Faithful Stewards

February 9, 2024

Romans 12:1–2 (NIV) 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV) 1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards (NIV: those entrusted with) of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards

(NIV: those who have been given a trust) that they be found faithful.

God calls all believers to be Good Stewards.

What is a Steward?

A Manager, an Administrator,

Someone who is trusted with the responsibility to manage and care for something that belongs to someone else.

In the biblical sense, Stewardship is:

-Taking care of the blessings, talents, and resources,

(Time, Talents, Treasures, Testimony) that God has given us.

-Being faithful, diligent, and wise in handling these gifts,

Recognizing that they belong to God.

and are to be used for His glory and purpose.

Believers are called to be Good Stewards of what God has given to us.

Stewardship extends to all areas of life.

This includes our bodies:

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Being a Good Steward starts with

Being a Good Steward of your Body.

Then we can be Good Stewards of our Time, Talents, Treasures, Testimony.

Offer Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice.

Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

We are Urged to:

-Offer our bodies as a living sacrifice.

-Posses a Passion to Honor Jesus in all areas of your Life.

This comes from Gratitude to Jesus for Salvation, Grace, Mercy.

A Thankful Heart is expressed by being a Living Sacrifice for God.

When you are truly thankful for the New Life we have in Christ,

Living for Christ becomes your Priority.

1. Your Body does Not belong to you.

It belongs to Jesus.

Titus 2:14 (NLT) He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NLT) 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

2. Don’t live in the Flesh or be Carnal.

Romans 8:5–8 (NIV) 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

The flesh or being carnal refers to

preferring to please self or fulfill sinful desires.

The flesh or being carnal Leads to

death, disappointments,

Living by the spirit

Leads to Life and Peace.

3. True Godly worship is a lifestyle that brings honor to Jesus

Through or actions and word.

John 4:23–24 (NIV) 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

What good is it if:

You serve in the House of God

but what you Do and Say in the world does not honor God.

We must have a good testimony in the world.

We cannot be in sin and have a good testimony.