Summer At Connect 2017_pt8: Walking like Jesus

Ephesians 5:8–10 NIV

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

As we seek “the good life” or a “better life” we must not forget that our mandate is to find out what pleases the Lord.

[TODAY] - We’re going to look at an area of our life that just might make some of us uncomfortable, but that is OK!

What pleases the Lord?...

- 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.

Why does this please the Lord? Because He’s a giver!

1 Timothy 6:17–19 NIV

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Generous = Ready to impart

[STORY] - Store clerk robbed, gives robber $40 of own money for insulin.

Walking in generosity is walking like Jesus!

Walking like Jesus

John 15

John 15:12–13 GW

Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I’m commanding you to do. The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends.

[PAYOFF] - Our lives should be full of generous giving!

3 Areas of giving: Time, Talent, Treasure

Time - Lead a connect group, serve with us at an event

Talent - God has given you a gift! This is what you can use to most serve Him and bring glory to Him!

Treasure - Be a giver! Meet the needs of others! Others before you!

Don’t like money talk? - Get over it!

Giving draw us closer to God

Matthew 6:21 NIV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

We devote time, energy, and money to the things that are important to us.

[PAYOFF] - These things have our heart!

Giving strengthens our faith

Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs

Proverbs 3:9–10 NIV

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Luke 6:

Luke 6:37–38 NIV

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 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 to you.”

We put our trust in Him, honor and obey whatever He puts on our heart to do, and reap a reward!

This grows our faith – we trust, we do, we see…

[PAYOFF] - Our faith will grow as far as we are willing to give ourselves to Him.

Giving is an investment in eternity

1 Timothy 6:18–19 NIV

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Those in Heaven that we reached with our time, talent & treasure!

[SAY WITH ME] - It’s not about me! Live with that moto.

Giving of ourselves

1. Pray!

Matthew 9:37–38 NIV

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Prayer aligns our heart with God’s heart.

Prayer has power!

Prayer was Christ’s first response to those hurting, those lost, those in sin.

2. Go!

Isaiah 6:8–9 NIV

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” He said, “Go and tell this people: “ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

We are His hands and feet!

He’s put this mission/responsibility in our hands.

We must GO or the work will not be done. Go Team!

3. Give!

Matthew 6:21 NIV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

There are many who struggle with giving (time, talent or money)

It’s because they don’t understand…

It’s not about getting more out of you. [go to Take Away]

Take Away

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Giving makes us like God!

Why did He give? Because He so LOVED!

BE A GIVER!... A GENEROUS GIVER!