February 17 , 2008

Pastor Jack C. Stepp

"I AM the Light of the World"

John 8:12

Jesus said, I AM the Light of the world -- John 8:12

The mighty God of the universe calls Himself I AM .

I AM means that whoever is I AM is eternally existent -- Exodus 3:14

Before the Jesus existed as a man, He was I AM already !

Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!

God created everything through him…He gave life to everything that was created,

and his life brought light to everyone (1:3-4).

Jesus said, If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path… Or, You will have the light that leads to life. (12, NLT & TLB )

The night Jesus proclaimed I AM the light of the world was not just any night, but it was during the Feast of Tabernacles at the Temple Mount .

Paul: For you were once full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them (Eph 5:8-11, NLT ).

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts, so we could know the glory of God (2 Cor 4:6, NLT ).

John: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7, NIV )….

Jesus: You are the light of the world (Mt. 5:14). There are two kinds of light: 1) There are light-sources, and 2) there are light reflectors.

Paul: Live as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse, as you hold out the word of life (Phil. 2:15-16).

Jack C. Stepp

The difference between a casual, non-God-honoring Christian and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ is summed up in this one word: Commitment .

You will honor God through this genuine act of service and generosity because of your commitment to spread the Good News of Christ … ( 2 Cor 9:13, GW ).

What is " Storehouse Tithing ?"

God said, Bring the full tithe, the whole tithe, into the storehouse . Why? So that there will be ample provisions, resources, supply, in my House. God's House is the home church that houses multiple ministries and missions. Bible scholars call this "Storehouse Tithing."

It is the giving the firstfruits of ten percent of our income to God's House of many ministries and missions, so that there are financial resources to extend the Gospel in your assembly home and through ministries and missions here and around the world. South Hills Assembly qualifies for being God's House where you release the Lord's tithe, the whole tithe.

And God said it's this kind of giving that He will bless. God said, Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Four Faulty Concepts of Tithing:

1. ____________________________________

2. ____________________________________

3. ____________________________________

4. ____________________________________

- over -

There are good reasons to give the whole tithe in the South Hills Assembly Storehouse, God's House, of many ministries and missions:

1. It is effective giving. Tithes feed the roots and the trunk of the tree of South Hills Assembly.

2. It's practical giving. There's bills, materials, compensations of a whole staff for the ministries and staff enjoyed in community.

3. It is accountable giving. Sound financial policies and procedures are used and being further developed to provide great trust in your giving.

There are personal reasons to tithe:

1. It demonstrates that God has first place in our lives.

2. It's an opportunity to show gratitude to God for the life and eternity He has for us.

3. It's an opportunity to experience joy. Spiritually and physically, giving does us good.

4. It's an opportunity to be blest by God.

5. It's an opportunity to store up treasures in heaven. God takes note of everything we do in fasting, praying, serving and giving. Jesus receives the tithes.

6. It's the opportunity to be a good steward for God.

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