Using What God Has Entrusted | Traditional Sermon

Date: October 26, 2025
Service: Traditional Service
Speaker: Senior Pastor, John Stephenson
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In this powerful exploration of 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Pastor John challenges us to reconsider our relationship with material blessings and generosity. The scripture's message is beautifully straightforward: those of us who have more than our basic needs met—food, clothing, shelter, and then some—are called to be generous and ready to share those things that God has blessed us with. However, Pastor John honestly addresses the tension many of us feel between this biblical mandate and our real-world experiences of being taken advantage of or disappointed when trying to help others - we're reminded that generosity isn't always easy or rewarding in the moment. However, the parable of the talents from Matthew 25 offers profound depth and maybe an alternative perspective. The passage shows us that everything we possess is ultimately on loan from God, entrusted to us for His purposes. Though we don’t often know how our generosity will be received or used for the Kingdom, we'll all stand before Jesus one day and give account for how we used what He blessed us with.

Key Points:
1. Being "rich" means having more than basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) met
2. God blesses us with extra not to bless ourselves, but to bless others
3. We should set our hopes on God, not on uncertain riches
4. Everything we have is on loan from God; we own nothing permanently
5. We will give account to God for how we used what was entrusted to us
6. Giving through the local church multiplies our impact for God's kingdom
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Scripture Reference:
1 Timothy 6:17-19
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Thank you for watching and supporting us! Everyone is welcomed, loved, and wanted at Lakewood Methodist and we are so glad to be in the Lord's word with you today. Blessings!
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Lakewood Methodist Church
11330 Louetta Road
Houston, TX 77070