Living Generously: The Power of Love in Action

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Generosity as Worship

Generosity is not merely a spontaneous act but a deliberate choice that reflects a heart aligned with God's purposes. It involves planning and preparing to give, even when it is not convenient. This intentionality transforms generosity into an act of worship and obedience, demonstrating a commitment to God's mission. By aligning our intentions with God's will, we can live a life that truly reflects His love and grace. [31:20]

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to plan and prepare for acts of generosity, making them a deliberate part of your worship?

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Day 2: Trusting God's Provision

Trusting in God's provision means believing that He will meet our needs as we give generously. This trust requires stepping out in faith, even when circumstances seem challenging. It is a testament to our reliance on God's promises and His ability to provide abundantly. By trusting in God, we can give freely and confidently, knowing that He is faithful to sustain us. [39:51]

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (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. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you take a step of faith this week to trust Him more fully?

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Day 3: The Eternal Impact of Generosity

Generosity has the power to create a lasting impact, particularly through the church, which is God's chosen instrument for change. Our giving supports the church's mission to reach the lost and transform lives, making an eternal difference in the world. By living generously, we contribute to a legacy that extends beyond our immediate surroundings and into eternity. [45:24]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: How can you use your resources—time, talents, and finances—to support the church's mission and make an eternal impact this week?

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Day 4: Aligning Passions with Christ's Mission

Our passions should align with what Christ is passionate about—eternal things rather than temporary, worldly pursuits. This alignment requires prioritizing our relationship with Jesus and His mission over materialistic desires. By focusing on what truly matters, we can live a life that reflects Christ's love and purpose. [55:14]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What worldly pursuits are distracting you from aligning your passions with Christ's mission? How can you refocus your priorities this week?

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Day 5: Love as the Foundation of a Life Well Lived

Love is the foundation of a life well-lived, motivating our generosity and guiding our actions. God's love for us compels us to love others and give sacrificially, just as He gave His Son for us. By making love central to our lives, we can honor God and impact others in meaningful ways. [43:04]

1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate God's love to someone in your life today through a specific act of generosity or kindness?

Sermon Summary

Welcome to everyone joining us today, whether you're here at the Smyrna Campus or connected online. As we conclude our series "Life Well Lived," we focus on the stewardship of life, emphasizing how love should be the driving force behind our actions. This series has been about living a life that reflects God's calling, so that when our time comes, those who speak of us can do so truthfully and with admiration. Today, we explore the theme "What's Love Got to Do With It?" and how love, as taught by God, should guide our lives.

We delve into 2 Corinthians 9, where Paul encourages the church in Corinth to support the Christians in Jerusalem who were suffering due to their faith. The Corinthians, living in a wealthy area, were called to be generous despite the materialism surrounding them. This message is relevant to us today, living in a culture of abundance. Paul outlines four essentials for a life well-lived: intention, trust, impact, and heart.

Intention is about planning to be generous, not just when it's convenient, but as a deliberate choice. Trust involves believing that God is able to provide for us as we give generously. Impact is about the difference our generosity makes in the world, particularly through the church, which is God's chosen instrument for change. Finally, heart is about aligning our passions with what Christ is passionate about—eternal things rather than temporary, worldly pursuits.

Generosity is not just about money; it's about giving our time, talents, and resources to further God's kingdom. It's about living a life that reflects God's love and grace, impacting others for eternity. As we live generously, we demonstrate our trust in God and our commitment to His mission. Let's strive to be a church known for its generosity and impact, both now and in the future.

Key Takeaways

1. lived. [55:14]
5. The Role of Love in a Life Well Lived: Love is the foundation of a life well-lived. It motivates our generosity and guides our actions. God's love for us compels us to love others and give sacrificially, just as He gave His Son for us. Love is central to living a life that honors God and impacts others.

** [55:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:33] - The Story of Two Brothers
[24:20] - Context of 2 Corinthians 9
[26:20] - Corinth and Materialism
[27:17] - Generosity and Love
[28:00] - The Greatest Commandments
[31:20] - Intention in Generosity
[32:18] - Motives Behind Generosity
[33:02] - Recognition vs. True Giving
[34:44] - Excuses for Not Giving
[36:34] - Trust in God's Provision
[39:03] - Principle of Sowing and Reaping
[39:51] - Faith and Trust in Giving
[41:53] - Biblical Perspective on Giving
[45:24] - Impact Through Generosity
[47:12] - Future Impact of the Church
[55:14] - Aligning Heart with Christ's Passion
[63:54] - Baptism and New Members
[71:20] - Closing Prayer and Announcements

Sermon Clips

"We are finishing up today a series we've been doing called Life Well Lived. And every November here at Lakeshore, we do an emphasis on the stewardship of life, the different areas of our life that we need to be good stewards of to be pleasing to God, to have really a life that is a well-lived life. That's going to have the impact that God wants us to have. We're going to accomplish the things that God wants us to accomplish while we're here with the time that we've got on the earth as we prepare for the rest of our lives in eternity with him." [00:19:12] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Now as I read this text to you. I'm going to lift out four statements about. How God has called us. In the middle even of that kind of culture. To live with generosity. That that's part of what's going. That's going to be a major part. Of a life well lived. Is that we learn to live as generous people." [00:26:22] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Remember when Jesus was asked. What are the greatest commandments. He said these two. Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Soul mind and strength. And another one. Equal to it in importance. Is love your neighbor. As yourself. So everything we do should be motivated. By God's love for us. And our desire. To love like God loves." [00:27:41] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"So I thought it necessary. He just said it wasn't necessary, but now he says, so I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had what? Promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given." [00:31:06] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Each of you should give what you've decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a what? A cheerful giver. We've talked about that here at Lakeshore. The word cheerful is where we get the English word hilarious from. He wants this to be a fun, joy-filled thing that we're doing in our lives, and God is able. Who's able?" [00:36:14] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you'll abound in every good work. Does that sound like being generous when to you? No, that sounds like being generous now, doesn't it? With wherever we are right now, we could be generous people, because we may not be able, but who is? God is able." [00:37:23] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The church exists to fulfill the mission of God. And it's about impact. So we just celebrated 50 years as a church, and you know what everybody has said in the community that I invited to come and be a part of this that aren't always necessarily part of our church? Every one of them said, I can't be there or something like that if they couldn't be here. But I want to thank you and your church for all that you do in this community." [00:45:00] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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