Sermon Notes

This is Hope | Who We Are & What We Do

Week 6: We Live Generously

How do we resist the consistent pull towards “self” in a world that constantly promotes it as ultimate?

GENEROSITY

We magnify Christ above everything

We Experience Life-Change in Community

We Love Our City

We Multiply Churches

We Engage the Nations

We live Generously

Generous Living: We live life ready to make a difference in the lives of others.

Everything you have is not really yours. But everything you have really matters, because God desires to use everything you have for a really big mission. 

1 Timothy 6:17-19

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

“… charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches…”

“… who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” 1 Timothy 6:18

“Good”  “Great”  “Give”

Don’t let the bad things you’ve seen churches do distract you from the biblical things you’re called to do a Jesus follower.

Three Guiding Principles of Stewardship:

1. Everything I have belongs to Him

2. He’s entrusted some to me

3. What He’s entrusted to me I am to use for Him

“A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God's.” - Tim Keller

1. We Live Generously By utilizing our TIME for God’s kingdom (Ephesians 5:15-17)

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

Serving Your Church

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace…”  1 Peter 4:10

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:10

2. We Live Generously By understanding our GIFTS & PASSIONS are to be used for God’s glory and purposes (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

3. We Live Generously By using our MONEY for God’s mission (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

“So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.” Acts 11:29

“Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT)

“Are you leading me to give sacrificially to fuel your activity?”

“The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won't let you outgive Him. Go ahead and try. See what happens.” - Randy Alcorn