Vision 2020 - Part 5
Notes
Transcript
Announcements:
Announcements:
Good morning River Church Family.
Connect Cards?
Draw your attention to the bulletin for announcements. You can also check out the “events” page on our website; or, keep an eye out for our weekly email.
Do you enjoy the worship songs we use here at TRC? Would you like to listen to them and become more familiar with them during the week?
Well, our worship leader Jon has put together a Spotify playlist for our church, with our current songs.
You can find that on our website. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see a link for Spotify Worship Playlist.
Finally, we don’t take a tithe and offering during service, but if you’d like to give today, there is white box in the back to place your gift. Or, you can give online at riverchurchct.com/give.
And with that, River Kids, you are dismissed!
Hey, before we get started, we have a little family business to take care of. About this time of the year, we usually discuss the finances of the church. How it went last year and what our budget will be for this year. So, I’d like to to spend a few moments reviewing that with you this morning.
Budget Presentation:
Budget Presentation:
You may have noticed on your bulletin that we shared some financial numbers with you:
You should see: 1) 2019’s Budget; 2) 2019’s Actual Spending; and 3) The Approved Budget for 2020.
I want to quickly highlight a few things...
In 2019, the total amount of tithes and offerings collected was $117,972 (not listed). That’s an average of $9,831/mo. Also, that’s a 32% increase over 2018 giving.
That’s awesome! Thank you for your generosity, faith, and investment into the Kingdom of God!
Another cool number I want to share is called the “Weekly Per Capita Giving.” It’s basically a number we use to measure the weekly giving, per person, regardless of age. For us, our Per Capita giving is $43/person.
Good morning River Church Family.
Again, that’s amazing! Especially for a 3-yr old church!
FYI - the national average is $26.
Connect Cards?
Now, this year’s budget is set at $146,385, which is almost a 14% increase. Let me explain why the increase...
Draw your attention to the bulletin for announcements. You can also check out the “events” page on our website; or, keep an eye out for our weekly email.
First, we believe, by faith, that our church will grow in both generosity and people this year. Again, we grew by 32% last year!
Do you enjoy the worship songs we use here at TRC? Would you like to listen to them and become more familiar with them during the week?
Well, our worship leader Jon has put together a Spotify playlist for our church, with our current songs.
You can find that on our website. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see a link for Spotify Worship Playlist.
Finally, we don’t take a tithe and offering during service, but if you’d like to give today, there is white box in the back to place your gift. Or, you can give online at riverchurchct.com/give.
And with that, River Kids, you are dismissed!
Hey, before we get started, we have a little family business to take care of. About this time of the year, we usually discuss the finances of the church. How it went last year and what our budget will be for this year. So, I’d like to to spend a few moments reviewing that with you this morning.
Second, this increase includes $21,800, which is listed under the “other” category. Our board has set two financial goals this year:
Budget Presentation:
Budget Presentation:
You may have noticed on your bulletin that we shared some financial numbers with you:
First, we’d like to begin saving $5,000/yr.
You should see: 1) 2019’s Budget; 2) 2019’s Actual Spending; and 3) The Approved Budget for 2020.
I want to quickly highlight a few things...
In 2019, the total amount of tithes and offerings collected was $117,972 (not listed). That’s an average of $9,831/mo. Also, that’s a 32% increase over 2018 giving.
And second, right now I fundraise about 40% of my salary. It is our prayer that the church would be able to fully support that salary next year.
That’s awesome! Thank you for your generosity, faith, and investment into the Kingdom of God!
Another cool number I want to share is called the “Weekly Per Capita Giving.” It’s basically a number we use to measure the weekly giving, per person, regardless of age. For us, our Per Capita giving is $43/person.
Both goals equal $21,800. And if we break that number down using weekly per capita, and not change the size of our church, it would be about $25/wk increase for a family of four. We believe that is a reasonable financial goal!
Again, that’s amazing! Especially for a 3-yr old church!
FYI - the national average is $26.
Hey, before we get started, we have a little family business to take care of. About this time of the year is usually when we discuss the finances of the church. How it went last year and what our budget will be for this year. So, I’d like to to spend a few moments reviewing that with you this morning.
Finally, without that goal of 21K, the budget actually decreased 3% from 2019. We want to be good stewards of God’s money, so we aren’t going to just increase the budget for no reason.
Now, this year’s budget is set at $146,385, which is almost a 14% increase. Let me explain why the increase...
First, we believe, by faith, that our church will grow in both generosity and people this year. Again, we grew by 32% last year!
Anyways, that’s the 2020 budget! We’ll continue to give you updates throughout the year. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to try and answer them after service.
Second, this increase includes $21,800, which is listed under the “other” category. Our board has set two financial goals this year:
First, we’d like to begin saving $5,000/yr.
And second, right now I fundraise about 40% of my salary. It is our prayer that the church would be able to fully support that salary next year.
I do have one update. You will see that to meet our budget this year, giving will need to average $12K/mo. For Jan 2020, we took in 6K. So, we’re a little behind. But God is on the throne, amen?
Both goals equal $21,800. And if we break that number down using weekly per capita, and not change the size of our church, it would be about $25/wk increase for a family of four. We believe that is a reasonable financial goal!
Budget Presentation:
Budget Presentation:
Finally, without that goal of 21K, the budget actually decreased 3% from 2019. We want to be good stewards of God’s money, so we aren’t going to just increase the budget for no reason.
Once I was young, and now I am old.
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
or their children begging for bread.
Anyways, that’s the 2020 budget! We’ll continue to give you updates throughout the year. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to try and answer them after service.
I do have one update. You will see that to meet our budget this year, giving will need to average $12K/mo. For Jan 2020, we took in 6K. So, we’re a little behind. But God is on the throne, amen?
You may have noticed on your bulletin that we shared some financial numbers with you:
God will provide!
Once I was young, and now I am old.
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
or their children begging for bread.
You should see: 1) 2019’s Budget; 2) 2019’s Actual Spending; and 3) The Approved Budget for 2020.
God will provide!
I want to quickly highlight a few things...
In 2019, the total amount of tithes and offerings collected was $117,972 (not listed). That’s an average of $9,831/mo. Also, that’s a 32% increase over 2018 giving.
That’s awesome! Thank you for your generosity, faith, and investment into the Kingdom of God!
Another cool number I want to share is called the “Weekly Per Capita Giving.” It’s basically a number we use to measure the weekly giving, per person, regardless of age. For us, our Per Capita giving is $43/person.
Again, that’s amazing! Especially for a 3-yr old church!
FYI - the national average is $26.
Now, this year’s budget is set at $146,385, which is almost a 14% increase. Let me explain why the increase...
First, we believe, by faith, that our church will grow in both generosity and people this year. Again, we grew by 32% last year!
Second, this increase includes $21,800, which is listed under the “other” category. Our board has set two financial goals this year:
First, we’d like to begin saving $5,000/yr.
And second, right now I fundraise about 40% of my salary. It is our prayer that the church would be able to fully support that salary next year.
Both goals equal $21,800. And if we break that number down using weekly per capita, and not change the size of our church, it would be about $25/wk increase for a family of four. We believe that is a reasonable financial goal!
Finally, without that goal of 21K, the budget actually decreased 3% from 2019. We want to be good stewards of God’s money, so we aren’t going to just increase the budget for no reason.
Anyways, that’s the 2020 budget! We’ll continue to give you updates throughout the year. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to try and answer them after service.
I do have one update. You will see that to meet our budget this year, giving will need to average $12K/mo. For Jan 2020, we took in 6K. So, we’re a little behind. But God is on the throne, amen?
their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
Once I was young, and now I am old.
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
or their children begging for bread.
Ps
God will provide!
Intro:
Intro:
And that leads us into this morning’s topic in our Vision 2020 Series. This year, we’ve spent a few weeks discussing how we’re focusing on Growing in Christ.
We’ve talked about how we can GROW.
We’ve talked about being motivated to GROW.
But also, being aware of the process it involves. It’s not simply flipping a switch, but a life-long journey. Therefore, when we Grow in Christ, we need to be patient with ourselves and each other. We also need to continue reaching others - even though we focus on internal growth (the mission of God is always about taking the gospel to people who need it!). And last week we discussed spiritual warfare. The reality that we have a very real enemy who will fight against any Kingdom growth.
And for the past couple weeks, we’ve talked about some helpful expectations to have… as we GROW.
I’d like to end our series by giving one more helpful expectation. This morning we’re talking about the fact that Growing in Christ requires generosity. As God’s people, we cannot grow without learning to be generous.
And I’m going to break generosity down into 3 parts. So, if you’re taking notes on your bulletin, you can fill in the blanks as we go along...
And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
Exegesis:
Exegesis:
Our faith grows when we give.
God as provider.
God as Lord (money not our god/we are not our own god).
God blesses a generous people, which causes the Kingdom to grow.
Other people are blessed (there is no need).
We break the perception of greed.
We grow in relationship.
We become more like Jesus when we give.
Jesus gave everything.
1. We need to be generous with our finances.
1. We need to be generous with our finances.
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Cor 8-9
Maybe you’re thinking, “Oh I see. You’re going to talk about giving on the same day you talk about the budget. Sneaky.”
To that I say, “Yes, financial generosity helps meet our budget.” This church, although connected to the SEND Network, is an autonomous church. That means there is no “mothership” sending down funds. This church and it’s mission is supported by your generosity. So your giving does impact our budget.
But… that is NOT the reason we are talking about generosity. Honestly, I ain’t worried about the budget. This is God’s church. And God’s not broke! Money is NOTHING to God. I’ve seen God SUPERNATURALLY provide over and over again! I ain’t afraid. We are talking about financial giving because it is part of Growing in Christ.
Now, money is a funny thing. It has this ability to capture our hearts. Jesus knew this. That’s why He said...
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
I think most of us understand what Jesus is getting at. How money can replace God in our lives. It’s happens easily. That’s because money is an important part of our lives. When we have it, we feel secure. When we have it, we can provide for our family. And if we can get a lot of it, it’s almost like we can control our destiny. It’s easy to make money the most important thing in our lives.
And what money can provide isn’t bad. It’s good to have stability and provide for our families. The problem is something deeper than money itself. Look at this familiar verse...
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Now, does the bible say money is evil? No, the “love” of money is evil. And here’s the deeper problem - look at again...
Jesus knew how money affects our heart. He basically said, “Money has this ability to replace God in our lives. And we begin to love money with love that’s reserved for God.” Because all the things that money does for us:
Give us security.
Give us provision.
Give us control.
Those are all the things God promises to do for us!
God is our security.
God is our provider.
God is in control.
And in the Christian life, there is a choice before us. Who is our master? God or money? And if we are going to GROW in Christ, we must learn to choose God. And the best way to learn this lesson is to be generous with our finances. To begin to give it away by faith and obedience.
And again, this isn’t a MONEY issue. Money isn’t good or bad. It’s a tool. God gives us money to both grow our faith and accomplish His Kingdom purposes. The real issue is who do we love as master? When we love God, money helps us grow. When we love money, it stunts our growth.
So, let me throw this out before I say anything else about giving… the solution to our generosity problem isn’t found by:
Forcing you to throw a couple extra dollars into the white box in the back.
It won’t be found by convincing you to give a certain percentage of your income.
It won’t even be found in shaming your spending habits.
Why? Because isn’t a money issue.
Say, “God don’t need my money.” God doesn’t need your money. He doesn’t need anything from you. Paul told the Athenians...
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
God doesn’t NEED anything from us. But He does use our money to help us learn to love Him. And that’s what this is really about… it’s about love. And the best person to teach us this lesson in love and generosity is Jesus.
God doesn’t NEED anything from you. But because He loves you, He chooses to use your money to help you learn to love Him. And that’s what this is about… it’s about love. And because Jesus is our greatest example, I want to show you how He is generous.
In , Paul is writing to the Corinthians and asking them to have ready the financial gift they had promised the church in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was struggling and, out of love, Corinth offered to help them. Awesome!
But some time passed and they didn’t follow through. So, Paul tells them he’s coming to see them and he wants them to have their financial gift ready. Not because he’s coming to collect like the IRS, but because he wants them to PROVE their “love” by generosity. And to help them understand how generosity proves love, he tells them to look to Jesus. He says...
2 Cor 8:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Since the beginning of time, God’s been telling us, “I love you. And I will save you from your sins.” But He didn’t just say it.. He PROVED it: He generously gave!
Earlier we sang… “from a throne of endless glory to a cradle in the dirt.” 2000 years ago, an unbelievable gift of love came from the throne of God. Jesus, who sat on a throne of endless glory, was unimaginably rich. But because of love, He generously gave Himself and became a baby, born in a manger… He became poor. He humbled Himself, stepped into time, and left the glory of heaven. He gave everything for us!
Do you see how Jesus proved his love through generosity? This was the Corinthians’ example and it’s ours too! If we want to GROW this year, we need to choose to love God over money. And one of the best ways we do that is by being generous with our finances, because it’s a form of love in action. And it causes us to Grow in Christ!
And let me read what kind of growth happens when we are financially generous...
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Cor 9
Did you notice the Kingdom growth that happens as a result of financial generosity?
When we give, God gives us everything we need. And, He meets the needs of others through our generosity. As a result, our faith in God grows.
When we give, joy and thanksgiving grows.
When we give, the amount of people giving glory to God grows.
When we give, love grows. Towards God and one another!
When we are generous with our finances, we both grow and prove we love God.
The problem is not that God needs money. The problem is not that we don’t have enough to give. The problem is not that God can’t provide for us (even supernaturally).
So, how can we start being generous? Look what Paul says…
- own free will.
And … they were over-achievers. They gave even above what they had! They even begged Paul to take it! They had to beg Paul to take it, because that wasn’t the standard. Paul isn’t instructing us to give and bring hardship upon ourselves. That’s why he goes onto to tell them this...
and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
How do we know what to financially give? We first go to the Lord and ask, “God, how generous should I be?” And then, whatever you hear… give! That’s what it means when he says, “By the will of God.”
In giving, faith grows, blessing grows, worship grows, joy grows and love grows ()
This year, be prepared to GROW by being financially generous. The amount doesn’t really matter. What matters is obeying God by faith, whether it’s $5 or $5,000. But know, Growing in Christ involves being financially generous.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Giving is part of the growth process.
We care about mission more than the money.
2. We need to be generous with our giftings.
2. We need to be generous with our giftings.
Part of our foundational passages for the year says...
you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 P
Then, it goes onto say...
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
If you are a Christian, you are part of that “royal” priesthood. What that means is, in God’s Kingdom, you have a job to do. God has a plan and purpose for your life! And through the natural gifts He’s created you with, and through the power of the Holy Spirit - who has given you spiritual gifts - God is going to use your life.
Therefore, BE a royal priest! Or as the New England Patriots put it, “Do your job!” Generously use your giftings, whether it’s time, resources, or spiritual gifts.
Now, some of you may be saying, “I don’t even know what my spiritual gifts are! Or, I don’t know how to use them!” That’s okay! That’s what this year is about. Our vision is for us to grow in those things this year. But before we grow in our giftings, we first have to be willing to use them!
So, let me give us a few reasons why we should be willing to be generous with our giftings…
First, despite what you may think or have experienced, it is not the pastor’s (or church leaders’) job to do all the ministry/church work. I know we live in a culture that embraces is, “Why should I do the work? Isn’t that why I give money? So, YOU can do the work.” The answer is no.
So, let me give us a few reasons why we should be willing to be generous with our giftings. First, despite what you may think or have experienced, it is not the pastors (or church leaders job) to do all the work. I know we live in a culture that embraces is, “Why should I do the work? Isn’t that why I give money? So, YOU can do the work.” The answer is no.
Even if we were to focus on my role as the pastor (and not our collective role as royal priests), my responsibility is not to do everything. It’s to equip you, so WE can do it together.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
God gave leaders to help everyone else to use their giftings. This is they system God designed. So, we all have to be willing to use our gifts!
And that connects to what we see in that last phrase, “for building up [or growing] the body of Christ.”
The church is like a human body - all connected, all working, all useful. And if we are a body, meaning I have purpose and you have a purpose, it’s important that all of us (all the parts) are using our gifts - and doing their job - together. Because when that’s not happening, things don’t work right.
I’ve probably shared this story before, but when I was marathon training last year, I injured my achilles. The strange thing is, I learned my injury wasn’t necessarily because I somehow messed up my achilles. It was likely due to overuse in my calf, which was related to a strain in my hips, which was connected to my core.
That makes sense because I hate core workouts! I neglect my core. I don’t focus on growing it. But core workouts are super important. But in my simple brain, I think, “Running use legs. My legs strong. Me, good.”
But running is a whole-body workout. And if my legs are the only thing being strengthened, things go wrong in running. The same is true with the church. It can’t just be a few people serving - no matter how strong they are. God designed the entire body of Christ to serve and grow together.
Let me add this. Not only do things go wrong, but… things get weird when one part grows and the other doesn’t...
Who’s heard the phrase: Friends don’t let friends skip leg day. No matter how buff your shoulders, chest, and arms are… no matter how big they grow… it just looks weird when the rest of your body isn’t growing with them. The body is designed to grow together.
Now, this illustration only goes so far. But my point is, God designed all of us to grow and use our gifts together. So, let’s be generous with our gifts.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
People get burned out or tired. Or they dont get to grow properly because they are always pouring out and never getting poured into. It’s like my achilles injury. I pretty sure that goes back to my core. I like to lift chest and arms and I run alot so my legs are pretty strong. But because I neglect core, things get off. I can’t grow properly because I’m not functioning properly.
Paul’s saying this: Generously use your gifts! If you got them, use them! God designed growth in the church to happen together. Friends don’t let friends serve at church alone. And when we serve together, we get Holy Spirit growth!
The other week we did a free HBO trial on Amazon Prime. The reason was Nole had not seen Land Before Time and they were showing it on HBO. So we did the free 5-day trial. While I’m personally not a fan of HBO content, I did end up watching the mini-series Chernobyl. It was super-interesting.
Chernobyl is the Russian city that had the nuclear meltdown in the 80s. And in the show, there’s a scene when one of the investigators is explaining what happen. Creating nuclear power is a complex process. A lot of things need to happen for things NOT to go wrong. Everything has to be working properly or it’s bad!
And in the melt down, it was a series of small errors that lead to the disaster! But, when things were all working together, they get nuclear power! And this is my point...
When we are all generous with our giftings, I believe we get nuclear power! And when that happens, we will see POWERFUL growth in our lives, in our church, and in our community!
Don’t skip leg day. Instead, get that nuclear Holy Spirit power. This year, be generous with your giftings as you grow in Christ.
Let’s be generous with our gifting!
Grow together we have nuclear power - Holy Spirit power.
This brings us to the third part...
3. We need to be generous with ourselves.
3. We need to be generous with ourselves.
Whether it’s finances or our giftings, living generously requires us to be generous with ourselves. Let me explain what I mean by that...
Because we are born sinners (with the natural desire to rebel against God), it’s not natural for us to do things God’s way. And this applies to generosity. It’s easy to be greedy and selfish. It’s unnatural to be generous.
Don’t believe me… just walk into the River Littles room. Even at 3, they know how to keep all the good toys for themselves. They have to be taught to share or to give.
It will not be easy for us to be grow in generosity. We will need to intentionally challenge ourselves (sometimes by faith) to be generous.
Let me share a verse that’s guided me in this area...
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gal
I love this verse. It teaches me that Jesus generously gave Himself for me. Therefore, in return, I should begin to generously give myself to Him.
That’s “easier said than done.” Actually, that’s hard! You know how I know it’s hard? Because it was hard for Jesus...
Before Jesus went to the cross, He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. And during that prayer, Jesus discussed with His Father what was about to happen. He was about to sacrifice (or give) His perfect life to pay for the sins of the world. And when asked to generously give Himself, He said this...
This is something Jesus had to face (generously giving Himself). He said...
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Let me ask a question, “If a little kid was trying to buy his mom a Valentines gift in front of you and he was a dollar short, what would you do?” You’d step in and pay the dollar, “Here buddy. I got you.” Easy!
That’s not what Jesus did on the cross. Jesus didn’t pay a small debt. He paid an impossible debt. A debt no regular man could pay. Nor could mankind collectively pay this debt. It was immeasurable! Additionally, paying for the sins of the world also included absorbing the wrath of God against those sins.
So, when Jesus said, “Father, is there any other way?”… He wasn’t whimping out. He rightfully wanted this to pass from Him because He knew better than anyone what it cost. To generously give Himself was HARD!!! But then… He did it anyway!
That’s the type of person God is growing us into in 2020. He’s making us like Jesus. But it will cost us, as it cost Christ. Generously giving ourselves requires sacrifice. It involves us embracing a life that says...
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
It involves understanding what John the Baptist knew...
He must increase, but I must decrease.”
It involves us obeying what Jesus taught...
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
As we grow, God’s going to stretch us. The process requires us to learn to sacrifice by denying ourselves (the things we want). But it’ll be all worth it!
As we grow, we will be stretched. And it will require denying ourselves. It will require sacrifice. But it’ll be all worth it!
This year, be prepared to generously give yourself, the same way Jesus gave Himself. Expect it! Press into it! And watch how Jesus transforms your life! In the end, you will say, “It’s worth it!”
We must decrease if He is to increase.
Obedience: God, not my will but Your will.
Sacrifice: We will be stretched. It will require us to deny ourselves.
2 Cor 8:5?
Response:
Response:
As we close...
Growth requires a stretch/risk.
I want our church to have a culture of generosity. I want that to be who we are because that’s who Jesus is! And that’s the type of church that makes a Kingdom impact in the world.
But to build that culture, it’ll require us to be:
Generous financially.
Generous with our gifitings.
And generous with ourselves, for the glory of God!
Who’s determining when our heart is “cheerful?” God? World? Us?
And… as we finish our Vision 2020 series, I hope you’re both excited and prepared for what God has in store for us. I hope you’re ready to leave the “old” behind and embrace the “new things” God has for us this year. I hope you’re motivated to Grow. And I hope you’re ready to do whatever it takes, even if it’s hard, because Jesus is worth it!
I’m going to call the worship team up and I want to take a moment to give an opportunity for you to respond to Jesus.
I believe God can make our hearts cheerful before we experience results. Like moving to CT and selling everything.
Maybe you know God is calling you to generosity, but you’re scared. That’s okay. But don’t let that fear stop you. Instead, put your faith in God and give whatever He’s asking you to! And GROW!
Or maybe you’re sitting here (or listening online) and what really caught your attention is the fact that Jesus loves you and generously gave Himself for you. That He died for your sins - the greatest gift ever. And something inside of you is saying you need to respond to that!
Whatever it is, surrender to Jesus as Lord. Tell Him you’re ready to do whatever He asks. Because you know He is worth it. Put your faith, your trust in Him. And Grow into the person He’s created you to be!
If you need prayer, or would like to talk to someone about what God is doing in your life, come see me at the back (or anyone with a green lanyard).
And come back next week because we finally start our Lego series! We’re gonna start off with a Duplos series - the beginning blocks of Legos. Come next week and find out what that means!
Sometimes, we learn through the experience of giving. We learn there is nothing to fear after we face our fear. We experience it’s truly an act of worship to trust God.
Let’s pray...
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
And it’s already happening. You guys see… we gave over $12,000 away to other people and churches last year! We are a 3 yr old church plant with no outside support. That’s not normal! But God has continued to provide everything we need. So, let’s keep being a generous people!
God as provider.
God as Lord (money not our god/we are not our own god).
God blesses a generous people, which causes the Kingdom to grow.
Other people are blessed (there is no need).
We break the perception of greed.
We grow in relationship.
We become more like Jesus when we give.
Jesus gave everything.
1 Cor 15:
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
I’m not afraid of failure. I’m afraid of succeeding at the things that don’t matter. Think of this through the principle of generosity. We give our time, money, and talent to the things that matter to us. As followers of Jesus, let’s make sure we’re giving to things that matter. And that’s the Kingdom of God -