WEBVTT 00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:07.060 So what I want us to do now is just to move on from that and just to go into what we call our pastoral prayer. 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:14.519 So this is really where I want you to pray with me. I'm not just praying at you or I'm praying to God, 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:22.260 but I want you to pray with me so that we ask our gracious God to work in our lives, in our city, and in our world. 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:24.780 So please, would you bow your heads and just pray with me now. 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:36.400 Now, gracious Father, thank you that today is another day, another morning where you show us incredible grace. 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:46.299 Thank you that before the world was created, you were and are and will be a God of infinite grace. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:53.299 Thank you that you are enjoying the deepest love with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit together 00:00:53.299 --> 00:00:59.359 in intimate, self-giving, joy-filled, beautiful communion before anything else was created. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:06.739 Thank you that all creation and all the beauty we see in all that is the fruit of your joyful generosity. 00:01:07.819 --> 00:01:15.120 Thank you, you could make everything just a factory standard, but you delight in handcrafting every fingerprint, 00:01:16.039 --> 00:01:21.400 every snowflake. You rejoice in giving us fresh grace day after day after day. 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:27.260 And Lord, for some of us who are going through hard times now, some of us who are distracted, 00:01:27.520 --> 00:01:35.480 some of us who need comfort and healing and hope, thank you that you loved us so much that you gave, 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:37.660 that you gave your only Son. 00:01:38.580 --> 00:01:43.860 And because you've given us everything that we need at the ultimate cost to yourself, 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:45.460 so we want to lean on you today. 00:01:45.459 --> 00:01:50.599 We want to trust you today, that you will provide for every need that we have, 00:01:50.699 --> 00:01:55.719 spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, because you're a good God. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:02.139 And Father, I just pray that you would help us in the world that we live in. 00:02:02.619 --> 00:02:07.299 Lord, everywhere around us tells us to trust in ourselves, to be self-absorbed. 00:02:07.839 --> 00:02:10.939 Father, we pray save us from not being thankful. 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:14.379 Save us from comparing ourselves to everyone else. 00:02:14.379 --> 00:02:20.319 Save us from feeling entitled when we are recipients of far more than we could ever deserve. 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:26.299 Save us from holding on to our resources out of fear that we'll not have enough for the future. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:29.620 Make us a thankful, joyful people. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:36.079 And Lord, would we be like those people in other countries who see how great the treasure is to know you 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:38.419 above all other things in our lives. 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:45.419 We just want to pray, Father, for our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering in persecution. 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:50.319 Pray for those in China and those in Turkey that we've heard about and across the Middle East. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:54.099 We pray, Lord, that they would not just have an easy life, 00:02:54.339 --> 00:02:58.099 but we pray that you would be supremely beautiful in their eyes. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:01.879 That the beauty of Jesus would drive out the fear of man. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:04.579 Give them courage to stand firm in you. 00:03:04.580 --> 00:03:09.360 And would those who persecute them see something more beautiful, 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:13.100 a witness to you that would lead them to repentance and faith. 00:03:13.820 --> 00:03:15.540 We pray for the church in Hong Kong. 00:03:15.700 --> 00:03:19.460 Pray for Kevin this morning as he speaks at Emmanuel English Church. 00:03:19.860 --> 00:03:21.500 Would you anoint his lips, Lord? 00:03:21.820 --> 00:03:25.640 Would there be deep unity in the gospel among the churches in Hong Kong? 00:03:26.420 --> 00:03:30.939 We want to pray for the local Cantonese speaking church here in Hong Kong. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:34.960 I pray as I think about Living Grace Christian Church in Yamate. 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:38.020 Thank you that you're drawing newcomers to them, Lord. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:44.740 We just pray for them as a church that every person there would see themselves as a disciple maker on your mission. 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:49.400 We pray, Lord, that they would have boldness to proclaim the mission you've given them 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.259 as they take a mission trip to Macau coming up, Lord. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:54.939 Would your grace abound to them, we pray. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:58.500 And Father, I also want to pray in our own community, 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:02.780 and I want to thank you so much for the Mandarin community group in our church, Lord. 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:08.039 I thank you so much that you brought Echo's mom to faith in you during the trip, Lord. 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:09.879 Thank you that's only your grace. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:14.120 And we want to pray, Father, for Echo and Z as they lead that group, 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:19.240 and for every member in all the struggles and the challenges that they go through in everyday life, 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:24.279 that they would know the height and the breadth and the depth and the width of your love for them. 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:27.139 And they'd deepen in their knowledge of your love. 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:31.519 And they would have spiritual wisdom to know how to serve and love one another 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:33.859 and to reach out to those around them. 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:39.559 Lord, would we be a church which knows how incredible you are 00:04:39.559 --> 00:04:45.879 and lives banking our lives on you and seeing your faithfulness day by day. 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:48.219 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:04:49.359 --> 00:04:53.439 Can I invite Justin to come and read God's word to us? 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:54.639 Amen. 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:54.919 Amen. 00:04:54.919 --> 00:04:55.019 Amen. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:09.359 The scripture reading comes from 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:11.959 Please follow along in your bulletins or on the screen. 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:20.180 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. 00:05:20.979 --> 00:05:27.359 For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed 00:05:27.359 --> 00:05:29.759 and a wealth of generosity on their part. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:36.799 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means of their own accord, 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:42.439 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints. 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:50.580 And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:58.159 Accordingly, we urge Titus that he had started so he should complete among you this act of grace. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:06.180 But as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:10.959 and in our love for you, see that you excel in this act of grace also. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:21.199 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:29.740 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:34.139 so that you, by his poverty, might become rich. 00:06:34.779 --> 00:06:36.799 And in this matter I give my judgment. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:44.280 This benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work, but also to desire to do it. 00:06:45.020 --> 00:06:54.040 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. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:07:02.280 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:08.619 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness, 00:07:09.099 --> 00:07:15.699 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, 00:07:16.099 --> 00:07:17.379 that there may be fairness. 00:07:17.859 --> 00:07:24.599 As it is written, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:29.820 The point is this. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:37.000 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:45.560 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:54.660 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:57.600 you may abound in every good work. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:07:59.019 As it is written, 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:01.540 He has distributed freely, 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:03.399 He has given to the poor, 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:06.199 His righteousness endures forever. 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:09.659 He who supplies seed to the sower, 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:11.099 and bread for food, 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:14.240 will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:16.519 and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:19.379 You will be enriched in every way, 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:21.259 to be generous in every way, 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:24.699 which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:29.539 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, 00:08:29.599 --> 00:08:32.639 but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:35.059 By their approval of this service, 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:41.199 they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:46.080 and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:52.559 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:55.580 Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:57.539 This is the Word of God. 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:00.299 Thank you so much, Justin. 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:01.960 That's great. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:04.980 Let me just put this down. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:07.519 Great. 00:09:07.699 --> 00:09:09.120 So we're going through this series, 00:09:09.299 --> 00:09:13.939 this kind of challenging series on money and resources. 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:17.580 And we're doing it because we know that in Hong Kong, 00:09:17.939 --> 00:09:19.919 this is something that everyone talks about, 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:23.439 but no one really wants to talk about in the church. 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:26.559 And what we've been looking at is actually how money, 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:27.700 as Ed shared earlier, 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:32.280 is one of the greatest idols that we look to to give us status, 00:09:32.520 --> 00:09:33.280 to give us comfort, 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:34.379 to give us power, 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:38.759 to give us all the things that we think life is found in. 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:40.160 And yet we've seen, 00:09:40.400 --> 00:09:40.720 actually, 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:44.480 that God has got a totally different way of looking at the world, 00:09:44.640 --> 00:09:45.540 and He wants us, 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:47.379 with every part of our lives, 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:48.740 including our wallets, 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:52.180 to be people who worship Him in all of life. 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:55.159 And so what we're looking at, 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:57.560 today we're going to finish this series, 00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:01.680 and we're going to finish by looking at the Apostle Paul, 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:04.180 and what he says to the church in Corinth. 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:11.779 And some of you may be aware that the Apostle Paul was a church planter. 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:12.799 He was an evangelist. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:16.899 He went everywhere throughout the Roman Empire sharing the gospel. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:20.699 Many of you may not know that Paul was also a fundraiser. 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:22.279 That actually, 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:27.099 one thing that Paul saw was actually the gospel in a world that was divided 00:10:27.099 --> 00:10:29.899 between Jews and Gentiles on one side, 00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:31.000 the rich and the poor. 00:10:31.219 --> 00:10:33.179 They would never hang out with each other. 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:34.620 That there were these divisions, 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.139 just like in our society, 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:40.179 there were divisions that classified people in different categories. 00:10:41.199 --> 00:10:44.659 And what Paul saw was when Jesus died on the cross, 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:45.259 what He did, 00:10:45.339 --> 00:10:46.799 He broke down the barriers, 00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:50.120 and He brought together a new community made up of every race, 00:10:50.219 --> 00:10:50.779 every tribe, 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.639 every social economic group. 00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:55.599 And as he went around proclaiming this, 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:59.699 he was convinced that this wasn't just a theoretical message. 00:11:00.319 --> 00:11:02.039 That as new churches started, 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:04.719 he also saw that in Jerusalem, 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:08.139 there was a Jewish church which was poor. 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:12.179 And then around as he went into the Greek-speaking areas, 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.819 and he came to places like Corinth, 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:16.919 he realized it was a wealthier place, 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:19.419 filled with non-Jews. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.439 And for him, 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.500 as he went around, 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:23.659 and he saw that actually, 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.839 the church in Corinth had a little bit more cash going 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:29.379 than the church in Jerusalem. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:31.379 And he was convinced, 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:32.180 in fact, 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.860 he gave his whole life 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:35.540 to show that actually, 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:38.720 the grace of God doesn't just bring you into Christ's family. 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:40.160 It also means that now, 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:43.460 you are unified with your brothers and sisters across the world, 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:44.360 so that actually, 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.200 the love should be poured out, 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:47.800 even crossing boundaries, 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:50.160 from the Gentiles in Corinth 00:11:50.160 --> 00:11:52.060 to be given to the Jews 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:53.739 in the city of Jerusalem. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:58.239 And as people see this counter-cultural gift 00:11:58.239 --> 00:12:00.079 that he's calling them to give 00:12:00.079 --> 00:12:01.439 to support those churches, 00:12:01.839 --> 00:12:04.419 that's a demonstration of the gospel. 00:12:05.739 --> 00:12:06.279 And actually, 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.699 this passage here, 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.759 that we're looking at, 00:12:10.599 --> 00:12:11.439 is Paul 00:12:11.439 --> 00:12:14.019 basically trying to speak 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.219 to this church in Corinth, 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:16.439 which is more wealthy, 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:18.400 and trying to persuade them 00:12:18.400 --> 00:12:19.640 to give 00:12:19.640 --> 00:12:21.120 to this project 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:24.060 to people that they've never met. 00:12:25.020 --> 00:12:26.160 To people that they'll actually 00:12:26.160 --> 00:12:28.680 probably get no immediate benefit from. 00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:31.040 They're from a different ethnic background. 00:12:32.140 --> 00:12:34.500 It's nothing that anyone around them 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.540 would ever tell them 00:12:35.540 --> 00:12:36.620 was a good idea to do. 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.560 And so what we're going to see is 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:39.020 how, 00:12:39.380 --> 00:12:40.080 as Paul, 00:12:41.400 --> 00:12:41.760 say, 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:43.680 this is actually how the gospel 00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:45.680 reshapes entirely 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:47.019 the way that you as the church 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:47.679 live differently 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:48.839 from the people around you. 00:12:50.479 --> 00:12:50.859 And so, 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.179 that's what we're going to look at. 00:12:52.219 --> 00:12:53.239 We're going to look at four things. 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.079 And the first thing 00:12:56.079 --> 00:12:56.819 we're going to look at 00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:59.359 is about this idea of giving 00:12:59.359 --> 00:13:01.599 and that the foundation of giving 00:13:01.599 --> 00:13:02.719 is grace. 00:13:03.359 --> 00:13:04.219 So we're going to start 00:13:04.219 --> 00:13:06.559 in verse 9. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:07.719 And it says, 00:13:07.819 --> 00:13:08.959 You know the grace 00:13:08.959 --> 00:13:10.599 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:13.159 He says, 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.379 You know the grace 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.559 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.099 It's not new to you. 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:19.199 You know the gospel. 00:13:19.979 --> 00:13:22.120 You have heard this message 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:22.859 again and again. 00:13:22.979 --> 00:13:23.939 And sometimes when you've heard 00:13:23.939 --> 00:13:24.299 a message, 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:25.299 you kind of tune out 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:26.339 after a while. 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:27.919 But he says, 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:29.099 This is what you know. 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.839 You know 00:13:30.839 --> 00:13:33.579 that while Jesus was rich, 00:13:34.839 --> 00:13:36.319 yet for your sakes, 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.719 he became poor. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:40.179 And you want to think, 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:42.959 how was Jesus rich? 00:13:44.199 --> 00:13:44.639 Well, 00:13:45.719 --> 00:13:46.899 Jesus had complete 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.959 financial freedom. 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.459 Did you know that? 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:51.339 He wasn't waiting for his MPF 00:13:51.339 --> 00:13:51.919 to come through 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.699 just to retire. 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:56.199 He had all the resources 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:56.879 of heaven. 00:13:57.219 --> 00:13:58.839 He owned the cattle 00:13:58.839 --> 00:13:59.859 on a thousand hills. 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:01.579 He owed all of creation, 00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:02.620 belongs to him. 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:03.879 He doesn't need anything 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.459 from anyone. 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:06.639 And more than that, 00:14:06.780 --> 00:14:08.220 he also has the highest honor, 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:09.300 the highest status, 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.360 and he also has this communion 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.300 with his Father 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.700 and the Spirit together 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:15.019 of just such deep, 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:15.940 intimate love 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:17.200 that they're completely 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:18.180 self-sufficient 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:19.980 in every single category 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:21.320 that you could ever think of. 00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:22.980 They don't need anything. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:24.820 And you know 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.100 when you don't need anything, 00:14:26.300 --> 00:14:27.379 what we normally do 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.759 is we withdraw into ourselves 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.800 and put down our shutters 00:14:29.800 --> 00:14:30.660 and then just live happily 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.299 by ourselves, 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:31.860 don't we? 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:34.279 But Jesus didn't. 00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:34.980 You see, 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:35.899 what he says was 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.600 that though he was rich, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.519 yet for your sakes, 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:40.959 and he's speaking 00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:42.519 to specific people 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:43.719 in the church in Corinth, 00:14:44.439 --> 00:14:45.100 he's going to say, 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:46.019 for your sakes, 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:46.740 Watermark, 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.459 for you, 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:50.399 Justin, 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.139 Julie, 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:51.879 Ellen, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.879 for you, 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.759 he became poor. 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:58.159 Out of the overflow 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.000 of his riches, 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.399 he came down to earth 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:01.799 and you know 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:02.440 what people said? 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:02.820 They said, 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.200 oh, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:03.940 we'll follow you 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.759 and Jesus says, 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:05.980 the Son of Man 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.519 has got nowhere 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.360 to lay his head. 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:08.679 He came 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.519 and he came 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.419 as the King of Glory 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.059 and that nobody 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:11.960 recognized him. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.500 They ignored him. 00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:15.759 They rejected him. 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.879 They even came 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.580 to a cross 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:19.659 where he was stripped, 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.759 naked, 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.480 humiliated, 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.620 and killed. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.500 And yet he said, 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.720 I did that 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:29.419 for your sakes, 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.159 for you. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.000 Why? 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:36.399 So that people like us 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.460 who are poor 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:39.580 could become 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.860 into a relationship 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.159 with the rich one 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:44.139 and have access 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.100 to him 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.440 and all 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.320 that is his. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.080 You see, 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.360 you know, 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.580 the fundamental issue 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.379 with poverty 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.879 isn't actually 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.799 about how much money 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.159 you've got 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:54.980 in your bank account. 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.659 Did you know that? 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.639 It's actually 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.360 far more 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.500 about the access 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.299 that you have 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:00.139 and the opportunities 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.919 that you have 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:03.759 to particular 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.679 relationships 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:06.439 in your life 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:09.159 because relationships 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:09.899 can give you 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:11.100 access to resources. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:12.679 So, 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:13.459 for example, 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.419 that's why 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:16.019 if you're a student 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:17.360 and you feel like 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.419 you don't have much money 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.379 in your bank account, 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.939 you don't classify 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:22.579 probably as the poor 00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:23.879 because 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:25.220 probably, 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.160 for most of you, 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.060 you may have access 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.060 to your parents 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:29.420 and your parents 00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:30.259 can keep giving you 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:30.740 more money 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.600 if they need to. 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:33.759 So, 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:34.279 what the, 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.160 and you know, 00:16:35.180 --> 00:16:35.779 the poor 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.600 don't have relatives 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.600 to bail them out. 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:39.940 They aren't in the right 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.920 social circles 00:16:40.920 --> 00:16:42.480 to access certain jobs, 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.800 to access certain education, 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:45.300 to access certain knowledge. 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:48.519 And what Paul is saying here 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:50.079 is each one of us, 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:51.419 because of our sin 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.219 and our rebellion 00:16:52.219 --> 00:16:53.179 against God, 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.319 we were the poor 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.399 because we were cut off 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.259 from access 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.959 to God himself. 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.000 And yet, 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:02.019 God himself 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:02.939 and his richness 00:17:02.939 --> 00:17:04.639 has overflowed 00:17:04.639 --> 00:17:05.539 to bring you 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.379 and me 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:07.940 into this relationship 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:09.180 so that we can get 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.399 all of his grace 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:11.279 and abundance 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.799 flowing to us. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.299 and it's nothing 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.919 we deserve. 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.359 That is the grace 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:18.359 that he's talking about. 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.039 That, 00:17:19.139 --> 00:17:19.460 he says, 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.460 if you get that, 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.539 if you get that truly, 00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:23.960 that is going to fuel 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.480 your life 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.319 in a different way 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.159 and that's going to be 00:17:26.159 --> 00:17:27.519 the pattern of your life 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.619 in a different way. 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:29.879 And so, 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.220 Paul is then going to get 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.440 very, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:31.779 he says, 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.700 that's the foundation 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.220 of everything 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:33.940 that I'm going to share 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.399 with you, 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.460 Corinthians. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.700 because now he's going 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.559 to get practical 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.980 about this collection 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.819 that he's trying 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.279 to collect. 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:42.620 So, 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.940 he then says, 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.440 second point, 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.519 that grace, 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.840 if you get how much 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:48.759 Jesus has loved you, 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.279 if you get it, 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:52.039 grace leads to action. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.319 And this is verse 10 to 15, 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.400 chapter 8. 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.380 He says, 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:56.980 a year ago, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.980 you started to do this work 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.480 but also to desire it. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.980 So now finish doing it as well 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.240 so that your readiness 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.440 in desiring it 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.099 may be matched 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.380 by completing it out 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.500 of what you have 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.860 and not out of what 00:18:09.860 --> 00:18:10.660 you don't have. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.259 And so, 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:12.900 Paul is saying, 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.240 okay, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.220 if you understand 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.420 this message of grace, 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.279 he had written 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.099 to these Corinthians 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.120 about a year ago 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:20.039 and he told them, 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.200 hey, 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.599 can you start putting aside 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.240 some of this money 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.039 for this collection? 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:26.000 And they had responded 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:28.059 with excitement. 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.700 They'd said, 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:28.960 yeah, 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:30.380 they weren't pressurized 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:30.759 into it, 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.960 they weren't guilt-tripped 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.539 into it, 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.119 they'd said, 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.379 yeah, 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.139 let's do it. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.700 But now a year 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.680 has gone past 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.899 and that kind of initial 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.259 excitement has died. 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.180 You know, 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.539 they're kind of getting 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.839 a little bit of cold feet 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.700 at this stage. 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:47.259 And isn't it 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.220 just really interesting 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.859 that how much 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.420 of our giving 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.259 is actually based 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.619 on emotional appeals? 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.159 Like, 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.139 even in modern society, 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.799 isn't it, 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.960 they show you a picture 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.440 of a poor, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.259 starving child 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.460 and therefore you give 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.339 just out of emotion? 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.420 Or, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:18:59.639 you know, 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:01.079 we do ice bucket challenges 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.019 and things like that 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.480 where we all get 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.240 really excited 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.539 for a short mile, 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:06.619 but how lasting 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:07.420 is that 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.160 in our hearts 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:09.039 and in our lives? 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:10.220 Like, 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.900 how many people, 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.279 do you remember 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.259 the ice bucket challenge? 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.259 Yeah? 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:13.779 Like, 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.480 how many people 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.019 are still, 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.279 like, 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.759 really supporting ALS? 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:19.879 Right? 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:20.359 Do you see, 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:20.579 like, 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:21.799 we have this, 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:23.359 and so our society 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.220 is more, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.460 it's more gives 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.480 out of emotion-based 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.620 and out of grace-based. 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.720 And for the Corinthians, 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.440 they were not feeling 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.000 the emotion 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.839 at this time 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:36.680 because now 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.440 didn't feel like 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.259 such a good time 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.160 to be able to give 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:41.140 because maybe they promised 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:41.940 quite a bit before, 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.960 but now some other stuff 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.420 has come in, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.660 their school fees 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.299 have increased, 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:47.579 maybe inflation's gone up, 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.059 and they're looking 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.640 at the amount 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.120 and they're going, 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:49.339 oh, 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.400 that's actually quite a lot, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:50.940 I don't think 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.759 we can afford that. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.140 And so they're going, 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.380 hey, 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.579 maybe next year, 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.419 when we get a bonus 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:55.939 next year, 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.599 then we'll be able 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:56.960 to give, 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.059 but maybe not now. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.699 And Paul says, 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.079 listen, 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.879 God is not about 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:04.899 making your life hard. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.559 He's not trying 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.399 to make you poor 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.039 while the church 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.579 in Jerusalem 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.399 gets rich 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:10.099 and has jacuzzis 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.699 in their houses. 00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:13.079 He's looking at your heart 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.279 and he's saying, 00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:15.460 just give according 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.599 to whatever you have, 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.480 don't give according 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.679 to what you don't have. 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.059 But he says, 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:20.859 don't wait 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.859 until you think 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.539 you've got enough 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.099 to give. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.259 Don't wait 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.759 until your bonus comes. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.259 If you're a student, 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.019 Kevin mentioned this 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.440 last week, 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.059 don't wait 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.740 until you think, 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.200 okay, 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.299 when I start earning, 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.259 then I'll give. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.759 Because listen, 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:34.599 when you start earning, 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.099 then it becomes 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:35.700 so much harder 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.200 to give. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.220 He's saying, 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.940 now is the time 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.559 to give 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.740 whatever you have 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.359 to give. 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.220 And if you don't 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.379 feel like giving, 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:47.519 he says, 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.279 don't wait 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.059 for generosity 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.720 to kind of 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:51.119 fill up inside of you 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:52.180 and then I'll give. 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.279 No, 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.599 he says, 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.539 actually just start 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.819 giving whatever you can 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:57.279 and then pray 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.139 that God would actually 00:20:58.139 --> 00:20:59.200 start changing your heart 00:20:59.200 --> 00:20:59.579 so you actually, 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.139 you desire to give it 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:02.180 like the Corinthians 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.319 have begun to desire 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.099 to do so. 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.579 Because you find 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.160 it's like brushing 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.680 your teeth, 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:06.920 you know, 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.759 you never want to do it 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.420 but actually once you 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.099 start doing it 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.059 and then you stop 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.839 brushing your teeth, 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.559 you miss it, 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.299 right? 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.200 That's what he wants 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.940 to do in us. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.700 So grace, 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.940 if you get how much 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.740 Jesus has loved 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.920 you personally 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:22.039 and us as a church, 00:21:22.080 --> 00:21:23.259 it leads to action. 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.160 But thirdly, 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.140 grace leads 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.340 to a harvest. 00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:28.240 I'm going to spend 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.700 a bit longer 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.300 on this. 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:30.820 It says, 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.480 as we go into 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.120 chapter 9, 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.740 verse 6, 00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:35.300 whoever sows sparingly 00:21:35.300 --> 00:21:37.400 will also reap sparingly 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:39.380 and whoever sows bountifully 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:41.259 will also reap bountifully. 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.740 And later on, 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.320 he then says, 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.939 whoever supplies seed 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:46.619 to the sower 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.899 and bread for food 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.659 will supply 00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.480 and multiply 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.659 your seed for sowing 00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:51.859 and increase 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.919 the harvest 00:21:52.919 --> 00:21:55.279 of your righteousness. 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.839 Now he's using 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.539 a farming analogy. 00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:03.099 He's talking about seeds. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.639 I brought some seeds 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.099 with me. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.480 Let's put it over here. 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:09.919 Whoops. 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.379 There you go. 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.759 So, 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.279 he's talking farming. 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:16.980 We're not farmers 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.559 in Hong Kong, 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.439 but I think we probably 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.279 can get the analogy. 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.599 He's saying that 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.740 God in his grace 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:23.519 didn't just give you 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.079 salvation. 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.159 You know, 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.019 the word grace 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.960 in Paul's day 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.759 was not a spiritual 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.579 religious word. 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.579 It was a normal word. 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.659 It was used 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.819 for any ways 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.200 that actually 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.819 the gifts 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.819 that were given. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.679 And so he says, 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.599 God has given you 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.599 not just his son, 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.919 he's also given you stuff. 00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:40.980 He's given you seed. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.939 And just like a farmer 00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:44.159 has seed to sow, 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:46.399 now why does a farmer 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:47.980 go out to sow seed? 00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:50.879 Okay, anyone? 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:52.179 That's not a rhetorical question. 00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:55.619 Harvest. 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.139 Good. 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.519 Someone has done geography 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.679 or whatever it is. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.559 Okay. 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.000 Yes. 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.179 Even in Hong Kong 00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:02.079 we understand that, 00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:02.359 right? 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.740 We've seen it on TV. 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.980 And yes, 00:23:06.179 --> 00:23:08.279 the farmer sows 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.179 to get a harvest. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.039 Now, 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.859 a farmer still 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.019 has to feed himself 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.679 so the farmer 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.960 can keep some of the seed 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.599 for himself 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.579 to be able to feed him 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.179 and his family. 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.599 But he's saying, 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.619 if you sow 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.539 a little bit, 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:22.879 how much harvest 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.619 are you going to get? 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:26.379 A little bit. 00:23:26.439 --> 00:23:27.559 This is not complicated. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.019 Okay. 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.119 Okay. 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.019 Paul at times 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.519 is complicated. 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.859 He's not complicated here. 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:33.519 Okay. 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.899 So he's saying, 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.379 actually, 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.139 if the more that I keep 00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:38.179 just for myself, 00:23:38.239 --> 00:23:38.819 what happens 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.579 to the harvest? 00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:43.500 It's less, right? 00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:45.519 And so actually, 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:46.799 the more that actually 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.659 I'm hoarding 00:23:47.659 --> 00:23:48.519 thinking I've got to 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.439 keep it all for myself, 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.500 actually the less 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.619 that the fruitfulness 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.419 of your life 00:23:52.419 --> 00:23:53.019 is going to grow. 00:23:53.659 --> 00:23:54.919 And so what he says is, 00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:55.959 the more seeds 00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.699 that you sow, 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.000 what's going to happen? 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.399 The more harvest 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.019 you will have. 00:24:02.139 --> 00:24:02.819 Okay, good. 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.799 I think we're getting there now, 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.079 right? 00:24:05.219 --> 00:24:06.879 And so what he's saying is, 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.019 like, 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:09.019 we get this. 00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:09.979 Okay. 00:24:10.239 --> 00:24:10.939 And he's saying, 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.259 actually, 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:13.859 that when you give 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:15.500 generously out of your heart, 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.779 what God is going to do, 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.659 he's not trying to say, 00:24:17.739 --> 00:24:17.859 okay, 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.739 I want to make you poor 00:24:18.739 --> 00:24:19.539 so you have no seed 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.159 for yourself, 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.959 but he's saying, 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.279 actually, 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.579 the more that you can be 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.480 lavish in giving, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.819 the more harvest 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:26.480 will flow from your life. 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.460 And he's saying, 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.160 that actually, 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.240 God will then 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.940 multiply your seed. 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:34.180 He will provide for you 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.859 so that you have more 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.819 to be able to give. 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:39.839 But what we tend to do 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:41.079 is we go, 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:41.839 okay, 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.819 that sounds like 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.220 a little bit 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.480 of a manipulation technique. 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:46.660 Maybe I'm not going 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.200 to have enough. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.000 I've got all these plans 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.500 for all the things 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.139 that I want to spend 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:51.120 my money on, 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.060 right? 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.000 And 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:55.380 there's school fees, 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.320 there's this, 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.800 there's that, 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.840 there's Air Jordans 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.440 I want to buy, 00:24:58.560 --> 00:24:59.880 and there's all this stuff 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.500 that I'm thinking. 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:01.940 And so, 00:25:02.020 --> 00:25:02.640 what we think is, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:02.840 oh, 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.680 I've got to sacrifice 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.720 all of that 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.280 and I'm going to lose out 00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:07.000 on life. 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.759 Because what we believe 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.320 is actually 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:11.060 that we don't have 00:25:11.060 --> 00:25:11.560 a gracious, 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.240 generous, 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.300 faithful God. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:16.419 because sometimes 00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:17.700 we feel in our hearts, 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.740 we actually think 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.799 that if I give 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.680 in some way, 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.940 that God really 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.599 deep in our hearts, 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.519 we don't say this, 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.759 but actually we believe this, 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.000 that deep in our hearts 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.639 that God is really 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.639 a stingy father 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:30.960 who doesn't really 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.919 care for us, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.099 who doesn't really 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:34.099 love us so much. 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:36.159 And Paul wants to say, 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.220 do you know the grace 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.339 of the Lord Jesus? 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.819 That he's given 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.079 everything for you. 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:43.039 And he doesn't want us 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:44.699 to give just to burden us. 00:25:44.939 --> 00:25:45.919 He wants us to live 00:25:45.919 --> 00:25:47.000 generous lives 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.000 that will become 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.960 cheerful, 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:51.019 joy-filled givers. 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.599 Because you test 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.599 his faithfulness 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.659 like Kevin was talking 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.199 last week 00:25:56.199 --> 00:25:57.099 and you see 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.399 that God is faithful 00:25:58.399 --> 00:25:59.519 in abounding 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.939 a harvest in your life. 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:02.899 Now, 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:04.199 when I was at university, 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:06.939 I felt God challenge me 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:08.379 in this area 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:10.099 and there was a particular 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:11.000 missions organization 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.740 that I felt 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.480 he was calling me 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.000 to give 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:14.420 and to give far more 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.140 than I would ever 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.819 normally give. 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:19.119 And so I wrote this check 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.900 and I was a student 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.319 at the time 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.279 and I wasn't a wealthy one 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.859 for 500 pounds. 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.960 I was like... 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:28.180 And as I was writing it, 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.680 I was kind of like, 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:30.160 am I just being an idiot here? 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:34.500 And, you know, 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.359 I didn't know 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.059 whether I was being an idiot, 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.000 but I felt like God 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.140 was calling me to do that. 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.039 He doesn't always 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.839 call me to do that. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.139 But then three weeks later, 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.240 I received a letter 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.959 from an aunt, 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:45.720 a very distant aunt of mine. 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.899 I don't even know 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:47.379 if she's an aunt. 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.199 I think she's one 00:26:48.199 --> 00:26:48.799 of those relatives 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.579 you're not quite sure 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.339 where to categorize. 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:54.779 And she'd only ever 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:56.119 occasionally communicated 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.699 at Christmas 00:26:56.699 --> 00:26:57.839 and given, like, 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.759 I think the most generous 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.799 was 20 pounds. 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:03.939 Which actually, 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.399 in those days, 00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:05.299 was not bad. 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:07.440 But then I got this letter 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.279 and inside this letter 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.700 she said, 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:10.019 hey, I've been going 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.700 through some stuff 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.419 in my accounts 00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:13.700 and I've been... 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:15.419 And I just wondered 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:16.359 if you'd like this. 00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:18.139 And I opened the envelope 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:18.899 and there was a check 00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:20.019 for 2,000 pounds. 00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:22.700 And I went, 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.579 my goodness me. 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.740 Now, 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:28.639 why am I sharing you 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.299 that story? 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.200 I'm not sharing it, 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.319 so you go away 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.340 calculating, 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:33.940 okay, 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:37.799 I put 1,000 in the offering, 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.120 that means 4,000. 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.680 No. 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.319 You see, 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.819 I gave not expecting 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.700 anything back. 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.299 I gave because God 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.420 had called me to give. 00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:47.460 Not out of guilt, 00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.360 not out of any kind 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:49.039 of manipulation. 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:51.340 But what I saw 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:52.600 was that God 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.680 is gracious 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.779 and faithful 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.900 in ways that 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.160 I didn't even expect 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.779 Him to be. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.880 And what He gave me, 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.600 and I knew 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.400 that from that 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:02.660 He increased my faith 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.260 to believe 00:28:03.260 --> 00:28:04.260 that actually God 00:28:04.260 --> 00:28:05.500 can always provide 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.040 for me. 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.280 Maybe it's not going 00:28:08.280 --> 00:28:08.860 to be exactly 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:09.560 in that way. 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.400 In fact, 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.100 I've never had that 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:12.080 exactly the same thing 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.760 happen again. 00:28:13.520 --> 00:28:15.540 But He gives us 00:28:15.540 --> 00:28:17.260 in so many ways 00:28:17.260 --> 00:28:18.880 so that we can have 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:20.040 more seed to sow 00:28:20.040 --> 00:28:20.920 into other people's 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.640 lives again. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.780 So generosity 00:28:22.780 --> 00:28:23.640 can flow 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.740 to more other people. 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.520 Paul says it 00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:27.160 like this. 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.320 He says, 00:28:28.780 --> 00:28:29.820 God is able 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:31.899 to make all grace, 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:33.679 all grace, 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.119 that's a lot of grace, 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:37.099 abound to you. 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:37.879 Abound. 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.480 Is that a little? 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:41.659 No, abound is a lot. 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.439 So that having 00:28:42.439 --> 00:28:43.700 all sufficiency, 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.319 now that word means 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.299 all contentment, 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:47.059 all you need, 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.619 not all you want, 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.299 by the way. 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.279 He's not saying 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.439 the Ferrari's coming, 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.159 right? 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:53.439 But having all 00:28:53.439 --> 00:28:54.439 that you need, 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:56.460 all contentment, 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:58.620 at all times, 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.940 that's a lot of the time, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.559 in all things, 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.880 that's a lot of things, 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.620 that you may abound 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:06.840 in every good work. 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.759 You see where it's going? 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.880 It's going outwards. 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.940 And then in verse 11, 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.900 He says this. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:15.160 You will be enriched 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.960 in every way 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:18.319 to be generous 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.940 in every way 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:21.200 which through us 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.759 will produce 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:23.019 thanksgiving to God. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:26.019 Now this is 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:29.220 an interesting passage. 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.019 Do you know 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.480 what He's actually 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.059 saying here? 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.720 I'm going to be 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:36.099 a little controversial maybe. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.220 God wants you 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.819 to be rich. 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.720 Did you know that? 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.720 His call 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.599 for generosity 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.619 is because God 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.559 wants you to be rich. 00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:49.240 In fact, 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.299 let me even make it stronger. 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.879 Jesus died 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:55.440 so that you can be rich 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.740 individually 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.940 and as a community. 00:29:59.520 --> 00:30:00.560 Isn't that exactly 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:01.160 what He said 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.900 in chapter 8 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.520 right at the beginning? 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:02.980 He said, 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:04.360 for your sake 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:05.780 He became poor. 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:06.460 Why? 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.460 So that through 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:08.680 by His poverty 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:10.080 you might become 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:12.160 rich. 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.780 Now some of you 00:30:14.780 --> 00:30:15.720 are getting a little nervous 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.360 at this point. 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:19.320 Before you think 00:30:19.320 --> 00:30:19.920 I'm preaching 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:21.300 the prosperity gospel, 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:24.440 I am preaching 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.579 the prosperity gospel 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:28.559 but not the prosperity gospel 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.500 that says 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.240 give your money 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.839 to the church 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.519 and God will triple 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.139 what you want 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.799 and what you give 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.279 guaranteed. 00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.720 That's not what I'm preaching 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:36.220 because think 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.200 what is your definition 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.799 of rich? 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.039 If you're anything 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.579 like me 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.200 the first things 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:44.180 that come into my mind 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.819 are like millions 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.740 in your bank account, 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.460 two Ferraris 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.339 on your front drive, 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.419 a personal yacht, 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.259 right? 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.960 That's what I think 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.359 when I think 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.119 the word rich. 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.099 Anyone like me? 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.339 Do you know 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.000 that is the most 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.359 narrow definition 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.879 of rich 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:58.000 you could ever imagine? 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.839 Like just think about it. 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.680 How many wealthy people, 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.740 Fiona used to work 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.680 in a law firm 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:06.980 with some very high 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.980 wealthy individuals 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:09.079 who were getting divorced. 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.400 Let me tell you, 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:11.400 when you get to know 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:12.240 people's lives 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:14.000 there is so much tragedy 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.099 and poverty 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.859 in their hearts. 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:18.699 Like so many wealthy people 00:31:18.699 --> 00:31:19.240 are lonely, 00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.119 insecure, 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.339 fearful. 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.979 Often the pursuit 00:31:22.979 --> 00:31:23.559 of wealth 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.679 destroys the very 00:31:24.679 --> 00:31:25.299 relationships 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.139 that we crave. 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:28.559 Money and possessions 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.379 by itself 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:30.399 isn't rich. 00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:31.859 You know, 00:31:31.899 --> 00:31:32.539 Hong Kong is one 00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:33.759 of the wealthiest places 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.639 on the planet 00:31:34.639 --> 00:31:36.199 and yet it's one 00:31:36.199 --> 00:31:37.199 of the most stressed. 00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:40.019 That's emotional poverty, 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.199 right? 00:31:42.199 --> 00:31:43.559 Our relationships 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.679 are strained. 00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:46.759 That's relational poverty. 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.879 We live for stuff 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:50.039 that never satisfies. 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.519 That's living 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.759 with purpose poverty. 00:31:53.939 --> 00:31:54.459 I know you could go 00:31:54.459 --> 00:31:55.299 on and on 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:57.939 and yet Paul 00:31:57.939 --> 00:31:59.339 wants to bring us 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:00.159 just like actually 00:32:00.159 --> 00:32:01.019 when we were in Turkey 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.579 we saw these people 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.759 as Ellen and Phoebe 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.179 were sharing 00:32:04.179 --> 00:32:05.899 who had left everything 00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:07.039 who saw much 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.619 they had left 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:08.639 and yet 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:10.000 you saw in them 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:11.779 this faith 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.619 where you went away 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.339 saying wow 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.279 we have so much 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.039 they have so little 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.299 but they are so rich. 00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:17.659 in faith. 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.419 And Paul 00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:20.799 does the same thing here 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:22.039 and I'm going to flip back 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.859 right to the beginning 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.319 of chapter 8 verse 1 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.319 because he's going to give 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.919 an example 00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:27.259 of what it looks like 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.919 to be rich. 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.740 He says 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:31.700 in a severe test 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.420 of affliction 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.960 their abundance 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.599 of joy 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:36.059 and their extreme poverty 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.539 have overflowed 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.140 in a wealth 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:38.880 of generosity 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.759 on their part 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:41.660 begging us earnestly 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.880 for the favor 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:44.160 of taking part 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.900 in the relief 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.799 of the saints. 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:49.000 Times are hard 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:51.299 for the Macedonian churches 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.160 these are a little bit 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:53.240 north in Greece 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.880 they're being persecuted 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.880 on the outside 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:57.319 and suffering poverty 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.079 on the inside 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.019 like many of the Turkish 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.460 believers 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:01.039 and poverty 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.799 is not pleasant 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.679 the Bible doesn't 00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:03.339 make poverty 00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:04.079 ever a goal 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:05.039 that we should detain 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:10.059 but here 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.639 what they're doing 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.159 you know when you're 00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:12.319 going through a hard time 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.000 where do you tend 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.639 to focus? 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:16.200 just on ourselves 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.620 right? 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.620 If you're like me 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.480 that's what we do 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:20.180 and they're normally 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.000 going hey now's not 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.000 a good time to help out 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.580 just wait 00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:23.600 for a little bit later 00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:26.240 but because they knew 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.000 the richness 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.840 of their father 00:33:27.840 --> 00:33:28.940 who was so generous 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.759 and they knew 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.560 who could provide 00:33:30.560 --> 00:33:30.900 for them 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:31.960 that he was faithful 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:34.040 Paul says 00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:36.060 they had abundance 00:33:36.060 --> 00:33:38.400 they had wealth 00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:40.360 they were poor 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:41.380 but they were rich 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:43.300 and you see 00:33:43.300 --> 00:33:44.040 what they were rich in? 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:46.340 they're rich in 00:33:46.340 --> 00:33:47.580 joy 00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:50.260 you know they're going 00:33:50.260 --> 00:33:52.120 we've only got two dollars 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:52.800 and like one 00:33:52.800 --> 00:33:53.460 we've got to keep 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.200 for our family 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:56.620 but can we possibly 00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:57.080 Paul 00:33:57.080 --> 00:33:58.740 like is it possible 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.920 for us to be able 00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:01.200 to have the grace 00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:01.800 that's what the word 00:34:01.800 --> 00:34:02.300 favor mean 00:34:02.300 --> 00:34:02.900 the grace 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:03.640 the privilege 00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:05.000 of being able to share 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.780 with our brothers 00:34:05.780 --> 00:34:06.740 in need 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:08.220 because we see 00:34:08.220 --> 00:34:09.539 what a joy that is 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:11.099 and they're going 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:12.019 hey let's see 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:13.500 guys is there any other way 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.199 that we could kind of 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.500 I know we've not got much 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.320 but could we just 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:17.460 give anything more 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.579 maybe we can go busking 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.460 on the streets 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:19.940 I don't know 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.679 what can we do 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.639 so that we can actually 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.920 bless these guys 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:24.880 there's going to be 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:26.300 an opportunity cost 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:28.320 if we actually miss out 00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:29.619 on this chance 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.239 to sow grace 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:31.159 to our brothers and sisters 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.820 in Jerusalem 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:34.659 I don't know whether 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:36.500 like when you get a pay rise 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.259 the first thought 00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:38.139 in your mind is 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.319 wow 00:34:39.319 --> 00:34:40.480 what an opportunity 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.920 I can to save 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.679 or spend more 00:34:42.679 --> 00:34:43.539 or wow 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.279 what an opportunity 00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:45.279 that I can give more 00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:46.920 but that's the church 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.659 in Macedonia 00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:49.559 and Paul is saying 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.359 it's not about 00:34:50.359 --> 00:34:51.139 the amount of money 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.679 because like they're poor 00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.559 I mean they're not giving 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.799 exactly very much at all 00:34:54.799 --> 00:34:55.839 but he's looking 00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:56.519 at the heart 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.699 and he's saying 00:34:57.699 --> 00:34:59.119 they've just understood grace 00:34:59.119 --> 00:35:00.679 and it's just flowing 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.279 out of them 00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:03.619 in a powerful way 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:06.000 you know 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.079 I grew up in a family 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:09.559 which was tight on finances 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:11.799 and I learned to count 00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:12.480 my pennies 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:14.159 and when it comes 00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:15.279 to giving gifts 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:17.279 I'm usually thinking 00:35:17.279 --> 00:35:18.519 how cheap can I go 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.639 before I look cheap 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:21.099 you know that 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:25.460 but I went on a mission trip 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:25.960 to India 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:27.960 and I met some nuns 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:28.920 in desperate poverty 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:30.440 and yet they were filled 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:31.460 with this incredible joy 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:32.400 and they'd cook us breakfast 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.420 and I found out 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:33.880 they were actually 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.940 cooking pretty much 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.900 most of what they 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:37.240 most of what they had 00:35:37.240 --> 00:35:37.860 so they were actually 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.119 taking less for themselves 00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:41.340 so that we could enjoy it 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:42.360 and I was feeling 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:43.519 a bit guilty about that 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.000 because you know 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:45.300 we have so much 00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.519 but actually for them 00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:47.160 it was a joy 00:35:47.160 --> 00:35:47.840 it was a privilege 00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:50.420 and I realized 00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:53.240 wow in so many ways 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:55.160 I'm actually so poor 00:35:55.160 --> 00:35:56.860 and these guys are so rich 00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:57.840 because they've understood 00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:58.680 God's grace 00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:01.679 and Paul himself 00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.759 this is amazing 00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:03.819 Paul is blown away 00:36:03.819 --> 00:36:04.980 by this as well 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.539 and he says 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.219 they gave 00:36:06.219 --> 00:36:07.719 they didn't give out of guilt 00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:08.619 they didn't give 00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:09.980 even because Paul told them 00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.259 to give 00:36:10.259 --> 00:36:11.679 they give first to the Lord 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:12.819 they first said 00:36:12.819 --> 00:36:14.199 God what's going to please you 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:16.079 we actually want to obey you 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:18.279 and then out of that 00:36:18.279 --> 00:36:19.599 they gave 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:22.299 do we want to be 00:36:22.299 --> 00:36:23.259 a rich community 00:36:23.259 --> 00:36:28.299 okay 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:30.960 good 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.620 I was worried there 00:36:31.620 --> 00:36:31.940 for a minute 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.640 I thought we might have 00:36:32.640 --> 00:36:33.460 to go a little bit longer 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:38.340 do we want to have 00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.320 a greater impact 00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:40.900 in other people's lives 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:42.080 than just eating 00:36:42.080 --> 00:36:42.660 the own seed 00:36:42.660 --> 00:36:43.320 for ourselves 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:44.380 God wants to change 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.019 our hearts 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:47.420 not so that it's 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:48.060 guilt driven 00:36:48.060 --> 00:36:49.080 but so we become 00:36:49.080 --> 00:36:50.039 cheerful givers 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:51.420 in all of our life 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:54.039 grace leads to action 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:56.660 grace leads to a harvest 00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:59.019 grace leads to thanksgiving 00:36:59.019 --> 00:37:01.159 he says 00:37:01.159 --> 00:37:01.819 for the ministry 00:37:01.819 --> 00:37:02.420 of this service 00:37:02.420 --> 00:37:03.559 is not only supplying 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.819 the needs of the saints 00:37:04.819 --> 00:37:06.960 but is also overflowing 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:08.440 in many thanksgivings 00:37:08.440 --> 00:37:08.980 to God 00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:11.480 ultimately 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:13.920 a generous heart 00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:14.779 is not just about 00:37:14.779 --> 00:37:16.199 you having a richer life 00:37:16.199 --> 00:37:17.579 or even about 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:18.099 other people 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.699 being blessed 00:37:18.699 --> 00:37:19.199 through it 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:20.460 it's about 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.699 the glory 00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:22.719 of God 00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:24.759 it's about 00:37:24.759 --> 00:37:26.179 God is glorified 00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:27.579 when his people 00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:28.739 are so satisfied 00:37:28.739 --> 00:37:29.539 in him 00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:30.959 that they can hold 00:37:30.959 --> 00:37:31.939 loosely the stuff 00:37:31.939 --> 00:37:32.679 that they have 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:34.119 and be generous 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:34.559 with it 00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.179 when they see 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:35.939 that God is calling 00:37:35.939 --> 00:37:36.199 them 00:37:36.199 --> 00:37:36.859 and they see 00:37:36.859 --> 00:37:37.639 needs around 00:37:37.639 --> 00:37:39.639 and as we are 00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:40.679 thankful for God's 00:37:40.679 --> 00:37:41.619 grace in our life 00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:42.619 that overflows 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:44.439 and what Paul 00:37:44.439 --> 00:37:45.539 is saying here is 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:49.439 when the Corinthians 00:37:49.439 --> 00:37:50.119 were to give 00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:50.739 to their needy 00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.639 brothers and sisters 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:53.000 what would be 00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.879 happening there 00:37:53.879 --> 00:37:55.500 was God 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.179 has given them 00:37:56.179 --> 00:37:56.480 grace 00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:57.199 he's given them 00:37:57.199 --> 00:37:58.980 spiritual grace 00:37:58.980 --> 00:38:00.119 he's given them 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:01.359 physical grace 00:38:01.359 --> 00:38:02.299 and actually 00:38:02.299 --> 00:38:03.179 as his grace 00:38:03.179 --> 00:38:04.039 then comes and works 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.779 in their heart 00:38:04.779 --> 00:38:06.019 and changes their heart 00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:07.139 it then overflows 00:38:07.139 --> 00:38:07.759 with them giving 00:38:07.759 --> 00:38:09.420 a gift of grace 00:38:09.420 --> 00:38:10.839 to this people 00:38:10.839 --> 00:38:12.099 in Jerusalem 00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:12.980 and when they 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:14.019 receive the grace 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:14.879 what happens 00:38:14.879 --> 00:38:16.199 will happen to them 00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:17.699 is they will realize 00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:18.819 in a deep way 00:38:18.819 --> 00:38:19.779 wow our God 00:38:19.779 --> 00:38:20.519 is so gracious 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.960 through you 00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:24.559 and so as their 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.500 faith increases 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.659 it releases them 00:38:26.659 --> 00:38:27.780 to thank God 00:38:27.780 --> 00:38:28.960 that they can see 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:30.139 their God provides 00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:31.079 and he's provided 00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:31.860 through the Corinthians 00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:34.420 and what that does 00:38:34.420 --> 00:38:35.360 it creates 00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:36.400 them to then 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:36.980 pray 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:37.739 for their 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:38.820 church over there 00:38:38.820 --> 00:38:39.920 so deeper unity 00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:41.159 amongst these people 00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:42.199 who would be divided 00:38:42.199 --> 00:38:43.219 normally occurs 00:38:43.219 --> 00:38:44.519 and through that 00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:45.340 you say 00:38:45.340 --> 00:38:46.380 only the gospel 00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.239 can do that 00:38:47.239 --> 00:38:48.559 and Jesus 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:49.679 gets all the glory 00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:52.779 you know 00:38:52.779 --> 00:38:53.959 my wife is expecting 00:38:53.959 --> 00:38:55.619 in October 00:38:55.619 --> 00:39:02.979 that's the right response 00:39:02.979 --> 00:39:08.799 and a number of you 00:39:08.799 --> 00:39:09.500 have actually been 00:39:09.500 --> 00:39:10.799 just really generous 00:39:10.799 --> 00:39:11.979 towards us 00:39:11.979 --> 00:39:13.219 in offering us 00:39:13.219 --> 00:39:14.000 baby stuff 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:17.059 they've promised it 00:39:17.059 --> 00:39:17.659 so I'm 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:19.679 I'm expecting it 00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:20.019 you know 00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:20.539 Paul said 00:39:20.539 --> 00:39:21.139 action 00:39:21.139 --> 00:39:21.719 no 00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:26.519 but actually 00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:27.900 one of the things 00:39:27.900 --> 00:39:28.539 like I was just 00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:29.179 talking with Fiona 00:39:29.179 --> 00:39:29.880 just the other day 00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:30.280 and she was 00:39:30.280 --> 00:39:30.900 she was saying 00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:31.239 actually 00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:31.719 you know 00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.460 the amount of money 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.400 that we could save 00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.199 from that 00:39:34.199 --> 00:39:35.500 how about if we 00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.639 actually then use that 00:39:36.639 --> 00:39:37.320 to be able to 00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:38.380 to give to some 00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:39.579 missionary friends 00:39:39.579 --> 00:39:40.780 in France 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:41.300 so that we can 00:39:41.300 --> 00:39:42.039 bless them 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:43.659 and so 00:39:43.659 --> 00:39:44.779 as I was thinking 00:39:44.779 --> 00:39:44.980 about 00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.279 I was thinking 00:39:45.279 --> 00:39:46.340 that's so much 00:39:46.340 --> 00:39:46.900 what this is 00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:47.279 that actually 00:39:47.279 --> 00:39:47.840 as somebody 00:39:47.840 --> 00:39:48.719 shows generosity 00:39:48.719 --> 00:39:49.340 us 00:39:49.340 --> 00:39:50.420 then we can show 00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:50.900 generosity 00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:51.699 to somebody else 00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:52.400 and then they 00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:53.259 through their ministry 00:39:53.259 --> 00:39:54.340 will be speaking 00:39:54.340 --> 00:39:55.360 and releasing grace 00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:56.619 into other people's life 00:39:56.619 --> 00:39:57.920 and as you see that 00:39:57.920 --> 00:39:58.880 the impact 00:39:58.880 --> 00:39:59.920 of someone's generosity 00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:00.579 right the way 00:40:00.579 --> 00:40:01.420 over in Hong Kong 00:40:01.420 --> 00:40:02.279 can impact 00:40:02.279 --> 00:40:02.699 all the way 00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:03.480 into France 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.539 and in somebody's life 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:05.340 that I have no idea 00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:06.000 who they are 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:07.320 may result in praise 00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:07.940 and thanksgiving 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.539 to God 00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:10.199 isn't that amazing 00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:11.019 to be part of something 00:40:11.019 --> 00:40:11.739 so much bigger 00:40:11.739 --> 00:40:12.300 than yourself 00:40:12.300 --> 00:40:14.259 that's the harvest 00:40:14.259 --> 00:40:15.380 God's talking about 00:40:15.380 --> 00:40:19.039 so what do we do 00:40:19.039 --> 00:40:19.599 with this 00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:22.579 do you see 00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:23.559 when you get grace 00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:24.900 it changes everything 00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:28.420 and first I think 00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:30.340 as I've just thought 00:40:30.340 --> 00:40:30.800 about this 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:31.380 and realized 00:40:31.380 --> 00:40:32.519 for myself 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:34.440 but none of us 00:40:34.440 --> 00:40:35.019 are as generous 00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:35.900 as we should be 00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:37.340 I mean let's just 00:40:37.340 --> 00:40:38.219 let's just be real 00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:39.019 and maybe it's not 00:40:39.019 --> 00:40:39.619 just financial 00:40:39.619 --> 00:40:40.800 it's maybe other areas 00:40:40.800 --> 00:40:42.120 none of us 00:40:42.120 --> 00:40:43.280 are rich in faith 00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:43.820 and love 00:40:43.820 --> 00:40:44.240 and joy 00:40:44.240 --> 00:40:45.340 as God wants us to be 00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:47.840 and so we need 00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:49.120 to repent first 00:40:49.120 --> 00:40:49.580 God 00:40:49.580 --> 00:40:51.820 I often live 00:40:51.820 --> 00:40:52.400 as if you're not 00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:52.860 as gracious 00:40:52.860 --> 00:40:53.900 as you really are 00:40:53.900 --> 00:40:56.420 I need to repent 00:40:56.420 --> 00:40:57.300 you're not as generous 00:40:57.300 --> 00:40:58.080 and I haven't 00:40:58.080 --> 00:40:59.140 I haven't proved 00:40:59.140 --> 00:41:00.019 you as faithful 00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:01.180 by being giving 00:41:01.180 --> 00:41:02.060 so that the seed 00:41:02.060 --> 00:41:02.920 of the harvest 00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.580 can come 00:41:03.579 --> 00:41:07.759 but the amazing 00:41:07.759 --> 00:41:08.480 thing is this 00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:09.159 and this just blows 00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:09.699 me away 00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:11.340 you know when it says 00:41:11.340 --> 00:41:12.059 the grace of the 00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:13.159 Lord Jesus Christ 00:41:13.159 --> 00:41:14.019 you know it 00:41:14.019 --> 00:41:16.199 when did he give 00:41:16.199 --> 00:41:17.480 his grace to us 00:41:17.480 --> 00:41:18.019 through dying 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:18.699 on the cross 00:41:18.699 --> 00:41:21.579 while we were 00:41:21.579 --> 00:41:22.799 still poor 00:41:22.799 --> 00:41:25.119 you see 00:41:25.119 --> 00:41:26.239 Jesus meets us 00:41:26.239 --> 00:41:27.480 right where we are 00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:29.759 with all of our fears 00:41:29.759 --> 00:41:31.179 all of our insecurities 00:41:31.179 --> 00:41:32.339 all of our questions 00:41:32.339 --> 00:41:33.139 that we have 00:41:33.139 --> 00:41:34.139 some of you may have 00:41:34.139 --> 00:41:34.960 a lot of questions 00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:38.039 he knows where we are 00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:38.599 right now 00:41:38.599 --> 00:41:40.500 as a church 00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.539 as individuals 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:44.059 for some people 00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:45.579 Jesus may be going 00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:46.079 to you 00:41:46.079 --> 00:41:47.659 like the rich young ruler 00:41:47.659 --> 00:41:49.059 give everything away 00:41:49.059 --> 00:41:53.279 but I suspect 00:41:53.279 --> 00:41:54.420 for most of us 00:41:54.420 --> 00:41:55.360 that's not what 00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:56.019 Jesus is saying 00:41:56.019 --> 00:41:58.860 Jesus is actually 00:41:58.860 --> 00:42:00.039 probably just saying 00:42:00.039 --> 00:42:00.940 I want just to take 00:42:00.940 --> 00:42:01.679 one step 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:04.279 if you're like me 00:42:04.279 --> 00:42:05.619 I want to change 00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:06.679 from zero to a hundred 00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:07.219 overnight 00:42:07.219 --> 00:42:08.259 and I want everyone else 00:42:08.259 --> 00:42:09.099 to change the same 00:42:09.099 --> 00:42:11.400 but God's not like that 00:42:11.400 --> 00:42:13.079 he's so gracious 00:42:13.079 --> 00:42:13.900 with us 00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:15.179 he's so gentle 00:42:15.179 --> 00:42:15.940 with us 00:42:15.940 --> 00:42:17.119 he leads us 00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:18.279 step by step 00:42:18.280 --> 00:42:19.840 so at the end 00:42:19.840 --> 00:42:20.540 of this series 00:42:20.540 --> 00:42:21.480 as we've been talking 00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:22.180 about the grip 00:42:22.180 --> 00:42:23.340 of money on our hearts 00:42:23.340 --> 00:42:24.900 I want to ask you 00:42:24.900 --> 00:42:27.019 what's the area 00:42:27.019 --> 00:42:27.800 that God is calling 00:42:27.800 --> 00:42:28.920 you to respond in 00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:31.180 what's the area 00:42:31.180 --> 00:42:32.140 that he's highlighting 00:42:32.140 --> 00:42:33.000 in your life 00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:34.100 he's not going to 00:42:34.100 --> 00:42:35.060 give you a hundred things 00:42:35.060 --> 00:42:35.640 he'll probably just 00:42:35.640 --> 00:42:36.519 give you one thing 00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:37.600 it may be a very 00:42:37.600 --> 00:42:38.400 small thing 00:42:38.400 --> 00:42:39.860 it may be that 00:42:39.860 --> 00:42:40.620 you actually just need 00:42:40.620 --> 00:42:41.440 to start talking 00:42:41.440 --> 00:42:42.000 about money 00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:42.780 with your spouse 00:42:42.780 --> 00:42:44.160 or with your community group 00:42:44.160 --> 00:42:46.400 it may be that 00:42:46.400 --> 00:42:47.540 actually he's calling 00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.779 you to buy fewer clothes 00:42:48.779 --> 00:42:49.779 and give the money away 00:42:49.779 --> 00:42:52.079 it may be just 00:42:52.079 --> 00:42:53.219 calling you to find out 00:42:53.219 --> 00:42:53.980 about the needs 00:42:53.980 --> 00:42:54.679 that are around 00:42:54.679 --> 00:42:56.380 because when you find out 00:42:56.380 --> 00:42:56.920 about needs 00:42:56.920 --> 00:42:57.539 then you can be 00:42:57.539 --> 00:42:58.440 thinking about them 00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:59.679 and praying about them 00:42:59.679 --> 00:43:00.460 and asking God 00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:01.360 how do you want us 00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:01.960 to be generous 00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:06.199 but grace leads 00:43:06.199 --> 00:43:06.800 to action 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:09.279 and God does not 00:43:09.279 --> 00:43:10.159 want us to go away 00:43:10.159 --> 00:43:11.000 from this series 00:43:11.000 --> 00:43:11.820 just saying 00:43:11.820 --> 00:43:13.139 oh that was a nice series 00:43:13.139 --> 00:43:14.800 and I'm personally 00:43:14.800 --> 00:43:15.380 convinced 00:43:15.380 --> 00:43:16.760 but God does also 00:43:16.760 --> 00:43:17.280 not want you 00:43:17.280 --> 00:43:17.900 to go away 00:43:17.900 --> 00:43:19.980 inspired for 24 hours 00:43:19.980 --> 00:43:20.940 on an emotional base 00:43:20.940 --> 00:43:21.840 okay I need to give 00:43:21.840 --> 00:43:22.800 and then three days later 00:43:22.800 --> 00:43:23.320 it's like 00:43:23.320 --> 00:43:24.019 gone 00:43:24.019 --> 00:43:26.619 Jesus wants to meet you 00:43:26.619 --> 00:43:27.480 where you are today 00:43:27.480 --> 00:43:29.380 and to bring you 00:43:29.380 --> 00:43:30.059 to a pattern 00:43:30.059 --> 00:43:30.820 of your life 00:43:30.820 --> 00:43:31.220 where there is 00:43:31.220 --> 00:43:31.760 regular 00:43:31.760 --> 00:43:32.840 consistent 00:43:32.840 --> 00:43:34.140 wholehearted 00:43:34.140 --> 00:43:35.720 life transformed 00:43:35.720 --> 00:43:37.039 bit by bit 00:43:37.039 --> 00:43:37.860 transformation 00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:38.740 of your wallet 00:43:38.740 --> 00:43:39.680 transformation 00:43:39.680 --> 00:43:40.920 so that grace 00:43:40.920 --> 00:43:41.760 and generosity 00:43:41.760 --> 00:43:42.500 is characteristic 00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:43.239 of us 00:43:43.239 --> 00:43:44.280 as a church 00:43:44.280 --> 00:43:50.099 and so I think 00:43:50.099 --> 00:43:50.780 the first place 00:43:50.780 --> 00:43:51.380 that we start 00:43:51.380 --> 00:43:52.800 I'm going to close 00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:53.300 with this 00:43:53.300 --> 00:43:55.099 is to identify 00:43:55.099 --> 00:43:56.179 who God is calling 00:43:56.179 --> 00:43:57.679 you to give to 00:43:57.679 --> 00:43:59.579 there are a thousand 00:43:59.579 --> 00:44:00.559 charities out there 00:44:00.559 --> 00:44:01.119 who ask you 00:44:01.119 --> 00:44:01.639 for your money 00:44:01.639 --> 00:44:03.400 there are so many 00:44:03.400 --> 00:44:04.159 needs out there 00:44:04.159 --> 00:44:04.760 we wonder 00:44:04.760 --> 00:44:06.380 oh like 00:44:06.380 --> 00:44:07.340 do I just give out 00:44:07.340 --> 00:44:07.780 of guilt 00:44:07.780 --> 00:44:09.199 but actually 00:44:09.199 --> 00:44:09.900 I think God 00:44:09.900 --> 00:44:10.719 wants to cultivate 00:44:10.719 --> 00:44:11.820 a heart of generosity 00:44:11.820 --> 00:44:13.320 in four things 00:44:13.320 --> 00:44:13.640 here 00:44:13.640 --> 00:44:15.039 these are four things 00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:16.000 the Bible calls us 00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:16.559 to give to 00:44:16.559 --> 00:44:17.559 the family 00:44:17.559 --> 00:44:18.960 the local church 00:44:18.960 --> 00:44:20.380 other gospel ministry 00:44:20.380 --> 00:44:20.840 and mission 00:44:20.840 --> 00:44:21.700 and the poor 00:44:21.700 --> 00:44:22.440 and the needy 00:44:22.440 --> 00:44:27.300 maybe you're already 00:44:27.300 --> 00:44:28.220 giving to a lot 00:44:28.220 --> 00:44:29.039 of different ways 00:44:29.039 --> 00:44:30.680 maybe you need 00:44:30.680 --> 00:44:31.260 to just talk 00:44:31.260 --> 00:44:31.780 with Julie 00:44:31.780 --> 00:44:32.820 or Jeremy 00:44:32.820 --> 00:44:33.640 or one of the 00:44:33.640 --> 00:44:34.500 mission partners 00:44:34.500 --> 00:44:35.880 that we've started 00:44:35.880 --> 00:44:36.720 this funds 00:44:36.720 --> 00:44:37.300 that we're talking 00:44:37.300 --> 00:44:37.440 about 00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:37.720 have you got 00:44:37.720 --> 00:44:38.400 the other slide 00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:41.099 the three funds 00:44:41.099 --> 00:44:42.079 that we're looking 00:44:42.079 --> 00:44:43.280 at as a church 00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:44.220 compassion 00:44:44.220 --> 00:44:44.840 for the needs 00:44:44.840 --> 00:44:45.160 of those 00:44:45.160 --> 00:44:46.019 within the church 00:44:46.019 --> 00:44:47.180 missional justice 00:44:47.180 --> 00:44:47.720 for those 00:44:47.720 --> 00:44:48.660 outside the church 00:44:48.660 --> 00:44:49.619 and the supporting 00:44:49.619 --> 00:44:50.780 of mission work 00:44:50.780 --> 00:44:51.579 that's going on 00:44:51.579 --> 00:44:53.119 around Asia 00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:55.139 maybe you need 00:44:55.139 --> 00:44:56.039 to just find out 00:44:56.039 --> 00:44:57.039 from the Filipino 00:44:57.039 --> 00:44:57.660 community 00:44:57.660 --> 00:44:58.460 or from other 00:44:58.460 --> 00:44:58.960 communities 00:44:58.960 --> 00:44:59.559 just what are the 00:44:59.559 --> 00:44:59.800 needs 00:44:59.800 --> 00:45:00.460 how can I start 00:45:00.460 --> 00:45:00.980 praying 00:45:00.980 --> 00:45:05.880 but let me finish 00:45:05.880 --> 00:45:07.119 by saying this 00:45:07.119 --> 00:45:10.280 some of us 00:45:10.280 --> 00:45:11.039 are very generous 00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:11.780 financially 00:45:11.780 --> 00:45:13.480 but we often 00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:14.400 struggle to give 00:45:14.400 --> 00:45:15.539 with our time 00:45:15.539 --> 00:45:17.820 because time 00:45:17.820 --> 00:45:18.699 is very precious 00:45:18.699 --> 00:45:21.500 but you know 00:45:21.500 --> 00:45:22.420 Jesus didn't just 00:45:22.420 --> 00:45:23.260 write a check 00:45:23.260 --> 00:45:23.820 to us 00:45:23.820 --> 00:45:25.820 he didn't say 00:45:25.820 --> 00:45:26.780 hey there's your needs 00:45:26.780 --> 00:45:27.760 let me send you 00:45:27.760 --> 00:45:28.980 like a little gift 00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:29.740 in an envelope 00:45:29.739 --> 00:45:31.719 Jesus came 00:45:31.719 --> 00:45:32.599 and he didn't 00:45:32.599 --> 00:45:33.219 stay distant 00:45:33.219 --> 00:45:33.739 from you 00:45:33.739 --> 00:45:35.759 he didn't stay 00:45:35.759 --> 00:45:36.979 attached from you 00:45:36.979 --> 00:45:38.519 he knows about 00:45:38.519 --> 00:45:39.479 where your heart is 00:45:39.479 --> 00:45:40.659 and he came 00:45:40.659 --> 00:45:41.699 down to you 00:45:41.699 --> 00:45:42.819 to cross 00:45:42.819 --> 00:45:43.599 every barrier 00:45:43.599 --> 00:45:44.839 so that you 00:45:44.839 --> 00:45:45.899 might be his 00:45:45.899 --> 00:45:47.299 wherever you are 00:45:47.299 --> 00:45:47.659 today 00:45:47.659 --> 00:45:50.419 he's not a stingy 00:45:50.419 --> 00:45:50.759 God 00:45:50.759 --> 00:45:52.500 he's a gracious 00:45:52.500 --> 00:45:53.019 God 00:45:53.019 --> 00:45:54.479 he comes to you 00:45:54.479 --> 00:45:54.879 today 00:45:54.879 --> 00:45:56.299 so may we be 00:45:56.299 --> 00:45:57.419 that rich church 00:45:57.419 --> 00:45:59.399 may we be a church 00:45:59.400 --> 00:46:00.539 that knows 00:46:00.539 --> 00:46:01.139 how gracious 00:46:01.139 --> 00:46:01.760 he is 00:46:01.760 --> 00:46:02.880 let's pray 00:46:02.880 --> 00:46:12.420 what I'd love you 00:46:12.420 --> 00:46:13.059 to do is just 00:46:13.059 --> 00:46:14.320 think for yourself 00:46:14.320 --> 00:46:16.940 I don't want you 00:46:16.940 --> 00:46:17.780 to think out of guilt 00:46:17.780 --> 00:46:18.240 I don't want you 00:46:18.240 --> 00:46:18.800 to think out of 00:46:18.800 --> 00:46:19.680 just even a pressure 00:46:19.680 --> 00:46:20.340 but say God 00:46:20.340 --> 00:46:21.139 what are you calling 00:46:21.139 --> 00:46:21.820 me to do 00:46:21.820 --> 00:46:26.340 how do you want me 00:46:26.340 --> 00:46:27.820 where in my heart 00:46:27.820 --> 00:46:28.519 do I see you 00:46:28.519 --> 00:46:29.780 as a stingy God 00:46:29.780 --> 00:46:31.940 where are you 00:46:31.940 --> 00:46:32.420 calling me to 00:46:32.420 --> 00:46:33.320 step out in faith 00:46:33.320 --> 00:46:38.519 and maybe you 00:46:38.519 --> 00:46:38.940 would like to 00:46:38.940 --> 00:46:39.840 come up for prayer 00:46:39.840 --> 00:46:40.580 like just 00:46:40.580 --> 00:46:41.380 during this time 00:46:41.380 --> 00:46:41.700 we're going to 00:46:41.700 --> 00:46:42.460 play the next song 00:46:42.460 --> 00:46:43.519 maybe you just 00:46:43.519 --> 00:46:44.140 want to respond 00:46:44.140 --> 00:46:44.960 actually by coming 00:46:44.960 --> 00:46:45.559 up and asking 00:46:45.559 --> 00:46:46.680 for prayer 00:46:46.679 --> 00:46:46.779 prayer 00:46:46.779 --> 00:46:48.919 this is a hard 00:46:48.919 --> 00:46:49.399 topic 00:46:49.399 --> 00:46:52.219 but Jesus is so 00:46:52.219 --> 00:46:52.799 glorious 00:46:52.799 --> 00:46:54.799 he can provide 00:46:54.799 --> 00:46:55.619 for everything 00:46:55.619 --> 00:46:58.859 father we pray 00:46:58.859 --> 00:47:00.919 for our hearts 00:47:00.919 --> 00:47:02.919 thank you that you 00:47:02.919 --> 00:47:03.699 are generous 00:47:03.699 --> 00:47:04.339 to us 00:47:04.339 --> 00:47:06.179 thank you for all 00:47:06.179 --> 00:47:06.679 that you've given 00:47:06.679 --> 00:47:07.139 us 00:47:07.139 --> 00:47:08.859 thank you we don't 00:47:08.859 --> 00:47:09.319 have to live 00:47:09.319 --> 00:47:10.799 guilty lives 00:47:10.799 --> 00:47:12.119 but you want us 00:47:12.119 --> 00:47:12.719 to live generous 00:47:12.719 --> 00:47:13.239 lives 00:47:13.239 --> 00:47:14.500 please show us 00:47:14.500 --> 00:47:15.219 what that means 00:47:15.219 --> 00:47:16.699 please help us 00:47:16.699 --> 00:47:17.339 not to live 00:47:17.339 --> 00:47:18.139 under a pressure 00:47:18.139 --> 00:47:19.479 but actually 00:47:19.479 --> 00:47:20.219 out of a joy 00:47:20.219 --> 00:47:22.019 to trust you 00:47:22.019 --> 00:47:22.559 and prove you 00:47:22.559 --> 00:47:22.959 faithful 00:47:22.959 --> 00:47:24.579 to prove you 00:47:24.579 --> 00:47:25.139 generous 00:47:25.139 --> 00:47:26.659 to prove you 00:47:26.659 --> 00:47:27.679 more abundant 00:47:27.679 --> 00:47:28.179 than we could 00:47:28.179 --> 00:47:28.839 ever imagine 00:47:28.839 --> 00:47:30.759 would that be 00:47:30.759 --> 00:47:31.679 what characterizes 00:47:31.679 --> 00:47:32.500 us as a church 00:47:32.500 --> 00:47:33.019 I pray 00:47:33.019 --> 00:47:34.639 in Jesus name 00:47:34.639 --> 00:47:35.919 Amen