We are told the Lord blesses a cheerful giver and that we reap what we sow. Either way, for the Christian it must involve faith.
Deuteronomy 26: Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes
1 "When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it,
2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there.
3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, 'I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.'
4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God.
5 "And you shall make response before the LORD your God, 'A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous.
6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labour.
7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.
8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders.
9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God.
11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.
12 "When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled,
13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.
14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me.
15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.'
16 "This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.
17 You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice.
18 And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,
19 and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honour high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised."
Things to think about…
The Israelites inherited the land as wandering ‘Aramean’s’, Dt 26:5. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had been promised the land even though they themselves did not inherit it. Moses desired to enter but could not. Sometimes this is the case for the Christian. Sometimes we do not receive what our hearts desire straight away. What are you patiently waiting for and praying about…perhaps a job, or relational peace or better health. Rest and trust in the Lord’s timing, knowing when He works it will not be done by half measures. Egypt was a long season, but it was only a season nonetheless, vs 8.
What are the firstfruits of blessing that the Lord has given you, Dt 26:10? Not just your finances, but your time, your qualifications, your knowledge. What can you give to the Lord or His body that would honour Him as an act of worship?
3. Integrity of heart as a Christian is of primary importance for those who profess Christ. The Israelite had to confess before the Levite that he was offering the first and best of what he had, Dt 26:10-14. This was an important act of faith so that the Lord would continue to bless the new land which they had just inherited.
4. Giving of the best was not all that was required to receive the Lord’s blessing. Obedience and the keeping of the commandments was also required, Dt 26:16-19. What are the commandments required to be kept by us today? We are not required to keep the Levitical Law, but in what ways are we called to obey the Lord. Are we bound by Ten Commandments or is there more? What does it truly mean to be under grace and not the law? Some of these questions are being pondered by Jewish Christians in Israel. There does seem to be a falling back into food laws and the sin of Peter (Gal 2:11-14) by some parts of the Messianic Jewish community. Pray for the freedom to see that grace has fulfilled the law and that true obedience means listening to Christ’s words of interpretation of the OT law.
Vision Point
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Questions for Cell groups
Sunday’s sermon, “Testing, testing” came from Deut 13 by Ps Jay.
1. Jay mentioned failing a test and not having a dream fulfilled. Have you ever failed a test? What were the consequences?
2. Deut 13 is a very difficult passage to read. What do you think about the reasoning of having to stone someone to death simply for suggesting that you follow after another god?
3. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, Heb 13:8. He is the Word, the Logos. He is the judge of the living and the dead. We will be judged by His word. As we live in a generation that changes or softens the word, 1Tim 4:1-5, 2 Tim 4:1-4. How do we apply grace and truth? How do we know we have the balance right?
4. Pray for your cell group and through the prayer points to help us achieve our Vision/Mission as a church.
Prayer Points
1.Pray for Victoria and the rise in Corona virus cases. Restrictions are maintained for that state.
2.We return to church with 2 services starting on the 12th July – one at 8:30am and one at 10am. Pray for the implementation through this next phase.
3.Continue to pray for peace in the west and virus recovery measures.
4.Jesse Baxter has badly broken his arm and badly injured both wrists. Pray for quick healing.
5.Pray for thepresent turmoil going on with the riots in America. Pray for Christ’s peace. Also for other countries including Australia that often ride on the back of these events.
6.Pray for wisdom and clarity with some restrictions are being lifted next month.
7.Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
8.Sunday’s fb live messages and for Kids church. The message this week – “Tithes and offerings” Deut 26 – Pr Jay.
9.Our online Chuwar Kids at church program – that our kids still feel connected to church and love worshipping Him.
10.Pastoral care. Pray people feel connected in this isolation period. Been great catching up with people at the Bean Redeemed café.
11.Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
12.Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times. Pray especially for people to be stable with respect to mental health.
Praise Points.
1.Dylan Brandazzi who was at Recharge Youth a few years ago has been involved in a traffic altercation. I heard from his family that he is healing well. Praise the Lord.
2.Jesse Baxter is gaining strength in his hands, praise the Lord.
3.This wonderful rain.
4.Restrictions being lifted – cell groups can now meet up.
5.Finances being maintained and donation to Café roof. Thankyou! New temporary cover put on this week.
8.Streaming and fb live being done very well by the technical team. Thanks Doug, Dan, Jesse and Peter. Thanks worship team.
9.Australia’s response to the infection has been blessed. Continue to pray for wisdom with respect to our economy.
10.Praise the Lord churches are functioning well in this environment and the gospel is going out in the media.
11.Encouraging online comments – the church is still functioning well and people are being cared for.
Announcements
1.We are going to two services starting on the 12thJuly. First service will start at 8:30am. The second at 10am. Only the 10am service will be live streamed.
2.Pray about offerings to help with putting a roof over the café. Our temporary white shade has come to the end of its life. $6k required for a new roof. Architect currently drawing up plans.
3.Cell groups can meet up – Ask for details as to how and what is required.
4.New church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5.Kids Church now streamed live at 9:00am every Sunday morning via CBC’s fb page. Will be run in the house for the 10am service starting on the 12thJuly.
