leading your family?

One of the greatest reward of leading your family in a godly direction is to see them grow too

May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought - Acts 8:20

Intense self-examination is needed to know if we are doing things for the right reasons

Simon the Sorcerer had a big problem with inappropriate motivation:

1. Heard the apostles' preach
2. Accepted their message
3. Been baptized
4. Still missing something

He had some very real power - people called him "the Great One - the Power of God" - Acts 8:10

Simon approached Peter and offered him money in exchange for the power to lay hands on people and give them the Holy Spirit

He appeared to want God's power to make a profit

Peter scolded him for believing money had anything to do with God power

Joel and Abijah were not like their father, for they were greedy for money - 1 Samuel 8:1-3

Samuel's sons showed the far reaching consequences of loving money more than God

They were appointed judges but were corupt and greedy men who "accepted bribes and perverted justice"

Their evil behavior hastened the end of era of judges and Israel's step toward nation rebellion 

The Hebrew people demanded a earthly king rule over them instead of relying on their heavenly king

When Joel and Abijah chose greed over contentment, they failed God and his people

Does contentemnt or greed dominate in your life?

They are honest and trustworthy men - 2 Kings 22:7

The unnamed men who supervised the restoration of the Temple were so honest that Josiah ordered the high priest to stop keeping accounts of the money they spent to repair God's holy Temple

Josiah wrote what amounted to a blank check to get the work done

Why? Because they had already proved themselves faithful

How do you conduct yourself when no one is watching?

When you demonstrate integrity in everything you say and do, you earn the trust of those in authority over you

Common taunt of Scribes and Pharises that Jesus was a friend of sinners

He was friendly to the lowest and the best of society, a trait which created great scandal

These three statements about Jesus spoke a lot about how Jesus' heart toward others:

• He saved himself; he cannot save himself - Mark 15:13
• He went about doing good
• Friend of sinners

They tried to use his friendiness against him

Example: Tax collectors - ones who gathered taxes by any means nessary including by extortion or other dishonest measures

• Considered traitors to their country
• Objects of hatred and scron
• Their money was considered tained and not accepted in the synagogue
• Their oath was worthless
• Could not be a witness in a court of law
• Pelted with sneers by passers by
• Looked as wild beasts

Jesus made friends with them despite these truths

It was one thing to talk down to a bad man and give good advise, it is another to eat with them

Jesus cross the chasm over which no man was willing to do in that day and lost his reputation for the sake of being brotherly/friendly

Made himself nothing because he was determined on being firendly to all - Philippians 2:17

Everyone is part of the human race, children of God, despite what they have done

Many in our country can't handle the most important truth but demanded it in our lives from those in our lives:

• Spouse
• Doctors
• Stock Brokers
• Courts
• Employers
• Airlines
• News Organizations
• Road Signs

Health, Money, Safety and relationships require truth but not so much for morality or religion? why?

Usually more volitional objection not intellectual - don't want to be held accountable

We need to answer four questions about truth:
What is truth?
Can truth be known?
Can truth about God known?
Who cares about truth?