Because You Give

Amazing week of Vacation Bible School (Thanks to Chris & his team of volunteers for making so special). I heard from parents & kids who couldn’t wait to get here on Thursday evening. Buddy the Bear & Ranger Rachel.

Also had the privilege this week to baptize a young man who had been coming to New Hope for several years and is leaving today to go to Basic Training in MO & serve our country well. Because we couldn’t make it happen here at New Hope, we celebrated with his family & friends.

We have a lot to be thankful for, Amen! Please stand as we worship the one

Intro

When I was a kid I never realized how much my parents sacrificed for my brother and me. Now, I wouldn’t say by any stretch of the imagination that we were privileged, or born with a silver spoon, but we did ok. Specifically, I loved basketball. And my freshman season, every practice was before school....

An my bet this morning is that each one of you are where you’re at because someone gave and sacrificed for you. Parent, teacher, coach, pastor, friend,

New Living Translation Chapter 8

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 NLT

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

It’s God who gets the credit; It’s God who deserves the praise; It’s God’s work; It’s His plan; It’s His mission that He invites & calls us to.

Generosity is God’s plan

Assume their troubles are due to Christian persecution, but seems that this area was somewhat naturally poor & oppressed.

We make the automatic connection between poor & sad; poor & unhappy; poor & miserable. It’s a great paradox of faith - poor/joy; suffering/celebrate...

The word generosity kind of stands on it’s own. But when you use an adjective like “rich” along with generosity…that says something

They gave far more than they could afford.

They didn’t do it because of some slick talker. They didn’t do it because someone placed a homeless/hungry kid in front of them. They didn’t do it because someone had a gun to their head (a sling-shot to the face). They did it from a position of Freedom, not of fear. They did it willingly, not reluctantly. They did it cheerfully, not with regret. They did it with joy!

Get this! They begged us to give…again and again!

Sharing with others is a privilege

It’s not a burden. We don’t lose when we share. We win & others win as well.

Do you know how great it is for someone when they receive help? For me (home repair, car repair). But my guess is that the person doing the helping benefits just as much if not more than the one who is helped, because sharing is a privilege. It’s not something we HAVE to do, it’s something we GET to do.

And lastly...

Their FIRST ACTION was to GIVE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD… and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

Their

Before we ever give a dollar, we must first give our heart

Before we ever give a dollar, we must first give our heart

Before we ever give a dollar, we must first give our heart

And because the Macedonian churches gave, the Kingdom advanced; the gospel spread; lives were changed

What if… We could do something amazing just like those Macedonian churches?

What if… We could be a part of something so much bigger than we could ever do alone?

What if… We could be a part of the Gospel spreading around the world?

What if… We could be a part of the Kingdom advancing in a predominantly Muslim country?

Well… I’m glad you asked those great questions. Because it is our privilege to have with us this morning Lester, Amanda, Avery, Lane, & Josiah Wyatt… Who you help support to see God’s Kingdom advance around the world.

They’re here to share with us for a bit this morning, and they will be sharing lunch with us after 10:30 service for a Q & A time so we can get to know them better. So would you help them feel at home by giving them a warm New Hope welcome?

I want to say 2 things as we wrap up this service and have the ushers make their way forward;

1. It’s been so good getting to know this family

2. Thank you for being generous and giving, not only general church giving, but also for so many of you who give above and beyond because you believe in missions; you believe in The Mission. We are to go. We are to be sent. I hope our time together has helped you get to know their family, the ministry they’re a part of, and also motivated you to live a more missional life right where God has you.

Sharing with others is a privilege