Trusting God's Generosity and Sharing His Love
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of trust in God and the power of His generosity. I highlighted how God not only provides for our daily needs but also gives us space to rest, teaching us to trust in Him for our worth, identity, and purpose. I also discussed the story of The Last Supper, where Jesus, despite knowing that his disciples would betray him, still shared his body and blood with them. This act of generosity is a reminder that none of us should feel unworthy of God's love and mercy. I encouraged the congregation to be generous, to share God's love with others, and to be thankful for the blessings in their lives. I also stressed that everything we have is a gift from God, and recognizing this can shape our story and make us more generous.
Key takeaways:
- Trust in God for our worth, identity, and purpose, and find rest in Him. [ 39:00]
- Jesus' act of generosity at The Last Supper is a reminder of God's love and mercy for us, regardless of our unworthiness. [ 41:01]
- Recognizing everything we have as a gift from God can shape our story and make us more generous. [ 43:42]
- We should be thankful for the blessings in our lives and share God's love with others. [ 44:53]
- The story of The Last Supper is a powerful example of God's generosity. [ 31:47]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 22:1-23 #!!30:40!!#
2. Exodus 16:1-36 #!!39:00!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key events that take place in Luke 22:1-23?
2. How does Exodus 16:1-36 describe God's provision for the Israelites in the wilderness?
3. What is the significance of the Passover meal that Jesus shares with his disciples?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Passover meal in Luke 22 symbolize Jesus' sacrifice?
2. What does the manna from heaven in Exodus 16 reveal about God's character and His relationship with His people?
3. How does Jesus' willingness to share the Passover meal with his disciples, including Judas, reflect the nature of God's generosity?
Application Questions:
1. How can you practice daily gratitude as a way to recognize God's generosity in your life?
2. In what ways can you extend God's generosity to others, even when it's difficult or when you feel betrayed?
3. How can you trust in God's provision and rest in Him, even in times of uncertainty or wilderness in your life?
4. How can you invite others into the experience of God's generosity, just as Jesus invited his disciples to partake in the Passover meal?
5. Can you think of a time when you felt unworthy of God's generosity? How does understanding Jesus' act of sharing the Passover meal with his disciples, including Judas, change your perspective?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Generosity
God's generosity is abundant and ever-present in our lives, even when we fail to recognize it. We are called to not only acknowledge these blessings but to let them shape our daily lives and interactions. This act of recognizing God's generosity can transform our attitudes, our relationships, and our overall outlook on life ([44:17]).
Psalm 145:16 - "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."
Reflection: What are three things you are thankful for today? How do these blessings reflect God's generosity in your life?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Provision
God provides for our needs, even in times of wilderness and uncertainty. This provision is not just about our physical needs but also our need for rest and peace. Trusting in God's provision allows us to be generous with what we have, knowing that what we have is enough ([39:00]).
Exodus 16:15 - "When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, 'It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.'"
Reflection: How have you experienced God's provision in your life recently? How can you extend this generosity to others?
Day 3: Experiencing God's Mercy
Even in the face of betrayal and abandonment, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of generosity by giving of Himself. This act of mercy is a reminder that none of us are unworthy of God's love and forgiveness ([40:18]).
Luke 22:19-20 - "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Reflection: How have you experienced God's mercy in your life? How can you extend this mercy to others?
Day 4: Recognizing God's Gifts
God's gifts are all around us, even when we fail to recognize them. These gifts are not just material but also include our relationships, opportunities, and experiences. Recognizing these gifts can shape our story and transform our daily lives ([42:16]).
James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Reflection: What are some gifts from God that you have overlooked or taken for granted? How can you better recognize and appreciate these gifts?
Day 5: Sharing God's Generosity
As recipients of God's generosity, we are called to share this generosity with others. This act of sharing is not just about material possessions but also includes our time, our talents, and our love. Sharing God's generosity can shape our story and impact the lives of those around us ([43:42]).
2 Corinthians 9:11 - "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
Reflection: How can you share God's generosity with others this week? What impact could this have on your life and the lives of those around you?
Quotes
1. "We open our building up for things like Camp Jam, Camp Living Word, the pet blessing, the gospel concert, Trunk or Treat, all these opportunities to invite others into God's generosity that we experience. You're going to be receiving a letter this week talking about other things that we think God is asking us to focus on as well so we can extend a wider welcome." - 44:15
2. "Not only was God going to provide what they need for that day but God was going to give them space to rest. That they could even in the wilderness, they could trust in God so much that they could rest in God. So they could be quiet in God. I know that's a lesson I'm still learning, that I can trust God enough that I just don't have to surround myself with my own busyness." - 38:25
3. "In the wilderness, they had to unlearn that they don't need to be dependent anymore on their oppressors. They don't have to be shaped by that story that they were oppressed and that's the only way that they're provided for. In the wilderness, they had to unlearn that and then they had to learn to open up and trust God." - 35:29
4. "This table is for you and for all. It's not just for us, it's for all people. People have told me when they were joining this congregation when they were first here and they heard what we say at the time of Holy Communion that this is not our table, this is God's table and All God's Children Are welcome here." - 41:23
5. "God has created everything. God has created all that we have, our relationships, our opportunity to go to school and work, God has created the food that we eat. God has created everything. We may be tempted that we did it, we deserve it, but God has created everything. Everything is an opportunity for us to give thanks and when we realize that maybe at the beginning of the day, well that shapes our story for the day." - 41:23
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