Trusting God's Provision Through Generosity and Faith
Summary
In a sermon series titled "Who Cares," the speaker delves into the themes of generosity, trust in God's plan, and the church's role in addressing the spiritual needs of the world. The series begins with a reflection on the significant decline in church attendance over the past two decades, as detailed in the book "The Great Dechurching." The speaker suggests that one reason for this decline is the church's failure to answer the new questions of the faithful and to demonstrate generosity to the world. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus died for every human being and that the church must show that it possesses the truth that people need.
The sermon then transitions to the story of Elijah, who, following God's command, retreats to the Kirth Ravine and is miraculously provided for by ravens. This narrative serves as a backdrop for discussing the impact of sin, both personal and societal, and the importance of recognizing that our actions can affect others. The speaker also touches on the story of Elijah and the widow at Zarap, highlighting the widow's act of faith in providing for Elijah before herself and her son, which leads to a miraculous provision of food.
The speaker addresses the issue of people leaving the church, emphasizing the need for the church to reach out and invite them back by genuinely addressing their concerns. The speaker criticizes the accumulation of wealth in church bank accounts and advocates for using God's resources to help those in need. The speaker also discusses the importance of trusting in God's power and following His priorities, even when they may not make sense to us.
The sermon concludes with practical advice on budgeting and spending, urging the congregation to reflect on their needs versus wants and to prioritize according to God's will. The speaker uses the example of purchasing a car to illustrate how human math can sometimes fail us, but God's provision can change everything. The speaker encourages the congregation to trust in God's math and to live generously, reflecting the compassion of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- The decline in church attendance is partly due to the church's failure to answer new questions and demonstrate generosity. The church must embody the truth of Jesus' sacrifice for all humanity and show that no sin is greater than another, inviting a more inclusive and compassionate community. [00:33]
- Elijah's story teaches us that God's provision can come in unexpected ways, such as ravens delivering food. This reminds us that God's plans often defy our logic, and we must trust in His divine provision, even when it seems illogical or frightening. [15:56]
- The impact of sin is not isolated; it affects both the sinner and those around them. The drying up of the brook in Elijah's story due to Ahab's sin is a metaphor for how the consequences of sin can extend beyond the individual, calling for personal and communal repentance and awareness. [16:28]
- True worship involves prioritizing God's requests over our own needs, as demonstrated by the widow at Zarap. When we give to God first, we express our trust in His provision and acknowledge His sovereignty in our lives. This act of faith can lead to unexpected blessings and provision. [22:57]
- Generosity is not contingent on our financial success but on our willingness to trust God and care for others' needs. Christians are called to be generous and compassionate, reflecting Jesus to the world, and this generosity should extend beyond the church walls to society at large. [05:47]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Kings 17:1-16 - The story of Elijah being provided for by ravens and the widow at Zarephath.
2. James 2:14-17 - Faith and deeds, emphasizing the importance of acting on faith.
3. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 - The principles of sowing generously and trusting in God's provision.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Elijah being fed by ravens in 1 Kings 17:1-6? How did this demonstrate God's provision? [15:56]
2. How did the widow at Zarephath respond to Elijah's request for food, and what was the outcome of her obedience? [17:52]
3. According to the sermon, what are the two main reasons people are leaving the church, and what can the church do to address these issues? [03:00]
4. How does the story of Elijah and the widow illustrate the impact of sin on a community? [16:28]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does Elijah's story challenge our understanding of God's provision and timing? How can this story encourage us in times of need? [15:56]
2. How does the widow's act of giving her last meal to Elijah before feeding herself and her son demonstrate true worship and trust in God? [22:57]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the church's role in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of the community? How can this be practically implemented? [03:36]
4. How does the concept of "God's math" differ from human logic, and what are some examples from the sermon that illustrate this difference? [27:42]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's provision in an unexpected way. How did this experience strengthen your faith? [15:56]
2. The widow at Zarephath prioritized Elijah's needs over her own. How can you practice putting God's requests first in your daily life, even when it seems illogical? [22:57]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the church being generous to the world. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate generosity in your community this week? [05:47]
4. Consider the impact of sin on your life and those around you. How can you seek personal and communal repentance to mitigate these effects? [16:28]
5. The speaker mentioned the need for the church to address the new questions of the faithful. What are some questions you or others have that you feel the church should address more effectively? [03:00]
6. Reflect on your current budgeting and spending habits. How can you align them more closely with God's priorities and demonstrate trust in His provision? [24:06]
7. Think of someone who has left the church. How can you reach out to them in a way that addresses their concerns and invites them back into the community? [03:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Generosity as Witness
Generosity reflects the church's understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and truth. In a world where many are seeking answers and authenticity, the church's generosity stands as a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love. This generosity is not just financial but also includes the giving of time, attention, and care to those within and outside the church walls. [00:33]
Hebrews 13:16 - "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate generosity in a way that reflects the truth and sacrifice of Jesus in your community today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Unconventional Provision
God's provision often defies human logic, reminding believers to trust in His divine plans. The story of Elijah and the ravens illustrates that God can use unexpected means to provide for His people. This trust in God's provision encourages believers to look beyond their understanding and to rely on God's sovereignty and care. [15:56]
1 Kings 17:4-6 - "You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there. So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way? How might that experience encourage you to trust Him more fully now?
Day 3: Understanding Sin's Ripple Effect
Sin's consequences extend beyond the individual, affecting the community and the world. The drying up of the brook in Elijah's story is a metaphor for the far-reaching impact of sin. Recognizing this interconnectedness calls for personal repentance and a commitment to addressing the broader implications of sin in society. [16:28]
2 Samuel 12:9-10 - "Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own."
Reflection: How might your actions, even those unseen by others, have a wider impact on your community and the world?
Day 4: Prioritizing God's Requests in Worship
True worship involves putting God's desires before our own needs. The widow at Zarap exemplifies this by providing for Elijah before her own family, demonstrating her faith in God's provision. This act of prioritizing God's requests is a powerful form of worship that acknowledges His sovereignty and can lead to miraculous outcomes. [22:57]
1 Kings 17:13-14 - "Elijah said to her, 'Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’"
Reflection: What is one thing God is asking of you that requires you to put His desires before your own needs?
Day 5: Living Generously Beyond Circumstances
Generosity is a reflection of trust in God, not a result of financial abundance. Christians are called to live generously, caring for others as a reflection of Jesus' compassion. This generosity is an act of faith, showing trust in God's provision and a commitment to His priorities, regardless of personal circumstances. [05:47]
2 Corinthians 8:2-3 - "In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,"
Reflection: How can you practice generosity today, even if you feel that you have little to give?
Quotes
"The truth is the world needs to see us as generous and the world needs to see us coming to them with the answers that Jesus has. We need to go and we need to be generous." [05:47] (Download)
"I want you to trust God with what God gives you and then use it the way God wants you to use it because you know what, God's going to use you to show generosity to somebody that you go to; they may never come inside this church and that's okay." [06:57] (Download)
"The world needs to see us being more like the Jesus we claim to follow and we've got to learn how to do that. Generosity is called for, and I think it's not always easy for us in this culture." [07:31] (Download)
"What people need to see is the church actually being generous to the world around us. They need to believe we have the truth that they need." [01:10] (Download)
"By the way, the Bible does have an answer for them, and it's an answer that is not judgmental or punitive; it's a real answer because Jesus died on the cross for every human being on the planet." [02:20] (Download)
"Other people's sin will negatively affect you. Even the man of God is facing a moment where he's now got no water and the Ravens are going to stop bringing him food." [15:56] (Download)
"When God comes and he makes that request that makes no sense, and he asks you to put something in a priority position that makes no sense, but you know it's God, what are you going to do? Are you going to trust him?" [38:42] (Download)
"Let us trust your math because quite frankly, God, we'd rather live in your math than ours. Thank you for what you're doing and thank you for what you're going to do; we praise you in advance for the healing of a problem we did not know we have." [39:57] (Download)
"If a church has so much money in the bank that it doesn't even need to take up an offering in order to pay its bills, then the church is not doing the work that needs to be done in the culture around it." [04:40] (Download)
"Generosity isn't about the abundance of our resources, but the willingness of our hearts. Even in tough times, God calls us to give, not because it's easy, but because it's a testament to our trust in Him." [08:36] (Download)
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