Generosity
What’s a Kingdom-Focused Church?
A kingdom focused church is a congregation __________________ _____________________ to _______________ and _______________ ______________ about God’s love in Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.
A kingdom-focused church gives itself away
Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Holman’s Christian Standard Bible)
2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 10-11 – 6 Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. . . . 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. . . . (New Living Translation)
The Antioch Church Model of Giving
How did the Antioch church model for us this principle of giving?
1. They were willing to develop into ____________________
Acts 11:26 – . . . Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) (New Living Translation)
Acts 11:27–29 – 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. . . . 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. (New Living Translation)
2. They gave their _______________ away
John 13:35 – This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when they see the love you have for each other. (The Message)
3. They gave away their __________________
Acts 13:1–3 – 1 The congregation in Antioch was blessed with a number of prophet-preachers and teachers: . . . 2 One day as they were worshiping God – they were also fasting as they waited for guidance – the Holy Spirit spoke: “Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do.” 3 So they commissioned them. In that circle of intensity and obedience, of fasting and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off. (The Message)
What Is Our Model of Giving?
If we are to be a kingdom-focused church what must we do?
• Practice ________________________ giving
Malachi 3:10 – “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” (New Living Translation, 1st ed.)