Embracing God's Glory Through Generosity and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of God's Glory

The presence of God's glory is not merely an abstract theological idea but a vital necessity in our spiritual lives. It dispels darkness and brings peace, love, and clarity. Without His presence, we are left with anxiety, fear, and confusion. To invite His glory, we must cultivate atmospheres of worship and gratitude, as these attitudes attract His presence. Conversely, pride, ingratitude, and rebellion repel it. The story of the Magi, who traveled from afar to worship Jesus, exemplifies the heart's natural response to encountering God's glory. Their journey and gifts symbolize the recognition of Jesus' kingship, priesthood, and sacrificial death. [43:29]

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 40:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to intentionally create an atmosphere of worship and gratitude to invite God's presence today?

Day 2: Worship and Generosity as a Heart Response

Encountering Jesus leads to a heart response of worship and generosity, as demonstrated by the Magi. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were not only valuable but also deeply symbolic, representing Jesus' kingship, priesthood, and sacrificial death. This story reminds us of the foundational truths of our faith and the natural response of giving when we truly encounter God's glory. Worship and generosity are intertwined, as both reflect a heart that recognizes and honors the divine. [51:38]

"Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can express worship through an act of generosity this week, reflecting the heart of the Magi?

Day 3: Generosity Reflects God's Nature

Generosity is a reflection of God's nature and invites His blessings into our lives. Many struggle with giving due to a lack of trust, consumerism, or a scarcity mindset. However, when we view our resources as a river rather than a pie, we understand that God provides seed to the sower, not the hoarder. This perspective shift allows us to live with open hands, participating in God's work and experiencing His provision in ways beyond financial gain. [01:06:21]

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current mindset towards giving. How can you shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and trust in God's provision?

Day 4: Living with Open Hands

Living with an open hand allows us to participate in God's work and experience His provision. This involves not only financial giving but also a commitment to serve others and share the Gospel. The world of the generous expands, while the world of the stingy contracts. By embracing generosity, we align ourselves with God's purposes and become conduits of His blessings to others. [01:11:58]

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you can practice living with open hands this week. How can you serve or give in a way that reflects God's generosity?

Day 5: Stretching Faith and Investing in the Kingdom

We are called to stretch our faith and invest in the kingdom, becoming part of something greater than ourselves. This involves trusting that God will use our contributions to bring glory to His name and transform lives. By investing in the kingdom, we not only give financially but also commit to living differently, serving others, and sharing the Gospel. This call to action challenges us to step out in faith and trust in God's provision and purpose. [01:14:36]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take to stretch your faith and invest in God's kingdom this week? How can you align your resources and actions with eternal purposes?

Sermon Summary

In this Christmas season, we gather to celebrate the glory of God and the transformative power of His presence in our lives. Our church is actively involved in expanding the reach of the Gospel through initiatives like the Prison Church Network, which now spans 35 states and impacts thousands of inmates. This is made possible by the generosity of our congregation, who have embraced the vision of living for a greater purpose. As we continue to build new ministry spaces and plant new campuses, we invite everyone to partner with us in this mission.

The essence of God's glory is not just a theological concept but a tangible reality that changes everything. His presence is a necessity, not a luxury, in our spiritual lives. When we create atmospheres of worship and gratitude, we invite His glory into our midst. Conversely, attitudes of pride, ingratitude, and rebellion repel His presence. The story of the Magi, who traveled from afar to worship Jesus, illustrates the heart's natural response to encountering God's glory. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing Jesus' kingship, priesthood, and sacrificial death.

Generosity is a key theme, as it reflects God's nature and opens the door to His blessings. Many struggle with giving due to a lack of trust, consumerism, or a scarcity mindset. However, when we view our resources as a river rather than a pie, we understand that God provides seed to the sower, not the hoarder. By living with open hands, we participate in God's work and experience His provision in ways beyond financial gain.

As we look to the future, we are called to stretch our faith and invest in the kingdom. This involves not only financial giving but also a commitment to live differently, serve others, and share the Gospel. The world of the generous expands, while the world of the stingy contracts. Let us embrace this opportunity to be part of something greater than ourselves, trusting that God will use our contributions to bring glory to His name and transform lives.

Key Takeaways

1. God's glory is essential in our lives, not a luxury. It dispels darkness and brings peace, love, and clarity. Without His presence, we experience anxiety, fear, and confusion. Therefore, we must cultivate atmospheres that welcome His glory through worship and gratitude. [43:29]
2. The story of the Magi teaches us that encountering Jesus leads to a heart response of worship and generosity. Their gifts symbolize Jesus' kingship, priesthood, and sacrificial death, reminding us of the foundational truths of our faith. [51:38]
3. Generosity reflects God's nature and invites His blessings. Many struggle with giving due to a lack of trust or a scarcity mindset. However, when we see our resources as a river, we understand that God provides seed to the sower, not the hoarder. [66:21]
4. Living with an open hand allows us to participate in God's work and experience His provision. This involves not only financial giving but also a commitment to serve others and share the Gospel. The world of the generous expands, while the world of the stingy contracts. [71:58]
5. We are called to stretch our faith and invest in the kingdom. By doing so, we become part of something greater than ourselves, trusting that God will use our contributions to bring glory to His name and transform lives. [01:14:36]
** [74:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:10] - Introduction to Big Give Sunday
[36:54] - Prison Church Network Impact
[40:05] - Expanding Ministry Spaces
[43:29] - The Necessity of God's Glory
[46:51] - Attracting and Repelling God's Presence
[49:55] - The Journey of the Magi
[51:38] - Gifts of the Magi and Their Significance
[55:07] - The Heart Response to Jesus
[59:02] - Generosity and God's Blessings
[62:01] - Overcoming Barriers to Giving
[66:21] - The Principle of Seed for the Sower
[71:58] - Stretching Faith and Investing in the Kingdom
[74:36] - Prayer and Closing Remarks

Sermon Clips

"God's glory, it is who God is. It's the essence of his nature, the weight of his importance, the radiance of his splendor, the demonstration of his power, and the atmosphere of his presence. Let me say it this way, God's presence and glory in your life is not a luxury, it's a necessity." [00:43:37] (17 seconds)

"There are atmospheres, attitudes, and behaviors that welcome in and host the presence and glory of God, as well as atmospheres, attitudes, and behaviors that repel his glory. Lean in and get that in your heart. These atmospheres, attitudes, behaviors, we can actually make a place for the glory of God, or we can carry attitudes and behaviors that repel his kindness and his goodness." [00:45:11] (25 seconds)

"Humility attracts the glory of God. God comes near the humble, but he opposes the proud. Gratitude and thanksgiving, attract God's glory, while complaining, whining, and grumbling brings resistance to the glory of God. Surrender and obedience attract God's glory, while rebellion and self-serving are a repellent." [00:47:52] (19 seconds)

"Not some kind of legalistic, we better go to church, we better give, we gotta serve, I'm gonna be a good Christian, checking boxes. No, it's simply a glimpse of his glory and who Jesus is. It'll cause you to live different, serve different, give different. It'll change the way you think." [00:54:26] (18 seconds)

"When you see Jesus in his glory, it will cause you to open up the treasure chest of your life. Suddenly, you want to give your all. You want to give your time. You want to serve. You want to open your hands and say, God, all that I have belongs to you. It is an accurate response to the glory of God." [00:57:15] (20 seconds)

"God is not trying to take something from us. He wants to get something through us that brings him glory and enhances your life. So keep the switch on in Jesus name. So I have to ask myself with all the promises in the word of God, we're so many about giving and being generous, how God's going to bless you, multiply you, rebuke the devourer, give you seed to sow on and on they go." [00:59:17] (21 seconds)

"When God gets involved in your finances and you live as a channel of resource, it's not a pie, it's a river. Would you say that with me? It's not a pie, it's a river. That's why for 28 years from the first offering that came to the father's house, we gave it away and we sow into missions." [01:01:57] (20 seconds)

"As a result of your ministry of giving, they will give glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God in the highest. Honor to God and a reflection of his honor back on you through the ministry of giving. So what's going to happen today and this week and through the end of the year as we give toward Beyond and Prison Church Network, there will be inmates whose lives are changed for all eternity and they will give glory to God." [01:07:38] (27 seconds)

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