Embracing Generosity: The Power of Saying 'Yes'

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of a Small Yes

Even the smallest act of generosity can lead to significant outcomes. The boy who offered his lunch in John 6 didn't know his small "yes" would feed thousands, but God used it to perform a miracle. Never underestimate the impact of your willingness to serve. [23:08]

In John 6, we see a young boy offering his five loaves and two fish to Jesus. This small act of generosity, seemingly insignificant in the face of a crowd of 5,000, becomes the catalyst for a miraculous event. Jesus takes the boy's offering, blesses it, and multiplies it to feed everyone present. This story teaches us that no act of kindness is too small for God to use in mighty ways. Our willingness to say "yes" to God's call, even in the smallest ways, can lead to outcomes beyond our imagination.

Reflect on the power of your own "yes." It might be a simple act of kindness, a small donation, or a few minutes of your time. Trust that God can use your willingness to serve in ways you may never see or understand. Your small "yes" can be the beginning of something extraordinary in God's hands.

John 6:9-11 (ESV): "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many? Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted."

Reflection: Think of a small act of kindness you can do today. How can you say "yes" to God's call in a simple yet meaningful way?

Day 2: Generosity Requires Sacrifice

True generosity often involves sacrifice, whether it's our time, talents, or resources. These sacrifices, big or small, are valuable in God's eyes and contribute to His kingdom work. Trust that your sacrifices are meaningful and impactful. [21:48]

Generosity is not always easy; it often requires us to give up something valuable. Whether it's our time, talents, or resources, true generosity involves a level of sacrifice. This sacrifice, however, is not in vain. In God's eyes, every act of generosity, no matter how small, is significant and contributes to His kingdom work. When we trust God with our sacrifices, we can be assured that they are meaningful and impactful.

Consider the sacrifices you make in your daily life. It might be giving up your time to help someone in need, using your talents to serve others, or donating resources to a worthy cause. These sacrifices, though they may seem small, are valuable in God's eyes. Trust that your willingness to give up something for the sake of others is making a difference in ways you may not see.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can make a sacrifice for the sake of others? How can you trust God with this sacrifice today?

Day 3: Empowerment Through Choice

The Chosen initiative by World Vision empowers children by giving them the choice to select their sponsors. This act of empowerment is transformative, providing children with a sense of agency and dignity. Our collective "yes" to this initiative has far-reaching effects. [30:06]

The Chosen initiative by World Vision flips the traditional sponsorship model by allowing children to choose their sponsors. This act of empowerment is transformative, giving children a sense of agency and dignity. For many of these children, this is the first time they have been given the power to make a choice. Our collective "yes" to this initiative has far-reaching effects, not only in the lives of the children but also in their communities.

Empowerment through choice is a powerful concept. When we give others the opportunity to make decisions, we affirm their worth and dignity. This initiative reminds us that our generosity can go beyond financial support; it can also involve empowering others to take control of their own lives. By saying "yes" to initiatives like Chosen, we participate in a larger movement of transformation and empowerment.

Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV): "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Reflection: How can you empower someone in your life today? What is one way you can give someone the opportunity to make a choice and affirm their dignity?

Day 4: Witnessing God's Work

Jen Andrews' trip to Zimbabwe highlighted the tangible impact of our generosity. Through sustainable development and community empowerment, we see how our contributions are making a real difference. This firsthand account encourages us to continue supporting such initiatives. [37:47]

Jen Andrews' trip to Zimbabwe provided a firsthand look at the transformative work being done through our generosity. She witnessed sustainable development projects and community empowerment initiatives that are making a real difference in the lives of the people there. These stories of transformation and joy remind us that our contributions, no matter how small, are part of a larger picture of God's work in the world.

Seeing the tangible impact of our generosity can be incredibly encouraging. It reminds us that our efforts are not in vain and that God is using our resources to bring about positive change. Jen's experience in Zimbabwe serves as a powerful testimony to the importance of continuing to support initiatives that promote sustainable development and community empowerment.

Isaiah 58:10-11 (ESV): "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Reflection: Think about a time when you witnessed the impact of your generosity. How did it encourage you to continue giving? How can you support sustainable development and community empowerment initiatives today?

Day 5: God Works Through Our Yes

Our role is to say "yes" to God's call and trust Him to work through us. We may not always see the immediate results, but God uses our willingness to bring about His purposes. Keep saying "yes" and watch how God moves through your life. [50:51]

Saying "yes" to God's call is an act of faith. We may not always see the immediate results of our actions, but we can trust that God is working through our willingness to serve. Our role is not to change the world single-handedly but to be open and obedient to God's leading. When we say "yes" to God, we allow Him to work through us to bring about His purposes.

This act of saying "yes" requires trust and faith. It means stepping out of our comfort zones and being willing to serve in whatever way God calls us. We may not always understand how our actions fit into God's larger plan, but we can be assured that He is using our willingness to bring about His kingdom. Keep saying "yes" to God and watch how He moves through your life.

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to say "yes"? How can you step out in faith and trust Him to work through your willingness to serve today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Howdy, Home Church family! Today, we celebrated the spirit of generosity and the power of saying "yes" to God's call. We kicked off with a fun invitation to our second annual Boot Scootin' Barbecue, a special event to honor all our volunteers. This event is a small way to show our immense gratitude for the time and effort you all pour into our church community.

We then delved into the heart of today's message: the significance of generosity and the impact of even the smallest "yes." We explored the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 from John 6, focusing on the young boy who offered his five loaves and two fish. This boy's small act of generosity led to a miraculous event, demonstrating that no act of kindness is too small for God to use in mighty ways.

We also highlighted our partnership with World Vision and the Chosen initiative, where children in Zimbabwe get to choose their sponsors. This initiative flips the traditional sponsorship model, empowering children to make a choice, often for the first time in their lives. Our church's overwhelming response, with 161 children sponsored, showcases the incredible impact of our collective "yes."

Jen Andrews shared her firsthand experience from her trip to Zimbabwe, where she witnessed the transformative work of World Vision. Her stories of sustainable development, community empowerment, and the joy of the chosen parties were deeply moving. Jen's willingness to step out of her comfort zone and say "yes" to this trip exemplifies the message of today's sermon.

In closing, we were reminded that our job as believers is not to change the world single-handedly but to say "yes" to God's call and let Him work through us. Whether it's through our time, talents, or resources, every act of generosity matters. Let's continue to trust God with our "yes" and watch Him perform miracles through our willingness to serve.

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Key Takeaways

1. reaching effects. [30:06]
4. Witnessing God's Work: Jen Andrews' trip to Zimbabwe highlighted the tangible impact of our generosity. Through sustainable development and community empowerment, we see how our contributions are making a real difference. This firsthand account encourages us to continue supporting such initiatives.

5. God Works Through Our Yes: Our role is to say "yes" to God's call and trust Him to work through us. We may not always see the immediate results, but God uses our willingness to bring about His purposes. Keep saying "yes" and watch how God moves through your life.

### [30:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:39] - Importance of Volunteer Appreciation
[21:48] - Generosity and Sacrifice
[23:08] - The Power of a Small Yes
[24:40] - Jesus Feeds the 5,000
[27:57] - The Boy's Generosity
[29:26] - World Vision's Chosen Initiative
[30:06] - Empowering Children Through Choice
[31:41] - Overwhelming Response from the Church
[32:44] - Impact of Sponsorship
[34:42] - Jen Andrews' Trip to Zimbabwe
[37:47] - Witnessing Sustainable Development
[42:03] - The Water Walk Experience
[44:42] - Chosen Parties in Zimbabwe
[50:51] - The Importance of Saying Yes
[52:00] - Prayer and Closing Remarks
[53:15] - Dismissal and Instructions

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the initial reaction of Philip when Jesus asked where they could buy bread to feed the crowd? (John 6:5-7)
How did the young boy contribute to the miracle of feeding the 5,000? (John 6:9)
What was the outcome after Jesus performed the miracle with the loaves and fish? (John 6:12-13)
How did the people react to the miracle performed by Jesus? (John 6:14)

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus asked Philip where to buy bread even though He already knew what He was going to do? (John 6:6)
How does the boy’s willingness to share his lunch reflect the theme of generosity discussed in the sermon? [23:08]
What does the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 teach us about the potential impact of small acts of generosity? [27:57]
How does the Chosen initiative by World Vision empower children, and why is this significant? [30:06]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt your contribution was too small to make a difference. How does the story of the boy with the loaves and fish change your perspective? [23:08]
Generosity often requires sacrifice. What is one area of your life where you can make a small sacrifice to benefit others? [21:48]
The Chosen initiative allows children to choose their sponsors, giving them a sense of agency. How can you empower others in your community or family by giving them choices? [30:06]
Jen Andrews shared her experience of stepping out of her comfort zone to witness the impact of generosity firsthand. What is one way you can step out of your comfort zone to serve others? [34:42]
The sermon emphasized the importance of saying "yes" to God's call. What is one specific way you can say "yes" to God this week, whether through your time, talents, or resources? [50:51]
How can you involve your family or friends in acts of generosity to create a collective impact, similar to the church's response to the Chosen initiative? [31:41]
Think about a current need in your community. What small act of generosity can you commit to this week to address that need? [50:51]

Sermon Clips

1. "It's a really big deal for us that our volunteers are kind of honored and hopefully blessed through this event. It's, again, kind of a rare opportunity for us to get to do it, you know, to say thanks. Not just for the help that you guys give us here, but also for the impact that you guys are having on the kingdom. I mean, it's kingdom to serve, to be generous, you know, through the generosity of your time." [21:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "All generosity, all sacrifice, though, starts with one kind of sometimes scary word. Yes. Generosity starts with a yes. And I think sometimes as believers, we feel like our yes is kind of small or insignificant in kind of the grand scheme of things, when it comes to being generous. And sometimes the sacrifice might be small. But I want to say this today, and I really hope you hear me when I say this. I hear this stuff a lot about, like, I just can't do that much." [23:08] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "There is no such thing as a small yes when it comes to following and trusting the Lord. That's not a thing, right? We might not always see how our yes impacts someone else or impacts the kingdom, but when we say yes and do the generous things that we're called to do in the name of Jesus, God goes to work. And it doesn't require a brilliant mind or super deep pockets for God to go to work. It just takes a willing and trusting yes." [23:08] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Our job as believers isn't to change the world through our generosity. Our job is to do our part to say yes so that God can work and change the world through that yes. And while a lot of us don't get to see the fruits of our yes, sometimes, sometimes we get to see him take the seemingly smallest yes when it comes to generosity and turn it into a giant miracle." [23:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And it started not with Jesus performing the miracle. It started with a yes from a little boy who said, I got my lunch. Like, I got that. We don't know the age of this kid. We know it's a boy. I just want you to think back to when you were, you know, 12, 13, 14. If you were in a group and there was 5,000 people and you recognized the only food you had was your own lunch, pretty good chance you might have been, hiding that food or going behind the rock to eat it, right? Not like, yeah, you can have it." [28:48] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Did Jesus have to have that little boy there for a miracle to happen? He didn't. Did he? Does he have to have us to perform miracles? He doesn't, but he does. He chooses to work through us. And it starts with a yes." [28:48] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And through your yes, not only will children 9,000 miles away have a sponsor, but they'll know all of it was done in Jesus' name. And they will be equipped. They will be equipped and educated and empowered by partnership with World Vision and with a little church across the world in Texas to get the tools necessary to work and have a life they wouldn't have had the opportunity to live." [32:44] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You didn't save these kids, right? Only God can save, right? But you showed them Jesus through your generation. And now these children in this village in Zimbabwe get to see God go to work in their lives through the tools and support that will now be provided to them. So on behalf of myself and of Larry and this church and World Vision, thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for allowing God to go to work through your yes. Thank you for being chosen." [32:44] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "So if you're nervous about doing something that scares you, remember Jen going 9,000 miles across the world to people she did not know to Africa to do this. Because she said yes to something she thought God was calling her to do. So very proud of her. I'm proud of you. Good job. You're the best." [50:03] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I want to tell you with great assurance, whether it's with your time, your talent, or your resources, you're yes. It's a really big deal. And God can do amazing things. He fed 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves. He can do amazing things through you. So don't give up on God being able to do amazing things through you." [50:51] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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