For the next week, we're going to look at what we're supposed to do and how we're supposed to respond to the goodness of God. How we should live and give. We're going to look at how we've been blessed and how we're to turn around and bless others. yes, be thankful and grateful, but also bless others as well. The foundation of this belief is rooted in James 1:17 (NIV), which says - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Because this is so huge—and I would venture to say that 99.9% of you have never heard teaching, in-depth teaching, on this topic—because this topic is so monstrous. Know this: that this content, that this stuff is difference-making stuff. It will help you and influence you in every area of your existence. I pray that you find yourself in the spirit of prayer during the next week, that you simply say, “God, I want to open my heart and my life to this teaching.”
Let me start out by saying this: Our God is a God who wants us, who desperately desires us to live by the truths and principles of His word. We, as followers of Christ, need to be God-hearted. We need to reflect and to mirror the majesty of who God is. If we know God personally, we should mirror who he is. We should have the character qualities, we should reflect the stuff that God is about.
Luke 6:38 (MB), sets the tone for this today. It says, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Don’t you like that? I could preach on this one single verse for a few weeks.
Give away your life. When you do, God will give back to you. God will bless you. God will meet your needs. God will make a way for you. Because giving is the secret to life, not getting. Giving is the key to unlocking the blessings of God. Giving is the key to the abundant Christian life that Jesus promised in John 10:10. And finally, giving is the key to understanding the heart of God.
How can I begin to experience the blessed life?
#1. UNDERSTAND THE ESSENCE OF GOD IS GENEROSITY.
John 3:16, a verse that’s very familiar to all of us here. You even see this watching football games. After the extra point, they lower a sign, John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.”
Let me stop right there. If you don’t get anything else I write today, get this: God is for you. God is for me. And a lot of times we have a difficult time accepting that and swallowing that fact. God is for us. He wants us to have a life of excitement, adventure, vitality, and fun. Living the Christian life is the best way to live. God wants that for us. God desires that for us.
Let’s keep going. Romans 8:31-32 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Our God is a God who is generous. And because God is generous, we should be God-hearted. We should understand the fact that everything we have comes from God—our gifts, our aptitudes, our abilities, even the material stuff that we have. And because God has given it to us, we should reflect that.
In Mark 8:35, Jesus said -“Only those who give away their lives for My sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” What is the key word in that verse?? GIVE! The word "give" is used over 1500 times in the Bible. Why? Because giving is the essence of God and it is the essence of Christianity is giving.
So, let me ask you - what are you expecting God to do in your life? How much do you want God to bless your life? How much are you expecting God to act on your behalf? If you want the answer to those questions, just look at your giving. Abundant living begins with abundant giving. This Thanksgiving, who do you need to be serving? Where do you need to be giving? Who has a need that you can meet? (See a need - meet a need)
I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course. ENDURE!
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