Embracing the Heart of a Kingdom Builder
Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate Miracle Offering Sunday, a pivotal moment in our Kingdom Builders series. Our mission is to partner with God in building His church, both locally and globally, as we strive to fulfill Jesus' last command to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. This mission remains as relevant today as it was when Jesus first spoke it. We are believing for a $176,000 miracle to fulfill our commitments to missionaries and mission projects worldwide. This is not just about financial giving; it's about embracing the heart of a Kingdom Builder.
We often fall into the trap of thinking, "If I had more, I could do more." This mindset is a fallacy. God calls us to use what we have, no matter how small it may seem. The story of the Good Samaritan illustrates this beautifully. Despite cultural animosity, the Samaritan used what he had to help a wounded man, demonstrating that compassion is about using our resources to love others. Similarly, the widow in 1 Kings 17, who had only a handful of flour and a little oil, experienced God's provision when she put Him first.
God is looking for obedience in how we use what we have. Each week, we encounter opportunities to help others and build His kingdom. The challenge is to respond like the Samaritan, not the priest who avoided the wounded man. We must overcome excuses and judgments about others' situations and focus on our responsibility to be obedient to God's call.
God can use our little to do much. The miracle of the loaves and fishes reminds us that in God's hands, our small offerings can have a significant impact. When we all contribute our little, God gets the glory, not any one individual. This is why your contribution matters, no matter the size.
As we participate in this miracle offering, let's remember that God will build our lives as we build His kingdom. Whether it's financial giving, time, or talents, God calls us to use what we have for His purposes. Let's trust Him to supply our needs and protect our future as we step out in faith and obedience.
Key Takeaways:
- Use What You Have: God calls us to use what we have, no matter how small, to build His kingdom. The Good Samaritan and the widow in 1 Kings 17 exemplify this principle. It's not about the size of our resources but our willingness to be obedient and compassionate. [29:44]
- Obedience Over Excuses: We often make excuses for not helping others, but God asks us to be obedient with what we have. Like the Samaritan, we must overcome judgments and excuses to love and serve those in need. [36:38]
- God Multiplies the Little: In God's hands, our little can do much. The miracle of the loaves and fishes shows that when we offer what we have, God can multiply it to meet the needs of many. [50:20]
- Participate in Miracles: By contributing our little, we participate in God's miracles. When everyone brings their small offering, God gets the glory, and we become part of something greater than ourselves. [51:47]
- Trust God with Your Resources: As we use what we have to build God's kingdom, He promises to build our lives, supply our needs, and protect our future. Trusting God with our resources leads to freedom and breakthrough. [52:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:22] - Miracle Offering Introduction
- [25:34] - The Fallacy of "If I Had More"
- [28:22] - The Good Samaritan Story
- [29:44] - Use What You Have
- [30:46] - The Journey of Compassion
- [32:21] - Samaritan's Compassionate Actions
- [34:04] - Compassion and God's Heart
- [35:18] - Obedience and Trust
- [36:38] - Overcoming Excuses
- [38:44] - Personal Story of Obedience
- [40:28] - Listening to God's Voice
- [41:28] - The Widow's Obedience
- [44:03] - God's Provision in Obedience
- [48:00] - Holding Loosely to What We Have
- [48:43] - God Uses the Little
- [50:20] - The Miracle of Multiplication
- [51:47] - Participating in Miracles
- [52:36] - Trusting God with Resources
- [55:09] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Miracle Offering Sunday
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 10:30-37 (The Good Samaritan)
2. 1 Kings 17:8-16 (The Widow of Zarephath)
3. John 6:1-14 (The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes)
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of the Good Samaritan, what actions did the Samaritan take that demonstrated compassion and the use of his resources? [32:21]
2. How did the widow in 1 Kings 17 respond to Elijah's request, and what was the outcome of her obedience? [44:03]
3. What was the initial reaction of the disciples when Jesus asked them to feed the crowd in John 6, and how did Jesus address their concern? [50:20]
4. According to the sermon, what is the common fallacy people believe about having more resources, and how does this relate to the examples given? [25:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of the Good Samaritan teach about overcoming cultural barriers and judgments to help those in need? [36:38]
2. How does the widow's story in 1 Kings 17 illustrate the principle of putting God first with our resources, and what does this mean for believers today? [44:50]
3. In the miracle of the loaves and fishes, what does Jesus' action of multiplying the small offering teach about God's ability to use our limited resources? [50:20]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of obedience over excuses. How can believers discern when God is calling them to act, even when it seems inconvenient or illogical? [38:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you didn't have enough to contribute. How can the story of the Good Samaritan inspire you to use what you have, no matter how small, to help others? [32:21]
2. The widow in 1 Kings 17 trusted God with her last meal. What is one area in your life where you struggle to trust God with your resources, and how can you take a step of faith this week? [44:50]
3. Consider the excuses you might make for not helping others. How can you overcome these excuses and be more obedient to God's call to serve? [36:38]
4. The sermon emphasized that God can multiply our little to do much. What small offering (time, talent, or treasure) can you give this week, trusting God to use it for His kingdom? [50:20]
5. How can you actively participate in a "miracle offering" in your own life, whether through financial giving, volunteering, or another form of service? [51:47]
6. Think about a person or group in your community who might be considered a "neighbor" in need. What practical steps can you take to show compassion and support to them this week? [28:22]
7. The sermon mentioned trusting God with our future as we build His kingdom. What specific fears or concerns do you need to surrender to God, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness? [52:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Power of Small Contributions
God calls us to use what we have, no matter how small, to build His kingdom. The story of the Good Samaritan and the widow in 1 Kings 17 exemplify this principle. The Samaritan, despite cultural animosity, used his resources to help a wounded man, showing that compassion is about using what we have to love others. Similarly, the widow, with only a handful of flour and a little oil, experienced God's provision when she put Him first. It's not about the size of our resources but our willingness to be obedient and compassionate. [29:44]
"For who despises the day of small things? These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What small resource or talent do you have that you can use today to serve someone in need?
Day 2: Overcome Excuses with Obedience
We often make excuses for not helping others, but God asks us to be obedient with what we have. Like the Samaritan, we must overcome judgments and excuses to love and serve those in need. The challenge is to respond to opportunities to help others and build His kingdom, focusing on our responsibility to be obedient to God's call. This requires us to set aside our excuses and judgments about others' situations and focus on our responsibility to be obedient to God's call. [36:38]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one excuse you often use to avoid helping others, and how can you overcome it today?
Day 3: Witness the Multiplication of Your Offerings
In God's hands, our little can do much. The miracle of the loaves and fishes shows that when we offer what we have, God can multiply it to meet the needs of many. This principle reminds us that when we all contribute our little, God gets the glory, not any one individual. Your contribution matters, no matter the size, because God can use it to create a significant impact. [50:20]
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
Reflection: What small offering can you give today, trusting God to multiply it for His purposes?
Day 4: Participate in God's Miracles
By contributing our little, we participate in God's miracles. When everyone brings their small offering, God gets the glory, and we become part of something greater than ourselves. This participation is not just about financial giving but also about offering our time and talents for God's purposes. As we step out in faith and obedience, we become part of the miraculous work God is doing in the world. [51:47]
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's work today, using your unique gifts and resources?
Day 5: Trust God with Your Resources
As we use what we have to build God's kingdom, He promises to build our lives, supply our needs, and protect our future. Trusting God with our resources leads to freedom and breakthrough. This trust is not just about financial resources but also about our time and talents. When we trust God with what we have, we experience His provision and protection in our lives. [52:36]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more with your resources, and how can you take a step of faith today?
Quotes
"See, we need to be people that stop looking at what we don't have and start looking at what we do have. Too many of us, we look at our lives and we're like, I don't have this. Well, that's the wrong way to look at your life. You got to look at what you do have. And this is what God is asking from you and me. God's asking us to do this. Use what you have. Will you turn to somebody that you love and just tell them, use what you have? Come on, do that at all campuses. Use what you have." [00:27:10] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God's looking for obedience when it comes to what you have. See, every single week you and me are put in a situation where God challenges us to use what we have to help others, love others, and to build his kingdom. Every single week in your life you've been given one of these kind of opportunities. They come your way all the time. How do you typically respond? Do you avoid what God's challenging you to do like the priest did?" [00:36:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You're not responsible for what they do. You're responsible for what God asks you to do. This is critical. lesson that you got to get in your heart if you want to use what you have to help others, love others, and build God's kingdom. If you want to be that kind of person, you got to stop judging people for what they do with what they have, and you got to start looking at your own heart and going, am I doing what God's asking me to do?" [00:38:23] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"See, this is what God does with what you have when you're obedient and you trust him with what you have. So what should we do? We hold loosely what we have. Hold loosely what you have. Come to the final conclusion in your life that what, what you have may have seemed like it was earned by your, your mind and your energy and your hands, but really it was only by the grace of God that you have what you have. Hold it loosely." [00:47:47] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God will use your little to do his much. A lot of people think that what I have is too insignificant. What I have is too little. What I have doesn't matter. I hear people say things like this, like, you know, what I have to offer is too small to make a difference, Jeff. I'm not that person that sits on the other side of the aisle. Like, I don't have what they have. Like, what I have is too little to make a difference." [00:48:43] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"That's why the little matters, because when all of us bring our little, no one person can get the glory. Only God can get the glory when the miracle happens, guys. Guys, that's why your little matters. Your little matters because God takes my little and your little, and he combines it together, and he does something that is off the charts crazy cool." [00:51:47] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Use what you have to build his kingdom, and God will supply all your needs. maybe not all your wants but god is faithful when he says you use what you have to build my kingdom and i will supply all your needs use what you have to build his kingdom and god will flourish your business use what you have to build his kingdom and god will protect your future" [00:53:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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