Generosity: Sowing Seeds of Hope and Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you all here today. I want to start with something funny. I heard about a man who was very stingy with his money. Just before his death, he made his wife promise to bury him with the $100,000 he had saved. The wife reluctantly agreed. At the funeral, before they closed the casket, she snuck in a small wooden box. Her friend asked if she really buried the money with him. The wife said, "Of course, I'm a Christian. I can't lie. I wrote him a check." I think it's quite funny.
Today is a special day, Heart for the House Sunday, one of my favorite days of the year. I woke up at 6 a.m., excited like a kid on Christmas morning, eager to see what God will do through our financial giving. Our giving empowers the church to fulfill its mission and more. There's nothing like the church; we are the hope of the world. The church is not just a building; it's us, the people. We are the local church, and we are the hope of the world.
We have a different hope than the world. When we die, we live in eternity with Jesus. It's wonderful what we have. I love the church and investing in people. I want to be generous in sowing into people's lives and serving others, just like Jesus did. Jesus said in Matthew 20 that the greatest among us will be the one who serves others. Jesus came to serve and give His life for many. He invested in His 12 disciples, and from that small beginning, billions now follow Jesus.
There's so much power in sowing into others. Our mission is to transform the world with the good news of Jesus. Every day, lives are being transformed. Jesus said the kingdom of God is like a seed that yields much fruit when sown. My son Fabian was working on planting basil and coriander seeds. God provides seed for the sower and multiplies it. When we give, those who receive will give thanks to God and to us. We are called to be generous participants in the Great Commission.
Generosity is a principle of the kingdom. When we sow generously, we reap generously. The harvest of our lives is in our own hands. This principle of sowing and reaping is universal. God invites us to test Him in this. Ask God who you can sow into today.
Heart for the House is all about love. At the end of this talk, we will sow our seed and celebrate through communion. Fill out the right side of the form for your records. I had a miracle this week. I wanted to give a certain amount but didn't have enough. My accountant called and said there was a mistake in my tax return, and now I can give the amount I set my heart on. God provides the seed for us.
We are called to sow into one another. Jesus sowed into His disciples, and we are to sow into our families, workplaces, and communities. Catherine and I love sowing into this church and into your lives. Many of you are serving and sowing into others. If you're not yet a volunteer, I encourage you to start sowing into someone, whether in church or elsewhere.
God loves a cheerful giver. Love is always generous. For God so loved the world that He gave Jesus. Make sure you also sow into your prayer life. My life has changed as I've invested in my prayer life. Invest in your time with the Lord and in relationships. Let's believe for a mighty outpouring and that our giving will change lives.
Every eye closed, think about it. God sowed His Son, Jesus, into the world. If you need Jesus, raise your hand. Let's pray together. "Jesus, come into my life. Forgive me of my sin. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Today I give my life to you. I make you Lord of my life. And I will serve you for the rest of my life in Jesus' name."
Now, let's sow our seeds and take communion. Father, we thank you for the seeds sown today. Multiply them for your glory and bless those who don't yet know you. Amen.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Church as the Hope of the World: We, the church, are the hope of the world. Unlike the world, which only has the hope of death, we have the hope of eternal life with Jesus. This hope should drive us to invest in people and serve others, just as Jesus did. Our mission is to transform lives with the good news of Jesus. [01:09:40]
2. The Power of Sowing: Sowing into others' lives has immense power. Jesus sowed into His disciples, and from that small beginning, billions now follow Him. Our mission is to transform the world with the good news of Jesus. Every day, lives are being transformed, and there's so much power in sowing your life into others. [01:12:23]
3. Generosity as a Kingdom Principle: Generosity is a fundamental principle of the kingdom of God. When we sow generously, we reap generously. This principle is universal and applies to everyone, not just Christians. God invites us to test Him in this and see how He will be faithful. [01:27:58]
4. Sowing into Prayer and Relationships: It's crucial to sow into your prayer life and relationships. My life has changed as I've invested in my prayer life. You won't have a significant harvest in your life if you don't invest time with the Lord in the secret place. Invest in people and relationships to see a true blessed life. [01:30:24]
5. God's Provision and Our Response: God provides the seed for us to sow. Even if we don't have everything we need, God will provide. Our response should be to sow generously and trust God's principles. This sowing will lead to a harvest that blesses others and advances God's kingdom. [01:33:41]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:06:49] - Opening Joke and Introduction
[01:07:25] - Heart for the House Sunday
[01:09:17] - The Church as the Hope of the World
[01:09:40] - Our Different Hope
[01:10:25] - Serving Like Jesus
[01:11:26] - The Power of Sowing
[01:12:23] - Transforming Lives
[01:13:04] - The Kingdom of God as a Seed
[01:13:22] - Intentional Sowing
[01:14:43] - Sowing into Different Areas
[01:15:35] - Serving and Volunteering
[01:16:18] - Expanding Influence Through Sowing
[01:17:31] - The Blessing of Generosity
[01:18:03] - Discipleship Model
[01:18:43] - Mentorship and Accountability
[01:19:32] - Financial Promises and Principles
[01:20:32] - Trusting God's Principles
[01:22:07] - Sowing and Reaping
[01:22:50] - Generous Participation
[01:23:39] - God's Indescribable Gift
[01:24:18] - Kingdom Giving
[01:25:17] - The Principle of Multiplication
[01:26:21] - The Power of the Seed
[01:27:13] - Learning to Invest
[01:27:58] - Sowing and Reaping Principle
[01:28:41] - Invitation to Trust God
[01:29:16] - Asking God for Guidance
[01:29:52] - Faith and Generosity
[01:30:24] - Love is Generous
[01:31:14] - Investing in Prayer Life
[01:31:50] - God's Ultimate Gift
[01:32:22] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:33:00] - Prayer of Salvation
[01:33:41] - Sowing and Communion
[01:34:23] - Blessing the Seeds
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV)
> But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
2. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (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. 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.
3. John 3:16 (ESV)
> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 20:25-28, how does Jesus describe the way His followers should lead and serve?
2. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, what principle does Paul explain about sowing and reaping?
3. What does John 3:16 reveal about God's love and generosity towards the world?
4. How does the concept of sowing and reaping appear in the context of the church's mission and individual lives?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize servanthood as the greatest form of leadership in Matthew 20:25-28?
2. How does the principle of sowing and reaping in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 apply to both financial giving and other areas of life?
3. What does John 3:16 teach us about the nature of God's love and how it should influence our actions?
4. How can the church embody the hope of the world through the principles of generosity and service?
### Application Questions
1. Identify one person in your life who you can serve this week. What specific action will you take to serve them?
2. Reflect on your current giving habits. How can you apply the principle of sowing generously in your financial contributions or time investments?
3. Think of a relationship that needs nurturing. What steps will you take to sow into that relationship through prayer and intentional time spent together?
4. Consider a specific area in your life where you need to trust God's provision. What practical steps can you take to demonstrate your trust in His principles of sowing and reaping?
5. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to ensure you are sowing into your spiritual life? Identify a specific time and place for this practice.
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as the Hope of the World
The church is not just a building; it is the people who make up the body of Christ. As believers, we are called to be the hope of the world, offering a different kind of hope than what the world offers. While the world may only see death as the end, we have the promise of eternal life with Jesus. This hope should drive us to invest in people and serve others, just as Jesus did. Our mission is to transform lives with the good news of Jesus, bringing hope and light to a world in need. [01:09:40]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How can you be a beacon of hope in your community today? Think of one specific way you can serve someone in need and share the hope of Jesus with them.
Day 2: The Power of Sowing
Sowing into others' lives has immense power. Jesus sowed into His disciples, and from that small beginning, billions now follow Him. Our mission is to transform the world with the good news of Jesus. Every day, lives are being transformed, and there's so much power in sowing your life into others. When we invest in people, we are participating in the Great Commission, helping to spread the message of Jesus far and wide. [01:12:23]
2 Corinthians 9:10 (ESV): "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can intentionally invest in today? How can you sow seeds of encouragement, support, or the gospel into their life?
Day 3: Generosity as a Kingdom Principle
Generosity is a fundamental principle of the kingdom of God. When we sow generously, we reap generously. This principle is universal and applies to everyone, not just Christians. God invites us to test Him in this and see how He will be faithful. Generosity is not just about money; it includes our time, talents, and resources. When we give freely, we reflect the heart of God and open ourselves up to His blessings. [01:27:58]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: In what area of your life can you practice generosity today? Consider how you can give of your time, talents, or resources to bless someone else.
Day 4: Sowing into Prayer and Relationships
It's crucial to sow into your prayer life and relationships. A significant harvest in your life requires investing time with the Lord in the secret place. When we prioritize our relationship with God through prayer, we align ourselves with His will and receive His guidance and strength. Additionally, investing in relationships with others helps us build a supportive community that reflects God's love. [01:30:24]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you deepen your prayer life today? Set aside a specific time to spend in prayer and ask God to help you invest in your relationship with Him and others.
Day 5: God's Provision and Our Response
God provides the seed for us to sow. Even if we don't have everything we need, God will provide. Our response should be to sow generously and trust God's principles. This sowing will lead to a harvest that blesses others and advances God's kingdom. When we trust in God's provision, we can give freely and joyfully, knowing that He will take care of our needs and multiply our efforts for His glory. [01:33:41]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one area where you need to trust God's provision more? How can you step out in faith and sow generously, believing that God will provide and multiply your efforts?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There's nothing like the church. There's nothing like the church. We are the hope of the world, right? And the church is not me. It's not this building. The church is you. It's us together. We are the local church. We are the church. And we are meeting different fellowships in the city. And it's just so amazing. And we are the hope of the world. There is no other hope. The only hope that the world has is to die. That's the only hope they have. It's going to finish and you die. But we have a different hope, right? Whenever we die, we still live in eternity." [01:09:17]
2. "Do you want more influence? Do you want to reach more people? Do you want your life to count, have meaning? Then start to become a sower. A sower. Like Jesus. Don't be stingy in your life. Don't live a selfish life, but live a life for other people. And then your world and their world get bigger and bigger. Like Catherine said before, I want to be blessed. To be a blessing." [01:16:18]
3. "Love is always generous. For God so loved the world that he gave Jesus. Love is always generous. And that's what we're doing here today in this year. I want to say something quickly though. That please also make sure you sow into your prayer life. I've seen the last year that my prayer life has completely changed. My whole life has changed as I sowed into my prayer life. You will not have a harvest in your life in any great measure if you don't sow into your time with the Lord in the secret place." [01:30:24]
4. "God loves a cheerful giver. God loves it when we act on his principles. He loves it because he made it for our blessing in this way. So are we going to use it? One of our kingdom values is love. Love is generous. Everybody say love is generous. Love is generous. That's why I love this so much." [01:29:52]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The power is in the multiplication, of multiplication, is in this seed. That's what I want you to get. It is in your back pocket. That's where the power of the multiplication lies. And everybody knows, particularly business people know, if you don't invest into anything, you won't get anything. There's people in this room, and they became quite wealthy, and how they did it, is to be faithful, stewarding the things that God gave them, and they buy something else, and they invest something else, and they invest something else, and it keeps on rolling there, and now they've got a beautiful portfolio." [01:26:21]
2. "Now I want to say something to you, because some of us don't even know, and I'm just learning now too, because it's not my paradigm, is that the harvest of our lives is actually in our own hands. We determine. Now God blesses you, sure. And there's multiplication and miracles, I get that. But the thing is though, this principle of sowing and reaping is something that the whole world can use. And they all do it. Not as Christians. It's a principle of God in nature, in the world. It's not a miracle. It's kind of like a miracle. I think it's a miracle when it goes in there and goes to the tree. It's kind of like a miracle. But it's not really a miracle." [01:27:58]
3. "There will be a multiplication through your life. Now, our mission statement, which was stated beforehand, is transforming the world with the good news of Jesus, right? Transforming people's lives. Every day, lives are being transformed. You saw the testimonies here before. And we've got some more testimonies in the second service. It's just amazing. And Jesus says the kingdom of God is like a seed. It's like a seed. And when it's sown, it yields much fruit." [01:12:23]
4. "We are called to serve other people and to sow ourselves into other people. Now, Catherine and I, we sow ourselves into this church. We sow ourselves into you guys, and we love it. We love it. We love to sow ourselves around the world. We have different things that we do in Holland and all over Indonesia, wherever. Wherever God sends us to, you know, we're going to sow, you know, the seed of the gospel. And so, we're very happy and very honored to be pastors of this church and to serve you." [01:14:43]
5. "God provides seed for the sower. And then he multiplies what we sow. And then as we, he multiplies it as we sow it, the Bible says. So God is the one who supplies the seed, our resources, income, whatever. And he supplies to us the principle. So the seed and the principle are his, given to us. Now we are stewards of this seed, and use the principle. And we stay with it. We sow it into the ground. Every farmer knows, if you buy a piece of land, you've got lots of these things, but you don't put it in the ground, nothing is going to happen, right?" [01:25:17]
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