Steve Gentry
[0:00] Go ahead and have a seat if you have your Bibles this morning go ahead and open them up to Luke chapter 6 [0:05] We’re gonna be in Luke 6 and then we’ll be in Luke 12 [0:08] For a moment as well this morning, but before we get into that [0:12] I do want to let you know what’s coming up over the next few weeks here at Village Church first off on December 20th [0:19] We’re gonna have a morning that we’re really just gonna call Christmas party. We want to gather as a church [0:25] Sing songs about Jesus
[0:27] I’m gonna preach the gospel about the Christmas story and I want to just kind of get you to kind of get into the [0:34] attitude of Christmas on that morning and [0:37] Wear some Christmas sweaters just come as though you’re coming to a Christmas party [0:41] We’re gonna share some refreshments together after the service briefly [0:45] Because you guys like to hang out a little bit here after the service, which I appreciate [0:48] But we’re gonna give you guys some refreshments after the service and it’s just gonna be a fun day of
[0:53] Worshipping Jesus and preparing our hearts [0:56] For Christmas morning, which is the day that we commemorate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [1:02] But then also secondly on December 24th at 6 p.m [1:06] We’re gonna change that week’s calendar just a little bit instead of having a Sunday morning service of after Christmas [1:12] We’re gonna have a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m [1:16] On December 24th, and so please make plans to come out invite your friends invite your family to come
[1:23] Sing songs to Jesus and hear the gospel that night as well. We’re gonna have a great time and that’s at 6 p.m [1:30] I want to be clear on December 24th. Now. I know some of you are gonna ask us after the service [1:35] What time is it that the Christmas Eve services? It’s at 6 p.m [1:40] All right, so go ahead and mark that down write that down so that you can remember it [1:45] It’s gonna be a great time that night as we get ready to worship Jesus even more on Christmas morning with our families [1:52] But also that means that two days after Christmas we will not be gathering here as a family
[1:59] We like to give everybody time to spend time with their kids and spend time with their loved ones as well as give our volunteers [2:07] Morning just to rest relax and think about the Christmas season as a whole so that week remember our service [2:15] Will be December 24th, and that’s Christmas Eve at 6 p.m
[2:22] Even now I’m thinking of all the questions that I’ll be getting from you about what time [2:28] the Christmas Eve 6 [2:31] There’s a p.m. After it don’t come at 6 a.m. No one will be here
[2:37] If you have your Bibles at Luke 6 [2:39] I want to invite you to go ahead and open there with me and I want to go ahead and start this morning by [2:44] reading [2:45] Luke chapter 6 in verse 38. Here’s what Jesus says [2:51] give [2:52] And it will be given to you
[2:54] Good measure press down [2:57] Shaken together running over will be put into your lap [3:00] For the measure you use note this for the measure [3:05] You use it will be measured back to you [3:12] Pray with me our father we come before you thankful
[3:18] For any season that we can worship you but specifically we want to thank you for this season [3:24] That we would during this Christmas season be able to maybe even more than the rest of the year be able to [3:32] reorient our focus [3:34] towards you [3:36] To consider what it is to know you to consider the great miracle [3:42] That was God the Son coming and becoming a human being
[3:47] becoming one of his own creation and [3:50] Lord as we go into this season may we be a people [3:54] Who are marked by worship of you? [3:57] Who are marked by seeking? [4:00] To give you glory and everything that we do both our actions as well as our attitudes [4:05] and Lord may we
[4:08] Be more worshipful this season than we ever have before in our lives [4:13] And it’s in the name of Jesus Christ. I pray amen [4:17] We’re in the sixth week of a seven week series on the seven basic commands of Christ [4:24] And just to kind of recap what we’ve been doing is is we’ve been taking the commands of Jesus and kind of [4:29] Summarizing them every week to see what does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? [4:36] Because to be a disciple to follow Jesus you necessarily must know what he expects and what he commands and
[4:45] discipleship is inseparable from obedience [4:49] We started with the command to repent of our sin and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ [4:55] And this is the primary command that God has given all peoples everywhere in light of the finished work of his Son on the cross [5:02] Where he paid the penalty for our sin so that we could be forgiven so that we could have a relationship with God [5:09] Then last week we took a look at what is the command and the purpose for all other commands and that is to build [5:17] The church of Jesus we are called to
[5:20] Reorient our lives towards him and then make it our aim make it our pursuit and all that we do as [5:27] disciples of Jesus to find our identity and [5:31] Being the people of God as well as taking part in building the people of God through the church of Jesus Christ [5:38] That is what it looks like and this week and next week what we’re gonna [5:43] Do is we’re gonna take a look at two integral parts of what it means to build the church [5:49] This week we’re gonna talk about what it looks like to give and next week
[5:53] We’re gonna talk about what it looks like to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ [5:58] But in all of the areas of obeying Jesus that we have covered thus far the command to give [6:06] Affects every area of our lives in Luke chapter 9 verse 23 [6:11] Jesus gives us one of the harder commands when he says if anyone would come after me [6:17] Let him deny himself take up his cross daily and follow me [6:23] When Jesus says this this is kind of one of those things about Christianity that
[6:28] Re-orients our whole life rather than allowing us just to take a look at one part or another part [6:34] He says no you deny yourself take up your cross another make [6:39] sacrifices and follow Jesus into the life of dying to your sin and being [6:45] Resurrected to a new life that he has for you in the gospel [6:51] And when he says that he wants us to understand that this is going to affect everything in our lives
[7:00] When you boil down our lives [7:02] Especially in our culture and it’s really all cultures at large that we see throughout history [7:08] What matters to us and what we value as people what we carry on our shoulders can ultimately be defined by two things [7:17] our pockets and our pursuits [7:20] The great theologian and reformer Martin Luther is attributed with saying there are three conversions [7:26] That a person needs to experience in their relationship with Jesus Christ
[7:30] First is the conversion of the head what you believe [7:34] The next is the conversion of the heart and how you live and what you value [7:38] But the third is the conversion of the pocketbook [7:41] And so if Martin Luther is making this type of statement in the 1500s [7:46] Surely we understand that our pockets and how we use the resources that God has given us is going to play an integral [7:54] part in our discipleship and
[7:56] Following Jesus we are called to give every aspect of our lives over to God [8:02] Do you realize that nothing that I own ultimately belongs to me?
[8:07] Everything that I have [8:09] From my bank account to my home to the automobile that I drive to the children that God has blessed me with to the [8:16] Life that I adore to the clothes that I wear all of them belong to Jesus [8:21] Everything in my life is a gift of God that in the gospel [8:26] I am called to understand that I am responsible for [8:30] Stewarding to show God’s great worth in my life
[8:34] Because of sin though. I am tempted to define my life by what I can get [8:41] Rather than what I can give to God of myself [8:45] Understand that when we have that focus of our lives [8:47] There’s great work that needs to be done at the heart level at the core of who I am [8:54] So number one this morning. I want you to understand that Jesus wants to change your desire to get [9:01] into a desire to give
[9:04] Jesus wants to change your desire to get into a desire to give Jesus ultimately changes [9:11] how we keep score [9:13] In Luke chapter 6 you saw that he says deny yourself [9:18] Take up your cross and follow a direction that is marked out by someone else namely Jesus instead of yourself [9:25] He wants you to focus on him rather than focusing on you and in Luke chapter 6 verse 38 [9:30] Which we already read he tells you that your life is to be marked by giving
[9:36] But so often my life and your life is [9:41] Marked by a desire to get which ultimately trumps our desire to give [9:47] Jesus though wants us to see that he himself [9:51] Insists that the way that we view our money our possessions and how we pursue those things is [9:58] Hopeless and needs to be changed by our faith in him [10:02] Faith needs to drive what you find your value in what you find your identity in and
[10:10] Ultimately Jesus wants you to understand that your identity needs to be marked by who he is above everything in your life [10:18] But if we are serious and we are honest with ourselves [10:22] How do we find our identity many times? [10:26] Many times we find our identity and how much money we have [10:30] Many times we find our identity by what kind of job I have or I want [10:36] We mark our identity by whether or not we have a
[10:40] significant other or we mark our identity by how our significant other thinks about us all day every day or whether they think about [10:47] Us all day. Are they making enough of me or do they need to make more of me?
[10:52] You see oftentimes the way that we find our identity and the way that we define [10:57] What our life really and whether or not our life even matters [11:02] Is usually defined by what I’m getting in life [11:07] But Jesus came with really a revolutionary thought that you to find your fulfillment in this life to find ultimate [11:15] Satisfaction you need to define your life by what you give and you may think but I don’t have anything to give [11:21] So how in the world am I supposed to find my identity in Jesus and then be such a giving person when I don’t have anything
[11:30] Well, the reality is is that what Jesus is doing is is he is defining what you have differently than you are [11:36] Because you’re tempted to define what you have to give by your material possessions or by your knowledge or by your great strength [11:43] Or your great power or your great talents when Jesus wants you to define what you have to give by what he has given you [11:52] Note that God has given you himself [11:55] He’s given you through the finished work of Jesus Christ a [11:59] relationship of love and
[12:01] compassion and companionship with the God who spoke all things into existence that is the greatest gift that anyone could ever give and [12:11] God has given it to you by nothing that you’ve done by nothing that you’ve earned [12:16] But instead by what he has done what he has earned and how he defines himself [12:20] He gives it to you and then he says this is going to be your greatest treasure [12:26] This is to be what you are to find your identity in and when you find your greatest gift when you find your greatest treasure [12:33] When you find your identity and what God has given you that can never be taken away
[12:38] Then you realize number one. I have the greatest gift ever given to give to others [12:43] But then number two it changes the way that you view everything else in your life [12:49] Everything in your life then becomes a luxury [12:53] Every dime that I have every possession that I have every [12:56] relationship that I’m graced to be in is then a gift from God that does not ultimately belong to me but instead belongs to [13:04] Him and then I use them and I steward them as ways in which to show the great worth of God to others
[13:10] And I cannot out give him [13:13] But I can give as he has measured in my life and one thing [13:19] That we need to cease to do and our culture is to define [13:24] What we have to give by how much others have to give [13:28] You say well, I have so much less
[13:32] Therefore that’s an excuse [13:35] To where I don’t have anything to give no [13:38] No [13:39] God has not counted you to measure your generosity [13:44] By what he has given someone else [13:47] God wants you to mark your generosity
[13:49] By what he has gifted you with and then he promises when you give
[13:56] Of all the things in your life how he has measured to you then he will then use it and give back [14:04] Measure towards you how you are measuring your life and then he will use what you give [14:09] To do great things that you can’t even imagine [14:13] If it’s one thing that’s true throughout the narrative of scripture that you notice when it comes to giving is that we do [14:19] Have a God who can take what we think very little of and used to a great degree [14:25] And we think about the miracles of Jesus the way in which Jesus fed
[14:28] 5,000 people with just a couple of fish and a couple of loaves of bread the way that he talks in his analogy of [14:35] The widow’s might who comes and she gives a very small amount the least amount of anybody else and Jesus says this woman [14:41] Gave more than any of the rich people in that area [14:44] the way that a nameless [14:48] Nazarene [14:50] From a place that no one counted worthy born in a manger not famous by the regards of the world
[14:57] He certainly wasn’t Caesar, but he was able to produce the greatest miracle of all time [15:02] Really to number one God becoming man and then number two God raising himself up from the dead [15:09] God is able to use that which we would count as insignificant
[15:15] To use with great significance to change the world
[15:21] Do not [15:22] Discount what God can do through you because when you do that it then [15:27] Stops being about God and then becomes just a mirror in which you stare at yourself and you become completely self-centered [15:34] Whether it be for the negative that you don’t think you can do anything or whether it be for the positive that I’ve got [15:40] Too much and I’ve got to protect it [15:42] Note what Jesus says in Luke chapter 12 starting in verse 15
[15:47] And Jesus said to them take care and be on guard against all covetousness [15:52] For one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions [15:56] And he told them a parable saying the land of a rich man produced plentifully and he thought to himself [16:02] What shall I do for I have nowhere to store my crops? It’s one of those problems. You kind of wish you had oh [16:08] My goodness, I have so much money in the bank that they can’t even insure it anymore got to open a new account [16:14] I’m not there
[16:19] Verse 18 and he said I will do this [16:21] I will tear down my barns and build larger ones and there I will store all my grain and my goods and I will [16:28] Say to my soul soul you have ample goods laid up for many years [16:32] Relax eat drink be merry, but God has said to him fool [16:36] This night your soul is required of you and the things you have prepared whose will they be [16:43] So is the one who lays up treasures for himself and is not rich toward God
[16:49] Now think about this [16:52] What is this man’s pursuits been defined by how much he can get [16:57] How much he can make of himself and he sits back and he says oh I can just kind of take it easy [17:02] He took early retirement with no fear of what he would be eating at 75 [17:07] So he said I’ve got plenty so I’m just gonna eat I’m gonna drink [17:10] I’m gonna be married and we would look at this man’s life and say oh, that is the dream. Oh
[17:16] Man, I could stop working at 45 years old. I could take it easy. Maybe I have a vacation home [17:21] I could just go I could eat drink be merry not be worried about looking at my bank account every day to make sure [17:28] I’ve got enough to cover the direct deposits that I think I have coming in with the way that they’re going to debit out [17:33] My house payment at the beginning of the month. Oh my goodness that that’s just the dream. That’s the hope [17:39] Note what Jesus says
[17:43] He says he comes to this man he says you fool
[17:47] Your soul is required of you tonight where you found your significance will not help you [17:51] Where God is concerned and he says do not be rich in just your possessions, but rather [17:57] Be rich towards God [18:01] Ultimately in this life. We are tempted to define our significance [18:06] We are tempted to define our worth and we are tempted to define our [18:10] happiness and what we can do in this life by what we have
[18:16] physically and [18:18] Jesus wants to change the way that we look at our life that our lives are not to be spent just in pursuing [18:26] Bigger barns instead our lives are to be spent in seeing how God can use our lives [18:32] What does Jesus say you should spend your life pursuing? [18:36] Being rich towards God. How do you do that? [18:41] well
[18:42] Ultimately, it is about leveraging everything that you have get and chase and pursue [18:48] To show [18:49] That Jesus is the greatest value in the greatest pursuit of your life [18:54] It will drive you to sacrifice because money possessions and promise excuse me and prominence do not ultimately define [19:01] How you find your worth? [19:04] So I want to unpack two applications for this
[19:07] And the first one is how you spend your money shows your heart [19:11] How you spend your money shows your heart. Everybody loves it when preachers tell them how to use their money [19:17] I mean if it’s one thing that I that I get a lot it’s request. Steve [19:20] Can you tell me what I should do with my money? [19:24] Never once have I gotten that I I hear the opposite well that preacher talks too much about money [19:29] All right, but here’s what I want you to understand about the gospel
[19:33] And what Jesus has to say oftentimes about money. Do you realize that in the four gospel accounts of Jesus? [19:41] There are 288 verses about money
[19:46] 15 percent of all of Jesus’s teachings [19:51] Were directly about money [19:53] That is more than his teachings of heaven and hell [19:58] combined [20:00] Therefore Jesus talked a lot about money [20:03] And so if you hope to go through the scriptures and learn what life you are to live is one thing
[20:10] That should be clear even just from the life of Jesus [20:13] Because that’s all we’re doing there if you span it out it gets way more there are thousands of verses on money [20:20] Then we have to realize that how we use the possessions that god gives us to steward [20:25] Is important and how we view ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ, but I want to caution you [20:32] Okay [20:32] Jesus did not die to nullify the book of proverbs
[20:38] Okay, I mean some of you may not have read the book of proverbs [20:40] The book proverbs is this book in the old testament that shows how wisdom should mark your life [20:45] And there are many verses in proverbs about investing your finance as well being debt free [20:52] Being able to leave a legacy to your children [20:56] And so I don’t want you to understand that what we’re not talking about today that we are tempted specifically in the millennial generation [21:02] Those of you who are I guess I can probably extend that to probably about where I am about 35 years old
[21:09] Maybe even to 40 if you’re one of those prolonged adolescent folks and realize I know some of you boys that can shave her in here [21:15] Uh, I realize that that millennials tend to take this view of the scriptures where we are to live our lives [21:22] denying possessions [21:25] Denying money real thinking that we don’t need it thinking that it’s evil [21:29] It’s going to ruin our lives and so Jesus died to nullify the book of proverbs. That’s not what i’m saying today [21:34] I’m saying that
[21:35] God has been specific. We are to invest our money [21:41] Well, we are to invest our time [21:43] Well, and we are to steward what he has given us very well [21:49] And we are to and here’s what’s going to kill some of you younger folks. We are to work very hard
[21:56] In life [21:58] You’re to work hard. No, that that doesn’t it doesn’t sound like fun, but but [22:03] It’s good god create his work work existed before the fall [22:07] God put adam to work immediately [22:10] So understand that what we’re talking about here is not [22:14] Acetic living it is not the denial of possessions. It’s not the denial of pleasure
[22:20] What it is is understanding that what the gospel does in my life is it comes in and it [22:24] transforms my pleasure center [22:27] It transforms where I find joy it transforms where I find my identity [22:32] So what it’s going to do then is if you’re the type of person who’s very good with your finances [22:37] And you’ve been able to steward it well and you’ve been able to make a lot of money
[22:45] Possible [22:45] and probable [22:47] That’s where you’re finding your identity [22:49] And you’re just trying to amass more and more and more and more and more of it [22:53] But what god’s calling you to do is find your identity in jesus when you find your identity in jesus [22:58] You do not see a stack of dough that belongs to you. You don’t see a big house that belongs to you
[23:02] You don’t see a bunch of automobiles that belong to you instead what you see is is god has given me these gifts to steward [23:08] to show how [23:09] valuable he is [23:11] And that will require some changes in the way that you live [23:15] But also on the other side if you’re a person that does not think that you are of great means [23:20] If you’re a person that does not think that you are of great wealth
[23:24] Or maybe if you’re a person who’s been lazy and that’s why you don’t have any means [23:28] That’s why you don’t have any wealth [23:29] Or if you’re a person that just doesn’t have many means because you bought a house that you couldn’t afford and you’re leasing a car [23:35] That you can barely pay for [23:37] God is then also calling you to look and say where am I finding my identity?
[23:45] Do I need to make changes do I need to work harder do I need to sell some of my possessions do I need to learn? [23:51] Great lessons about how I need to steward my belongings and my wealth [23:56] to the glory of god [23:57] So understand that the scriptures are clear [24:00] That we are to go into the [24:03] world as missionaries
[24:05] Showing god’s glory we should work hard [24:08] We should enjoy god’s blessings through creation and means and be generous [24:13] in giving [24:14] So that the gospel can go far in every pursuit that we have this requires shrewdness [24:21] strategy [24:23] and discipline
[24:26] Do not though [24:27] Turn god’s talents and giftings [24:31] In your life [24:33] into self-centered getting [24:36] instead steward well in order to be able to give [24:42] Generously with your life, how do you do that?
[24:46] Well first you score points for jesus and not yourself [24:50] You score points for jesus and not yourself in luke 12 21 jesus lays out that our lives are to be defined by the richness [24:58] Of god and what is that? [25:01] In 2nd corinthians chapter 9 paul is taking up an offering for the church at jerusalem [25:06] And gives the church at corinth an ethic to build in giving [25:12] It is an ethic of sacrificial generosity. So look in 2nd corinthians chapter 9 paul writes this he says the point is this
[25:20] Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully [25:25] Each one must give as he has decided in his heart not reluctantly or under compulsion for god loves a cheerful giver [25:34] You ever been in one of those moments where it’s like I don’t get [25:38] Okay, i’ll give it [25:39] All right god saying you know what I actually want to change that to where you’re actually considering your life and saying [25:44] How can I give more?
[25:46] Some of you are like I have never in my life thought about how I could give more [25:52] Well what that needs to be to you is an understanding that you need to take another step in your discipleship
[25:59] He says [26:00] God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency [26:06] And all things at all times you may abound in every good work as it is written [26:12] He has distributed freely he has given to the poor his righteousness endures forever [26:17] He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed [26:22] For sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness
[26:25] You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way which through us will produce thanksgiving to god [26:33] for the ministry [26:35] Of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to god [26:42] By their approval of this service [26:44] They will glorify god because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of jesus christ [26:50] And the generosity of your contribution for them and for others while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace
[26:58] Of god upon you and then he goes thanks be to god for his [27:05] inexpressible gift
[27:08] Some of you are reading that you’re saying okay if I sow abundantly [27:12] I will reap abundantly [27:13] So is this one of those things where on friday night when i’m flipping through the channels [27:16] And I see that guy that says sow a seed of 100 and you will reap a reward of 10 000 [27:23] No [27:24] You might put 100 in the offering plate today and get a ticket this afternoon
[27:28] I it’s just the way that’s just the way the world works, man. I [27:32] I got nothing on that. Those guys are con artists and they’re all liars [27:36] Every single one of them. Um, and I usually get myself in trouble by naming them, but i’m not going to do that today [27:42] But just know that that if they tell you anything about giving and getting and saying that you’re going to be rich by giving [27:48] Them a leer jet they’re liars [27:51] Everyone of them should go to prison
[27:53] But the reality that you’ve got to deal with in your life is that what god is talking about in second corinthians chapter 9 [28:00] Is a reorientation a complete revolution of what you find value in [28:06] He’s saying that when you see the need the great need in the gospel of jesus christ from other believers [28:13] He’s speaking specifically corinth. This is where this is coming from jerusalem was suffering and so he’s saying corinth [28:19] Can you help and these were not a people of great means but instead they were a people who were saying what can I do? [28:24] To sacrifice to help them and paul is saying when you live like that
[28:30] What you begin to understand is how? [28:33] Valuable the gospel of jesus christ is and when you live as a giver you worship god more [28:41] Because you become more like him because thanks be to him for his inexpressible gift [28:49] Jesus has given more than any of us could ever hope to give and in this life when we make sacrifices [28:56] To give it acquaints us with who jesus is and we are able to be more in awe of who he is [29:05] That is what you will reap that is in luke 6 38
[29:08] What will be measured back to you is a life that is actually worth giving because it is not a life [29:16] marked by selfishness [29:18] The gospel calls you to deny all selfishness
[29:26] And not measure your life by what you think you can get out of someone but instead measure your life by what you can give [29:33] into their life [29:35] Yes, that will be financial at times
[29:39] But more than that don’t limit it to your finances what talents and abilities has god given you to steward [29:47] And how are you using them for his glory versus how you’re using it just for yourself
[29:53] And that’s something that we all need to be cognizant of every day of our lives [29:59] You know [30:01] In my life, it’s one of these things. This is a timely message for me just because man [30:06] I tell you life is expensive when you got a bunch of kids [30:09] And you begin to just begin carrying the ones and the twos and you’re like man [30:13] I wish there was a three instead of a two to carry over, but but it’s not there
[30:19] And so during this season where i’ve got a child that’s just in a little over a month old and and my wife has needed my help [30:27] A little more than she used to because i’m lazy and uh, and I don’t want help. It’s just I gotta repent [30:34] And uh, and so one day we were at home and I had a meeting that I had to go to in the evening after dinner [30:41] And and I just kind of I got selfish for a minute and you ever had one of those moments? [30:46] I’m not talking to the men here, but this probably applies to the women too where you you just want that [30:50] Thank you and your identity is wrapped up and how grateful someone is for what you did
[30:56] And when you don’t get that thank you, you just want to go terminator
[31:02] Like no one’s thankful for me. No one’s grateful for me. I’m just not helping anybody anymore [31:10] It’s all about me [31:13] I had one of those nights a few weeks ago [31:17] And one of the greatest things anybody’s ever told me a pastor in north, colin by the name of tyler powell challenged me [31:22] A few years ago to constantly be assessing. Where is the gospel changing me?
[31:28] And so I was driving to my meeting where I was going to teach other people how to follow jesus, which is difficult when you’re sinning [31:36] And and I just the holy spirit man [31:38] It’s one of those moments where I didn’t want to chat with him, but he wanted to chat with me [31:42] And and he he brought that to my mind. Where’s the gospel changing you?
[31:48] And I said, oh lord, not now
[31:51] I’m good and angry [31:54] Let me be that way for a while [31:57] And I thought to myself why am I finding my significance in what is measured towards me by other people rather than what? [32:05] Has already been measured towards me by the gospel of jesus [32:08] That’s where my significance is and when my significance is there I can’t give my wife enough [32:13] I can’t give my children enough because I have the inexpressible gift of the gospel in my life
[32:20] Friends that’s the type of generosity that i’m talking about [32:24] That is the only place that you are ever going to find in your life where you begin to look and say [32:33] How much can I give you versus how much can I get from you because when I believe the gospel of jesus [32:41] Nothing more is needed in my life [32:44] I don’t ever need to get anything else. It’s all a bonus [32:49] Therefore I hold it all in an open hand and that makes me grateful whenever I do get anything that I would say that’s good
[32:57] Got a new sidewalk this week man [32:59] I am doing cartwheels because I don’t sprain my ankles anymore and if you’ve been to my house, you know what i’m talking about [33:05] Nor do I feel the need to apologize to people when they come to my house anymore [33:10] But you look at that and it’s like man, I don’t deserve this
[33:16] What a good gift [33:17] But it’s got to be this thing that’s in an open hand when I look and I say, but what’s a better gift?
[33:25] You see friends some of you are going to deal with remarkable disappointment this season [33:30] christmas [33:32] You’re going to be disappointed by the way your kids react [33:35] You’re going to be disappointed by the way your spouse reacts [33:38] You’re going to be disappointed by what you don’t get that you thought you were going to get because that box looked and it wasn’t
[33:47] Okay
[33:49] Some of your husband’s just going to get it wrong. All right, that’s just you married him. All right. All right
[33:58] You know
[34:02] But in this season of giving [34:08] Let us realize god’s inexpressible gift [34:14] god’s [34:15] overarching value of what he’s given into our lives [34:19] And when we do that, we’re able to do two things [34:22] We are able to give
[34:25] To others from a pure heart [34:27] We’re able to be a cheerful giver [34:29] Because we know how great we’ve got it [34:31] But then number two [34:33] We are able to get
[34:37] Joyfully and worshipfully [34:39] You see when we talk about giving we’ve also got to talk about getting [34:43] Because we are called to be thankful to god for the blessings that he gives us in this life and he’s blessed most of us [34:50] And so when you get understand that there’s more than what you got behind what you got [34:55] There is a god that gave it to you who said you need to steward this for my glory [35:01] And when you spend your money when you think you need to begin to say how can I use this?
[35:10] We need to be generous. How do you know if you’re being generous? Are you sacrificing anything to give it? [35:15] Are you doing without to give it? [35:18] And that’s where it’s very hard [35:20] A good indication of our lives as c.s [35:23] Louis puts it is does our giving pinch us a little bit does it? [35:29] I’m thinking about the thing I could have had with that that I just gave you and I can’t get it now
[35:35] All right. I I got to eat at waffle house instead of ruse chris
[35:40] Which i’m a waffle house guy [35:43] But realize that if you don’t miss it [35:47] You aren’t really being that generous [35:49] The old testament tithe is a good indication [35:53] Of the kinds of lives we can reasonably expect to live [35:58] Because for many of you with the income that you have you can’t give away two or three percent
[36:04] And be demonstrating anything about your devotion to jesus. That’s not law. It’s just reality [36:10] If your household income which the median income in midlothian is eighty thousand dollars a year. I looked it up [36:16] It must be true. It was on the internet [36:17] Uh [36:19] Some of y’all are like man. I am living low [36:22] Uh, and some of y’all might be like oh those poor people, uh, but um
[36:28] If your income is eighty thousand dollars a year and you’re giving away just a hundred dollars a month [36:35] That isn’t saying anything to the world about your commitment to jesus [36:38] Let’s just be real about it. There’s no sacrifice there if you’re not missing it. It’s not generosity [36:45] But don’t also overthink this [36:48] Some of you are so hung up on percentages and you aren’t giving anything [36:53] Because you can’t figure out what percentage you can do without you can’t figure out what percentage you need
[36:58] You’re like, well, what do I do? [36:59] Here let me make it easy for you [37:01] Just start somewhere [37:03] If it’s twenty dollars twenty dollars [37:06] Give twenty dollars [37:08] Pick an amount and give faithfully
[37:11] And regularly and see what god does with that [37:16] And I can just make you one guarantee if you do this your heart will change [37:20] It is an act of submission to the will of god and whenever you submit to him he changes you [37:26] To change your life. You need to start somewhere and then form a strategy from that point [37:32] On how to live differently so that you can give more friends if you pay more for cable television [37:40] Then you give
[37:41] Then let me just give you you’re not generous and some of you are like well how much did I pay last month? [37:48] Carry the one [37:49] Oh, no [37:51] Oh no is right [37:54] Friends god has called us to be generous for some of you. It will be a long process, but it needs to start now [38:01] Don’t be overwhelmed by figuring out what to do but begin making real
[38:07] Changes so that you can start somewhere sit down and begin to make some real choices of how to spend [38:13] Your money and your energy differently [38:16] All right [38:17] Some of you have lived a life of negative generosity [38:21] And that is you’ve been [38:23] Spending more than you have and so you’ve gotten yourself into a great deal of debt
[38:28] And so if you were to give three percent that really would pinch and I call you to begin giving three percent [38:33] And begin where it pinches and then start the hard process [38:39] Of paying your debt off so that you can live generously [38:43] But ultimately thirdly this morning understand that also how you invest your time [38:48] Shows your heart [38:50] Jesus calls us to live generously not just give generously. He calls us to live
[38:56] Generously, what are you pursuing with your time? [39:00] What are you striving for in your life? [39:02] Some of us sacrifice all of our time to make money [39:07] Note that that’s still the same root of selfishness note that in matthew chapter six [39:14] Jesus puts it this way [39:16] He says don’t lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy where thieves break in and steal
[39:22] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys [39:25] And where thieves do not break in and steal for where your treasure is there your heart will be also [39:31] Then in verse 24, he says no one can serve two masters [39:35] For either he will hate the one and love the other he will be devoted to the one and despise the other [39:40] You cannot serve god and money
[39:44] Friends that’s a hard commandment for most of us [39:46] It’s a tough one because we don’t know what to do with that tension [39:50] So it levels some of us to to just not deal with it [39:54] So we try not to ever make any money ever to have to deal with it. That’s not the gospel [39:59] The gospel calls you to really deal with these things and really live in the tensions of trying to figure out how you can do that [40:05] But understand this morning with where your time is concerned that if you consistently work 80 hours a week
[40:13] At a job or jobs so much so that it discounts everything else in your life [40:19] So that you never have any time for discipleship. You never have any time for your family [40:24] You never have any time for anything because you were just make money make money make money make money [40:30] God is calling you to truly take an inventory of how you can make changes in your life now. I’m not talking about [40:40] different seasons [40:41] Because if you have seasons such as we all have where you have to be a little busier than you are in other seasons
[40:48] And that’s one thing we all have those seasons [40:50] What i’m talking about is a consistent pattern in your life [40:56] Where work is everything [40:58] And you sacrifice your family [41:02] Or you sacrifice your discipleship in the local church [41:05] or if you’re consistently using hobbies or some other activity as an excuse for why you can’t live as a
[41:13] Disciple and to make disciples or to serve the church in a capacity [41:17] Then you are pouring your treasures into other things and ultimately understand what jesus is saying in matthew 6 [41:23] He’s saying that that reveals the condition of your heart [41:26] that reveals what you are finding your identity in you cannot serve god and
[41:34] Insert idol [41:36] See it doesn’t have to be money [41:39] The term mammon which was originally used means all material things in your life [41:45] What are you doing with your life because your actions reveal where you are finding your identity [41:53] This is about stewarding what god has given [41:55] You cannot serve god
[41:57] And another god [41:59] You have to choose today [42:01] I will follow jesus and for all of us [42:05] This means taking a look at our lives and seeing where we can give more of ourselves to jesus because he is our authority [42:14] And if he calls us to build the church [42:16] We have to understand where has he called me to steward to do that
[42:21] Where has he called me to sacrifice in order to do that? [42:25] Where has he called me to be generous so that I can do that?
[42:29] Because this is about building the church of jesus christ. Where are you serving?
[42:35] Sacrificially [42:36] Where are you giving? [42:39] Sacrificially that is how we gauge our generosity [42:42] We think we don’t have time [42:45] But it’s because we haven’t really taken inventory of how we’re using [42:49] our time
[42:51] at the end of our days [42:53] our goal [42:55] Is that we made much of jesus? [42:59] By being obedient to jesus with everything that we have
[43:04] Everything that I have is a gift from god that i’ve been called to steward towards god [43:09] Jesus isn’t empowering you to get [43:13] He is empowering you to give [43:17] So ultimately you need to give your life over to him [43:21] You will begin to see god’s power in every moment of your life [43:28] This morning when we heard about all of the works that god is doing among many different people groups
[43:33] All over the metro richmond area understand that’s because you gave [43:39] You give [43:39] When you look around at this building understand that’s because you’ve given [43:44] When you see the relationships that you have with other disciples of jesus and how you’re helping them and how they’re helping you [43:51] Understand that’s because you’ve given something
[43:55] But if you’re looking at your life and you’re saying I don’t have anything that I can see [44:01] How i’m giving my life over to is building the church or building me as a disciple
[44:09] Friends maybe that is god working in your heart to say changes need to be made [44:17] And do not wait [44:19] Because just as he said in loop 12 [44:22] Your soul may be required of you [44:26] tonight [44:28] When god calls us to obedience
[44:31] the only [44:33] obedient response [44:36] Is to change [44:38] And to follow jesus [44:40] Friends, we need to follow jesus with our pocketbooks [44:44] We need to follow jesus with our time
[44:47] We need to follow jesus with our talents and our gifts. We need to follow jesus with our energy [44:53] And we need to build the church and make [44:57] disciples with all [44:59] of our resources why [45:01] because of his [45:04] inexpressible gift in jesus christ
[45:07] As the band comes up [45:10] Every week we reflect on the lord’s supper here at village church
[45:16] Communion which is what the lord’s meal is called is about getting [45:20] So that we can give [45:22] What do we get? [45:25] We get the life of jesus christ [45:27] into our lives [45:28] When you eat and drink it represents you believing that jesus has given his life into you
[45:35] The cup represents his shed blood the bread represents his broken body [45:40] body broken and blood shed [45:43] For your sins so you could be forgiven [45:47] And then when you walk away from that table understand that what you need to have in your mind is is that I have the greatest [45:54] gift [45:55] That could ever be given
[45:57] God has called me [45:59] to live a life [46:01] giving it to others [46:04] Friends this week you probably need to have some conversations you probably need to look at your checking account [46:08] You probably need to take inventory of your time [46:11] And this morning if you’re a follower of jesus, I invite you to this table so you can proclaim your faith, but come prayerfully
[46:18] admitting [46:20] God I need to give you more [46:22] Of who I am [46:24] When you’re ready