Who is Steward? - Sermon Series - Sermon Three: Mental Things
by Chris Cumming
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In part one of this five-part sermon series; I opened with the parable
of the Unjust Steward. The key verse I quoted was Luke 16 and verse
two:
Luke 16:2
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of
thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer
steward.
The lord here is asking for an accounting… “Give an account.” Give a
statement of your expenses and of your conduct while you have been
steward.
The purpose of Part One was threefold:
1. Define what a steward is.
2. To encourage you to give an account before your Lord.
3. To instruct you in being a good steward.
In Parts 2-5 we are going to continue in our instructions in being a
good steward. We will, in turn, discuss Physical, Mental, Emotional and
Spiritual stewardship. Today is Part 3 of the series and discusses our
Mental Stewardship.
Let us begin with a few more scriptures on general stewardship.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
1 Peter 4:5
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the
dead.
This verse is confirmed and clarified in 2 Timothy 4:1
2 Timothy 4:1
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Mental Stewardship
There are many subject areas we could discuss under the heading of
Mental Stewardship. We will address three:
1. Worry
2. Education
3. Peace
1] Worry
As many of you know, I did a whole sermon on this subject entitled, “8%
Real.” I will borrow a bit from that sermon here.
We know that worry can be a problem for some, if not many. In that
sermon I spoke about exchanging worry for bold concern. In the opening
statements of that sermon, I stated that we worry about everything.
That alone calls for dedicated stewardship…stewardship in giving up
worry for bold concern and management of the many objects and
circumstances that seem to generate or are the focus of the concern.
Action steps from the Bible
Psalm 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
2 Timothy 2:1-4
2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Isaiah 35:3-4
3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
James 1:2-6
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Faith is key here for Worry wars against faith. It gets between you and
Faith and if it gets between you and Faith, it gets between you and God.
Therefore, if one is always steeped in worry and getting further and further from God, WORRY BECOMES SIN. Worry must be stopped before it becomes a sin. Remember Romans 14.
At this point I want to give you four (4) practical steps for ridding your life of worry.
1) Go to God in Prayer.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Jude 20-21
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Proverbs 3:5-6
(Trust in God)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Psalm 86:1
Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Psalm 86:3-5
(He
even shows us how to pray)
3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
2) Immerse Yourself in God’s Word
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Psalm 119:114-117
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Psalm 119:147-149
147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me
according to thy judgment.
3) Stop Worry at your Gates
Remember my sermon on City Gates?
Cast away each worry as it hits your gate. Interrogate each worry and see which kind it is:
40%--will never happen
30%--things of the past that can’t be changed
12%--criticism of others, mostly untrue
10%--health problems
8%--real problems……and what do we do with those?
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never
suffer the righteous to be moved.
1 Peter 5:6-10
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
4) Exchange Worry for Bold Concern.
Some have asked the difference between “worry” and “concern”. It is
rather easy to tell these two elements apart:
Worry has no plans, only pain. Concern has a plan of action and the
added elements of boldness and energy. Worry has no inherent energy; it
saps energy. Concern redeems the time; worry saps your time. Worry is
defeat. Concern is a path toward triumph and success. So cast away your
worries and exchange them for Godly concern and you will know peace and
joy.
Remember the words of William Marshall…
“Worry is faith in the negative, trust in the unpleasant, assurance of disaster and belief in defeat…worry is wasting today’s time to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles.”
2] Education [understanding,
knowledge and wisdom]
Aristotle once said, “Education is the best provision for old age.” Now
that you are a firstfruit I want to take what he said a step further…
“Education is the best provision for the Kingdom of God.”
Let us look at a set of verses that show that God gives us education and
this results in us being righteous and the fact the righteous receive
eternal life in the Kingdom of God
1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an
understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that
is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal
life.
Proverbs 2:7
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them
that walk uprightly.
Matthew 25:46
the end of the parable of separation of the
sheep and goats.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal.
Scripture often uses the words knowledge, understanding, and wisdom
interchangeably, but occasionally they are spoken of as separate and
distinct.
Knowledge is the facts. Understanding is the ability to lift the meaning
out of the facts, and Wisdom is knowing what to do next.
Knowledge is facts, information and memory work. The source is
often Scholars.
Understanding is meaning, principles and reasons. The source is
often Teachers.
Wisdom is about what to do next, application of understanding and
therefore actions. The source of wisdom is wise men and women on earth,
but ultimately the sources are prophets and apostles, God the Father,
Christ and the Word of God.
The Bible is full of knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
Knowledge 169 verses
Understanding 156 verses
Wisdom 222 verses
Knowledge & Understanding 11 verses without Wisdom or 20 with.
Knowledge & Wisdom 23 verses without Understanding or 32 with
Understanding & Wisdom 44 verses without Knowledge or 53 with
Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom 9 verses, all but one in the Old
Testament
In our stewardship we must manage both worldly education and spiritual
education. Under worldly knowledge and understanding, we must know how
to do our job or career. We must know how to care for a family and a
home. If we own a car, we must know how it works and what it takes to
keep it maintained and running. We must know how our body works and how
to maintain and manage our health. The worldly knowledge list could go
on for hundreds of subjects.
In the realm of spiritual education, we must know the plan of God and
all of its elements. We must apply wisdom and action in the Salvation
Process and all its focus points. We must manage our immersion into and
our absorption of the Word of God. We must turn immersion into
character and action.
How does God give us knowledge and wisdom?
1 Corinthians 12:8
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the
word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
Has God ever filled a human with worldly education?
Exodus 35:30-32
see also Exodus 31:3
30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called
by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in
understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in
brass.
How can we learn to hate every false way?
Psalm 119:104
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false
way.
How do we increase learning?
Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of
under-standing shall attain unto wise counsels:
This phrase “attain unto wise counsels” means a man of a
spiritual understanding arrives to the knowledge of the wise counsels of
God; the doctrines of the Gospel, which are the "whole counsel" of God;
are recondite [rĭ-kŏn'dīt']
wisdom, the hidden wisdom of God [meaning
of “recondite”], which no wisdom of man is comparable to.
We know from Proverbs 1:7 that fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge but is it also true that God gives us the wisdom, knowledge
and understanding?
Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and
understanding.
Are we to rely on our own understanding at any time?
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.
If I keep wisdom and understanding, will I find good?
Proverbs 19:8
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth
understanding shall find good.
I want to refer to the commentaries on a couple of things here.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own
soul - Wisdom and knowledge in things natural and civil; and
especially in things divine, spiritual, and evangelical; particularly he
that gets Christ, the Wisdom of God, and a saving knowledge of him.
~ John Gill
he that keepeth understanding shall find good
- retains the wisdom he has got; holds fast instruction, and keeps it,
which is committed to him; abides by the doctrines of the Gospel, and
does not depart from them; keeps the ordinances of it, which it is his
wisdom and understanding to do; he finds his account in all this; he
finds that which is good, good for him now and hereafter; he finds
Christ, and life in him; peace, joy, and comfort in this world: and, in
the world to come, glory, honour, and happiness.
~ John Gill
If we consider the words of God,
will He give us understanding in all things?
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Notice the commentary on the last part of the verse:
and the Lord give thee understanding in all
things - in all the above things, and in all others; in all the
doctrines and mysteries of grace, and in all the rules of conduct in
life. No man has of himself an understanding in spiritual things; this
is the gift of God; and where it is given there is need of an increase
of it, and always of such a prayer for it. The Alexandrian copy, Vulgate
Latin, and Arabic versions, read, "the Lord will give thee", &c, and so
the words are a promise, an encouragement to Timothy, to consider well
of these things; for he might assure himself, that, in so doing, God
would give him more understanding in them.
~John Gill
In my stewardship, am I to be buying wisdom and instruction and
understanding?
Proverbs 23:23
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and
understanding.
How does one buy the truth here? Notice the commentary:
Buy the truth
- Acquire the knowledge of God at all events; and in order to do this,
too much pains, industry, and labor cannot be expended.
And sell it not - When once acquired, let no consideration deprive thee of it.
Cleave to and guard it, even at the risk of thy life. Coverdale
translates: “Labour for to get the treuth; sell not awaye wissdome.”
~Adam Clarke
How does a steward make his Godly Father glad?
Proverbs 29:3
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company
with harlots spendeth his substance.
On this verse, see
Proverbs 10:1
which says, in part, “A wise son maketh a glad father.
Does wisdom strengthen me more than a bunch of mighty men?
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the
city.
As a steward I am of Christ. How did God make Christ unto me?
1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
In other words, Christ is my wisdom, righteousness and understanding.
Christ is everything good in and through us. Our stewardship is
allowing Him to work all these things in and through us. We are
invoking.
How do I apply all these things to the things I saw and the
meditation of my heart?
Psalm 49:3
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be
of understanding.
The word, “wisdom” here is “wisdoms of Christ. This verse is linked to
Matthew 12:34 which says that out of the abundance of the heart, the
mouth speaketh.
In light of all we have considered in this section, what is my
spirit-driven prayer for all of you?
Colossians 1:9
my
prayer for you is the same as Paul for the Colossians
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray
for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his
will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Let this be the prayer we have for each other.
3] Peace
Looking at the first two portions of this sermon; getting rid of worry
and attaining, by the power of God, righteous education, it would seem
that the natural outcome for my Mental Stewardship is Peace. Let us
see…
In collecting verses on peace I notice the first two I found were in the
scores of scriptures I gathered for Education.
What is one of the Godly attributes we find in the wisdom of God?
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy.
How is peace multiplied unto us?
2 Peter 1:2-3
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,
and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
called us to glory and virtue.
In the Kingdom of God will education bring peace to the people?
Isaiah 54:13
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the
peace of thy children.
Now more of God's Word on peace of mind:
Before Jesus left us physically after His death and resurrection,
what did He leave us?
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid.
If I choose to be spiritually minded, what do I receive?
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace.
In our stewardship of life, what should I seek after?
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another.
Does keeping the Law of God bring me peace?
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Why is it so important that I seek after and invoke peace in my
stewardship?
Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see
the Lord:
Did the sacrifice of Christ bring me peace?
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his
stripes we are healed.
When Christ returns, there will be no end to His government. What
else will have no end?
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon
the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish
it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The
zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
In 2 Thessalonians, Paul calls Jesus the Lord of something. What?
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The
Lord be with you all.
What kind of peace does God promise for us now and ultimately in the
coming Kingdom?
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
What is meant by "in perfect peace" here? Notice the commentary...
In perfect peace -
Hebrew as in the Margin, ‘Peace, peace;’ the repetition of the word
denoting, as is usual in Hebrew, emphasis, and here evidently meaning
undisturbed, perfect peace. That is, the mind that has confidence in God
shall not be agitated by the trials to which it shall be subject; by
persecution, poverty, sickness, want, or bereavement.
~Barnes Notes
Are we to plan peace? Is the planning stewardship?
Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors
of peace [those
who plan peace] is
joy. Notice the commentary:
but to the counsellors of peace is joy
- such who consult the good of others, who advise to peace, concord, and
unity; who seek to cultivate it in their families and neighbourhoods,
and in the church of God, in which, if they succeed, they have joy and
pleasure; if not, they have a satisfaction, in their own minds and
consciences that they have done what is right and good; such have a
conscience peace now, and an eternal one hereafter; or, as Aben Ezra
calls it, the joy of salvation
~John Gill
How are we to go to bed and sleep?
Psalm 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest
me dwell in safety.
The K&D commentary [Kiel & Delitzsch]
says, "Thus then he lies down to sleep, cheerfully and peacefully." The
JFB says, "sleep in sure confidence and quiet repose." The Treasury of
David says, "I shall not sit up to watch through fear."
Verse 4 of Psalm 4 says to commune with your own heart upon your bed
and be still. According to John Gill, "to be still" means to cease
from all your rage and fury against God and against people.
What is effect of being righteous according to Isaiah?
Isaiah 32:17
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of
righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Does being in the Salvation Process bring us peace?
Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ: