17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded; nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;"
18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;"
- Should we as believers always be generous?
- Satan's philosophy is: "What's mine is mine and what's thine is mine."
- Sometimes as adults we can hold back.
- As believers we should not hoard what has been given to us but be generous and willing to share.
- The Bible says that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive.
- God blesses us that we may bless others.
- We need to encourage one another in the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The word "blessing" represents an important biblical concept:
- When you ask God to bless someone, you are asking Him to intervene in their life and meet their needs.
- Why does God save us?
- To keep sin from destroying our lives
- Sin cannot enter into heaven
- God has taken care of sin through the shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross.
- To be conformed unto the likeness of his son.
- To make us trophies for his grace.
- Ephesians 2:5-7
- 5 "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together, with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
- 6 "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"
- 7 "That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
- To accomplish his work on Earth through obedient children.
- How did Jesus set an example for us?
- By serving….
- Luke 22:27 "For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he serveth."
- Jesus took the lower position and went to the cross and died for our sins.
- Jesus also:
- Healed the sick
- Forgave sins
- Raised the dead
- Comforted his followers
- Was patient with those that didn’t understand
- Gave peace for those who were worried
- Sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity
- How should we serve others?
- Jesus saved us
- We should preach the gospel
- Jesus loved us
- Keep fervent in our love for one another
- Jesus forgives our sins
- Forgive those who have wronged us
- Jesus teaches us the truth
- We should share our spiritual insights with others
- Galatians 6:6 "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."
- If you own something that you're not willing to give up, you don't own it, it owns you.