Empowered by Generosity: Transforming Lives Through Faith
Summary
Today, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. You matter more than you realize. Your presence, your worship, your prayers, your faith, and your service all have a profound impact. When you invite others to church, you are making a difference. The Apostle Paul’s words to the Thessalonians resonate with me as I think of you: "Because of you, we have great joy as we enter God's presence." Your faithfulness brings joy not only to me but to people all over the world.
I want to share some stories that highlight the incredible work God is doing through you. Pastor Josh from Life.Church Austin is a testament to your generosity. Because of your support, a former Kohl's building has been transformed into a thriving church community. Similarly, the YouVersion Bible app, created by our church, has reached hundreds of millions worldwide, offering God’s Word for free. This is possible because of your faithfulness and generosity.
We are blessed to steward the greatest Bible engagement tool in history, and it’s all because of you. Our vision is to get God's Word to everyone, everywhere, every day. This vision is being realized as people around the world engage with the Bible through the app. Your contributions are making this possible.
Moreover, your generosity extends to our mission partners at all 45 Life.Church locations. We support them not only financially but also by sending spirit-filled believers to serve alongside them. This approach allows us to impact lives globally, helping the under-resourced, the hurting, and the broken.
Your giving and service have also empowered us to provide free resources to over a million pastors and church leaders worldwide. Churches like Restore Church in Yankton, South Dakota, have grown significantly because of these resources. Your generosity is transforming lives and expanding God’s kingdom.
Finally, I invite you to reflect on your involvement. If you’re not serving, giving, or praying as you could be, now is the time to step up. We are the church, and we exist for the world. Let’s stir up the passion to use our gifts for God’s glory. And for those who don’t know where they stand with God, remember that Jesus came to save, not condemn. Call on His name, and He will forgive your sins and give you new life.
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Key Takeaways
- Your Presence Matters: Every act of worship, prayer, and service you offer has a significant impact. Just as the Thessalonians encouraged Paul, your faithfulness brings joy and encouragement to others. Your presence in the church community is vital and transformative. [02:26]
- Generosity Fuels Transformation: The transformation of a Kohl's building into a church and the global reach of the YouVersion Bible app are testaments to the power of generosity. Your giving enables these incredible works, showing that financial support can lead to spiritual growth and outreach. [15:41]
- Vision for Global Impact: Our vision to spread God's Word to everyone, everywhere, every day is being realized through the YouVersion app. This vision is not just a dream but a reality, thanks to your support and engagement. [26:41]
- Partnerships for Greater Good: By partnering with mission organizations, we maximize our impact. We provide not only financial resources but also send people to serve, ensuring that our contributions lead to life-changing ministries worldwide. [36:29]
- Call to Action: If you're not actively serving, giving, or praying, you're missing out on being part of God's work. Now is the time to step up and engage more deeply in the church's mission. We are the church, and we exist to serve the world. [38:04]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:26] - You Matter More Than You Realize
[05:00] - Transforming Spaces for Worship
[08:30] - The Impact of YouVersion
[12:00] - Global Reach of God's Word
[15:41] - Celebrating Generosity
[18:20] - Mission Partners and Their Impact
[21:45] - Empowering Pastors Worldwide
[26:41] - Vision for Global Bible Engagement
[30:00] - Call to Serve and Give
[33:15] - Invitation to Deeper Involvement
[36:29] - The Saving Grace of Jesus
[38:04] - Prayer and Worship Response
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 3:7-9
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the Apostle Paul express to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 3:7-9, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about the impact of the church community? [02:26]
2. How did the transformation of a Kohl's building into a church illustrate the power of generosity mentioned in the sermon? [02:26]
3. What role does the YouVersion Bible app play in the church's vision, and how is it connected to the congregation's faithfulness? [15:41]
4. How does the sermon describe the church's partnership with mission organizations, and what impact does this have globally? [36:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the faithfulness of the Thessalonians, as mentioned by Paul, mirror the faithfulness of the church community today? [02:26]
2. How does the sermon suggest that generosity can lead to spiritual growth and outreach, and what biblical principles support this idea? [15:41]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of spreading God's Word globally, and how does this align with the church's mission? [26:41]
4. How does the sermon encourage individuals to reflect on their involvement in the church, and what biblical motivations are given for stepping up in service and giving? [38:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your presence in the church community. How can you ensure that your worship, prayers, and service have a meaningful impact on others? [02:26]
2. Consider the story of the Kohl's building transformation. How can you contribute to similar acts of generosity in your community or church? [02:26]
3. The YouVersion Bible app is a tool for global engagement with God's Word. How can you personally use technology to share the Bible with others? [15:41]
4. The sermon highlights partnerships with mission organizations. How can you get involved in supporting or participating in mission work, either locally or globally? [36:29]
5. If you’re not currently serving, giving, or praying as much as you could, what steps can you take to become more involved in the church's mission? [38:04]
6. Reflect on the call to action in the sermon. What specific gifts or talents do you have that you can use for God’s glory in your church community? [38:04]
7. The sermon ends with an invitation to call on Jesus for new life. How can you share this message of hope and salvation with someone in your life who may need it? [36:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Presence
Your presence in the church community is not just a routine act; it is a transformative force. Every time you engage in worship, prayer, or service, you contribute to a collective spirit that uplifts and encourages others. Just as the Apostle Paul found joy in the faithfulness of the Thessalonians, your commitment brings joy and encouragement to those around you. Your presence is a testament to the power of community and the impact of shared faith. [02:26]
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (ESV): "We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Think of a time when someone else's presence in your life made a significant impact. How can you be that presence for someone else in your church community this week?
Day 2: Generosity as a Catalyst for Change
Generosity is not merely about financial giving; it is about enabling transformation and growth. The transformation of a former Kohl's building into a thriving church community and the global reach of the YouVersion Bible app are powerful examples of what generosity can achieve. Your contributions, whether big or small, fuel spiritual growth and outreach, demonstrating that financial support can lead to profound change. [15:41]
2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV): "You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."
Reflection: Consider one area where you can be more generous, whether with your time, resources, or talents. What specific step can you take this week to act on this generosity?
Day 3: Realizing a Vision for Global Impact
The vision to spread God's Word to everyone, everywhere, every day is not just a dream but a reality being realized through the YouVersion app. This vision is made possible by the collective support and engagement of individuals who believe in the power of God's Word to transform lives. Your involvement is crucial in making this vision a reality, as it allows people worldwide to engage with the Bible daily. [26:41]
Habakkuk 2:14 (ESV): "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Reflection: Reflect on how you engage with God's Word daily. What is one new way you can incorporate the Bible into your daily routine to deepen your understanding and connection with God?
Day 4: Partnerships for Greater Good
By partnering with mission organizations, the church maximizes its impact, providing not only financial resources but also sending people to serve. This approach ensures that contributions lead to life-changing ministries worldwide, helping the under-resourced, the hurting, and the broken. Your involvement in these partnerships is vital for extending the reach of God's love and support to those in need. [36:29]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Identify a mission or outreach program you feel passionate about. How can you actively participate or support this initiative to contribute to its success?
Day 5: Embracing the Call to Action
If you're not actively serving, giving, or praying, you're missing out on being part of God's work. Now is the time to step up and engage more deeply in the church's mission. As a member of the church, you are called to serve the world, using your gifts for God's glory. Embrace this call to action and reflect on how you can contribute to the church's mission in meaningful ways. [38:04]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can step up your involvement in the church's mission this week? Consider how you can use your unique gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God.
Quotes
We are stewarding what is the greatest Bible engagement tool in the history of the world, meaning there's never been more people engaging in God's words or any resource, and we're honored to steward that on behalf of the kingdom of God. And to give you just an idea of how God's using you, I want to show you in real time right now people using the YouVersion Bible app. [00:13:57] (26 seconds)
At our church, we love to say this. You can say it with me if you know it. We will lead the way with irrational generosity because we truly believe it's more blessed to give than to receive. Let's try it. We will lead the way with irrational generosity because we truly believe it's more blessed to give than to receive. [00:23:40] (16 seconds)
And this isn't just because of you. This is because of Jesus, because of Jesus, because of Jesus, because of who he is. Who is Jesus? He is the son of God who never sinned. He was perfect in every way. Jesus. Jesus came for the broken. He came for the lost. He came for the sinners. He didn't come to condemn the world. He came to save the world and he gave his life on a cross. [00:36:29] (20 seconds)
He hears your prayers and forgives your sins today. Today at all of our churches, those of you online, you recognize you need his grace. Step away from your sin and step toward Jesus and say, yes, I give you my life. That's your prayer today. Lift your hands high right now. All over the place, lift your hands high right now. Praise God. For those that are coming to faith in Christ online, type in the comment section, I'm surrendering my life to Jesus. [00:37:12] (23 seconds)
Chatbot
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