Land Debt & Development Offering

from Pastor Lane

The Lord continues to move in a mighty way among the people called LifePoint! He has enabled us to purchase 17 acres of land for future site development, and that future continues to get closer and closer. This property will be a great blessing and missional advancement for LifePoint as we establish a facility to operate from for building the church, reaching out to our city, sending people out to the world, and planting churches around the world. LifePoint currently operates on approximately 1.25 acres. By statistical standards, LifePoint should be able to effectively minister to approximately 150 people. That was great 3 years ago, but woefully insufficient today. When you consider the opportunities this new property offers, it is incredible to think how God will use this land to impact the Ozark region and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

LifePoint has paid approximately $290,000 towards the property, in the past two years, above regular operating expenditures. The LifePoint people have followed the Lord and given sacrificially and generously above regular tithes and offering! As growth continues, it is important to develop our operating budget in addition to paying off the debt on the land. This means that the Elders and Stewardship Team are asking you to continue giving your regular tithes and offering as well as giving above and beyond that amount toward the land debt. The Elders and Stewardship Team hold a strong leading to take the need before the Lord and make the need known to the people, believing that God’s people will respond to his leading. You, God’s people, have been faithful! We continue to pray, place our need before God, and communicate with you in order to move forward.

Sunday, 27 April, LifePoint will receive a special offering in both worship experiences to pay toward the balance and development of the land. We ask each member and regular attender to pray, to ask God to reveal their offering of sacrifice and bring it as an act of worship on this day. (If you are not able to bring it on the 27th, you can bring it at another time.)

Biblical principles (2 Cor. 8-9) guide Christ-followers in giving:

1. Financial giving begins in offering oneself to the Lord
2. Generous giving should be practiced from poverty and from wealth
3. Sacrifice is essential in Biblical giving
4. Each should determine his own gift
5. Giving should be done cheerfully, with joy
6. Every giver should trust God’s promise of grace as they determine their gift.

LifePoint, let’s come together on our knees before God, surrender our lives to him, ask him to do a mighty work among us and be obedient to follow him in all that he calls us to. There is a great harvest before us!

Principles to Guide Grace-Motivated Giving

from Pastor Lane

Giving to the Lord is a great blessing in the life of a Christ-follower. Scripture teaches and reminds of the measureless blessing of God to those who are faithful in giving their money to the Lord’s work. I want to share nine principles that Scripture teaches in order to guide giving by grace. Included with each principle are questions to help you discern the genuineness of this motivation. I pray that these principles encourage and guide you as you seek to glorify God in the giving of your money to his kingdom work.

1. Systematic. Giving should be on a regular, systematic basis: weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, etc. This is also in keeping with the biblical principle of first fruits; our first and best should be collected at the beginning of the week, set aside, and brought before God.

   Discern: Am I faithful to give regularly or do I only give when I feel like it? What systematic structure do I use for giving?

   On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum. —1 Cor. 16.1–2

2. Proportional. Giving should be according to one’s income, as you have been prospered and according to your ability.

   Discern: Do I give according to my income or only according to my feelings toward giving? How do I decide an amount to give?

   Each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income. —1 Cor. 16.2b

   They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. —2 Cor. 8.2–3

   The gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. —2 Cor. 8.12

3. Sacrificially generous. Give not only what you can afford to give, but beyond that, what you believe God would have you to give, trusting him for your provision by your gift.

   Discern: In what ways am I sacrificing in life in order to give generously? Am I willing to make intentional sacrifices in order to give beyond my ability? When have I done/will I do this?

   Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity…they gave…even beyond their ability. —2 Cor. 8.2–3

   I have received the gifts you sent…They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. —Phil. 4.17–18

4. Intentional. Giving to God should be an intentional response of worship to him, and not an afterthought or reaction.

   Discern: When/How do I decide what I will give? Through a systematic, financial budgeting plan? Sunday morning when I arrive?

   They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in the service to the saints. —2 Cor. 8.4

   For even when I was in Thessalonica you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. —Phil. 4.16

5. The motivation of love, equality among God’s people and blessing should guide all giving. This expresses a passion for God, a compassion for people, and a complete dependence upon his blessing in life.

   Discern: Do I give out of love for God and the gospel? Do I give because I desire to see God’s glory spread throughout the earth? Do I give because I trust and earnestly desire God’s blessing?

   For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. —2 Cor. 8.9

   Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. —2 Cor. 8.12–14

   Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —2 Cor. 9.6, 10–11

6. Cheerfully. When one gives, it should be done with a cheerful spirit, full of joy.

   Discern: Do I experience real joy in giving or am I hesitant and regretful? Do I even think about my emotions in giving; whether it is a joy to me or not?

   Each man should give…not reluctantly…God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Cor. 9.7

   God loves (blesses) a cheerful and generous man. —Prov. 22.8

7. Voluntarily. Giving should be done as an act initiated by God’s grace and for his glory. One should not give because of coercion or manipulation or guilt.

   Discern: Do I give because I want to and am eager to find these opportunities? Do I feel like I give because I am coerced in some way?

   Each man should give what he has decided in his own heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. —2 Cor. 9.7

8. Excel in giving. As our relationship with Christ grows, so should our giving to him. As our income grows, our giving should grow as well. One should seek to excel in the amount as well as the proportion given.

   Discern: Have I excelled in my giving through the years? How? Has my giving grown in amount, frequency, maturity, etc?

   Just as you excel in everything…see that you also excel in the grace of giving. —2 Cor. 8.7

9. Promise of grace’s all-sufficiency. God sustains us through his grace. The more one grows in his grace, the more one comes to trust it for all things.

   Discern: Where do I not trust God’s all sufficient grace in my life? How am I not resting in it daily? Where does money have a hold on my heart and life as an idol of worship that I must denounce?

   And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. —2 Cor. 9.8

   And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. —Phil. 4.19

In all, our motivation for giving is love for Jesus. We cannot make him love us more or less through our giving, but we come to love him more as we practice giving more to him. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give” can be difficult. This is not an open excusal for people to just give whatever they want, but rather a principle teaching how to give by grace. Too many Christians take no time with their ‘hearts full of Christ’ to decide what to give, but only rather what their pocket book says is allowable to give, without too much effect. What we fail to realize is that when we give in this way, we have shown ourselves to have given from our heart for Christ, or rather the lack thereof. Without utilizing these principles to guide our giving, it is unlikely that we will honor God with our wealth and give by grace.

Money & Identity: Moving Beyond Obligation to Grace

from Pastor Lane

Money…it makes people do funny, stupid, and unbelievable things…not unlike this video of the Flying Lizards illustrates.

Why do we hold such a strong desire for money? I love the answer that James MacDonald gives: “Because we believe money can do things that only God can do.” The truth is, money is only temporal and cannot sustain our needs. “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Prov. 11.4). Nevertheless we continue to put our hope in it, believing that it will make us happy, content, appreciated, feel better about self or accepted by others.

When money is esteemed as providing for life what only God can provide: provision, security, safety, purpose, etc. we place our hope in it and establish our identity and value in life by it. Proverbs 18.11 says, “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.” When do I know that my hope is in money? When I think more highly toward those with money because I see that their house is nicer, their clothes are newer, their car is better, their luxuries are more abundant, and in all of these things I cannot help but think how much better my life would be…not with all of them, for that would be greedy…but maybe with only a few of them.

When must I confess that my identity is wrapped up in my wealth? I must confess this when I think less highly of those that do not, or at least do not seem to, have money. My thoughts toward others that may, or at least seem to, have less are not as high in respect. I may even have a thought of pity toward them because their clothes are not as nice, their car or house is not as new. I must confess this when I’m hesitant to let my kids play with theirs or to bring them too close in my life. Sure, the excuses that I put forth to avoid awkward situations are sound reasons that make complete sense. But the deeper thoughts of motivation rest with other perceptions.

When can I be sure that my trust is in my bank account? When I have the opportunity to give it away, even some of it, for purposes that I know to be God-ordained and yet I cannot let it go. I’m willing to give some, but not enough to in any way endanger my security, my safety, or my separation from the part of the world that I want nothing to do with.

The Christ-follower as Disciple & Missioner: Part IV

by Pastor Lane

Last Sunday I recommended a book to help if you needed an aide to begin to understand the importance of disciplines in your life or how to begin this disciplined life…or maybe just an encouragement to begin again in a disciplined practice. Here are three links to books that I would strongly recommend you read regarding this matter:

• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Once a Christ-follower understands what it means to be a disciple, being a missioner is the natural development. A missioner is actively engaged in making disciples of all people of the world. As missioner, Christ-followers transfer the value of transformational grace to other people. Several components are inherent in this life as missioner. In order to share the gospel, one must be able to articulate the gospel message correctly and effectively. This is in order to invest in the life of another person. Our understanding of the gospel will grow throughout our life, but an initial understanding is all that is required in order to begin sharing it. One must learn to live missionally in order to prioritize sharing the gospel. This means that life should be lived with margin, leaving space in schedule, finances, energy, resources in order to intentionally focus on building relationships with people. A third practice that must be engaged in is studying and understanding culture in order to engage it. When we study the habits and practices of people in the world, we come to understand the idols and strongholds that people have in their lives that blind them or harden their hearts to God and the gospel. When a Christ-follower knows these idols and strongholds, they can communicate the gospel as it address the deepest needs of people and impact their lives with the power of its truth.

What a beautiful plan that we, Christ-followers, get to participate in. I challenge you this week…who are you developing a genuine relationship with in order to share the gospel?

The Christ-follower as Disciple & Missioner: Part III

by Pastor Lane

Transformation impacts life through biblical thinking. Not a pattern of thinking that reflects the wisdom of man, but one that has learned the wisdom of God. Sin corrupts our mind by evil knowledge, thoughts, patterns of thinking and human/worldly wisdom and rationale. Consider Romans 8.5–7a regarding the mind:

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. the sinful mind is hostile to God.

When one is transformed by the righteousness of Christ into Christ-likeness, it occurs by the renewing of the mind.
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. —Rom. 12.2b

Transformation impacts life by understanding how the gospel transforms a life from within to daily practice. When one receives Christ (conversion), a growing awareness of God’s holiness and of the flesh and sinfulness emerges. The gospel shows how my sin has been atoned for by Jesus’ blood, Jesus’ righteousness has been attributed to me and how I am to live in freedom through forgiveness. People often look at mature Christians and falsely believe they no longer struggle with temptation, that their sinfulness is in some way less severe or that they have just overcome sinfulness. Maturity in the Christian life is learning to apply the gospel, recognize the temptation that lead to sinfulness and battles it at its core. The closer you get to root of sin in life, the more intense the battle with it becomes. The practice of sinning/committal of sins is the fruit of a root sin in life. If you wait to battle it until it begins to show itself in action, victory is near impossible. Sin must be killed at its core. Maturity in the Christian life is the gospel growing our awareness of God and self, understanding how Jesus’ righteousness has given victory over our sin and living, by faith, in the victory that he has given.

Transformation impacts life by disciplined participation. Personal participation in relationship with Jesus is essential to transformational growth. Essential personal disciplines include Bible reading, memorization and meditation, prayer, giving, fasting, confession, and witnessing. These disciplines build our relationship with Jesus. Journaling is also an important discipline as I use it to enhance and guide my prayer and Bible time. Community participation is essential to growth. Essential community disciplines include church membership (connecting with a local body of Christ/church), worship, tithing, study, fellowship and serving.

The Christ-follower as Disciple & Missioner: Part II

by Pastor Lane

As a disciple, we are transformed by God’s grace through self-denial, sacrificed and suffering to grow in authenticity of Christ-likeness. Transformation impacts life through authentic living. Established in Christ’s righteousness, authenticity is the way we begin to live when we trust that Christ has imputed his righteousness upon us. A disciple learns to live in the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ Jesus. Not by any other form of righteousness that comes through good works, good thinking, intentions, or otherwise. The gospel reveals righteousness from God to us, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last (Rom. 1.17). God made him who knew no sin to become sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5.21). God’s grace frees us from living in our own self-righteousness or worldly righteousness to rest in Jesus’ righteousness that comes through faith.

There are several killers to this authentic living that we must beware of. An unrepentant spirit can kill authentic living by hardening one’s heart toward God and allowing sin to blind them and deceive. Perfectionism takes ones fear of being wrong or ‘not perfect’ and causes them to build in standards, other than God truth, to live by. Controlling tendencies, a fear of losing control or being controlling toward others, can lead a person to manipulate and rationalize sin in life in an effort to practice ‘sin management.’ Discontentment kills authentic living by living to please others and working to make others think more highly of us than we think about ourselves. It can also cause us to be ungrateful or greedy, consumed with wanting more in life. Contentment is too often believed to be related to material possession. Paul says that contentment is to be learned in every situation, regardless of the circumstances (Phil. 4.11) “but godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6.6). Legalism kills authentic living as it bases righteousness on an adherence to a set of rules, striving to make one feel better about themselves and appear better before other people. It establishes a pseudo-righteousness based on one’s set of rules or legalisms. Inevitably it can begin to impose that same set of rules onto others. Authenticity killers are anything that creates a righteousness based on something other than God’s righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus alone.

The Christ-follower As Disciple & Missioner: Part I

by Pastor Lane

The Great Commission calls Christ-followers to make disciples (Matt. 28.18–20). God’s grace empowers a life to fully experience the gospel of Jesus Christ every day and extend that grace to others. This is the ethos of the Christian life, to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God (disciple) and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people (missioner).

A clear understanding of the biblical definition of disciple is important to embrace what it means to follow Christ. Several passages guide our teaching and show that a disciple is marked by three distinctives: self-denial, sacrifice, and suffering.

If any man would come after me, he must deny himself, take us his cross daily and follow me. —Luke 9.23

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. —Phil.1.29

Self-denial is essential because without it we will impose our will upon our way and not follow Christ. We cannot follow Christ without first denying self. No man can serve two masters (Matt. 6.24). Until you know that you are not your own master, you will not follow Christ as your master. Sacrifice is essential because we will always default to self-preservation and pursue the poshest comforts of life. Jesus modeled a life of sacrifice in all things. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us (1 John 3.16). Suffering is essential because it produces perseverance that develops Christ-like character that results in hope. And hope in Christ never disappoints (Rom. 5.3–5). Jesus was made perfect through suffering (Heb. 2.10), and when we suffer for Christ’s sake we are to rejoice that we have been counted worthy to suffer for his name (1 Pet. 4.13).