Prosperity Gospel

Below is a message I shared in my brother-in-law's church. I trust you all will find truth and encouragement in it. I do believe in a "prosperity gospel,"...hang on! let me qualify that. :-) I believe that any man or woman who abandons themselves wholeheartedly to God will prosper. This does not mean there is no such thing as a poor Christian.

While I believe that God does desire to bless us materially, as an earthly father wishes to give good gifts to his children, God also knows our frame that we are just "dust." He also gives to each man what he is able to carry or what He desires each man to have. This is different for everyone.

This also does not mean that Christians will not face great privation or persecution. History alone shows that is not true. Jesus also guaranteed we would face hardship and persecution in this world.

Thus I believe that spiritual prosperity is God's preeminent goal and material prosperity is a limited side effect experienced by some as God so chooses. Wherever He places us on the scale, we should be content while always seeking to maximize the "talents" he has given us. This is the duty of a "good and faithful servant."

Abounding Through Abandoned Abiding

Introduction:

Did you know the Lord loves us? I mean really loves us! Too often we become accustomed to hearing those words and we forget how truly powerful they are. “But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That is powerful, but it doesn’t stop there. Calvary enables us to become His children. His love goes beyond Calvary. He wants to share with us the love of a Father and Child (we are joint heirs with Christ).

Matthew 7:11 – God is better than earthly fathers

Hebrews 12:6 – He chastens

Romans 8:28 – He has our best interests at heart.

This love of the Father is intense and powerful but many of us never take advantage of the intimacy abundantly available to us. Tonight I want to talk to you about abounding through abandoned abiding.

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

Story: Job 1:1-3, 8-12 (& tell 13-22) {See story Appendix}

I. Abandonment (Job 1:21)

A. Foundational: This utter surrender to is the foundation upon which intimacy is built. (Job 2:10)

B. Essential: Know how to be abased and how to abound (Philippians 4:12)

C. Three Dimensional: The great Commandment (Matthew 22:37)

1. Heart – Life/Circumstances

2. Soul – Will/Core of you/Eternal part of your being

3. Mind – Desires/Dreams/Plans/Wishes

II. Abiding (John 15:4/1 John 2:28) Psalm 25:4,5

A. This is the key to remaining abandoned and to be in a position to abound.

B. The Old Saints Lived It. – Rees Howells

C. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him….”

D. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:21-2

III. Abounding – Greek: “perisseuo” – superabound, exceed, over above
A. In Love – 1 Thess 3:12
B. In Hope – Romans 15:13

C. In Faith – Colossians 2: 6,7
D. In Every Good Work – 2 Corinthians 9:8

Conclusion:

3 John 1:2 – “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” - Not a magic solution, but is a simple way to help your soul prosper.

Job 42:10, 12-17

Job’s end was better than his beginning. God may allow trials in our lives. When gold goes through the fire it only becomes purer. But if you are abandoned to His will and abiding in His love, then you will prosper.