October 7th, 2018
“The Generous Church: The Generous Church”
Mark 8:35, Mathew 25: 34-36, Matthew 28: 19-20
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle at her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “Save and Lose” - Mark 8:35
Jesus often would say things to his disciples that went against ever instinct they had. Who would ever think that you would save your life by losing it? Often we think about saving our life by doing everything possible in our power to watch out for ourselves, to make sure that we will be provided for in the future. Yet, Jesus says that those who want to save their life will lose it.
But he doesn’t stop there, he says that those who lose their life for his sake, and the sake of the Gospel, will save it. When we commit our lives to Jesus, it is not just giving part of our lives, we give all of ourselves. We say to the Lord “use me” and seek to be obedient to the ways of the Lord.
That however, does not mean that it is always easy. We spend our lives growing in our faith and our willingness to lose our lives for the sake of the Kingdom. To put God first and foremost. There are times that we are going to fail, tightly holding on to our own lives. But we there are other times, as we grow in trust and faith that we find joy in setting ourselves aside.
Do you find it easy or difficult to lose your life for Jesus? Why?
Prayer: Precious Lord, giver of life, help us to trust you more fully with our lives. May we follow after you more closely, laying aside our lives for the desires of your heart. Amen.
Tuesday: “Blessed” - Matthew 25:34
Why do we seek to be generous? Because all that we have first came from God. When we start to realize that God has blessed us abundantly and that we are stewards of those blessings, then it becomes easier to be generous to others.
One of the ways that we can recognize how God is moving in our lives is to tell our story and God’s story. To tell the story of God - the story of Jesus Christ - and connect it to our story - how has Jesus shown up in my life? How has Jesus changed me? The more we can tell these stories, sometimes called testimonies, the more we can see the hand of blessing on us.
How have you been blessed by God?
Prayer: Great God, may we recognize every day how you have provided for us, and in this recognition, may you free our hands to serve you and to serve others in your name. Amen.
Wednesday: “Generosity to the Stranger” - Matthew 25: 35-36
Christ tells us in scripture that when we arrive at heaven we are going to be asked what we did for those whom Christ deeply cares about. Did we feed people? Give them something to drink? Welcome the stranger? Give clothes? Care for the sick and visit those in prison?
Our salvation is meant to be lived out. We are not meant simply to make a decision to love Christ and then sit back and wait to be taken into heaven. No - our faith is meant to be embraced, lived, and shared. How can you share you faith in Jesus this week with someone in need?
How can you live out your faith in a tangible way?
How has your faith impacted people before?
Prayer: God, thank you for calling us to an active faith. A faith that isn’t about sitting still and waiting for you to return, but instead a faith that ministers to the world around us. Thank you for inviting us all to be part of this mission. Amen.
Thursday: “Generosity in Going” - Matthew 28: 18-19
Jesus is alive. Jesus conquered the grave and walked amongst his disciples for a period of time before ascending back into Heaven. While others had risen from the grave before, like Lazarus, they would once again be confined to the grave, but Jesus would not. During the short time he walked in this world following his resurrection, he had a message that he greatly wanted to impart to his disciples - to go.
This command to go and make disciples of all the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is not just contained to the early disciples. It is our mission as well. But sometimes we can get tied up in the bigness of what Jesus is commanding to the point where we are afraid to share the gospel at all. We need to take baby steps to share the gospel - or to use a sports metaphor you need to be able to walk before you can run.
What do you think Jesus means by “all the world”?
What small steps are you being called to take in order to share the Gospel?
Prayer: Jesus, we confess that at times we have heard the words of your great commission and we have ignored them. We have thought they aren’t for us or that we aren’t up to the task. We have been paralyzed by the enormity of what you are calling us to do as your followers. Forgive us, we pray. Amen.
Friday: “Generous Because of Christ” - Matthew 28:20
Jesus is essentially handing his ministry, the ministry that he has been modeling for his disciples for three years, off into their hands now. People will either hear, or fail to hear, the Good News of the Gospel because of their actions or inactions. Note that I am not saying that the acceptance of the Gospel by others is their responsibility, for that lies with the Holy Spirit, but they are tasked to go and share about Jesus.
But Jesus is not sending them out alone. Previously, the disciples had been sent out two by two for a period of time - now they are being sent out with Jesus at their side. While Christ may not be physically with them, the Holy Spirit is within them as believers, and they are accompanied by the strength, wisdom, and power of Jesus Christ.
When we share the Gospel, Christ and the Holy Spirit are with us as well. Sharing the Gospel is not optional as a believer of Jesus Christ, but when we do share about the Good News, we know that we are not alone.
What are we invited to share in order to make disciples?
What prevents you from sharing the good news?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for not calling us to the task of sharing your Good News alone. We believe that your peace and presence go with us when we testify to your power in our lives. Thank you, Lord! May your Spirit prime hearts and minds to accept your Word as we share, so that lives may be transformed. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Generous Church - Plan as If for God” - Proverbs 3:9.
Family Time:
What does the word generous mean to you? How can we be generous to people at school? How does this show the love of Jesus?
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