I hope you’re enjoying our current sermon series, “What Would Jesus Say?” as much as I am. We kicked it off on Easter weekend with, “What would Jesus say to me?” The following Sunday was, “What would Jesus say to the religious?” Last week was, “What would Jesus say to the ashamed?” This Sunday I’ll be preaching on, “What would Jesus say to the greedy?” There are two types of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers. At the end of your time here on earth, your life will be defined with one of those two words – giver or taker, greed or generosity. The choice is going to be up to you. And by the way, greed has nothing to do with how much money you have. You can have little or much and still be a taker, still be greedy.
Gordon Gekko, from the movie Wall Street was wrong. Greed is not good. Do you remember the original movie from the the late 80’s and then the remake in 2010? Michael Douglas plays Wall Street Tycoon, Gordon Gekko, and as he’s about to orchestrate a hostile takeover of another company he makes this now famous speech. Here’s part of it: “The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA.” Wow.
But greed is not good. Greed is deadly. Now, money in and of itself is not evil. The Bible never says that. Money is neutral. It’s the LOVE of money that’s evil. Greed is an insatiable desire for more – especially for wealth, power, or possessions – that replaces trust in God and leads a person to put things above God and others. Greed is living with a closed fist. We live in a society that is dominated with greed. It’s closed fist living. It’s where we say, “It’s mine. It’s mine. It’s mine. And you can’t have it.”
But there is an alternative. There is another way to live. The way of Jesus is to live a life of open handed living, a life of generosity, a life where you say, “God, what you have given me is Yours. It’s all Yours. And I’m going to use what You have given me for Your Kingdom, and I’m going to make a difference with it for Your glory.” On Sunday I want to challenge you to live with an open hand. Don’t miss it! We need this! Our world needs this! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love being a part of a generous church!
With Much Love & Gratitude!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! TODAY, Friday, April 24th, 4pm-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
JFM Fellowship Activity & Devotion: A fun project for kids! We’ll serve at Joseph Floyd Manor (JFM), a public housing facility in Downtown Charleston, playing BINGO with the residents. Monday, April 27th, 2pm-3:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Brighton Place Fellowship Activity & Devotion: This project will allow us to spend some time with the residents and get to know them better through a lively game of Chair Volleyball, a meal, and devotion. Kid Friendly! Tuesday, April 28th, 1:30pm-3pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
Sewing Project: Sewing experience not required! Come and acquire a new skill while helping others in the community. This team of volunteers will work on zippered pouches, lap quilts, and blankets. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, April 29th, 5pm-8pm.
Food Pantry Sort & Stock: Coastal feeds an enormous amount of people. Come to the church and help keep our Food Pantry organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, April 30th, 11:30am-1pm.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Join the team as we travel over to Patriot Villas, a veterans housing facility in North Charleston, to provide encouragement in the form of a fresh hot cup of Coastal coffee, a Krispy Kreme donut and community. We’ll spend the morning serving the veterans, fellowshipping, building relationships and thanking them for their service! Friday, May 1st, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Clothing Team: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! Friday, May 1st, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
Saturday Serve: The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month. The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, May 2nd. We meet in the Auditorium at 8:30am, Project Leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we go out and serve!
As always, if you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday or sign up now on our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. - Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10th! As always, it’s going to be a great celebration at Coastal with a gift for all the women, fun giveaways at the end of each of our 4 services (8am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm), FREE Kona Ice for everyone, a Family Photo Booth, and YES Baby & Child Dedication during all 4 services! If you would like your family to participate in the Baby & Child Dedication, sign up on your Connect Card this weekend or right now online. Include your child’s full name and the service you will be attending. Baby/Child Dedication is a special time for parents to commit their children to the Lord and to renew their commitment as parents to raise their children in a Christ centered home.
- Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Sunday, May 31st, from 5pm-8pm, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card (let us know if you need childcare). Dinner & childcare provided!
- One of the ways our church marks the beginning of Summer every year is through something called Summer of IMPACT! If you are fairly new to Coastal, Summer of IMPACT is a month-long effort (the entire month of June) where we as a church saturate our community with the love of Jesus through simple acts of service. It’s basically what we normally do all throughout the year, but MULTIPLIED during the month of June! In fact, there are over 70 projects this year and there is something for everyone. You simply sign-up and then show-up. It’s that easy. Every project has a leader and every project is well-organized. All the projects are loaded on our website and you can start signing up TODAY!
- Coastal Student Ministry is headed to FUGE CAMPS at North Greenville University in Greenville, SC and signups are live! Camp is from June 22-27 (Mon-Sat). We’re excited for an unforgettable week filled with worship, Bible study, recreation, track times (student-selected activities), and of course—the legendary MEGA RELAY! This week is always a powerful, transformative experience, and we would love for your student to join us! Spots are limited, so register soon to lock in your student’s spot! Click this link to register now! Camp Cost: $350. Payment Deadline: June 6. Don’t let finances be a barrier—please reach out to Pastor Jacob if cost is a concern. We’re here to help make it possible for every student to attend! In fact, if you are interested in providing a scholarship for a student to attend, please see Jacob. We can’t wait for an incredible week together!
P.S. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 7th, at 5pm. You can sign up for it on our website. The only requirement for Baptism is that you have personally given your life to Jesus. Baptism is a public profession of your faith, and it’s a great celebration! It beautifully illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. If you’re unable to participate in our Beach Baptism, remember at Coastal we’re ready for you to get Baptized any service, any Sunday. If you are interested in getting Baptized, simply respond to this email, sign up on your Connect Card, or sign up on our website.
