PENNY PEOPLE

Rev. Mike Jones, Lebanon FWB Church

            The word “Penny” is found 9 times in the Bible (It is also used another time in the word “pennyworth” in Mark 6:37) but it is only used in three different incidents (Several Gospels have the same incident so “Penny” appears in the same incident in different Gospels). Each of these incidents show us some important principles.

I. Wage Workers- “What will we get out of this?”  Matt 19:27-30, 20:1-16

            A) vs 2 Bargain Saints- Give me the price I want

            B) vs 3-4 Grace Saints- Depend on God’s Grace and Goodness

            C) vs 6-9 Faith Saints- Desire to work but do not have a place to work

II. Tax Payers- “Give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar” Luke 20:19-26

            A) Satan will always try to misrepresent what you say- vs 21-23

            B) Do not be afraid to use the world to challenge the world- vs 24

            C) We have Human as well as Heavenly responsibilities - vs 25

III. Famine Merchants- “All you make to barely survive” Rev 6:6

            A) The Black Horse of Famine at the Beginning of Tribulation vs 5

            B) The Scales of God’s Judgment brings famine to those who refused the Bread of Life- vs 5

            C) The poor do without while the rich dine with oil and wine vs 6

1) What do you expect to “Get out” of your relationship with Christ?

            A) If Christianity is only about Heaven then it will change you little on Earth

            B) If Christianity is only about Church then it will change you little on Monday

            C) If Christianity is about Christ then it will make you a new Creature.

2) Do you know how to deal with those who oppose God’s way and work?

            A) How can you think a loving God would throw someone into eternal fire just because they refused to obey Him?

            B) Why are there so little results when Christians pray?

            C) Would you prefer to have Christian neighbors or non Christian neighbors?

3) Who will we trust to meet our needs? The world or the Lord? Trust Christ, Obey Christ, Share Christ.

- Mark 12:42-44 The Widow’s two mites made about a Penny. God was pleased with her gift.

- Matt 17:27 When Peter needed to pay taxes for Jesus he was told to go fishing and found the money for the tax in the mouth of the fish. God can help you meet your normal obligations.

- Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29) A farthing here is less than a half penny, yet God cared for them