FEBRUARY 14, 2016 SERMON NOTES Invest with Certainty 1 Timothy - PDF document

FEBRUARY 14, 2016 SERMON NOTES Invest with Certainty 1 Timothy 6:17-21 Pastor John Sloan Introduction : Popular songs over the past few decades declare boldly all the things money can’t buy: love, happiness, respect, etc. And while many people would enjoy the opportunity to learn by experience the emptiness of riches, there’s one thing every Protestant Christian accepts: God’s forgiveness cannot be bought. Salvation cannot be purchased with money. And yet, both Jesus and the apostles seem to indicate that there is some correlation between wealth and eternal blessing. 01. 02. 03.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY 1. In what ways does money often lead to pride and self-reliance? 2. Read Proverbs 23:5. Why is it foolish to place our trust in our money? What are some things that can easily cause it to disappear? 3. Are you characterized by generosity? How so? 4. Why should a Christian experience earthly pleasures (food, drink, art, nature, intimacy, etc.) more deeply and joyfully than an unbeliever? 5. What does the fact that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (verse 17) tell us about the nature of God? 6. God’s greatest gift was the sending of his Son to die. It was also the most costly. Why?

FEBRUARY 14, 2016 SERMON SLIDES Invest with Certainty 1 Timothy 6:17-21 Pastor John Sloan 1. Read 1 Timothy 6:17. 2. 01. Nothing produces self-reliance like wealth; and self-reliance is the single greatest barrier to saving faith. 3. “They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else… These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!...They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, they ask…’Does the Most High even know what’s happening?’ Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.” - Psalm 73 NLT 4. Read 1 Timothy 6:18. 5. 02. Wealth and dependence on God can co-exist, through gratitude and generosity. 6. “We need to guard our hearts against the love of riches… All love for earthy goods, however, is not a sin. Their sweetness is a drop of his love and they have his goodness imprinted on them. They kindle our love for him as love tokens from our dearest friend. Loving them is a duty, not a sin.” - Richard Baxter 7. Read 1 Timothy 6:19. 8. 03. The way we perceive (and use) our money will cause us to either miss or grab hold of eternal life. 9. Read 1 Timothy 6:20-21.