United in Mission: The Heart of Generosity
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and experience the presence of God, believing that He is actively working miracles and touching lives. We emphasized the importance of unity and fellowship within the body of Christ, recognizing that we are better together. Our focus was on the grace of giving, inspired by Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians 8 about the Macedonian church, which gave generously despite their trials. This act of giving is not about the amount but the heart behind it, and true generosity begins beyond the tithe.
We also discussed the mission of the church, which is to reach the lost and bring them into a relationship with God. Jesus' ministry was centered on seeking and saving the lost, and He calls us to partner with Him in this mission. The parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 illustrates God's relentless pursuit of every individual soul. We are challenged to adopt a mission mentality rather than a marina mentality, focusing on rescuing those who are spiritually drowning rather than being complacent in our comfort.
The story of Todd, a young man who found Jesus through persistent witnessing, serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we share the gospel. We are called to be a rescue society, not a yacht club, always ready to throw the life-saving ring of the gospel to those in need. Our mission is to glorify Christ and reach the lost, and we must take personal responsibility for this calling.
As we prepare for Celebrate New London, we are reminded that our efforts are about the rescue, about bringing hope and salvation to our community. We are committed to being a church that is on mission together, united in our purpose to see lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Unity in Worship: Gathering together as believers in unity amplifies our worship and invites the presence of God to move powerfully among us. When we join our faith and hearts, we create an atmosphere where miracles can happen, and lives can be transformed. Unity is not just a concept but a powerful force that brings about spiritual breakthroughs. [25:24]
2. Generosity Beyond the Tithe: True generosity begins beyond the tithe. The Macedonian church, despite their poverty, gave sacrificially and joyfully. This teaches us that God values the heart behind our giving more than the amount. Generosity is a reflection of our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His work. [28:42]
3. Mission Over Comfort: We must choose to have a mission mentality rather than a marina mentality. Our focus should be on rescuing those who are spiritually lost rather than being comfortable in our own spiritual lives. The story of the lost sheep reminds us that God pursues every individual, and we are called to do the same. [56:52]
4. Personal Responsibility in Evangelism: Each of us has a role in the Great Commission. We cannot wait for others to share the gospel; we must take personal responsibility to reach out to those around us. The story of Todd illustrates the power of persistent witnessing and the transformative impact of the gospel. [01:24:04]
5. The Heart of the Gospel: Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and this must be the heartbeat of our mission. Our church should be a rescue society, always ready to throw the life-saving ring of the gospel to those in need. We are called to be active participants in God's mission, bringing hope and salvation to our community. [01:30:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:24] - Unity in Worship
[26:25] - Tithes and Offerings
[26:55] - The Grace of Giving
[28:42] - The Macedonian Example
[30:24] - Seed Time and Harvest
[32:42] - God's Provision
[34:04] - Focus on Jesus
[35:15] - Celebrate New London
[52:37] - The Mission of the Church
[54:56] - Better Together
[56:52] - On Mission Together
[01:00:02] - Jesus' Heart for the Lost
[01:24:04] - The Story of Todd
[01:30:29] - Rescued People Rescue People
[01:38:21] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 - "And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 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, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us."
2. Luke 15:1-7 - "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.'"
3. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the financial situation of the Macedonian church, and how did they respond to Paul's call for generosity? (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
2. In the parable of the lost sheep, what actions does the shepherd take when he realizes one sheep is missing? (Luke 15:1-7)
3. What is the Great Commission that Jesus gives to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20?
4. According to the sermon, what mentality should the church adopt to fulfill its mission? [01:14:23]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the example of the Macedonian church challenge our understanding of generosity and giving? (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
2. What does the parable of the lost sheep reveal about God's priorities and His heart for the lost? (Luke 15:1-7)
3. How can the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 be practically applied in our daily lives?
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a "mission mentality" over a "marina mentality." What are the key differences between these two mindsets? [01:14:23]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own giving habits. How can you move beyond the tithe to practice true generosity as exemplified by the Macedonian church? [28:42]
2. Think of someone in your life who is spiritually lost. What specific steps can you take this week to reach out to them, inspired by the parable of the lost sheep? [01:05:36]
3. How can you personally contribute to the mission of the church to seek and save the lost, as Jesus did? [01:00:02]
4. The sermon mentioned the story of Todd, who found Jesus through persistent witnessing. Who is someone you can persistently witness to, and what will be your first step? [01:24:04]
5. Evaluate your current mindset: Are you more focused on your own comfort (marina mentality) or on rescuing the lost (mission mentality)? What changes can you make to shift towards a mission mentality? [01:14:23]
6. How can you actively participate in the upcoming Celebrate New London event to help bring hope and salvation to the community? [01:28:11]
7. Identify one specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus and His mission. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? [34:04]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Unity in Worship
When believers gather in unity, their collective faith and hearts create an atmosphere where God's presence can move powerfully. This unity amplifies worship, inviting miracles and transforming lives. Unity is not just a concept but a powerful force that brings about spiritual breakthroughs. When we join together, we are better equipped to experience and witness the miraculous work of God in our midst. [25:24]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced a powerful moment of worship in a group setting. How did the unity of the group contribute to that experience, and how can you foster such unity in your current faith community?
Day 2: Generosity Beyond the Tithe
True generosity begins beyond the tithe. The Macedonian church, despite their poverty, gave sacrificially and joyfully, teaching us that God values the heart behind our giving more than the amount. Generosity is a reflection of our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His work. It is an act of faith that goes beyond mere obligation, demonstrating our willingness to support God's mission even in challenging times. [28:42]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (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."
Reflection: Reflect on your current approach to giving. Are you giving out of obligation or joy? How can you shift your mindset to embrace a heart of true generosity that trusts in God's provision?
Day 3: Mission Over Comfort
We must choose to have a mission mentality rather than a marina mentality. Our focus should be on rescuing those who are spiritually lost rather than being comfortable in our own spiritual lives. The story of the lost sheep reminds us that God pursues every individual, and we are called to do the same. This means stepping out of our comfort zones and actively seeking to bring others into a relationship with God. [56:52]
Luke 19:10 (ESV): "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you have chosen comfort over mission. What steps can you take this week to prioritize reaching out to someone who is spiritually lost?
Day 4: Personal Responsibility in Evangelism
Each of us has a role in the Great Commission. We cannot wait for others to share the gospel; we must take personal responsibility to reach out to those around us. The story of Todd illustrates the power of persistent witnessing and the transformative impact of the gospel. We are called to be active participants in sharing the good news, understanding that our efforts can lead to life-changing encounters with Jesus. [01:24:04]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you intentionally and persistently share the gospel with them this week, while showing gentleness and respect?
Day 5: The Heart of the Gospel
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and this must be the heartbeat of our mission. Our church should be a rescue society, always ready to throw the life-saving ring of the gospel to those in need. We are called to be active participants in God's mission, bringing hope and salvation to our community. This requires a commitment to living out the gospel in our daily lives and being ready to respond to the needs of those around us. [01:30:29]
Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV): "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Reflection: How can you embody the heart of the gospel in your daily interactions? What practical steps can you take to be a "laborer" in God's harvest field this week?
Quotes
1. "I believe that his presence is here now as we worship. Worship him. He's here. The spirit of the Lord is here. And he's touching people's hearts. He's touching people's lives. He's doing miracles in lives right now in Jesus' name. Lord, we worship you. Alleluia. Thank you for this opportunity that we have to worship you in this place today. I thank you for every man, woman, boy, and girl, Lord, come here through these doors today. Lord, and my prayer is that every... Every single one of them would have an encounter with you." [25:24] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Giving is an important part of our discipleship. It's an important part of our growth. As believers. Developing a heart of generosity. And he talks here in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 about this Macedonian church. Who in their great trials that they were going through. They stepped forth in great generosity. You know, their generosity may not have looked like somebody else's generosity. You know, God's not going by dollar amounts. I believe that God works by ratios. And I believe, like, when the widow gave the two mites, she gave all that she had." [27:56] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know what? We're going to give. We're going to use this as an opportunity to bless somebody else. You know the Bible teaches us that what we do for others, God will do for us. So they said, they understood the principle that Paul taught here of seed time and harvest. So in their poverty, in their struggle. They gave sacrificially to bless somebody else. Because what you do for others, God will do for you. It's the principle of seed time. It's the principle of seed time and harvest." [30:24] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I always say this, this church isn't right now where it's going. This church isn't right now where it's going. God has a plan. God has a purpose for us. To be a lighthouse and an oasis of God's spirit in this community. I'm believing for the day when we are baptizing people every single Sunday and just like the book of Acts says that daily people are being added to the church and we just, you know, we feel honored to be able to partner with, with evangelist Nathan, what he is doing his heart to reach the lost in, you know, in the people here who are going to be involved in connecting people into the body of Christ." [53:24] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "A united church is a powerful church. Let me say that again. A united church is a powerful church. In the book of Acts, it says that they were, they came together in one accord and we see that unity in the body of Christ in the book of Acts in the first century. And we saw, and we see how the power of God flowed so powerfully in the communities and in the regions and how the gospel of Jesus Christ spread like wildfire. Every time they would preach the gospel, they were persecuted. They'd, they'd leave that place and go somewhere else and it would spread again. I always say this, that persecution is jet fuel for church." [55:56] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost. Every single day that Jesus walked on this earth, his heartbeat was beating. For souls, every single day that he woke up, he was doing about the father's business. And his heart was beating for the salvation of mankind. Every single day he woke up with the mission of God and his purpose for his life. That was on his mind. That was his mission. That's what he breathed for. He came to seek and to save those who are lost. The Bible says that he was manifest for this one reason, to destroy the works of the enemy." [01:00:02] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You see, God sees people in groups, and he sees people as individuals. And he's concerned about every single soul. The Bible says that he's not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. And that word all literally means all. And that's his will. That's his desire. That's the potential of humanity. And just because it's his will doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen. This is the potential. God's will is the potential for humanity. But he goes after that one, just like Gabby." [01:06:42] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Are we going to have marina mentality or mission mentality? We've got to make a decision. Which way are we going to go? Is it going to be about us or is it going to be about them? Is it going to be about the rescue or is it going to be about my preferences? Is it going to be about... So what we've got going on here, which is important, but what's more important is that there are people outside these walls, outside this church, in these streets, in this city, in this region, who are far from God and are lost and they're sinking and they're drowning and they need rescuing." [01:14:23] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Rescued people rescue people. Let me say that again. Rescued people rescue people. I want to ask you this question. Who's drowning in your life? Who needs to hear the message of hope? Our job is to throw that rescue ring, that life-saving ring, and pull on that rope and draw them in. Pull on that rope so that we can see this place full. else can have all the experienced church members coming from other churches. I want us to have new believers. I want room for new believers. Hey, if somebody needs a new church, we're going to welcome them in. We're going to love them." [01:30:29] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I believe that our life needs to revolve around that one thing. is the command that Jesus gave us when he went to heaven. He didn't say, go succeed at your job. He didn't say, go make lots of money. He didn't say, go do this and go do that. He said, go into all the world and preach the gospel. Your world, you know, what this merely means is, go as you are going. As you are going to the grocery store, share the gospel. As you are going to pick your kid up from school or as you are going to your family member's house, as you are going, taking a walk through your neighborhood, share the gospel." [01:27:32] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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