February 2, 2020 | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he taught them that the Lord abundantly blesses those who are generous with their treasure. We can believe that the Lord abundantly blesses us when we are generous with our treasure.
September 7, 2018
LIVING THE LIFE OF THE OPEN HAND
Why does God give us surplus? Is it so that we can store it up, depending on the surplus, rather than God? Certainly not! Why then? Paul taught the wealthy Corinthians that God had enriched them so they could always be generous, living a lifestyle of continuous generosity. God’s generosity should create generosity in us!
The greatest generosity is found in God, who freely gave us His Son as payment for our sins. The gospel is God’s generosity on display. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Rom. 8:32).
God’s surplus is for our generosity. As Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). This is the life of the open hand–– one hand open to God freely receiving, the other hand open to others freely giving.
February 29, 2016
In John 4, Jesus offered to give the Samaritan woman “living water,” she responded with the practical observation that he didn’t even have anything to draw with. In other words, “You don’t even have a bucket. How will you be able to give me this “living water?” This is sometimes how we feel about God’s ability to generously supply our needs. Yet, God’s Word says that “God is able.” Able to do what? “To make all grace abound to you.” When? “At all times.” What? “In all things.” How much? “Having all sufficiency.” To do what? “To abound in every good work.” So, stop looking for God’s bucket. Instead, trust in God’s promise.
February 28, 2016 | 2 Corinthians 9:8-15 |
When was the last time you were generous? Most of us have a hard time with being generous. Whether it’s an attitude that says, “I earned it, so it’s mine.” Or a fear that worries, “I’m afraid I won’t have enough for me.” We struggle with generosity. What’s the greatest gift you’ve ever received? For the believer, the answer is the same: Christ. He is the gift of God that expresses God’s surpassing grace towards us. There is no greater gift. This is the gospel: Because of the surpassing generous grace of God, we are offered salvation in Christ!
February 21, 2016 | 2 Corinthians 9:1-7 |
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he told them that Christ’s readiness to always be generous should be displayed in them as well. As believers, we can display this same disposition of the ready generosity of Christ in our lives.
September 7, 2015
Paul encouraged the Corinthians in their giving by reminding them of how others would “glorify God” for their obedience to the gospel. Those who have received the gospel have received God’s greatest gift. Receiving, their hearts have been changed, so that they have become conduits of God’s grace. As Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). Do others give glory to God for the way you “freely give” so that your gospel confession is given credibility?
October 12, 2014 | 2 Corinthians 8-9 |
Pastor Gary Combs continues the sermon series “The Seven Habits of Growing Christians” with this message from 1 Corinthians 8-9 about the habit of graceful giving. In Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth he them to grow and excel in the “grace of giving.” He wanted them to grow in the habit of graceful giving. We can grow in the habit of graceful giving. It is one of the habits that helps us to grow up in our salvation becoming more like the greatest giver of all, Jesus Christ.
May 25, 2014 | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 |
Justin Norden continues our series, “Diagnosing Your Spiritual Health”, by helping us diagnose whether we are growing in generosity. Christian generosity is about more than money. We must trust God to supply our needs, be good stewards of God’s resources and then respond to Christ’s sacrifice for us by being generous on all occasions and growing in him.
November 24, 2013 | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 |
In this sermon Pastor Gary helps us understand how giving releases the FLOW of God’s life, essence, and resources into our life. We don’t give to get. We give to give.
September 7, 2012
Practice the art of flow: One hand open to God to receive blessing and the other hand open to others to give. If we close either hand, we dam-up the flow of blessing. God wants you to be a channel of His blessing.