1. ‘The tempter came to Jesus...’
Matthew 4:1-11
‘The tempter came to Jesus...’
‘If you are the Son of God...’
Sowing doubt
Are you really sure of your faith?
Careful how you use your money...
‘Tell these stones to become bread’
No-one will know!
Or will they?
God knows
And you know!
You have worked hard for this money
You might need it for yourself
Your worldly goods... ‘The flesh’

2. ‘Resist him, firm in the faith’ (1 Peter 5:9)
‘If you are the son of God... Throw yourself down!’
Something spectacular
To make you a celebrity
‘The world’
‘If you will bow down and worship me...’
So much could be yours
If you are not generous
After all, you earned it!
The devil
Satan still uses the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil in all sorts of guises.
‘Resist him, firm in the faith’ (1 Peter 5:9)

4. St James’ church finances A non-accountant’s version!

5. MISSION at St. James 2017 £ People and expenses 72,000
(£45,000 of the ‘Parish share’ plus expenses, office, caretaker, evangelism)
The building ,000 (Gas, electricity, insurance 11,000 plus repairs and maintenance 12,000)
TOTAL Mission here ,000

6. Mission from St. James’ £
Mission in Somerset ,000 (rest of Parish Share)
Outward mission giving ,000 (TYFC, Mission Partners, Debt advice)
Add previous total (mission here) 95,000
Total anticipated outgoings ,000

7. ANTICIPATED INCOME 2017 ….. £ Voluntary giving (84,000)
+ tax back (18,000) ,000
Other – donations, fees, hall hire (20,000), car park (5,000) interest etc NB if we rely on this hall can’t be used for church groups 30,000
TOTAL anticipated INCOME ,000
Anticipated TOTAL EXPENDITURE ,000

8. God is at work! Be encouraged!
10 years ago, 2 families in the church with under 11s
Regular net membership has increased 33%
Wonderful diversity of people
Many new teams of people – flowers, coffee, C/YP, singers and other musicians
Homegroup membership has increased from 60 to over 120
Mission and ministry in Taunton has flourished, with St James’ being an important part

9. ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him (Matthew 4:10-11)

10. Individual giving Everyone! What kind of amount?
If you don’t have to think and plan, and probably give something else up, you’re not giving enough
We need an average of £50 per month per person!!
Everyone!
According to their means
Remember the widow’s two small coins...
But God knows how you choose to spend your money (we can fool ourselves but not him!)
Start now with a small promised amount each week or month

11. Please give by standing order if you possibly can NB
Please gift-aid your giving. We currently get £19,000 per year from tax refunds and it could be more!
Praise God for this provision by our successive governments
Please give by standing order if you possibly can
that way it comes out first from your monthly budget
however little you pledge
And it greatly simplifies our treasurers’ work!

12. ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Matthew 5:21) ‘...and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus’ (Phil 4:19)

13. Knowing GOD personally through Jesus Christ
Christianity:
Knowing GOD personally
through Jesus Christ
As part of the Church in Taunton
We seek to know Christ better,
and to make him better known
We do this through
varied and lively worship,
learning to apply God’s word in the Bible,
and being filled with his Holy Spirit