Transcript This Wednesday @ 7 PM

This Wednesday @ 7 PM
1712 E Busch Blvd ,Tampa, FL, 33612 (corner of 18 th Street)
Office email: [email protected]
Pastor: Louie Vega
Administrator: Tom McIntosh
Young Adults: Joey & Dinah
Welcome Center: Rosa Moreno
813-935-0738
Lead Worshipper: Vicky Vega
Small Group Director: Andrew May
Children’s Director: Becky McCleary
Pantry Ministry: John Moreno
Connect to God, Connect to One Another, & Connect to The Community…
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September 22, 2013 – Sermon:
Stop By Our Welcome Center & GET Connected!
IF YOU’RE NOT IN ONE YOU MIGHT WANT TO START ONE!
www.ctw1712.com
CTW
Donations are still needed for our A/C unit in the modular. The cost was about
$2,300. We have raised $700 between 4 people. Pray & Obey! Thanks!
Preached on 3/28/10: “Tithing – A Reflection of The Heart”
If I could pin-point one word in the NT Church that caused the most conflict in
people’s minds, it would be the word “tithe” (Ma’aser in Hebrew meaning tenth).
We see it used first in Genesis 14:20 when Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of
the spoils. The Genesis account is confirmed in Hebrews 7:2, acknowledging the
tithe to be 10% of earned income. For those that believe tithing is a product of
law, take note: GOD INSTITUTED TITHING AS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE
IN THE GENESIS ACCOUNT, 500 years BEFORE THE MOSAIC LAW. Moses
wasn’t born when tithing is introduced through Scripture. Two generations after
Abraham, and still before Moses is born, we see Abraham’s grandson Jacob
offering the tithe to God in Genesis 28:20-22. There are some important biblical
principles that God wants us to internalize regarding tithing; here’s one of them:
Tithing is a reminder in the Old Testament that God owns it all: HE SEEKS
SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT HE ALREADY OWNS! My income is God’s
income; my possessions are His alone. Psalm 50:10, 12 “For every beast of
the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…If I were hungry, I
would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.” God doesn't
need our money. However, He has chosen to use our money to carry out His
work! That makes our tithe Holy unto the Lord. “And all the tithe of the land,
whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. It is
holy to the Lord” (Lev 27:30). So we see two principles at play that almost
spell paradox. On the one hand God owns it all; on the other hand God uses
what is ours, after all Jesus said in Luke 10:7 that “the laborer is worthy of his
wages.” But can I tell you that all that we possess is really the Lords. With God it
isn’t about what we give, but rather what we keep. This is a heart issues not a
money issues. God is never after your hard earned wages; He’s after your heart.
2 Cor 12:14 “Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will
not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you.” Here in this
text we find the heart of God receiving from us. It is the heart of His people that
God seeks, otherwise we would hear the voice of rebuke & correction. Matthew
15:8, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with
their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” He says: “I seek not what is yours
but you!” Jesus made statements like this throughout His ministry. “Where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). I know a couple who
heard from God and gave their tithe off of the sale of their home. Those who
were counting the tithes & offerings that day fell off their chairs because of the
heart of one couple who know who truly owns their heart. In the hearts of some
people, their treasure is their possessions; but this couple injects hope that there
are still those who say with the Apostle in 2 Cor 4:7 “But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not
of us.” They teach us that there is another side to Jesus’ Words about “Where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Are we heeding the voice of God?
Café CONNECT is set up for for those who show up early with a friend;
enjoy a time of fellowship with coffee & snacks before service begins!
Children’s Church needs Committed Adults to Pour Into Our Kidz!!!
Men’s Small Group - 33 The Series Pt 1 & 2 in the Children’s Church building at 9 o’clock.
There is still room in the men’s small group Pt 1 “A Man & His Design.” See Jose Pabon.
Women’s Small Group - True Beauty in the Portable Building at 9 AM. The group is
growing but still has room for women. Download your workbook for free. See Vicky
If you are attending CTW and are curious about membership, we have an orientation
class deigned just for you. Also open to members who need a refresher course!
Are you praying about our next Latin Gospel concert fund raiser scheduled for October 26
(Saturday) from 6 – 10.? Entrance Fee is $5 per person. Theme: “Paving The Way.”
Keep praying for our praise & worship team. We’re believing God for singers & musicians.
Its been over a year since the musicians arrived. We pray for the rest to come on board.
Bathroom Access Cards are in the Welcome Center. Please return them when finished!