Mercy Culture Waco | Lead Pastor Les Cody
2023 | The Year of Dunamis - Heart For Mercy - “His Heart For Your House
Locations & Times
Mercy Culture Waco
1020 E Waco Dr, Waco, TX 76704, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
God responds to your heart for His house, with His heart for your house!
His Heart for Your House
“The Word Of The Lord Over This Church in 2023 is Dunamis
“This Is The Year That Dunamis Goes From On Us… To In US!”
Dunamis = Power, Strengthen & Fortify
“This Is The Year That Dunamis Goes From On Us… To In US!”
Dunamis = Power, Strengthen & Fortify
The IN FILLING Of The Holy Spirit Is How Dunamis Goes From On You To IN YOU!
Tithe translates: “A tenth part or tenth” in Biblical numerics
When You Withhold The Tithe You Rob From God, When You Withhold Offerings You Rob From Yourself!
Offerings Are All Gifts Above The Tithe!
Deuteronomy 8:18
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth
MC Connect
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https://mercyculturewaco.com/connectProverbs 3:9
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.
Best
“First Fruit” = reshith (ray-sheeth') beginning, chief, first fruits, part, time, principal thing. with the chief, or best, "Substance" points to capital, "increase" to revenue.
OR
"honor the Lord from thy righteous labors."
“First Fruit” = reshith (ray-sheeth') beginning, chief, first fruits, part, time, principal thing. with the chief, or best, "Substance" points to capital, "increase" to revenue.
OR
"honor the Lord from thy righteous labors."
QUESTION: “What Does Giving Your Best Look Like?”
“The Standards Are The Same For Everyone While The Expressions Are Different!”
Romans 14:23 NLT
Anything not done in faith is sin.
Anything not done in faith is sin.
Genesis 4:2-8 ESV (Story of Cain and Abel
)
Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn [Best] of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen [joy]? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn [Best] of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen [joy]? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Regard
shah (shaw-aw') (steadily, with interest, etc.) (Assyrian še°û, behold, look for, aim at); — Pay Attention
shah (shaw-aw') (steadily, with interest, etc.) (Assyrian še°û, behold, look for, aim at); — Pay Attention
“Abel Had Favor, Honor, Approval & Cain Had NO Favor, NO Honor, & NO Approval!”
“Favor From God Is Determined By How You Give To Him!”- His intentions mattered to God.
[PRACTICAL ADVICE]
To Grow In Giving Requires Growth In Stewardship.
To Grow In Giving Requires Growth In Stewardship.
CAUTION:
Your best is not determined by HOW MUCH you give.
YOUR BEST IS NOT MEASURED BY COMPARISON TO ANYONE ELSE.
Your best is not determined by HOW MUCH you give.
YOUR BEST IS NOT MEASURED BY COMPARISON TO ANYONE ELSE.
What is a covetous spirit?
“I want what they have.”
“I want what they have.”
Malachi 1:6-10 ESV “The Polluted Offerings”
6“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ 7 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts. 9 “But ask now for God’s favor. Will He be gracious? Since this has come from your hands, will He show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts. 10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.”
6“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ 7 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts. 9 “But ask now for God’s favor. Will He be gracious? Since this has come from your hands, will He show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts. 10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.”
[PROPHETIC WARNING]
“God Doesn’t Want It, If It’s Not Your Best!”
“God Doesn’t Want It, If It’s Not Your Best!”
[LIE OF THE ENEMY]
“I thought I could be generous in the future, by withholding generosity today.”
“I thought I could be generous in the future, by withholding generosity today.”
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mammon
“Wealth or profit, or injustice/unjust riches, The God of Riches.”
“Wealth or profit, or injustice/unjust riches, The God of Riches.”
“Mammon Is The Spirit The Rests on Money”
“Mammon Is When You Love Money More Than People & God!”
“Greed Keeps You from Giving God Your Best”
Acts 5:1-5 ESV
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
“Withholding Your Best from God Removes You from His Presence”
Genesis 4:16
Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden
Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden
“The Result of Withholding Your Best From God Is A Loss Of Joy, A Loss Of Relationship, A Loss Of Intimacy, and a Loss of Legacy.”
Legacy
the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.
the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.
Genesis 4:10-12 BSB
10“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood(s) cries out to Me from the ground. 11Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”
10“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood(s) cries out to Me from the ground. 11Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”
“Giving Our Best Blesses The Lord!”
Mark 12:41-44
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
“Giving Our Best Pleases The Lord”
“Jesus Was Drawn to Her Because Of Her Best”
Matthew 26:6-10
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.
Matthew 26:13 BSB
Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
μνημόσυνον (mnēmosynon)
Reminder, memorial; a remembrance offering. From mnemoneuo; a reminder, i.e. Record.
Reminder, memorial; a remembrance offering. From mnemoneuo; a reminder, i.e. Record.
“Giving Her Best Was Preparing Him To Give His Best!”
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
“Jesus Was God’s Best Gift To Us!”
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
It Was God’s Joy To give His Best, It’s Our Joy To Give God Our Best!
“The Result Of Giving God Our Best, Is God Building Our House!”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully [Generously] will also reap bountifully [Generously]. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully [Generously] will also reap bountifully [Generously]. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Samuel 6:5-7
5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.
5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.
The Threshing Floor = The Place Of Sacrifice
2 Samuel 6:12-15
… So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.
… So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.
2 Samuel 7:1-16
Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”
8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, … And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a
house. 12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”
8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, … And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a
house. 12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
HOUSE
bayit (by-yeet) in the Hebrew which means house, household, family, clan, temple, building or home.
bayit (by-yeet) in the Hebrew which means house, household, family, clan, temple, building or home.
God’s response to David’s desire to build his house...
"I’ll build your legacy!"
"I’ll build your legacy!"
“God responds to a heart for HIS house with a heart for YOUR house”
Psalms 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—
for He gives sleep to His beloved.
3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—
for He gives sleep to His beloved.
3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.
[3 Questions]
Did You Hear God?
Are You Ready To Obey?
Is This Your Best?
Did You Hear God?
Are You Ready To Obey?
Is This Your Best?
Thank you for joining us in His Presence today!