Give a Week, a Summer, a Year

Intro

Why are we here? Some thoughts to frame up the next few weeks

REACH is not a social club

Faith is not a hobby

The gospel is not a platitude

We want to be burning with white hot passion for God’s glory on our campus and in the world

Freshmen, we sought you ought with urgency

All our events to point us to Christ, even the fun ones

Success not a big crowd (75 at apologetics, 45 two weeks later)

Our goal is nothing less than disciples of all nations

Vision is more than a lot of people

If lots of people, only b/c that’s the natural outcome of people coming to Christ

Disciple-makers in the marketplace (not consumers)

People answering the call to ministry/missions

Neil and I want to give a path for that (CME in summer, ST in Spring)

Message

Read Genesis 4:1-7

Heard this before?

Cain goes on to kill Abel, the first murder.

All erupts out of jealousy. From what? God’s response.

God’s response teaches us more than Cain’s response.

God doesn’t just want something, he wants our best.

Cain — “…some of the fruits of the soil…”

Abel — “…fat portions from some of the firstborn…”

God — “…looked with favor on Abel…but [not] on Cain…”

Giving God our best means giving sacrificially. Giving God our best means giving to God first.

We typically apply this to $, and that’s valid (firstfruits)

But also applies elsewhere

We give to God after we pay the bills

We spend time in his Word after we do everything else

We go on a mission trip after we don’t get the internship

What if God doesn’t want to be your backup?

Giving God our best means resisting the grip of sin.

re-read verse 7

The current is complacency, and you’ll have to fight to swim against it.

As the semester rolls on, enthusiasm dies down

As you get older in your faith, the sprint turns into a marathon

Giving God your best looks different for each of us.

Whatever it looks like, it’s for his glory and our good.

Fulfillment only comes in being wholehearted for God

For y’all, one of the main areas is time

Me and Neil — “Give a week, give a summer, give a year”

Close

Before we get to this summer…are you giving God your best right now?

Is the life you’ve lived the past month something that Jesus is worthy of?

…heart you bring into worship?

…integrity and work ethic you bring into the classroom?

…love you take into your small group?

…compassion for your lost friends?

…time spent with Him?

…purity of heart on Friday nights?

I’ve been distracted and not giving God my best

Of course, we’ve all failed —> grace —> grace makes us want to give our best

Closing prayer (+ for leaders)