Living Generously
Love God and His Kingdom
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Call to Worship
Around the world this day, the universal church celebrates the “The Reign of Christ.”
Christ Jesus, friend of the poor, the meek and the merciful, has been enthroned above all authority and power in this world and in the world that is to come.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth, serve the Lord with gladness come into his presence with singing. God has placed everything under Christ’s wounded feet, appointed the one who wore a crown of thorns as the supreme head of the church, his body. Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
come into his courts with praise.
Give thanks and praise his loving name!
Let’s pray
Loving someone means loving what matters to them. In any relationship when there is a great love for the other, their interests become our interests. Their passions become important to us-at least in the sense we support them right? In a marriage- think of the things you are now connected with, supporting, and participating in because of your spouse. You may not have been involved with that hobby, job, volunteer group, travel, cause, even where you live might be heavily influenced because of a passion your spouse has.
When someone you love becomes ill and maybe even passes from that illness, oftentimes those closest to that loved one will have a newfound purpose to support efforts to help others who struggle with that same sickness-we
see it quite often-getting involved with fundraising walks, give towards causes, the annual brat fundraiser that
happens in Rio is because of the love of Nancy Alexander who battled pancreatic cancer and her family has become
passionate about making a difference for others who will also battle this with the hope of one day believing this
cancer can be beaten with continued research. This passion rises because we see through a new lens -because
someone we love was affected and therefore we have been forever affected also.
On the more joyful side of life-someone we love might develop an interest in something- be it a hobby, sport,
starting a business, growing a ministry, or all kinds of paths and because it matters to the one you love, it matters to
you. You might give all that you have to help and support-including your time, researching for knowledge and
ideas, planning, supporting, cheering them on. Maybe you give talents you have that will bless them in organizing,
preparing, building or developing. You likely offer up money to invest in and train them in this interest. And you do
all of these things-things that are sacrifices to you- joyfully and willingly. Over and over again.
And so your world changes and shifts. Why? Because of love. Love compels you to give and to live generously for
the good and blessing of others you share this love with. We don’t spend much time thinking about all the things we
do and all that we give-we just do it and we live out of this generosity, because it’s worth it-because they are worth
it to us.
This is how it is to be with God and His Kingdom. Absolutely the same. We are to love God with all our heart
and out of that love, we are moved to give generously, freely, willingly over and over again at His prompting,
because we understand building His Kingdom is His passion and purpose, and therefore it becomes ours as well.
We’ll be in a new series the rest of this month called Living Generously. We’re going to look at some examples
that have been recorded for us in the Bible to teach and remind us what generous living looks like-more from the
attitude of our heart. We’re going to look to our mission-that hangs on this wall-and connect this mission to how
God calls us to Live Generously. We’ll begin today at our first command and belief we hold, which is to Love God-
to actively love God. And as we do this we’ll find, loving His Kingdom goes hand in hand. We can’t love God and
not love His Kingdom. We can’t love His Kingdom and not love God.
We’ll look at what was happening with the early believers and Christians, and specifically one man’s actions.
Let us have open eyes to see how God calls us to live. Let us see the joy and abundant blessings that follow as
we live in this way.
Acts 4: 32-37 NIV
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they
shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For
from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the
apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold
a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Everyone was giving; everyone was sharing from what they had-and some who were able gave in great amounts by
selling homes and land to give to the work of the Church. That might not be for all so don’t panic about that-but it
is for some. God puts it on our hearts what He has for us.
Right here in this church-right behind these walls the addition of our back room and offices and expanded basement
are here because someone donated lots. Two different lots were donated out of generosity to see the church grow in
its ability to serve this community. We are so blessed to have such great accountings of the history of this church
and to see over and over again people donating to some expansion or improvement to the physical structure of the
church and the parsonage, and certainly to assist in various ministries supported through the years. We have other
very substantial gifts in recent history some from those still with us who were called to help invest in needed
repairs, some who have gone home to the Lord and remembered in their will to care for their church even in their
passing. The projects we have been working on over the last few years are all because of generous members who
continue a legacy of loving what God loves-His Church and His Kingdom-even when they are no longer on this
earth. Their thoughtfulness and sacrifice as a gift has made it possible for us to better serve this generation and
future generations to come.
This is not a giving that is done out of obligation to appear as a “good Christian”. This is giving that comes from
love-loving God with all their heart, sharing in His purpose and passion to save the lost and bring them back to into
the flock, and the joy of sharing this Christian life with the body of Christ.
This generous living is what the Church was founded on and the only way it continues to flourish and grow. By any
other means it will fail and break down. If you want to be inspired take some time to read about the wonderfully
recorded details of generous gifts to this church over the past 160 years. Faithful, generous people who loved God
with all their hearts. It is up to us to carry this forward for future generations to build on.
1. Love God With All Our Heart.
We will not live like the early believers if we do not open our hearts to love God with all of our being. We will keep
God separate and put what we do for church in a box and it will have a self-identified limit. Right? We do that with
many things in life-sure I’ll support it to this extent. I’ll give-but only this much. I’ll help out but only this much.
With God, do we really have a say? Or are we to learn to listen and trust what He asks of us, for His glory?
To those we love with all our heart-there is no counting the hours, no limit on what we’ll invest in them-not if it’s in
our means to do so-we go to great lengths and sacrifice because we love them. This is how God desires for us to
love Him and His people.
Look what Jesus says is the first and greatest commandment when asked. There is a reason for this.
Matthew 22:37-38 NLT 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and
all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
We see this had been stated already in the days of Moses as God was establishing a covenant with His chosen
people and how they should live as His people-rescued out of slavery and bondage. They had only ever known
slavery and oppression under Egypt in the generation He drew out. Now He would show them how to live as free
people who served Him. To live in this freedom, He needed them to love Him with all their being-so they would
trust Him.
Deuteronomy 6: 5-6 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
What did He say about these commandments-they are to be on your hearts. Why? Because as we shared last week
out of our hearts is the well spring of life. Our hearts will determine how we view things in life and what we act
upon.
So how do we love God with all our heart? It doesn’t just happen right? Because You say so God therefore, I now
love you with all I am. It doesn’t work like that with others-except with our children where we have an instant and
deep love for them-but even that shifts and surprisingly deepens more as we watch them grow and become their
own people. We are in awe as we watch their stories unfolding.
To really love God and not just know about God, means we must spend time with Him-just like we would anyone
else we want to develop a greater love for. With your spouses or even best friends- did you feel a deep love for
them right away-or did that come down the road after time spent together. Really getting to know each other.
Those who have been married many years-hasn’t your love shifted, changed, expanded and grown fuller as you
walked through all sorts of life together?
It’s time and sharing life together, it’s allowing and inviting love to grow in your heart for God. It’s asking for
God to deepen your love and it is making God and knowing Him-personally like we do others we love- our greatest
treasure. This is how we follow the command, Love God with all your heart.
2. Love What God Loves.
As this love begins to grow and deepen between us and God we come to know and trust we don’t have to hold
tightly to that which we have; we can let it go if directed by God because even if we do let something go He will
reward us and replace it with so much more-in ways that are bigger than any earthly treasure we can have.
God gives us so much out of the riches of His glory and out of His lovingkindness. All that we have comes from the
Father. All of it. When we begin to understand this, we are more willing to freely share, for when we do, we are
loving what He loves-which is His people and His Kingdom being manifested here on earth.
Acts 4: 33-34 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s
grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them.
The apostles gave generously in what they were called to do-teach, preach, and pray in the power of God’s grace
and share the Good News with all they were brought to. They preached Christ crucified and resurrected so others
would know of the salvation they too had through Jesus.
And as hearts were stirred, more and more people were compelled to love what God loves-which is one another. So
they were generously sharing, giving, and helping each other-and the power of God was moving in and through
them. To God be the glory! This is the wonder and beauty of the Church in motion!
Jesus said there were two commandments that every other commandment rolled up under. This is the second after
Loving God.
Matthew 22: 39-40 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets
hang on these two commandments.”
As Jesus was preparing His disciples for His leaving, He reminded them to focus on and love what the Father loves-
which are His people, the sheep. Love them as I have shown love for you. He’s saying what you have seen in me,
felt in Me- give it away generously and love others. I held nothing back in My love for you- freely love them and
care for them, for this is My Father’s heart and passion.
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
So who was Barnabas? Why was he recorded in that bit of Scripture out of all the ones who gave generously-why is
he listed? He was called to share the Gospel and serve alongside the apostles. His life’s purpose became God’s
purpose. He saw it early on and acted in that shared passion and purpose. He in fact was the one who was willing to
love Paul who had been the notorious persecutor of Christians as Saul- when others were afraid and avoided him,
Barnabas chose to love even him, if God had made him a chosen instrument to share the Good News and show the
riches of His grace in redemption then Barnabas understood, who am I not to support him? He chose to love what
and who God loves.
Acts 9:26-27 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not
believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how
Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached
fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
3. Sacrifice in Giving.
Acts 4:34-35 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or
houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to
anyone who had need.
Acts 4: 36-37 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of
encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
All of this was done by the prompting of the Holy Spirit-for each person, each family-notice it says from time to
time. That means as God puts it on our heart to give above and beyond what we might be inclined to-let us be open,
in prayer and trust Him. Let us be obedient and give as He calls us to.
Here is the truth-you and I will never outgive God. Ever. His grace and generosity is always more. He will never
ask you to give to the point you can’t pay for your own bills, but He will ask you to give by faith to the point it is a
sacrifice because He wants to show you how good and faithful He is. He wants you to learn to trust in His provision
and generosity in your life-as your God and Father. We can’t do that when we are managing all things in our
control. He calls us to test Him in this way.
Malachi 3:10 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says
the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that
there will not be room enough to store it.
We will never know this amazing blessing unless we test Him and step out in faith and obedience. Until we say I
will love what you love God and give from what have-all that I am-to Your cause and Your purpose-because it’s
important to You, it is important to Me. But here is the promise and many of you are living this out-He will
absolutely throw open the floodgates in unimaginable ways as you do trust and live generously for Him and His
kingdom. Try it and see!
Conclusion: Let us remember all we have comes from the Father who graciously gives us good things. Let us generously share His goodness as a sacrifice to His cause, for when we do, we are supporting the passion and purpose of the One we love. Let His passion become our passion. Let His generosity guide our generosity.
Let’s pray.
Offering:
PrayersFinal Blessing: Ephesians 6:23-24 23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, [a] and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
