Sunday, November 17, 2024 AM
ThanksGIVING EXPRESSED: Session 3 ~ Sowing and Reaping
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —II Corinthians 9:6-11
WHAT YOU KEEP IS ALL YOU HAVE – WHAT YOU GIVE GOD MULTIPLIES
1.
OUR POSSESSIONS
–It’s when we release our possessions that the opportunity to multiply occurs.
2.
OUR BASKETS
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” —Luke 6:38
–Jesus was saying that your lifestyle will determine how it will be multiplied back.
3.
OF THIS PRINCIPLE
–Prosperity Gospel – God makes you rich if you live right!
–Poverty Gospel – flipside… If you are poor then you must not have faith or you are doing something wrong.
–God gives us what we can and will handle correctly.
WHAT YOU KEEP IS ALL YOU HAVE, BUT WHEN YOU GIVE GOD MULTIPLIES.
OF SOWING AND REAPING
1. YOU REAP
YOU SOW
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. —Galatians 6:7
–You reap what you sow.
2. YOU REAP
THAN YOU SOW
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. —Matthew 19:29
OF STEWARDSHIP
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —II Corinthians 9:6-11
1. YOUR
MATTERS WHEN YOU GIVE
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. —II Corinthian 9:6-7
–God loves a cheerful giver. Remember the Greek word translated cheerful can actually be translated hilarious.
–It’s not that we have to give, it’s God giving us the opportunity to join Him in having an impact on others.
WHAT YOU KEEP IS ALL YOU HAVE, BUT WHEN YOU GIVE GOD MULTIPLIES.
2. YOU
OUT GIVE GOD!
says, 8 And God is able to (make all grace abound to you) bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. —II Corinthians 9:8-10
–Like the sower sowing seed. He is giving gifts.
9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” —II Corinthians 9:9
–What seeds do you have to give: time, gifts, heart, words, things, financial resources? He has given you seeds.
–God has supplied you with seeds.
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. —II Corinthians 9:10
WHAT YOU KEEP IS ALL YOU HAVE, BUT WHEN YOU GIVE GOD MULTIPLIES.
3. GOD WANTS US TO BE A
PEOPLE AND A GENEROUS CHURCH
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. —II Corinthians 9:5
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —II Corinthians 9:10-11
–Why we want to send more people on mission trips – to help the less fortunate.
–Why we helped supplement the salary of the Hispanic pastor a few years ago.
–Why we are raising money for the remodeling of the Worship Center rather than going into debt – so we can be more generous.
–Ministry means money or at least resources!
–Because God loves a hilarious, generous giver!
WHAT YOU KEEP IS ALL YOU HAVE, BUT WHEN YOU GIVE GOD MULTIPLIES.
LIVE IT OUT!
What do you need to do today to begin to experience God’s multiplication in your life?
What seeds has God given you to plant?