WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.700 Good morning, everybody. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:04.879 Are you excited about new things? 00:00:05.219 --> 00:00:06.700 Does anybody get excited about new things? 00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:08.560 ! Good! Wow! 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:11.439 That is more than I expected in a Baptist church, alright? 00:00:11.980 --> 00:00:12.960 I'm messing with you. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:15.740 We are starting off a new series today, 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:19.100 a brand new series on Jesus on generosity. 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:21.780 I figure if we're going to talk about being generous, 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:24.800 we should probably stick to what Jesus has to say about it, 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:26.080 because that's probably safe, right? 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:28.740 Everybody says, when you go to church, 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:29.760 they're always asking for money. 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:31.980 Listen, that is not what this series is about. 00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:35.939 Now, that might be what God does in your heart, 00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:38.500 but this is about more than that, 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:41.200 and we're going to dive into what Jesus has to say 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:43.520 about living generously. 00:00:43.820 --> 00:00:45.219 Imagine this. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:49.020 It's a Baptist church. 00:00:49.520 --> 00:00:51.260 What do Baptists like to do? 00:00:52.400 --> 00:00:55.480 Wow, that is the first thing that came to your mind. 00:00:56.560 --> 00:00:57.540 Well, you're right, 00:00:57.540 --> 00:00:59.120 because that's what the story's about, alright? 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:02.379 Yeah, imagine it's after church, 00:01:02.519 --> 00:01:03.920 and Baptists get together, 00:01:04.039 --> 00:01:04.560 and we're eating, 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:05.939 and there's a church potluck, 00:01:06.019 --> 00:01:08.879 and somebody comes in with a big bucket of fried chicken. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:11.379 There we go. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:13.400 Yes, that's the moment to say amen. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:16.079 Still steaming, still crispy. 00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:17.700 Smells like heaven. 00:01:18.759 --> 00:01:20.700 Another person walks in with a bag of chips 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:22.620 that they grabbed out of the pantry on the way out the door. 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:25.060 Who was more generous? 00:01:26.740 --> 00:01:27.439 The chicken? 00:01:29.180 --> 00:01:31.460 Truth is, we don't know. 00:01:32.460 --> 00:01:33.939 We don't know. 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:36.439 Just because it costs more 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:38.659 doesn't necessarily mean 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:40.840 that they were more generous, right? 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:42.939 What if that person who brought the chicken 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:45.460 is standing there at the head of the line 00:01:45.460 --> 00:01:45.880 saying, 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:48.099 Hey, only one piece. 00:01:48.899 --> 00:01:50.119 I saw you grab a wing. 00:01:50.219 --> 00:01:51.379 Put that drumstick back. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:54.340 Would they be generous? 00:01:55.259 --> 00:01:56.459 Not so much, right? 00:01:57.219 --> 00:01:57.979 Could be 00:01:57.979 --> 00:02:00.319 that the person who brought the chips 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:03.340 actually sacrificed more, 00:02:04.039 --> 00:02:06.459 maybe had a more generous spirit. 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:09.180 Maybe they gave out of their little 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:11.799 instead of their much, right? 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:15.500 There's a principle about being generous. 00:02:16.239 --> 00:02:19.539 Sometimes we'll be the ones who bring the chicken, 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:23.500 but sometimes we'll be the ones who guard the chicken too. 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:26.060 Sometimes we'll give, 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:30.180 but we're going to put a lot of parameters around our gift. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:31.879 Sometimes we're going to say, 00:02:32.019 --> 00:02:33.919 Yeah, I want to support what God's doing 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:36.340 through this church and in this community, 00:02:36.460 --> 00:02:40.180 but only if it works with how I want it to work. 00:02:40.320 --> 00:02:45.219 Only if it slots in to how I have it in my head. 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:47.800 Sometimes we'll do that with our gift. 00:02:48.100 --> 00:02:49.340 And so we have to be very careful 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:51.520 that we're not just giving, 00:02:51.819 --> 00:02:53.980 that we're being generous. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:56.540 Well, that is a heart problem. 00:02:56.620 --> 00:02:59.340 That's something that Jesus can help us with. 00:02:59.480 --> 00:03:01.600 So, let's go to Luke chapter 14. 00:03:02.180 --> 00:03:03.200 Luke chapter 14. 00:03:03.300 --> 00:03:04.500 For the next five weeks, 00:03:04.500 --> 00:03:05.919 God willing, we are going to talk 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:09.300 and take a hard look about what Jesus had to say 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:11.240 about living generously. 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:13.719 Luke chapter 14, verses 33. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.020 Verse 33, this is kind of a series verse, 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:19.180 so we'll kind of keep referring back to this 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:20.780 throughout the next several weeks. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:23.379 Every one of you who does not renounce 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:26.920 all his possessions cannot be my disciple. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:30.340 Just thought I would drop that bomb on y'all this morning. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:34.379 Unless you renounce everything you own, 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:36.400 you can't follow Jesus. 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:40.300 That's a hard thing to say, right? 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:42.120 That's a hard thing to hear. 00:03:42.480 --> 00:03:44.199 It's a harder thing to live. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:47.180 What in the world does he mean by that? 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:49.560 Well, let's look at that word renounce. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:51.360 What does he mean by renounce? 00:03:51.420 --> 00:03:54.219 That's not a word that you and I probably use every day. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:56.520 It's a little uncommon. 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:58.060 What does it mean? 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:00.379 It means give up the rights to. 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:04.319 It means renounce control. 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:05.620 Give up control. 00:04:08.079 --> 00:04:10.699 It doesn't necessarily mean we go 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:12.379 and take everything we have 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:13.860 and bring it to the church. 00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:16.439 Number one, we don't want all your stuff, okay? 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:19.579 We don't want all your junk. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:22.199 Don't think, you know, this is the garage sale 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:24.099 and we're going to bring all my junk to the church. 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:25.379 That's not what we're saying here. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:31.519 What it means is we hold everything we have loosely. 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:34.939 We have open hands. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:36.839 Open hands. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:41.159 God might place something in that hand for a time 00:04:41.159 --> 00:04:43.539 and then he might take it out. 00:04:44.579 --> 00:04:46.620 We hold it all loosely. 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:48.879 We renounce our rights. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:52.019 We give up our rights to all our possessions. 00:04:52.539 --> 00:04:53.860 Listen, in other parts of the world, 00:04:54.060 --> 00:04:55.420 that's a lot easier for them to do. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:04:58.099 In America, it's a little bit harder. 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:00.219 It's a little bit harder for us to do. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.420 Why? 00:05:01.539 --> 00:05:03.860 Because we have capitalism in America. 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:05.719 We have this idea where you go out 00:05:05.719 --> 00:05:07.639 and you earn what you get 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:10.419 and then you got it because you earned it. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:12.459 Jesus says, hold on. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:15.259 You go out, you earn what you get 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:16.839 and then you got it, but then you give it up. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:18.659 You give it up to me. 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:22.020 Because if I want to take it, I can. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:26.200 I'm the one who allowed you to get it in the first place. 00:05:27.220 --> 00:05:28.680 And what you don't understand 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:30.840 is I might be able to replace it 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:33.460 with something far greater, far more meaningful, 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:37.920 far better than what you're holding onto so tightly. 00:05:38.260 --> 00:05:39.520 So that's the idea behind 00:05:39.520 --> 00:05:42.520 every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions 00:05:42.520 --> 00:05:45.040 cannot be my disciple. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:45.900 There's a truth here. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:49.580 Generosity isn't about the size of your gift. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:51.960 It's not about whether you bring chicken or chips. 00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:55.560 It's about the shape of your heart. 00:05:56.700 --> 00:05:59.920 Like everything else that Jesus has taught us 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:01.720 during the summer, if you were here, 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:03.320 I know a lot of you traveled and that's fine. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:04.300 I did some traveling too. 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:07.580 But if you were here for most of the summer, 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:08.520 part of the summer, 00:06:08.520 --> 00:06:11.520 you probably heard a sermon on stories of the kingdom. 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:14.039 And that was Jesus giving us his parables, 00:06:14.359 --> 00:06:16.359 giving us these stories, these illustrations 00:06:16.359 --> 00:06:18.199 about the kingdom of God 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:20.219 and how different it is than the kingdom of man. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:22.659 And what it all came down to was, 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:24.359 where is your heart? 00:06:24.579 --> 00:06:27.819 Is your heart for yourself or is your heart for God? 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:30.399 Is your heart for just me, number one, 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:31.879 or is your heart for others? 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:33.199 And so once again, 00:06:33.359 --> 00:06:37.099 generosity does not come back to what you do, 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:39.800 but how and why you do it. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:44.620 That's what generous living looks like. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:47.900 Let's look down a couple chapters back. 00:06:48.200 --> 00:06:49.960 Luke chapter six and verse 38. 00:06:50.760 --> 00:06:52.720 Here's a principle on giving. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:54.439 Since we're talking about generosity, 00:06:54.760 --> 00:06:56.439 let's hit this idea of giving. 00:06:56.540 --> 00:06:58.200 We just had an offering a moment ago. 00:06:58.700 --> 00:07:01.040 You will very rarely see me put something 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:02.120 in the offering plate 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:04.320 because we have this in 2025, 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:05.939 this way to give online. 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:08.519 And that's a really nice, easy way for me to do that. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:09.759 We go on the church center app 00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:12.480 and every month I give 10% of my paycheck. 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:13.879 Sometimes we'll go ahead 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:15.439 and give more to special offerings 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:17.040 when there's disaster relief 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.860 or something going on through Texans on Mission. 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.100 We'll contribute to that as well. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:22.459 But there's this idea of giving. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:23.100 Why? 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:23.980 Well, number one, 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:25.420 we gotta keep the lights on in this place. 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:26.879 So we keep having something together. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:30.560 We want staff to help lead us in ministries. 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:31.899 And so we try to pay them. 00:07:32.339 --> 00:07:34.579 And there's a lot of cost that comes, 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:38.479 real world costs from doing God's work on this earth. 00:07:38.479 --> 00:07:40.719 And so we collectively give. 00:07:41.159 --> 00:07:44.060 I give, you give, we all give together. 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:46.539 So what does Jesus have to say about giving? 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:47.539 Luke 6, 38. 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:50.240 Give and you will receive. 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:53.120 Your gift will return to you in full. 00:07:53.659 --> 00:07:56.939 Press down, shaken together to make room for more. 00:07:57.299 --> 00:07:58.959 In case you don't understand what he was talking about. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:00.259 You know, when you got something, 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:01.819 you shake it down, push it down. 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:03.399 I can pack more in there, right? 00:08:03.659 --> 00:08:06.819 That's how God's promising to give back to us. 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:10.740 Running over and poured into your lap. 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:12.500 Sounds fun, right? 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:14.699 Imagine if that was money. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:18.399 Press down, shaken together to make room for more. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:20.100 Running over and poured into your lap. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:21.279 You're like, bring it on. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:23.500 You know what the cool thing is? 00:08:23.719 --> 00:08:26.300 God's blessings sometimes look like money. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:30.400 But a lot of times, probably most of the time, they're better than money. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:36.399 Sometimes it's far better than what we could, what we think is the goal. 00:08:37.180 --> 00:08:38.840 You know, none of us actually want money. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:40.720 Did you know that? 00:08:41.680 --> 00:08:43.180 I was thinking about this the other day. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.620 You're looking at me like, speak for yourself, man. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:47.799 That's wrong. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:48.960 No, I'm serious. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:50.600 You don't really want money. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:53.639 You want what money can do for you. 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:56.540 You want what money buys you. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:59.899 Or what you think money buys you. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:04.159 We want what money can do for us. 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:06.920 There's really nothing special about that paper dollar. 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:10.000 Say, yeah, that's why you got to have it backed by gold. 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:12.700 Well, there's really nothing special about gold either. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:13.460 It's a metal. 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:15.680 It doesn't really do anything for you. 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:17.100 It's not going to keep you warm at night. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:18.060 It's not going to keep you happy. 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:24.839 It's what these things that we have assigned value to can buy you. 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:32.399 We think they can buy us what we need in this life to make us happy. 00:09:34.479 --> 00:09:43.519 Jesus is saying, listen, what I will give you will make you far happier than this money that you're chasing. 00:09:44.839 --> 00:09:46.919 Sometimes he'll bless you with money. 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:49.860 Sometimes he'll bless you with earthly possessions. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:10:02.479 But all the time, his blessings will come back to us pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over and poured into our lap. 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:06.039 Oftentimes, we just don't have the eyes to see it. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.419 Because we don't want his blessings. 00:10:09.479 --> 00:10:10.899 We want what we want. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.279 We want what we're pursuing. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:21.419 So, it finishes up by saying the amount you give will determine the amount you give back. 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:27.100 The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:30.720 That is a kingdom of God principle there. 00:10:31.899 --> 00:10:34.720 So, man, I just don't feel like I'm experiencing God's fullness. 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:37.860 How much time are you spending with God? 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:45.519 How much are you giving to God and then expecting back in return from him? 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:47.019 There's a principle there. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.759 I hope we can wrap our heads around it. 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:49.899 So, there's a truth. 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:54.940 What you release in faith, God returns in abundance. 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:57.860 That's that whole idea of having open hands. 00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.720 Renouncing our possessions. 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:02.800 Saying, God, I release this to you. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:08.280 I'm trusting that you will return it in abundance to me. 00:11:09.540 --> 00:11:10.860 God isn't saying. 00:11:11.420 --> 00:11:14.260 Jesus isn't teaching that you can't have stuff. 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:19.340 He's saying your stuff can't have you. 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:21.540 Does that make sense? 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:25.099 Jesus, he's not saying that you can't have your boat. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:26.079 You got to go sell it. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:30.579 He's not saying you can't have your new cowboy boots that you just got, 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:31.559 even though you didn't really need them. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:34.379 He's not saying you can't have stuff. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:36.839 He's saying your stuff can't have you. 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:42.699 Several weeks ago, we talked a little bit about another principle that tied in this story. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:44.899 And I want to bring it back, even though you've already heard it once before. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:46.819 Maybe you'll remember it now if I've told it to you twice. 00:11:47.099 --> 00:11:51.459 And I heard this story of this rich guy who had bought this brand new boat. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:52.579 That's why a boat's on my head. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:54.740 In my head. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.339 But this guy was out. 00:11:57.019 --> 00:12:01.240 And the youth activity, his church was going to go out on a lake and they were going to have fun. 00:12:01.599 --> 00:12:03.939 And so he had these teenagers in his boat. 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:07.480 He volunteered, his brand new luxury boat, rich guy. 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:10.419 And they went out there on the lake. 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:15.579 And they're going around and having fun and playing, doing all their stuff, whatever they're doing. 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:19.540 And they get back and his boat is just torn up. 00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:22.780 I mean, seats have holes in them. 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:24.780 The teenagers were pretty rough on it. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:25.860 There's stains everywhere. 00:12:26.420 --> 00:12:27.680 It was just rough. 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:29.240 They didn't treat it particularly well. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:43.320 And you and I, if we had made that kind of investment and that kind of thing happened to what we just did, what we just bought and put out a bunch of money for, we would probably be like, what in the world? 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:44.779 What are you doing? 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:46.840 Can't you take care of stuff? 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:49.720 But he didn't have that attitude. 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:55.180 Now, those kids, yeah, they should have taken better care of what they were entrusted with. 00:12:56.040 --> 00:13:00.620 But his attitude was, well, God, kind of surprised you let that happen to your boat. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.639 But all right, whatever. 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.500 He just moved on. 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:05.500 Said, this isn't mine, it's God's. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.899 I'm just holding on to it for God for a little while. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:16.660 So his whole idea was he had released his big money purchase to God. 00:13:17.540 --> 00:13:21.060 Said, God, I felt like you wanted me to get this. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.680 I'm going to enjoy it while I have it. 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:26.980 But I sure am going to offer it up for the church to use. 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:30.860 And if that backfires on me, I don't see it as backfiring. 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:37.680 Because there's a bigger purpose than whatever purpose I had in mind for this boat. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:45.340 Whatever purpose you have in mind for your stuff, understand that God has a bigger purpose in mind. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:47.200 For you and your stuff. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:50.519 So don't let your stuff have you. 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:52.860 You don't own what you can't lay down. 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:55.720 If you can't let it go, it owns you. 00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:59.360 You don't own what you can't lay down. 00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:02.440 If you can't let it go, it owns you. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:05.340 Open hands don't mean they're empty hands. 00:14:05.780 --> 00:14:07.759 It means they're available hands. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:11.220 So let's see what Jesus says happens next. 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:13.519 Give and you will receive. 00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:15.539 Your gift will return to you in full. 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:18.039 Press down, shaken together, make room for more. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.439 Running over, poured into your lap. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:24.000 The amount you give will determine the amount you give back. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:27.240 So the principle he's teaching us here is abundance. 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.759 It's generosity. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:33.080 God is promising to be generous to us. 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:34.860 Once again, hear me clearly. 00:14:35.020 --> 00:14:36.920 That doesn't mean your bank account is going to triple. 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:37.820 Okay? 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:40.680 God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. 00:14:40.780 --> 00:14:43.879 The Bible teaches us that's a principle that means he owns everything. 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:46.900 There's nothing that is beyond his grasp. 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:51.200 God's never going to not be able to pay his bills, so to speak. 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:52.960 God's never going to go poor. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.400 God's never going to run out of resources. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:15:02.799 So if he truly is our father and we are his children, then he's going to care for his children 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:08.139 like a good father would, and he's going to be generous toward us. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:10.980 That doesn't mean giving us what we want all the time. 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:16.720 Because how good of parents are we if we just give our kids what they want all the time? 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:22.240 Kids, do you want your parents to give you what you want all the time? 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.960 Obviously, the kids do, right? 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:25.840 Yes. 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:29.720 Parents, are you going to give your kids what they want all the time? 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:30.959 No. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.419 That's crazy. 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:34.360 Anybody seen the movie Yes Day? 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.959 Don't do it. 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.919 Yeah, all the kids have. 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:39.819 My kids are always like, when are we going to have a yes day? 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.459 I said, never. 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.120 Never. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.779 You're never going to have a yes day. 00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:43.439 Sorry. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.939 I don't trust you that much. 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:51.199 The idea is whatever the kids ask you for that day, you have to say yes to. 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.139 You can't say no all day. 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:53.039 Like, no, no. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.179 My kids are too clever. 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.299 They would figure out. 00:15:55.959 --> 00:15:58.479 Anyway, I'm not buying you a car when you're 10. 00:15:58.699 --> 00:15:59.019 All right. 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.299 I'm not doing a yes day. 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.359 So listen. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:09.899 We are generous with our children, but it doesn't mean we give them everything they want. 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:15.019 God is generous with us, but it doesn't mean he gives us everything we want. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:18.899 He gives us everything we need and so much more. 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:24.679 Truth is, we can make it without most of the stuff that we have. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:30.100 But God has allowed us to have more than we need out of his abundance. 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:33.620 Would you go with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 8? 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:37.039 2 Corinthians chapter 8. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:43.839 We're going to be here for just a little while before we get back to Luke. 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:47.099 Look at verse 1. 00:16:47.959 --> 00:16:48.939 2 Corinthians 8. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.240 1. 00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:55.299 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.039 What's going on here? 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.819 Well, Paul's writing. 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.819 Paul's writing. 00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:00.439 It's his second letter that we know of to this church in Corinth. 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:04.740 And he's teaching them about another church. 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:09.080 Actually, a group of churches in this place called Macedonia. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:11.500 The church in Corinth was wealthy. 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.200 By comparison, they were well off. 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:16.420 Corinth was a big city. 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:23.220 The gospel of Jesus had touched many influential, wealthy hearts in Corinth. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.960 And a church had formed. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.059 And they grew. 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.220 And they were doing well. 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.420 And they had money. 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.519 They had resources. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:32.099 And so these are the people that Paul's writing to. 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:38.139 And he's using this group of churches in Macedonia, a different part of Asia, 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:40.599 who were at the other end of the social spectrum. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.779 These were poor people. 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:44.559 They did not have the resources to get by. 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.799 They're scraping by every month. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:51.339 And they're trying to pull together and make it through and follow Jesus at the same time. 00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.740 And so he's going to teach them something. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:57.799 These wealthy people, spiritually gifted. 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:00.139 But you know something else about Corinth? 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:02.700 They were hesitant to give. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:09.019 Have you ever noticed that wealthy people are not always the most generous people? 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.139 Sometimes they be stingy. 00:18:12.919 --> 00:18:13.619 It's true. 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.839 Sometimes they are generous. 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:20.000 Sometimes they establish foundations and charities. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:22.400 And they go out of their way to give back. 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.980 It's not always the case. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:31.640 And in Paul's experience, this church in Corinth had been very hesitant to part with their hard-earned resources, 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:37.039 of which they had an abundance, to give to keep the ministry going. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:43.680 However, he had the opposite experience with the poor churches in Macedonia. 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:47.759 So he teaches them in verse 2 of chapter 8. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:51.759 During a severe trial brought about by affliction, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.639 this church in Macedonia, 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:56.859 their abundant joy and their extreme poverty 00:18:56.859 --> 00:19:01.399 overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:07.440 I can testify that according to their ability and even beyond their ability of their own accord, 00:19:07.780 --> 00:19:13.860 they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:16.740 Not just as we had hoped. 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.660 They went beyond. 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:24.800 Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God's will. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:29.839 So we urged Titus, the pastor there, that just as he had begun, 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:34.839 so he should also complete among you this act of grace. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:38.839 So he's talking to this pastor in Corinth and saying, 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:44.019 look, help your church see what these people saw. 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:48.359 Help them unlock this grace of giving. 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:51.180 This act of worship of giving. 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:55.600 That this church in Macedonia, out of their poverty, they gave. 00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:58.640 They didn't just give because they were asked to. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.000 They actually asked us. 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:05.200 They begged us to let them contribute to the work that God was doing. 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:07.000 Said, look, we value this. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.539 It's important to us. 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:09.820 We don't have much. 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:12.519 But such as we have, we want to give it. 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:15.460 That is generosity. 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:19.340 Whether God has given you much or a little, 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:21.659 it's having open hands and saying, 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:23.740 God, let me be a part. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.659 Use what I have. 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:29.480 I might have much, but it's little compared to you. 00:20:30.939 --> 00:20:34.559 I might have little, and it's still little compared to you. 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:38.279 But God, even though you don't need what I have, 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.500 let me have the blessing. 00:20:40.959 --> 00:20:44.159 Let me have the privilege of giving it back to you 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:46.480 and investing in what you're doing 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:48.860 and return it to me, God, 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.160 because I care. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.120 It matters. 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:53.920 I value it, what you're doing in this world. 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.440 I value what you've taught me. 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:57.240 I value what you've done in my life. 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:59.180 I value what you've done in my family's life. 00:20:59.320 --> 00:21:01.480 So I'm going to go the extra step. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.960 That's what this church was doing. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:05.500 And that's what Paul was teaching the church in Corinth 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:07.860 by using them as an example. 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.859 So he says, 00:21:09.219 --> 00:21:11.740 Now, as you excel in everything, 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.399 flattery always works. 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:16.279 You guys are great at all this other stuff. 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:19.719 In faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:21.079 and in your love for us, 00:21:21.439 --> 00:21:25.339 excel also in this act of grace. 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.519 First Baptist Henrietta, 00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:29.819 can I talk to you all for just a second? 00:21:30.479 --> 00:21:33.199 You excel in many things. 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.599 Many things. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:39.259 Excel also in this. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.019 Be generous. 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:44.579 Hold on to things loosely. 00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.619 Whatever that looks like for you. 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.059 You take that to God. 00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.139 You pray it out. 00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:49.919 Sincerely. 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:51.179 Sit down with God. 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.839 Sit down with your wife or your husband. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:57.279 And you figure out what God has for you. 00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.159 Be generous. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:01.019 Because if we release 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:03.279 instead of hold on tightly, 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:06.399 then God can take what we offer up to him 00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:09.079 and make it so much more abundant. 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:11.039 So much more bountiful. 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:14.099 And we can see God work in powerful ways 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:17.399 if generosity takes over our heart. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.319 So, verse 9. 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:25.319 There's a principle here. 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:27.539 Generosity is not about wealth. 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:29.439 It's about worship. 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:31.359 Look back at verse 9, would you? 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:35.980 I can't say back because we hadn't gotten there yet. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.259 But he's saying, 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:38.559 excel also in this grace. 00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:40.079 I'm not saying this as a command. 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:42.679 Rather, by means of the diligence of others, 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:45.619 I am testing the genuineness of your love. 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.639 That's a key verse. 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:48.599 Verse 8, right before we get to verse 9. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.740 I don't want you to miss it. 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:52.279 He's testing the genuineness of their love. 00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:52.839 He's saying, 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.599 I know that you love God. 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:56.480 I'm testing how genuine it is. 00:22:57.559 --> 00:23:00.119 I know that you say you want to follow Jesus. 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:02.259 I'm testing how deep that runs. 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:04.679 So now we get to verse 9. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:04.899 Ready? 00:23:05.719 --> 00:23:08.719 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.980 Though he was rich, 00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:13.259 for your sake, 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.619 Corinthians, 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.539 for your sake, 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:18.019 first Henrietta, 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:20.599 he became poor. 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:23.200 So that by his poverty, 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:26.440 you might become rich. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.299 Not in your bottom line, 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.839 but in the wealth 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:33.240 of the goodness of God. 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.220 Has his goodness 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.879 transformed you? 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.639 Has it made you nicer? 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:42.000 Has it made you happier? 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:44.079 Has it made you more friendly? 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.299 Has it made you more approachable? 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.519 Has his goodness 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:53.299 changed you? 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:56.319 God wants to be so generous to you 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.559 with his goodness, 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.839 but you got to release 00:23:58.839 --> 00:24:00.220 what you're holding on to. 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.579 So he says, 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.299 though he was rich, 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.500 for your sake, 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.819 he became poor 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.059 so that you 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:09.179 can then become rich. 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.139 Generosity 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:12.119 is not about wealth. 00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:13.579 It's about worship. 00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:14.879 Jesus gave up 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.720 all his wealth. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.339 And he was the most generous. 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:21.240 We should be able, 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:21.839 be willing 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.899 to give up 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:23.539 our wealth 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:26.079 so we can embrace 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.399 his generosity. 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:29.259 Follow his example. 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:30.659 We've got to renounce 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:31.399 our possessions. 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.579 Hold them loosely. 00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:34.480 Jesus didn't just 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.399 give an offering 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:36.339 in the offering plate. 00:24:36.679 --> 00:24:37.799 He gave himself. 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.259 Listen, 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.159 we need the offerings 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:41.919 in the offering plate. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:42.980 Like I said, 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.480 we've got to keep 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.000 the lights on. 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:48.039 But God needs you 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.939 to give yourself. 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.720 You need you 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.539 to give yourself. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.019 And we need you 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.359 to give yourself. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.439 My family needs me 00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:57.819 to give myself. 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:59.519 Your family needs you 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.500 to give yourself. 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:03.000 to be truly generous. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.759 Jesus didn't just 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.420 give an offering. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.000 He gave himself. 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.740 So if you come 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.339 to church today 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.680 and you go home 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:10.980 and say, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.279 man, 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.099 the preacher was just 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.240 preaching about money again. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.920 He just wants us 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.460 to give more. 00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:16.039 You missed it. 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.119 That's not what it's about. 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.960 It's not just about 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.539 putting an offering 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.279 in the offering plate. 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:24.019 It's about giving yourself 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:25.319 and letting God 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.720 change you. 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.140 Solomon, 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.180 the wisest man 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.080 who ever lived, 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:33.480 teaches us this principle. 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.900 Would you go to 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.940 Proverbs chapter 11 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.680 verse 24? 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:40.000 Generosity is not 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.420 measured in dollars. 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.420 It's measured 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.860 in discipleship. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.140 Are you becoming 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.019 a disciple, 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.940 a follower of Jesus, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.860 or does giving back 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:51.039 to God just mean 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.759 dollar signs 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.400 in your mind? 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.740 Because if it means 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.480 dollar signs 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.080 in your mind, 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.039 that's not it. 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.039 you're missing it. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.379 Proverbs 11 00:25:59.379 --> 00:26:00.079 verse 24, 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.019 give freely 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:03.059 and become more wealthy. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.460 Be stingy 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.859 and lose everything. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.119 The generous 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:09.180 will prosper. 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:10.519 Those who refresh 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.339 others will 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:13.240 themselves be refreshed. 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.339 Here's another 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.379 kingdom of God 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:15.859 principle 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:17.299 that's so opposite 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.500 from how we think. 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.619 And if you get 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.639 your financial advisor 00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:21.019 in here, 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.279 you say, 00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:21.819 wait a minute, 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.639 that's not true. 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.420 If you save more, 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.019 then you'll become 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.600 more wealthy. 00:26:27.300 --> 00:26:28.200 Jesus is teaching 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:30.080 if you give it up, 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:31.180 you'll become 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.820 more wealthy. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.220 Why? 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.640 Because you've tapped 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:35.240 into the supernatural. 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.000 You've tapped 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.160 into the divine. 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.100 You've tapped 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.080 into the kingdom 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.660 of God. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.120 The power of God 00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:42.720 is unlocked 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.600 in your life. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.940 And then he makes 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.660 you wealthy 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.840 in the areas 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:49.000 that matter. 00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:52.240 His peace, 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.640 his grace, 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:55.040 his forgiveness, 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.500 his joy, 00:26:57.040 --> 00:26:57.820 his comfort, 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:01.780 his stick-with-you-ness, 00:27:02.540 --> 00:27:03.900 whatever that is. 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.520 But he sure does do it. 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.620 We unlock 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.940 the potential, 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.720 the power 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.900 of experiencing 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:13.759 God in our lives 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.080 when we're generous 00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:16.300 and give 00:27:16.300 --> 00:27:17.280 to him 00:27:17.280 --> 00:27:18.380 and to others. 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.180 So, 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:21.440 there's a principle here. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:23.180 If we refresh others, 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:25.620 God will refresh us. 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:28.140 If we refresh others, 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.480 God will refresh us. 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.299 You know the first way 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.900 that happens? 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:34.160 By refreshing others. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.180 How many of you 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.100 have helped somebody 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.240 and you felt good afterwards? 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:39.779 Yeah, 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.660 it's not just me. 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:44.820 When you refresh others, 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:46.360 God instantly 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:48.480 often refreshes you. 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:51.120 And it keeps going. 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.539 God is generous 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.539 toward us 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.819 with his refreshment, 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.920 with his blessings. 00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:00.000 Generosity isn't just 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.079 good life advice. 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.480 It's a principle 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.680 of God's kingdom. 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.539 It's a law 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:06.059 of God's kingdom. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.120 It's opposite 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:08.440 of how you and I think. 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:10.259 God wants to break through 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:12.079 our selfish thinking, 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.819 our selfish mindsets, 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.620 to see 00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:16.180 that if we refresh others, 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:18.460 God will refresh us. 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:21.000 this is generosity. 00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:24.019 This is talking about 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.519 being a generous person, 00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:27.240 not someone 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.039 who just acts 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.460 generous sometimes. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.420 You understand 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.960 there's a difference? 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.519 You can be generous 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.299 sometimes, 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.600 but you're not 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.880 a generous person. 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:39.100 God wants to change 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:39.799 you, 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:42.059 not just what you do. 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.240 Can we get that 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.799 through our heads? 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.680 God is less concerned 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.299 more concerned 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.220 about what we do 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.480 and more concerned 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:51.080 about how and why 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.820 we do it. 00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:53.080 If he can change 00:28:53.080 --> 00:28:53.700 the why 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:55.200 and the how, 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:58.360 then what we do 00:28:58.360 --> 00:29:00.380 will fall into his plan. 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.560 What we do 00:29:01.560 --> 00:29:02.620 will be according 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.380 to his will. 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.740 Romans 12, 2 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.400 teaches us 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.220 that he wants 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.960 to change 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.279 the way we think 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.180 and then all 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.779 of a sudden 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:11.359 we'll understand 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.200 the will of God 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:14.160 when we start 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.619 thinking like he does. 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.200 So, 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.500 real quick, 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.339 generosity 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.680 is a lifestyle, 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:21.819 not a mood. 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.160 It's not just 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:25.299 a mood that strikes you. 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.960 I'm going to be 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.039 generous in this situation. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.359 It's a way 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.039 of life. 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.000 It starts 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.500 with a moment 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.299 by moment decision 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.819 but it starts 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.619 with prayer, 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.059 going to God. 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:36.379 God, 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.159 change me. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.460 Make me generous 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.279 like you've been 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.500 generous to me. 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.819 We're going to get 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.680 awkward for just a minute. 00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:43.899 Can y'all handle that? 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.159 You've got it 00:29:47.159 --> 00:29:47.720 in your bulletin 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.359 if you've got that 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:48.920 in front of you. 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.259 We're going to try 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.740 to do this 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.460 throughout the series. 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.759 I hope that y'all 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.599 keep showing up 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.059 even though we're 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.500 doing this, 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:54.740 alright? 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.380 I'm going to say 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.259 God gives. 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.059 You say 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.000 we give back. 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.380 I'm going to say 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.599 how do we give back? 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.460 You say 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.620 hands open, 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.599 eyes up. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.440 You don't have to do the 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:07.980 can if you want to. 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.079 You really want to 00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:10.099 get into it. 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:10.700 Alright, 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.200 here we go. 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.440 Ready? 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.880 God gives. 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.599 Hey, 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.279 that was good 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.059 for the first time. 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.259 How do we give back? 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:19.980 Yes, 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.620 that's right. 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.019 Alright, 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:21.559 we're going to try 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.420 to remind ourselves 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.420 of that every day. 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.400 God has given 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.560 so much to us 00:30:25.560 --> 00:30:26.920 we should be so willing 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:28.759 to give it back to Him. 00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:29.660 And how do we give 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.640 back to Him? 00:30:30.800 --> 00:30:31.640 Not stingy, 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.900 not protecting it, 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.460 our investment, 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:34.519 not guarding it. 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:35.039 Don't you take 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.740 two pieces of chicken. 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:37.340 No, 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.519 we give back. 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.680 Hands open, 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.920 eyes up 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:42.080 toward Him. 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.640 Alright, 00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.259 one more time. 00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:43.440 Ready? 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.420 God gives. 00:30:44.820 --> 00:30:45.700 We give back. 00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:46.880 How do we give back? 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.120 Hands open, 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.000 eyes up. 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:49.480 Yes, 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:49.880 amen. 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:50.300 So, 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.900 what have we learned 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.740 from God's Word today? 00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.360 Number one, 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.939 generosity is not 00:30:53.939 --> 00:30:55.039 about size, 00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:56.419 it's about surrender. 00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:58.159 Generosity is not 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:59.139 about the size 00:30:59.139 --> 00:30:59.899 of your gift 00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:00.839 or the dollar amount 00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.439 behind it, 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:02.559 it's about how 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.979 surrendered your heart 00:31:03.979 --> 00:31:05.259 is regarding 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.219 your possessions, 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.599 the things you hold 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.659 the most dear. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.779 And then number two, 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.219 sorry, 00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:11.359 generosity does not 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:11.799 subtract, 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.419 it multiplies. 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.699 We think that when we give, 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.719 we see the dollar amount 00:31:15.719 --> 00:31:16.759 leaving our bank account, 00:31:17.139 --> 00:31:17.339 oh, 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:17.719 well, 00:31:18.199 --> 00:31:19.219 we're down that much. 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.500 Nope, 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:21.079 God is gonna take that gift 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:22.519 and multiply it 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:24.019 and give it back to us 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.720 according to His kingdom 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:27.640 and what is most valuable, 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.119 truly the most valuable. 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.180 And number three, 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:32.240 generosity starts with Jesus, 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:34.059 not our wallets. 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.240 I'm not asking you 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.960 to get on board 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.759 with everything 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.519 that you see happen 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.180 in the church. 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.819 I'm not asking you 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.559 to get on board 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.279 with everything 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.279 about the person 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.220 who is in need. 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:46.100 What I'm asking you 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:46.640 to do 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:48.200 is get on board 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.299 with Jesus 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:51.120 because Jesus 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:52.339 taught us to give, 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.799 to be generous. 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:56.380 While we were still sinners, 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.680 Jesus gave Himself 00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.759 to us. 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.279 Let us not hold 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.279 one another 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.860 to a different standard 00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:06.059 than God holds us. 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.480 Generosity starts 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.100 with Jesus, 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.700 not just reaching 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.279 for your wallet. 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:11.539 Oh, 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.299 the preacher just wants 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:12.740 more money. 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:14.460 That's not what it's about. 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:15.859 If you think 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:16.599 that's what it's about, 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.440 you missed it today. 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.099 The preacher 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:20.079 wants you 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:21.539 and myself 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.819 to be generous 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.440 like Jesus 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.160 has been generous 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:25.240 to us. 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.359 So what do we do 00:32:26.359 --> 00:32:26.839 this week? 00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.079 Number one, 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.799 open our hands. 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.900 We said it 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:31.620 just a moment ago, 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.400 release it, 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.339 renounce it. 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:33.920 Say, 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.720 whatever I have, 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.019 God, 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:36.220 if you want to take it, 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.839 it's yours. 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.460 If you want me 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:38.960 to give it, 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:39.720 it's yours. 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.319 Release 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.720 our hands. 00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.279 Release 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.940 our possessions. 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.740 And then number two, 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.559 lift our eyes. 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.680 We're looking at Jesus. 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.279 We're not looking 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.779 at ourselves. 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.319 Man, 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.099 look how much 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.880 I gave this year. 00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:51.400 The IRS 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:51.940 is going to be 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:52.640 so impressed 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:53.700 with how much 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.779 charitable contributions 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:56.140 that I can claim 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.740 at the end of the year. 00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.779 It's not what it's about 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.539 and they don't care. 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.759 But listen, 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.920 it's about Jesus. 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.920 It's about Him. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.599 It's about trying 00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:05.339 to please Him. 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.460 It's about recognizing 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.680 how much He gave up 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.160 for us 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:09.299 and being willing 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:10.799 to give it back to Him. 00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:11.299 We're lifting 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.119 our eyes to Him. 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.000 Hebrews 12, 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.279 2, 00:33:13.379 --> 00:33:14.740 looking at Jesus, 00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:16.180 He's the author 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:17.279 and the finisher, 00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:17.980 the completer 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:19.379 of our faith. 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.500 He's who it's about. 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.339 And then number three, 00:33:21.419 --> 00:33:22.159 we start small, 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.659 but we start now. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.700 Maybe you haven't 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.139 been giving. 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:26.700 I was telling somebody 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.359 else this earlier. 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:27.859 I don't know. 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.480 By the way, 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.399 I don't know who gives 00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:30.200 and how much they give. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.819 I have no idea. 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.899 I do not see that. 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.379 So I don't know 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:35.259 if you're giving or not. 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.119 If you haven't been, 00:33:36.199 --> 00:33:36.979 it might be hard 00:33:36.979 --> 00:33:37.919 for you to jump in 00:33:37.919 --> 00:33:38.839 and start giving 00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:39.839 this massive amount 00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.639 of money every month. 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:42.459 Start with something. 00:33:43.219 --> 00:33:44.059 Just like if you haven't 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.799 been reading your Bible, 00:33:45.139 --> 00:33:45.699 read a verse. 00:33:46.459 --> 00:33:47.599 If you haven't been praying, 00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:49.719 pray a short, 00:33:49.959 --> 00:33:51.059 small prayer to God 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:52.099 from your heart. 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.599 If you have not been giving, 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.699 give something. 00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:57.539 Five dollars is more 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.919 than you were giving before. 00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:01.239 One dollar might be more 00:34:01.239 --> 00:34:02.059 than you were giving before, 00:34:02.199 --> 00:34:02.459 kids. 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:05.000 Do something, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.980 but start now. 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:07.940 Say, God, 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:09.360 I want to start this. 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.720 I don't know how 00:34:10.720 --> 00:34:11.500 I should do this. 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.720 I don't know if I'm doing it right. 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.079 It doesn't really matter, right? 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.740 It matters how and why. 00:34:16.720 --> 00:34:18.039 So if you want to be generous 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:19.079 back to God 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:20.300 like he's been generous to you, 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.519 he will bless you 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.960 and he will guide you 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:24.840 on how to do that. 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:25.699 So, 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:27.800 don't wait 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:28.900 until you're wealthy. 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.639 Start being generous. 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:32.759 Start now. 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:35.119 Start where you are. 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.960 Hands open. 00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:40.179 Eyes up. 00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:42.519 That's the posture 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:43.579 of a disciple. 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.179 It's the posture 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:46.179 of generosity. 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:49.000 Jesus said, 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.339 renounce it all. 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:51.619 Give it up. 00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.559 Hands open. 00:34:53.279 --> 00:34:53.579 Why? 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:55.259 Because that's how 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:57.440 he treated us. 00:34:57.839 --> 00:34:59.319 It's what he did for us. 00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:01.160 He left it all. 00:35:02.080 --> 00:35:02.800 Humbled himself. 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:05.059 And gave everything 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:06.460 on our behalf. 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:08.600 Would we not do the same 00:35:08.600 --> 00:35:09.440 for him? 00:35:09.580 --> 00:35:10.340 Would you pray with me? 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:11.760 God, 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.760 make us a church 00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:14.559 that gives back. 00:35:15.180 --> 00:35:16.000 Hands open. 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.900 Eyes up. 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.539 And use that 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.380 to make Henrietta 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:21.300 look more like heaven. 00:35:22.140 --> 00:35:23.059 It's what it's about, God. 00:35:25.640 --> 00:35:26.460 We're not here 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.159 on this earth 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:30.320 just to get all we can 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:30.920 for ourselves. 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.800 We're not here 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:34.380 on this earth 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.139 just to 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:40.019 grow our bank accounts, 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:41.300 to increase 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:41.720 our 00:35:41.720 --> 00:35:44.400 personal understanding 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:45.159 of our security, 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:45.599 that 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.780 we're never going to 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.320 run out of money, 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:47.980 everything's going to 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:48.940 always be okay. 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.780 That's not why 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.199 we're here. 00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:53.759 We're here to see 00:35:53.759 --> 00:35:54.960 you transform us 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.859 and then use us 00:35:55.859 --> 00:35:56.500 to transform 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.219 our community, 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:58.960 our families, 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.699 the circles of life 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:01.500 that you've given us, 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.500 that you've placed us into. 00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:05.739 So use us 00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:08.980 to give back, 00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:09.859 hands open, 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.639 eyes fixed on you, 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:13.940 and do a powerful 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:14.920 change in our hearts, 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.119 God. 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:17.000 Every one of us 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.920 needs to be more 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:18.239 generous. 00:36:18.779 --> 00:36:19.539 I need to be 00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.079 more generous. 00:36:22.319 --> 00:36:23.259 It's not just 00:36:23.259 --> 00:36:24.920 what I give, 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:26.219 it's how and why 00:36:26.219 --> 00:36:27.139 I give it. 00:36:28.319 --> 00:36:28.759 It's keeping 00:36:28.759 --> 00:36:29.460 that perspective. 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:30.799 God, 00:36:30.879 --> 00:36:31.460 change our hearts 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:31.920 this morning. 00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:33.960 Listen, 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.400 if you don't 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.019 understand 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.839 what we're 00:36:35.839 --> 00:36:36.759 talking about today, 00:36:37.319 --> 00:36:38.279 it's okay. 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:40.400 It might be 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:41.079 because Jesus 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.860 has not 00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:42.900 forgiven you 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.679 of your sins yet, 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:45.639 you'll understand 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.980 the debt of gratitude 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.539 that we feel 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.179 we owe him 00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:50.199 because of what 00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:50.960 he did for us. 00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:53.199 I quoted that 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:53.759 verse earlier, 00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:54.440 while we were 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:55.159 still sinners, 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:56.400 Jesus Christ 00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:57.319 came and died 00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:58.299 for us. 00:36:58.759 --> 00:36:59.219 That's what 00:36:59.219 --> 00:36:59.920 it comes back to. 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.460 You and I 00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.219 are not naturally 00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:02.840 good people. 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.559 We mess up. 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.219 We sin 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:06.039 willingly. 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.759 We disobey God. 00:37:09.219 --> 00:37:10.380 But knowing that, 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.840 Jesus Christ, 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.500 the perfect son 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:12.819 of God, 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.360 came down to 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:13.719 this earth, 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:14.619 offered himself 00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:15.259 up as the 00:37:15.259 --> 00:37:15.960 sacrifice for 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:16.480 our sins. 00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:17.279 He hung on 00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:17.739 the cross 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:19.000 and he died, 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.739 taking all of 00:37:20.739 --> 00:37:21.319 our sin debt 00:37:21.319 --> 00:37:21.860 on himself 00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:22.880 and paying for 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.559 it once and 00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:23.940 for all. 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.699 But he didn't 00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:25.199 stay dead. 00:37:25.279 --> 00:37:26.059 He rose from 00:37:26.059 --> 00:37:26.460 the grave 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.199 because he is 00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:27.539 God. 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.579 He's truly 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.840 the divine 00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:30.659 son of God, 00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:31.460 more powerful 00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:32.139 than you and I 00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:32.279 are. 00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:33.019 He's not like 00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.340 us. 00:37:33.340 --> 00:37:36.820 now he offers 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:37.260 forgiveness. 00:37:38.140 --> 00:37:38.579 Saying, 00:37:38.740 --> 00:37:39.280 I paid the 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:39.700 debt of your 00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:40.000 sin. 00:37:40.680 --> 00:37:41.079 You don't 00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:41.720 have to pay 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:42.500 it on your 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:42.720 own. 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:43.840 You don't 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:45.180 want to suffer 00:37:45.180 --> 00:37:45.700 the eternal 00:37:45.700 --> 00:37:47.600 consequences of 00:37:47.600 --> 00:37:49.880 your sin apart 00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:50.500 from God. 00:37:51.620 --> 00:37:52.420 Accept my 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.460 forgiveness today. 00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:54.519 So if that's 00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:55.640 you, I don't 00:37:55.640 --> 00:37:56.160 want to leave 00:37:56.160 --> 00:37:56.700 here today without 00:37:56.700 --> 00:37:57.280 giving you a 00:37:57.280 --> 00:37:58.539 chance to 00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.300 accept Jesus' 00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:00.100 forgiveness of 00:38:00.100 --> 00:38:01.480 your sin today. 00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:02.619 Would you slip 00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:03.099 your hand up 00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:03.480 and say, 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.440 if that's me 00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:04.960 right now, 00:38:05.240 --> 00:38:06.559 I'm not going 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.000 to call you 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:07.500 out or make 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:08.519 you uncomfortable, 00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:09.059 but I just 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:09.440 want you to 00:38:09.440 --> 00:38:09.860 slip your hand 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:10.219 up and say, 00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:10.619 that's me. 00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:11.059 I need to put 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:11.559 my faith in 00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:12.719 Jesus today to 00:38:12.719 --> 00:38:13.199 forgive me. 00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:13.460 Would you 00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:13.860 slip your hand 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.139 up now? 00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.300 Thank you. 00:38:16.240 --> 00:38:16.699 Thank you. 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:17.420 I assume most 00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:17.900 of you in the 00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:18.880 room have done 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:19.340 this at some 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:19.840 point in your 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.539 life and you 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:20.820 would call 00:38:20.820 --> 00:38:21.280 yourself a 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:21.900 child of God. 00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:22.599 And so if 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:23.099 there's something 00:38:23.099 --> 00:38:23.740 else that you 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.500 need prayer about, 00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:25.500 say, maybe I 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:25.980 need to be more 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:26.320 generous. 00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:26.840 Maybe it's 00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:27.440 something else that 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:27.860 God's dealing 00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:28.740 with me about. 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.500 Thank you. 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:33.559 Thank you. 00:38:34.159 --> 00:38:34.599 Thank you. 00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:35.559 God, you see 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.019 all the hands 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:36.579 and if I miss 00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:37.619 some, you saw 00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:37.940 them and you 00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:38.260 know what's 00:38:38.260 --> 00:38:38.699 going on in 00:38:38.699 --> 00:38:39.579 their hearts. 00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:41.219 Pray that you 00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:41.659 would intervene 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.139 right now. 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:43.900 Let your spirit 00:38:43.900 --> 00:38:45.300 and his voice 00:38:45.300 --> 00:38:46.240 be so much 00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:47.519 clearer, so 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:48.000 much louder 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:48.579 than any other 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:49.240 noise in their 00:38:49.240 --> 00:38:49.559 minds. 00:38:51.480 --> 00:38:52.440 In Jesus' name 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:52.800 we pray. 00:38:54.219 --> 00:38:54.539 Amen. 00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.659 Church, thank 00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:57.139 you for being 00:38:57.139 --> 00:38:57.800 here this morning. 00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:58.240 If you would 00:38:58.240 --> 00:38:59.519 like to come 00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:00.579 down and talk 00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:01.659 with Jared, 00:39:01.779 --> 00:39:02.039 he'll be 00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:02.659 down front. 00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:04.420 I'm going to 00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:06.460 ask, who 00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:06.960 can I call 00:39:06.960 --> 00:39:07.659 on real quick 00:39:07.659 --> 00:39:08.019 just that 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.360 wouldn't be 00:39:08.360 --> 00:39:08.739 uncomfortable? 00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:09.619 Bruce, I 00:39:09.619 --> 00:39:10.179 got you, man. 00:39:10.659 --> 00:39:11.039 Would you 00:39:11.039 --> 00:39:11.880 mind coming 00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:12.500 up and just 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.179 closing us in 00:39:13.179 --> 00:39:13.559 a word of 00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.000 prayer and 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:14.500 thanking God 00:39:14.500 --> 00:39:15.159 for allowing 00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:15.639 us to gather 00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:15.980 and worship 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:16.299 today? 00:39:16.699 --> 00:39:17.299 We thank all 00:39:17.299 --> 00:39:17.719 of you for 00:39:17.719 --> 00:39:18.139 being here. 00:39:18.219 --> 00:39:18.579 Don't forget 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:19.099 about Wednesday 00:39:19.099 --> 00:39:19.519 nights. 00:39:19.940 --> 00:39:20.659 This is the 00:39:20.659 --> 00:39:21.299 first Wednesday 00:39:21.299 --> 00:39:21.779 of the new 00:39:21.779 --> 00:39:22.900 month and so 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.659 Wednesday night 00:39:23.659 --> 00:39:24.659 on the first 00:39:24.659 --> 00:39:25.259 Wednesday of 00:39:25.259 --> 00:39:26.000 each new month 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.819 we're going to 00:39:26.819 --> 00:39:27.539 gather in this 00:39:27.539 --> 00:39:28.539 room kids, 00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:29.219 teenagers, 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:29.860 adults. 00:39:29.860 --> 00:39:30.519 By the way, 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:30.880 a bunch of 00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:31.180 y'all been 00:39:31.180 --> 00:39:31.579 showing up 00:39:31.579 --> 00:39:32.039 Wednesday night 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.240 and I'm 00:39:32.240 --> 00:39:32.680 grateful for 00:39:32.680 --> 00:39:32.840 that. 00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:33.220 Thank you 00:39:33.220 --> 00:39:33.519 for being 00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.260 here, for 00:39:34.260 --> 00:39:34.980 valuing the 00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:35.519 community and 00:39:35.519 --> 00:39:35.960 fellowship of 00:39:35.960 --> 00:39:36.260 our church 00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:36.579 together. 00:39:36.700 --> 00:39:36.920 So we're 00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.160 all going to 00:39:37.160 --> 00:39:37.480 be in this 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:37.940 room this 00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:38.840 Wednesday at 00:39:38.840 --> 00:39:39.420 six o'clock. 00:39:39.579 --> 00:39:40.039 We're going to 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:40.680 gather for some 00:39:40.680 --> 00:39:40.960 worship. 00:39:41.180 --> 00:39:41.340 We're going to 00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:41.680 have a lot of 00:39:41.680 --> 00:39:42.480 fun and then 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:42.780 we're going to 00:39:42.780 --> 00:39:43.320 dismiss the 00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:43.800 kids and the 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:44.320 teens to their 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:45.220 area and the 00:39:45.220 --> 00:39:45.700 adults are going 00:39:45.700 --> 00:39:46.099 to stay in 00:39:46.099 --> 00:39:46.740 this room and 00:39:46.740 --> 00:39:47.039 we're going to 00:39:47.039 --> 00:39:47.420 get on our 00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:47.900 knees and we're 00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.180 going to talk 00:39:48.180 --> 00:39:48.660 to God. 00:39:49.240 --> 00:39:49.579 You don't have 00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:49.940 to get on your 00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.160 knees. 00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:50.739 You can sit 00:39:50.739 --> 00:39:51.199 in a pew. 00:39:51.279 --> 00:39:51.679 That's fine. 00:39:52.339 --> 00:39:52.879 But we're going 00:39:52.879 --> 00:39:53.440 to spend some 00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:54.299 time in prayer. 00:39:54.859 --> 00:39:55.159 How many of 00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:55.559 you all believe 00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:56.779 prayer works? 00:39:57.420 --> 00:39:57.679 Yeah. 00:39:58.299 --> 00:39:58.779 I think just 00:39:58.779 --> 00:39:59.079 about every 00:39:59.079 --> 00:39:59.500 hand in this 00:39:59.500 --> 00:40:00.119 room is raised. 00:40:01.059 --> 00:40:01.819 I do too. 00:40:02.399 --> 00:40:03.059 And so if our 00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:03.779 church comes 00:40:03.779 --> 00:40:05.199 together as a 00:40:05.199 --> 00:40:05.779 church and 00:40:05.779 --> 00:40:06.879 prays, I think 00:40:06.879 --> 00:40:07.719 God hears that 00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:09.179 and he'll work and 00:40:09.179 --> 00:40:09.659 he'll act 00:40:09.659 --> 00:40:10.079 accordingly. 00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:11.239 So let's do 00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:11.500 that. 00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:12.799 I know some of 00:40:12.799 --> 00:40:13.339 you can't be here 00:40:13.339 --> 00:40:13.879 Wednesday nights. 00:40:13.879 --> 00:40:14.619 You've got work or 00:40:14.619 --> 00:40:15.039 you've got other 00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:15.819 commitments that pull 00:40:15.819 --> 00:40:16.219 you away. 00:40:16.440 --> 00:40:17.079 But if you can, 00:40:17.259 --> 00:40:17.920 come join us. 00:40:18.019 --> 00:40:18.619 Come join us at 00:40:18.619 --> 00:40:19.179 6 p.m. 00:40:19.259 --> 00:40:20.099 We'll worship and 00:40:20.099 --> 00:40:20.639 then we'll pray. 00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:22.079 Probably about 6.30 00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:22.639 is when the prayer 00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:23.239 will get started. 00:40:23.579 --> 00:40:24.500 And so be here. 00:40:24.719 --> 00:40:24.980 All right. 00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:25.759 Thank you much.