A RELIGION OF GIVING
TEXT
: John 3:16INTRODUCTION
:A. OUR FAITH INVOLVES SACRIFICE ON THE PART OF ALL INVOLVED.
B. THE BASIS OF THAT SACRIFICE IS LOVE.
I.
GOD GAVE.A. GOD IS THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD GIFT(
James 1:17 ).1. He is the giver of life & life's necessities(
Acts 17:24-28; Mat. 6:31-33).2. He is the giver of real joy(
1 Tim. 6:17-19 ).B. BUT GOD'S GREATEST GIFT WAS HIS SON(
John 3:16 ).1. While we were enemies(
Rom. 5:8, 10 ).2. Not because we wanted the gift(
1 John 4:9-10 ).II.
JESUS GAVE.A.
GAVE HIMSELF UP( Gal. 2:20 ).B. EMPTIED HIMSELF(
Phil. 2:5-8; 2 Cor. 8:9 ).C. SUFFERED IN OUR PLACE(
1 Pet. 2:24 ).III.
WE MUST GIVE( Rom. 12:1 ).A. WE MUST GIVE OF OUR MEANS(
1 Cor. 16:2 ).1. Periodic - first day of the week.
2. Personal - let each one of you.
3. Provident - lay by him in store - Commanded!
4. Proportionate - as he may prosper.
5. Preventative - that there be no collections when I come.
6. Purposeful -
2 Cor. 9:7.7. Cheerfully -
2 Cor. 9:7.8. Confident of our reward -
1 Tim. 6:19.9. How much?
a. As we prosper(
1 Cor. 16:1-2 ).b. Bountifully, not sparingly(
2 Cor. 9:6 }.c. In consideration of the need(
Acts 2:45 }.B. HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHERS.
1. We obtain God's help(
Psa. 41: 1-2 ).2. (
Luke 6:35 )We are like God. God will reward( Luke 6:38 )3. We have individual responsibility(
Gal.6:10; 1 John 3:17-18; James 1:27 ).C. BUT FIRST WE MUST GIVE OURSELVES.(
2 Cor. 8:5 ).1. Reasonable(
Rom. 12:1; Gal. 2:20).3. His love constrains(
2 Cor. 5:14-15 ).CONCLUSION
:A. GOD AND JESUS GAVE THEIR ALL. THEY CANNOT GIVE ANYMORE .
B. WHAT HAVE YOU GIVEN FOR THEM?