260614 // Giving: A Biblical Study of Tithing // Beléne Coetzer

260614 // Giving: A Biblical Study of Tithing // Beléne Coetzer

Giving: A Biblical Study of Tithing — Beléne Coetzer **Shofar Christian Church - Cape Town South** Few topics make a congregation go as quiet as money. Beléne names that tension right at the start — and then does something unexpected with it. Rather than appealing to obligation or guilt, she takes the congregation on a journey through the entire Bible to answer one question: what was tithing always actually about? Using the progressive revelation method, she traces the concept through four movements. It begins before the law ever existed, with Abraham spontaneously giving a tenth of his battle spoils to Melchizedek — priest of God Most High, king of righteousness, king of peace. No law compelled him. It was pure worship: I know who gave me this victory, and I give back because of that. That moment, Beléne argues, is the DNA of everything that follows. Under the law, that heart posture gets formalised into a system that sustained the Levites, funded communal celebration, and cared for the poor. The prophets then expose both failure modes: Amos confronts a congregation that tithes with perfect precision but has no love for their neighbour; Malachi confronts the opposite — warm-hearted people who have simply stopped giving. Both are incomplete. The heart and the discipline belong together. The New Testament brings it home. Jesus doesn't abolish tithing in Matthew 23 — He critiques the Pharisees for obsessing over the percentage while missing justice, mercy, and faithfulness entirely. And in 2 Corinthians 8–9, Paul holds up the Macedonian church as the model: a poor congregation under severe trial who begged for the privilege of giving above their means — not from obligation, but because grace had genuinely changed something inside them. The closing question is the one that lingers: if Jesus is Lord of your life, is He also Lord of your bank account? Not are you giving enough — but does your giving tell the same story that your prayer life does? Scriptures referenced: Genesis 14:18–20 · Matthew 23:23 · Hebrews 7 · 2 Corinthians 8:2–3, 8:9, 9:7, 9:15*

260531 // Who Am I? // Richard Chapman

Who Am I? — Richard Chapman Shofar Christian Church Cape Town South The Four Pillars of Kingdom Life — Series Finale What truly defines you? Your name, your job, your family, your achievements, your pain? Richard Chapman opens this honest and personal message by handing every person in the congregation a flower and a pen — and asking them to write down who they are before God says a word. The answer, he argues, is that none of those things truly define us. Jobs change. Health fails. Names can even change — as they did for Saul, who became Paul, and Simon, who became Peter. If our identity is built on any of those foundations, it will eventually collapse. Richard shares a vision God gave him: a church standing arm-in-arm, holding back a dam of clean, abundant, crystal-clear water — not because God is unwilling to pour it out, but because we have only given Him a part of ourselves. We've surrendered just enough to feel safe, just enough to feel forgiven, just enough to be comfortable. The result? Ten percent Christians, holding back a hundred percent God. Drawing from Luke 9 and 1 Peter 5, Richard calls the church to full surrender — not louder Christianity, not more dramatic faith, but complete humility before God. To deny yourself. To take up your cross daily. To cast *all* your anxiety on Him, not some of it. And to receive the promise that follows: God will restore you, strengthen you, and establish you with a new identity you didn't even know was possible. The message closes with a striking example: the Apostle Paul, shipwrecked in Malta on his way to Caesar, kept sharing the Gospel — and 2,000 years later, 80% of Malta is still Christian. One surrendered life changed an island. This is the final sermon in the Four Pillars of Kingdom Life series. The series asked: how do we seek first the Kingdom? Richard answers with the most personal question of all — and leaves us with a challenge we can't walk away from: Who are you not telling? Scriptures referenced: Luke 9:23–27 · 1 Peter 5:5–10

260524 // Pillar 4 of The Four Pillars of Kingdom Life // Kenney OKennedy

What role does the local church play in God’s Kingdom—and why does it matter so much? In this powerful and honest message, Kenny O’Kennedy unpacks the fourth pillar of Kingdom life: the local church. Rooted in Matthew 6:33, we are reminded to seek first the Kingdom of God—not success, comfort, or personal ambition—and to discover how God’s primary vehicle for advancing His Kingdom is through imperfect people in imperfect churches. From the New Testament to today, the church has always been flawed—yet God still chooses to build through it. This message highlights a profound truth: it is not about us building the church; it is about joining Jesus as He builds it. Through biblical insight and personal testimony, Kenny reflects on the journey of the local congregation—celebrating God’s faithfulness through seasons of growth, hardship, leadership challenges, and even loss. In moments that felt like “graveyards,” God was still at work beneath the surface—bringing revival where it seemed impossible. Key Themes: * Seek First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) * The church was always meant to be communal, not individual * God uses imperfect churches to fulfill His perfect plan * Jesus builds the church—our role is to follow and participate * The importance of humility, forgiveness, and prayer for leaders * Dealing with offense quickly to protect unity * Restoring Jesus to His rightful place—not replacing Him with leaders * Recognizing God’s hand in every season—even in crisis * Revival often begins in what looks like a grave 🔥 A Call to Response: Even when circumstances look broken or hopeless, God is working. The same God who brings life from the grave is building His church today. Will you join Him? “It may not look like it… but this is revival.”

260517 // Pillar 3 of The Four Pillars of Kingdom Life // Hennie Coetzer

In this powerful message from our “Positioned for God’s Kingdom” series, we explore Ephesians 3 and discover the depth of God’s design for His Church. Paul’s prayer reminds us that we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit for two key reasons: 1. So that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith 2. So that we may comprehend the fullness of His love — together with all the saints This sermon challenges the individualistic approach to faith and invites us into something far greater: a global, timeless family of believers. God’s love cannot be fully understood in isolation — it is revealed through relationship, unity, and shared encounters across cultures, generations, and communities. We are reminded that: * The Church is bigger than our local expression * True spiritual growth happens in connection, not isolation * God strengthens us not just for survival, but for deep revelation and shared experience of His love As we lean into the Body of Christ, we discover dimensions of Jesus we would never see on our own. Key Scripture: Ephesians 3:13–21 Reflection Questions: * How can you prioritise being strengthened in your inner being daily? * Are you intentionally connecting with other believers to grow together? * Where do you need to shift your focus from your ability to God’s power? Be encouraged to step out, connect deeply, and experience the fullness of Christ’s love—together.

260412 // Positioned Mothers // Beléne Coetzer

In this powerful and practical message, Beléne Coetzer unpacks Ephesians 5:15–18 within the “Four Pillars of Kingdom Life,” focusing on family and intentional parenting.In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, we are called to live intentionally, walk in wisdom, and make the most of our time. This message speaks directly to parents—especially mothers—who feel overwhelmed by busy schedules, competing demands, and the pressure to “get it right.”Key truths from this sermon: * Walk intentionally – Life doesn’t just happen; we are called to live with purpose and clarity. * Wisdom is seeing as God sees – Recognising the unique gifts in your children and calling them out. * Parenting is discipleship – Your children carry the same calling: to reveal Christ. * Make the most of your time – Small, intentional moments shape lives more than we realise. * Discipline is about formation, not control – It’s not behaviour modification, but heart transformation. * Every child is wired differently – Healthy families honour and collaborate with each other’s gifts. * Be filled with the Spirit – Don’t rely on external things to cope; the Holy Spirit empowers wise, intentional living. This message also brings healing and freedom, reminding moms that:💛 You are not alone💛 You don’t have to be perfect💛 God has entrusted your children to you—and He walks with you in it Be encouraged as you lay down pressure, comparison, and striving—and step into peace, clarity, and Spirit-led parenting.