Welcome to the Family

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Family A Family Requires Sacrifice Acts 2:41-47; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 20:25, 32-35; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Presented by Pastor Justin Greene February 4, 2018 While this may seem obvious to you, it is a surprise to many people when they realize that God is generous. I didn t think God was generous when I was a young man... but God is amazingly generous. He made the first move of generosity toward us. He went above and beyond anything we could have imagined: God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV) God loved people so much that He gave. He gave his best. He gave His Son for you and for me. This act of generosity began in His heart first. He loved so He gave. Once I began to see God s generosity portrayed throughout Scripture, I saw it everywhere: When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:4-6, NIV). If any of you lacks wisdom, you

2 should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5, NIV). Jesus pointed out an example of generosity that accentuated the importance of this quality for us. The situation also reveals the heart behind this kind of liberality. He was so taken by it that He said wherever the gospel would be preached, this story would be told. We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Jesus was in the home of some friends when a woman came in and poured a very expensive perfume over His head. Jesus friends and disciples immediately criticized this generosity and declared it wasteful. But Jesus saw it a different way. Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman s deed will be remembered and discussed (Matthew 26:10-13, NLT). Her generosity was significant because of the value of her gift: it was a great sacrifice and it revealed the depth of her gratitude. Jesus pointed out that this kind of generous gratitude and worship was to be forever connected to His followers. It s clear that generosity is an irreplaceable quality of spirituality. Inside the soul of every person is a desire that God gave us to live the generous life. Generosity is essential to following Jesus. What Jesus expects us to do in life cannot be done without a generous attitude. Generosity is required to trust God at the depth that produces a life of sacrifice, serving others and even forgiving the same way we are forgiven. We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. We are most like God when we are generous.

3 A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS Acts 2:41-47; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 20:25, 32-35; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Money Conviction Acts 2:41-47 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 4:32-37 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostle feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. 36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet.

4 Acts 20:25, And now, behold I know that all of you among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one s silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. THE GENEROUS TRUTH The gospel of grace calls us to be generous in every area of life (our calling, community and coin). When we fail to live connected, generous lives Scripture says we are struggling with three attitudes: covetousness, arrogance, and earthly (temporal) thinking.

5 Our top objections reveal this battle: I have a lot of obligations. I want to know where it s going. I will when I get... Settled Convicted More I m not under the Law. (I believe in grace.) Generous living does not drain you, it fills you!