The PERSPECTIVE of Generosity

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SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series on Generosity, Pastor Shawn unpacks how generosity truly works. This week’s message, “The Perspective of Generosity,” invites us to see giving through God’s eyes and discover how a right view of generosity can transform our lives.

Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin the 3rd(The Grace Era) sub point of the final point (God Directs it all)

Series | Generosity Works

Pre-Message Welcome

Grace Place family! It’s awesome to have you here with us today, whether in person or online.

I’m Shawn, and along with my wife, we serve as the Co-Pastors of this incredible church.

At The Grace Place, our mission is clear: we are Caring People, Caring for People.

We pray that you experience God’s care in our time together and in your life.

Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!

A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos… es-pera-mos que usted… y su familia.. se-sien-tan bien a-tend-idos también.

To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.

Before we get into the message today….

Veterans Day Recognition

Cynthia Ozick said, “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

This Tuesday is Veteran’s Day and we want to take the opportunity this morning to show our gratitude to those who have served or are currently serving our country today.

Freedom is not FREE - thank you for being willing to lay down your life so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. To that we say thank you!

If you are a veteran in the room, could you please stand?

Thank you for your service - you may be seated

Before we get into the message today…. is

Baby Dedication

If you are dedicating your child - please join me on the stage this morning.

What is Baby dedication? 

It’s a public declaration of parents & family that say’ “With the help of God... we will live out the Gospel before our child”  

What does this mean?

It means our child will see us... be devoted to...  

The teaching of scripture and fellowship with the body of Christ,

and They will see us... be devoted to...  

A life of prayer and living our life on mission for God.

A life committed to a local church family.

Will you introduce us to your family who is with you today 

11AM

Ryders

Miller Ken-sington Ryder

Grain grinder

It’s through this process that we get bread

Bread is a staple provision of Gods people

Jesus often used bread as an analogy for spiritual food that comes from the bread of life

Miller - God of Provision - Jesus

Hallmarks

Noah Silas Hallmark

Rest -comfort - peace

Noah - and his family peacefully lived through the worlds worst tragedy (the world flood) and came out the other side in touched.

Noah - the Demonstrator of peace w/ God

Mom – Dad and family...  I charge you… to

Pay attention to the gifts in their life...  in their personality, character and interests.... 

Teach these babies about Jesus- let them see Him in your home and your daily life...   

... don’t let the only time your kids see you pray... and open scripture be in Church.. let them see you do this at home. Their Sunday School teacher’s voice should echo what they’re already learning from you in the home.

Family & TGP family...  let’s set an example for our children God has entrusted to us - let’s constantly point these babies to Jesus... because the reality is… we will NOT be enough for them… they will NEED a SAVIOR…

With Gods help… can we Commit to that 

LET’S PRAY 

Transition:

Get your hearts ready by downloading the notes from the Church Center App

Transition: This week we are starting a brand new series called…

Series | Generosity Works

Over the Next 3 weeks - we are going explore the biblical principals around money and stewardship.

With the biggest spending season just around the corner - perhaps this will help many of you not enter January with another mound of Debt.

Opener: Money is talked about in ever sector and season of life. We talk about it at home, at work, at school, with our friends.

Jesus actually spoke about money and material possessions more than He did about prayer or faith — not because money is more important, but because it reveals the heart. Jesus is NOT moved by lip service but by a heart that demonstrates faith.

If you want to see a revolution in the area of finances - don’t miss the next three weeks.

The key text for our series is Ps. 112:5 lets look at it on the screen together

Psalm 112:5 NIV

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Friends, The principals of generosity in the bible work. They are not just beliefs, they’re a way of life.

How many of you will testify today that things go better when we are in line with Gods principals of Generosity?

This is why as your Pastors’ we want to teach you the biblical principals about generosity and stewardship - so we can be aligned with God’s Word in this area of life.

As always - listen to the Holy Spirit.

I am simply here to open Gods word.before you as we do every week…

And invite you to ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT - WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO ME ABOUT THIS.

LETS PRAY

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | The PERSEPTIVE of Generosity

It starts with having the right PERSPECTIVE

What is your persepctive about the practice of money?

Is it Biblical?

Personal Story- of Mindset Change over Money

I remember right out of the gate - Krista and I committed to a biblical persepctive of money and the stewardship of it. We made a budget and allocated a percentage of our income to give - and we have never turned back over the last 24 years. We have not been perfect - but we have always gave - God has always taken care of us.

I would like to point out 3 biblical perspective of generosity we throughout scripture.

The first biblical perspective of Generosity… IN YOUR NOTES is…

God OWNS it all Ps 24:1

One of the most valuable commodities today is our intellect. It’s from that intellect that people create, build, and generate wealth.

When you find something brilliant.. people want to know.. where did that come from? WHO CREATED that, WHO DOES IT BELONG TO? These creators tend to wow the world.

When we look at the earth, the sun, the stars, and all creation, we must ask, Who made this?

Scripture reply’s in Ps 24:1 by saying…

Psalm 24:1 NIV

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

It is the Lords becuase he created it!

Illustration: “Mine” is one one of the earliest words out of a child’s mount.

If these ideas are not corrected, children will grow up thinking they own things they never paid for.

When they are toddlers

they say…

MINE! To their bottle, oor goldfish in the pantry.

When they are teens

they say…

Where is MY PHONE?

Get out of MY room

I want MY PRIVACY

When they become adults… things don’t change a whole lot :)

Friends, if we don’t have the right perspective about who OWNS it all… we’ll struggle with biblical stewardship because our view is off… as we think we OWN it all.

Before you know it - we will begin to tell GOD…

God this is MINE - you can not have it.

God, why did you take that from me… it was MINE.

Friends - when your perspective is GOD OWNS it all - you will NOT have a mentality of MINE.

Here is something we need to remember about money… IN YOUR NOTES

Money is a TEST. (Matt. 6:21)

It’s a test of the heart - it test the mine mantality

We see this in Matt. 6:21…

Matt. 6:21 say’s For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Here Jesus links money and the heart. Where we put our money will let us know wether we believe God owns it all.

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: Does my money reveal I trust God?

We’re talking about…

Sermon Title | The PERSPECTIVE of Generosity

It all starts with the Perspective that

GOD OWNS it all.

The next biblical persepctive… IN YOUR NOTES is… this

God PROVIDES it all Gen. 22:14, Ex.16

Yea… if He owns it all… then we know he provides it all.

Abraham knew this. In Gen. 22:14 he was desperate for provision. God shows up and provides a ram for sacrifice…

The Lord PROVIDED it ALL

The Israelites in Ex. 16… we’re hungry in the desert - day after day God gave them bread - like tacos from Heaven.

-The Lord PROVIDED it ALL

We forget that it in creating us, he gave us the mind, the gifts the talents that make it possible to build, work and earn money.

In this too… THE LORD PROVIDES IT ALL…

Here is something we need to remember about money… IN YOUR NOTES

Money is a TESTIMONY Deut. 8:18

It tells a story a story about our GENEROUS GOD.

It shows the world that there is a loving God who owns it all and provides it all.

Anyone have a TESTIMONY today… has GOD PROVIDED it all for you?

Church… WE did not do it on our own.

It’s always been all God

Here is what God has to say about this to the people in Deut. 8:18… and scripture still reminds us today…

Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…

He did all this… so you can produce wealth… so you can have something to live on.

We should say thank you

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: How has God given you the ability to produce wealth?

Think of all the ways HE has made a way for you.

What is your testimony? If you were to share it today?

I’m telling you…. Generosity WORKS

but it only works when we have…

Sermon Title | The RIGHT PERSPECTIVE of Generosity

Scripture tells us

that… GOD OWNS it all.

and… God PROVIDES it all

It leads us to ONE last conclusion … IN YOUR NOTES…

God DIRECTS it all Prov. 11:24-25, Col. 1:16-17

Yea, he doesn’t just own it all, provide it all… becuase of this its His prerogative to direct it all.

His word is full of direction regarding stewardship, budgeting and his financial plan to push his Kingdom Mission forward.

We wouldn’t be here today if people hadn’t partnered with God in His mission. Twenty years ago, our church was broke, in debt, and on the verge of closing.

The truth is, we’re here only because of God and the faithfulness of His generous people. Let’s take a moment to thank the 60 families who gave and stayed when things were hardest—because of them, we have a church today.

Bottom line: God always directs His resources through the people - we see it all throughout scripture.

Prov. 11:24-25 lets look at it together on the screen…

Proverbs 11:24–25 NIV

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Think about it… when God wants to build a church start a mission local church…

Who does it use? The Generous.

This is why givers prosper… while others often struggle- and don’t have much to give.

***Now just a interpretation reminder…When reading Proverbs - these are NOT promises but principals.

God is NOT our genie in a bottle… our motivation to give can not come from a place of selfish gain and rewards… it should come out of a heart that knows… ITS ALL GODS.

Let’s look briefly at how God has directed resources through biblical history.

First lets talk about the Pre-Law Era - before the 10 commandments were ever give.. IN YOUR NOTES we see that…

Pre-Law Era: God directed resources through REVELATION (Gen. 14:18-20, Gen. 28:20-22)

Before the law - God stirred hearts and they responded.

In Gen. 14:20b before the law - Scripture tells us this… Lets look at it on the screen together….

“…Abraham did what gave a tenth of everything”

Here Abraham gave a 10th to the priest Melchizedek as the first biblical example of tithing.

As we look at the next Era… the Law Era… IN YOUR NOTES we see that…

The Law Era: God directed resources through OBEDIENCE (Lev. 27:30, Numb. 18:21)

During the Old Covenant - the Israelites we’re commanded to give out of obedience.

We see this in passages like Lev. 27:30 lets look at it together.

Leviticus 27:30 NIV

“ ‘A tithe(which means 10%) of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.

People bartered through things like crops, animals, and goods, and brought a tenth of these to the ministers o f the store house.

What did the Ministers do with the tithe?

Scripture tells us in places like Numb. 18:21 God says this…

Numbers 18:21 NIV

“I give to the Levites(The ministers of the temple) all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance -Why did these ministers receive this? in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.

The tithe would go to support the ministers as would steward this income to take care of The Tent of meeting which was like a portable sanctuary and take care of the needs of the ministers.

Through this structure of the Tithe, God ensured His work would continue.

Many people have concern and caution when it comes to the Church and Money.

We have to acknowledge that SOME… someoen say SOME… churches miss handle Gods money… and SOME… say SOME… Some are outright crooked…

This is why Church Structure is IMPORTANT. This is why our members vote on Deacons that serve on our board… The board, made up of five deacons and myself as chair, provides accountability and oversight for TGP’s finances. We ensure funds are used wisely and in the right places to fuel God’s mission. Each year, we hold an open business meeting for full financial transparency.

If you’ve been burned in the past, know this — we are not sloppy with money; our financial structures are healthy and strong. Don’t let bad press or hurt hinder you from being in line with Gods word in this area of life.

The last Era - which is where we live today… the Grace Era… IN YOUR NOTES we see that…

The Grace Era: God directs resources through GENEROSITY (2 Cor. 9:7, Acts. 4)

God is still owns it all, provides it all… and directs it all through generous HEARTS.

He no longer directs through REVELATION alone or lawful obedience…

But he is doing it through TRANSFORMED people who share his heart for the Kigndom.

One of the clearest New-Covenant teachings on giving is: 2 Cor. 9:7

You here us talk about it all the time… lets look at it on the screen together…

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Each of you should give WHAT YOU HAVE DECIDED in your HEART to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

How MUCH is generous? God say’s - You decide in your heart.

We believe that because 10% is what Gods people did before the law and during the law that in living Generously - a great STARTING POINT is 10%.

Here is something WILID We see radical generosity lived out in ACTS 4 … as it describes - they actually gave EVERYTHING and shared it with one another.

Now - Society looked different — but its clear here these NEW COVENANT people gave far more than 10% because GRACE enlarged their heart.

Here is something we need to remember about money… IN YOUR NOTES

Money is a TOOL. (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

It serves a purpose - to meet needs fuel the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NIV)

I am going to paraphrase

Command those who are rich… don’t put your hope in wealth, but in God.

What are they to do with their wealth?

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Did you know as Americans we earn 1/2 of all Christian income around the world.

Did you know that an average on 5% of Christians actually follow the tithe principal in Scripture.

Could you image what would happen in the Kingdom of God if EVERY CHRISTIAN tithed?

I know for our church alone - our income would more than double -

Every Church Plant would explode, there would not be ONE missionary waiting to get on the field, christian business would explode, christians house holds would thrive, they would be a resource to their neighbors, friends, family.

No widow or orphan or people with GENUINE NEEDS would go without HOLY MOLY! Could you imagine! EVERY NEED in the LIVES of our people, and church - DONE!

Whats our application for us today?

God is interested in FREELY moving through transformed hearts -

This only happens when the people of God have the RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

They understand God owns it all

They understand God PROVIDES it all

They understand God DIRECTS it all through his people

Here is the quesiton I believe Scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today.

QUESTION: Can God direct kingdom resources through you?

Are you some one who is partnered with him through the tithe principal?

I want to participate in what God is doing, how about you?

Church: This is why at Grace place we teach and that tithing is the STARTING POINT for generosity.

We don’t do it becuase of a law or we fear being cursed - Friends - every curse of the law was broken on the cross of Calvary.

We tithe NOT out of a LAW - but out of the biblical principal - that we have seen all throughout scripture.

Transition: As I close today….

Salvation

Has God spoken to you today?

Will you respond to him?

We would love to hear your generosity testimony.

How God has provided for you through the years as you have committed to tithing

Some of you are NEW tithers -

we want to know your story

Maybe you had a hang up with tithing

Or a key moment God moved on your heart to give.

We want to hear your story

SEND your story to [e-mail]

LETS FlOOD the air with testamonies of Gods GOODNESS -

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

Salvation Altar Call

I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…

It’s about believing

Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.

The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:

1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.

2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action Altar Call

We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.

ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Going Deeper

Does my money reveal I trust God? Ps 42:1, Matt. 6:21

How has God given you the ability to produce wealth? Deut. 8:18

Can God direct his Kingdom resources through you? 2 Cor. 9:7

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).