” Vibrant Generosity”

Vibrant! Series Lesson 5

Sermon Notes

October 15, 2023

I. Monopoly, Money, & The Game of Life…

A. We tend to live our lives like the way we play a lot of games: The goal is not just for me to get more, but for me to get more by taking from you!

B. But Jesus comes along and He has a new way to play the game even if

is still the primary way we keep score.

1. Rick Warren says, “Money is like manure. You spread it around and it makes things grow, but if you pile it up it starts stinking.”

C. Jesus didn’t care about making money, but he cared a lot about making disciples! (Matthew 6:21, 24)

D. We cannot divorce discipleship from

!

1. When you follow Jesus, generous is not just what you do; generous is who you are!

E. The early church demonstrated vibrant

! (Acts 4:32-37; 2:44-45)

F. Life Group Discussion Questions: Consider the following questions as your group begins to explore the topics of money, discipleship, and generosity. What is your favorite board game of all time? Agree vs. Disagree: Money is the primary way most Americans “keep score” in the game of life? If so, what are some implications of this? How is discipleship and stewardship connected? Think back to some times and situations when you have seen vibrant generosity demonstrated. What was the impact of that generosity?

II. What Creates A Culture Of Generosity?

A. Community (Acts 2:42)

1. The early Christians began to have real needs and the church responds as the people begin to sell their property and possessions and give that money to the apostles. (Acts 4:32-37; 2:44-45)

2. Somewhere along the way, “church” became a “noun,” but it is supposed to be a verb.

3. The church is a people that

   Reveal Answer
   , because of what God has given to us!

B. Accountability

1. The first Christians didn’t just give willingly, they gave visibly and publicly. (Acts 4:34-35) This is quite different from our “don’t ask and don’t tell” practice of stewardship that is so common in churches today.

2. Dr. Stanley Hauerwas, former Professor of Theology and Ethics at Duke Divinity School, says that if you want to see revival in America, then you need to ask prospective members of your church these four questions:

   • Who is your Lord and Savior?
   • Are you serious about following Jesus?
   • Are you going to be an active and engaged member of this church?
   • What is your average annual income?

3. Barnabas is an example of what

   Reveal Answer
   looks like! (Acts

4:36-37)

C. Authenticity

1. Ananias and Sapphira are examples of how the power of money and the desire for recognition can bring out the “phony” in us! (Acts 5:1-8)

2. Nothing leashes the church like

   Reveal Answer
   ! (I Timothy 6:10)

D. Every generosity story in Acts 2-6 is followed by a

statement. (Acts 2:46; 6:7; 5:13)

1. As God forms a vibrant generosity within us, the church grows, and we begin to
   look more and more like Jesus!

E. Life Group Discussion Questions: As we think about how God creates a culture of vibrant generosity within His church, please consider the roles that community, accountability, and authenticity play in this process. How does participation in the life of a faith community (church) teach us about generosity as well as give us opportunities to practice and see generosity? How might a private, “don’t ask and don’t tell” approach to stewardship actually get in the way of us creating a culture of generosity in our church? What lessons about authenticity does the story of Ananias and Sapphira teach us? How is God growing you in these three areas?