"The Surrendered Life" | Todd White | Nations Church Sermon - 7/9/2023 

When does he say the law are Jesus’ commands? What’s the timestamp

Yes, where is the time stamp?

That wasn’t the quote… go back and read it 🤯

He has written the law in our hearts. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the wrong and the rights and tells us when we aren’t living right. That’s the love of God revealing to us His righteousness. And we are to live as Christ.

When you understand love, grace and tithe and giving in the new testament, you will realize it’s as much as you can give and feel to give as convicted by God and Holy Spirit….. God and Jesus both demonstrated giving all. But 10% would be a good place for someone learning to trust and lean on the Lord to start.

@@ruthr6089 I hear that a lot, about "starting" with 10%. But I'm just not sure that's a biblical stance. Let's start with what new covenant giving actually is, generous, and whatever you determine in your heart.

​@@StretchJED 10% is a Biblical "starting place" because Abraham tithed in covenant with God before the law was given. It was not compulsory... But if you're more interested in the New Testament model for giving, see Acts chapter 2, because the New Testament church gave everything they had, far beyond what the law commanded... With that model in mind, suddenly 10% comes into perspective of how little it is to give in comparison to what the Acts chapter 2 believers gave... Compelling someone to give 10% as a starting place is simply encouraging someone to set a standard to test God and see if He does not provide for you when you have committed to give to him as Abraham did, in trusting covenant, not compulsory law... Respectfully, I hope that clears up the whole "compulsory 10%" idea... Acts chapter 2:44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and [b]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[c] them among all, as anyone had need.

@@quippinquippy9484 So have you given away everything you owned? Is that the prescriptive goal for every believer? Just because Abraham tithed one time, and the goods came from spoils of war, doesn't make it prescriptive for every Christian to give ten percent of their income. What verse even says that ten percent is where we should start? Abraham made animal sacrifices, too. Does that mean we should make animal sacrifices now under the new covenant? The ways of new covenant giving, according to new covenant scripture, include generosity, giving according to your ability, and giving as you have determined in your heart. If you determine in your heart to give ten percent, it's fine, as long as you're not doing it to attain righteousness with God. If you determine to give one percent, that's also fine, or twenty or fifty...the key verse is to give as you determine in your heart. Even the first Christians who gave everything didn't HAVE to. There is NO command in scripture for Christians to give a certain amount or percentage. Hope that clears things up.

@StretchJED Hey There, I hope you are doing well my friend. * I agree with you that there is no required 10% tithe.*I agree that it is what is determined in your heart, as I also believe that there is no heavenly value to giving if your heart is not in it-- 1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.(KJV)-- Have I given everything?(I know you are not specifically asking me, but think answering may open up everyone's perspective who reads this and is interested in this topic) (Before I answer for myself personally, I see that it appears that in the New T that those who believed * kept what they needed and shared and gave their extra to whomever had Need, so I don't believe they literally gave all, although it's possible some did give all) * My husband and I, while thousands of dollars in debt, took out a loan to give a donation of thousands of dollars(Not tooting my horn, at the time others got a loan to pay much more than us) and that was additional to our usual 10% tithing, which was not an easy thing to do while having very small income to begin with, being young and having a little one. We literally got down to being glad when friends or family invited us over to eat bc we were not sure what we could scrape together to try to have enough for a full meal. I don't know what kind of giving that is considered by you or others, everyone is welcome to their own personal opinion about it, but please know I am not saying we literally gave all we had, if we did that, then I imagine CPS would have taken our child from us, but I am saying we gave generously and from our hearts. * Do I regret that? No, it helped shape my life, my character and my trust in God instead on trusting in money. Also, not that it really matters, but we are very financially blessed and have been for several years now and it happened at a time when we were mature enough to handle having more money and mature enough for it not destroy our love for God or sidetrack us from our focus on Him. * I believe as a believer my prescriptive goal of giving is from Jesus and God's examples of giving and selflessness throughout the bible and is from the early church believers. I do think that the Acts 2:44 verse is saying what is a good place to start with giving. Jesus' example of giving all He had for us on the cross, inspires me to give. * We do not need to continue sacrificing animals because Jesus shed His blood on the cross, the New T is very clear that because Jesus shed His blood we do not need to continue sacrificing animals like we did before and during the law. * The New T shows that giving should continue, but out of our heart, not out of obligation. God is a giver, we should be like our Father having the same characteristics. Jesus said "He does what the Father does" and we are to follow Jesus' example. * I will say when Peter spoke to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 He said It was in their hand to choose what they wanted to give and asked why they decided to lie about how much they were giving, so I also agree that the first Christians didn't have to give. * I believing giving is a privilege and opportunity for us and that we will reap what we sow in both this life and the next. I believe giving is a way to help others, to bless others and it shows God's light, love and character to the world. * A related to topic and possible helpful verse- Luke 21:4 poor widow puts in her 2 coins and Jesus says she gave more than the people who gave from their abundance bc she gave out of her poverty and what she had to live on(paraphrasing). -- I think we agree much more than disagree, although it's totally ok if we disagree, agreeing on everything is not the goal, walking in love through Christ is the goal. I actually do appreciate you pointing out that there is no 10% rule and I am very thankful that Jesus is so good that He is not a bit forceful about giving or forceful with anything really. ** All that said I don't believe encouraging giving is a bad thing and I have even in the past wondered why some pastors really emphasize on giving, like Todd, but I have realized that I have reaped benefits in giving that are priceless and also I have seen how that I can give(to certain verified places) and a majority of the money is used to help human trafficking victims, orphaned children and to teach and peach the gospel, which I am more than happy to give money to in support of that. ** The word says we are rewarded according to our works(in book of Rev). I know we are not saved by works or made righteous by works, but I see that we are rewarded according to them. :) I am glad that their are pastors bold enough to teach well about giving and not let me miss out on sowing and helping others and helping me see there's more value in giving to others than receiving from others and helping me be careful not to fall for a false sense of trust in money. I hope this blesses you and I pray God continues to bless you and all who read this. @@StretchJED

If that is the case then Nazirites are a disgrace sice they cannot cut their hair. Context is very important. In 1 Corinthians 11:14, the apostle Paul talks about men having short hair and women having long hair, which some may interpret as a cultural mandate. As an apologetic explanation, we need to understand the historical context in which this passage was written. During Paul's time, certain hairstyles were associated with cultural practices and religious beliefs. The length of hair was often used as a symbol to distinguish between genders and signify societal roles. Paul's instruction might have been influenced by the culture of that era, aiming to avoid confusion and maintain traditional norms. However, as we interpret biblical passages, it's essential to discern the underlying principles and separate them from specific cultural practices. In today's context, hairstyles no longer carry the same cultural significance they once did. Our understanding of gender roles and cultural expressions has evolved. In essence, the underlying principle behind 1 Corinthians 11:14 might still hold relevance: the idea of recognizing and respecting distinctions between genders in a manner appropriate to the culture. However, the specific application of hair length is no longer universally relevant and should be understood in light of cultural and societal changes. As Christians, we should focus on the core biblical principles of love, respect, and honoring God, rather than rigidly adhering to cultural practices from a specific historical context.

Shame on you! Stop mocking God's vessels!.

John the Baptist wasn't a pretty shaven man that kept the Jewish law in the new testament, God uses whoever He calls, even the outcast! Stop judging dude it's not cool! Look at yourself 1st!