Embracing Greater Works Through Generosity and Purpose

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that there are greater works on this side of the cross. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we step into a life filled with divine promises and opportunities. This revelation encourages us to embrace the abundant life that God has prepared for us, moving beyond the initial experience of salvation to a life of purpose and impact. We are reminded that our journey with Christ is not just about personal salvation but about stepping into a life of greater works and blessings.

We also took a moment to reflect on the power of generosity. As a community, we are called to be a blessing to others, reflecting God's character through our actions. The story of Shannon Ruff, a faithful member of our church who recently underwent a kidney transplant, served as a powerful example of how we can come together to support one another in times of need. This act of generosity is not just about financial support but about embodying the love and compassion of Christ in tangible ways.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of developing a generous heart. A generous heart leads to spiritual growth, joy, and fulfillment. It allows us to impact the lives of others and experience the refreshing presence of God in our own lives. We are encouraged to move beyond self-centeredness and embrace a lifestyle of giving, knowing that as we refresh others, we too will be refreshed.

As we embark on our new series, "Blessed to be a Blessing," we are reminded that our blessings are not just for our own benefit but are meant to be shared with others. We are called to be stewards of God's resources, using them to make a difference in the world around us. Let us commit to being a church known for its love, generosity, and impact in our community.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **Greater Works Await Us:** Embracing the life beyond the cross means stepping into a realm of greater works and blessings. Our salvation is just the beginning; God has prepared a life of purpose and impact for us. We are called to live out the abundant life that Jesus promised, moving beyond personal salvation to a life of divine purpose. [11:03]

2. **The Power of Generosity:** Generosity is a reflection of God's character and a powerful way to impact the lives of others. By supporting those in need, like Shannon Ruff, we embody the love and compassion of Christ. Generosity is not just about financial giving but about being a vessel of God's love and provision. [17:35]

3. **Developing a Generous Heart:** A generous heart leads to spiritual growth and fulfillment. It allows us to experience the refreshing presence of God and impact the lives of others. By moving beyond self-centeredness, we open ourselves to the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving. [55:24]

4. **Joy in Giving:** True joy and fulfillment come from being a blessing to others. When we give without expecting anything in return, we experience a deep sense of joy and accomplishment. Generosity enriches our lives and connects us with others in meaningful ways. [01:04:54]

5. **Inspiring Generosity:** Our acts of generosity inspire others to give. When we give generously, we create a ripple effect that multiplies and impacts the lives of many. Let us be a church known for its love, generosity, and impact in our community. [01:26:06]

**Youtube Chapters:**

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:03] - Greater Works on This Side of the Cross
[17:35] - Supporting Shannon Ruff
[39:22] - Prayer for Overflow
[41:25] - Honoring Vessels in the House
[48:16] - Blessed to Be a Blessing Series
[55:24] - Dangers of Not Being Generous
[59:40] - Impact of Generosity
[01:04:54] - Joy and Fulfillment in Giving
[01:07:29] - Purposeful Giving
[01:12:06] - Dealing with Debt
[01:14:21] - Financial Stewardship
[01:18:28] - God's Principles of Order
[01:23:50] - Developing a Generous Heart
[01:26:06] - Inspiring Generosity
[01:27:03] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
1. Genesis 12:1-3
2. Galatians 3:10-14
3. Proverbs 11:25

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**Observation Questions:**

1. What does Genesis 12:1-3 reveal about God's promise to Abraham and how it relates to being a blessing to others?
2. In Galatians 3:10-14, how does Paul explain the transition from the law to faith in Christ, and what does this mean for believers today?
3. According to Proverbs 11:25, what is the relationship between generosity and personal prosperity?
4. How did the story of Shannon Ruff illustrate the power of community support and generosity in the sermon? [17:35]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

1. How does the promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 connect to the idea of being "blessed to be a blessing" in the sermon? [48:16]
2. What does it mean to live in the "I am" blessing as described in the sermon, and how does this relate to the promises in Galatians 3:10-14? [55:24]
3. How can the principle of generosity in Proverbs 11:25 be applied to modern-day financial stewardship and community support? [01:04:54]
4. In what ways did the sermon suggest that generosity can lead to spiritual growth and fulfillment? [01:23:50]

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**Application Questions:**

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the "greater works" mentioned in the sermon. How did this impact your faith journey, and how can you seek out more opportunities for such works? [11:03]
2. Consider the story of Shannon Ruff. How can you personally contribute to supporting someone in need within your community this week? [17:35]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of developing a generous heart. What practical steps can you take to cultivate generosity in your daily life? [55:24]
4. How can you move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, as encouraged in the sermon, and what changes might this require in your financial habits? [01:04:54]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you can be a blessing to others. What actions will you take this week to make a positive impact in that area? [01:26:06]
6. Reflect on the concept of "joy in giving" from the sermon. How can you incorporate joyful giving into your routine, and what effect do you anticipate this will have on your spiritual life? [01:04:54]
7. The sermon mentioned the ripple effect of generosity. How can your acts of kindness inspire others in your community to give and serve? [01:26:06]

Day 1: Embracing a Life of Greater Works
Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are invited into a life filled with divine promises and opportunities. This is not just about personal salvation but about stepping into a realm of greater works and blessings. God has prepared a life of purpose and impact for us, and our journey with Christ is meant to be abundant and transformative. We are called to live out the abundant life that Jesus promised, moving beyond the initial experience of salvation to a life of divine purpose. This means actively seeking ways to serve others, using our unique gifts and talents to make a difference in the world. [11:03]

John 14:12-13 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to move beyond personal salvation and embrace a life of greater works and blessings?


Day 2: Reflecting God's Character Through Generosity
Generosity is a powerful reflection of God's character and a way to impact the lives of others. It goes beyond financial giving and involves embodying the love and compassion of Christ in tangible ways. By supporting those in need, like Shannon Ruff, we become vessels of God's love and provision. Generosity is about being a blessing to others, and it creates a ripple effect that multiplies and impacts many lives. As a community, we are called to be a blessing to others, reflecting God's character through our actions. [17:35]

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

Reflection: Who in your life can you support this week, not just financially, but through acts of love and compassion that reflect God's character?


Day 3: Cultivating a Generous Heart
A generous heart leads to spiritual growth, joy, and fulfillment. It allows us to experience the refreshing presence of God and impact the lives of others. By moving beyond self-centeredness, we open ourselves to the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving. Developing a generous heart is about embracing a lifestyle of giving, knowing that as we refresh others, we too will be refreshed. This spiritual growth is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of those around us, as we become conduits of God's love and grace. [55:24]

Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a generous heart today, and how might this impact your spiritual growth and the lives of those around you?


Day 4: Finding Joy in Giving
True joy and fulfillment come from being a blessing to others. When we give without expecting anything in return, we experience a deep sense of joy and accomplishment. Generosity enriches our lives and connects us with others in meaningful ways. It is through giving that we find true joy, as we align our actions with God's purpose for our lives. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated fulfillment that comes from knowing we are making a difference in the world. [01:04:54]

Acts 20:35 (ESV): "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Reflection: What is one way you can give selflessly this week, and how do you anticipate this act of giving will bring joy and fulfillment to your life?


Day 5: Inspiring Others Through Generosity
Our acts of generosity inspire others to give. When we give generously, we create a ripple effect that multiplies and impacts the lives of many. As a church, we are called to be known for our love, generosity, and impact in our community. By being stewards of God's resources, we can make a difference in the world around us. This inspiration is not just about encouraging others to give but about creating a culture of generosity that transforms lives and communities. [01:26:06]

Hebrews 10:24 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."

Reflection: How can your acts of generosity inspire others in your community to give, and what steps can you take to create a culture of generosity around you?

Let's go real fast. Somebody shout, "There's greater works on this side of the cross." Can we sing that? I don't think we'll be done with that song yet.

Now, some of y'all don't know, we wrote that song last year. And a part, I don't want you to miss the part of "there's greater works on this side of the cross." Because oftentimes we get people saved; we got to come to the cross to get saved. But once you get to the cross and you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, there are some benefits on the other side of the cross.

And so when you get the revelation that's talking about "there's greater works on this side of the cross," there's so much more on this side of the cross that you're missing out on. Come on, somebody. You've been missing out a lot in 2024. But I prophesy right now, in 2025, there's greater works. There's so much more for you on this side of the cross. Come on, somebody. Can we go back into that? There's greater works.

Just real fast here. Do we got that picture? For those who don't know, a couple of our ministers, Shannon Ruff, just recently had a... kidney transplant. She's now in Atlanta. We'll probably be there for a few weeks as she recovers. And she's there with her husband now.

I'm doing something we normally don't do here at Hope City Church, at least not this way. But I mentioned to Pastor Carnell in the office, you know, it's our generosity series. This may be a perfect time just to do something that's off script, out of the... And do we got that picture? Am I actually going to put a picture up for those who may not know Shannon?

But Shannon, she serves in our prayer department here, leads prayer. She works the altar. She's a minister here. Her husband, Ruff. Yeah. And she just recently had that transplant. Been praying for this for months and months right now. And it finally has happened. Praise God.

Yeah. And I just got a crazy radical request while she's there. Her husband's going back and forth, trying to take care of the household for the next two months. I just got a radical, crazy act. It's not for everybody. But I just think that if 20 or 30 individuals here in this service just feel led, I'm asking if 20 or 30 of us could commit to over the next week or two. You may can't do it today, but maybe you could do it next Sunday.

I said, "Hey, I want to just give a special offering towards her family." And what I feel like God has said, and for me, that I'm asking for the 20 or the 30 individuals to say, "Hey, you know, I want to do it as well." And we can just commit to whoever the 20 or 30 say, "Hey, PC, I want to do it with you." Commit to giving $100 between now and next week.

And it may be a stretch for you, but I want it to be a stretch. I want this to be a sacrificial offering that we're making for one of our faithful sisters here who have been faithful for almost 10 years now here at Hope City Church.

And as crazy as this may sound, and again, we're here long enough at Hope City that we don't do stuff like this this way when it comes to offering. But I'm going to ask, if you're in here and you feel like you're one of the ones, if you don't mind standing, I would appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you.

And I'm going to do it again in the second service as well. And I don't want to just overwhelm her family with this gift. And I don't know how we'll receive it, but I'll give you an answer. It's about time I get done preaching. But thank you for standing with me on this here. This would really make a huge blessing in her life. Amen. Thank you.

I want to run over. Oh God. Oh God. Father, we thank you for this moment, this opportunity. God, I ask that you would fill everyone in this place today, God. Every dry place that needs to be filled. God, whether they're on a mountain high or a valley low. Fill us up, Lord. Fill us up till we overflow, God.

Whether we need joy, we need peace, patience, long suffering, forgiveness, healing, whatever the specificity of these, what these people need today, God, our request is that you fill us up until we overflow. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen, amen, and amen. Let's give God one more hand clap of praise. Amen, amen, amen.

And before you take your seat, just love on about two or three people and let them know you're glad to see them on today. Thank you, Lord. Amen, amen, amen.

I want to just read a scripture here real fast, and I just want to go back to one announcement that was made on today. But the scripture says in 2 Timothy 2, verses number 19, it says, "And this is what I want to focus on right here."

It says, "And that scripture came to me for the purpose of just thinking about just over the past few weeks, just the season in general, but specifically the past few weeks, that just how we as a church, as a team, been really, there's vessels in this house that is gold and silver that's not known, that's not even seen yet. And God's going to do some great things in you and through you."

I believe Hope City Church is a house of honor. I see people like Pastor Chris, who did the opening today. I heard he did a second service on last Sunday, right? The second service and that he did an amazing job. And then I heard Pastor Monroe was a third service, awesome service for that one as well. And the same thing for the eight o'clock service.

They're just vessels that's in this house that I believe that God is working in, working through to do something great in this great house. And so I'm honored, blessed to be a part of a great house in Hope City. This is a great house.

We're getting ready to launch a second campus here in January. Excited about that. Excited about Pastor David and lead the Rams of that over there. Y'all, he can preach real good. Can you? That boy can preach. That's, I love it.

But we just got to give some insight for those who knew. Initially, we thought we were going to be going to New Hampstead High School. And we started the process on that. The principal approved us, basically everyone approved us until the last minute on the school board came out and they put their voice on it and they said they were not going to allow us to be in the school or no church for that matter.

And guess the reason why? Because of a bad experience that the school had with another church prior to that. And here's the sad part of that: that's not the first time I've ever heard that. When we first came to Savannah almost 10 years ago, there were venues that would not allow a church to use it because of a bad experience of what the church did.

I mean, isn't that the worst case scenario? That they won't allow a church in because the church didn't do right by various things? And so we started the process and found the new location. They are right in Pooler, which technically, even all things truly work together. That space actually is the perfect spot for us right off of 95 going into Pooler.

And the interesting thing about that is when that space will literally cost like $2,500 a week just to rent out that space each week. And the manager, the new owners of it, they like us so much. The man said, "I'm gonna charge y'all $600 a week for that." Come on, $600 for that.

And I'm like, "OMG." And you come on, right? Did you say "Shondo"? Come on, somebody. "Shondo." Glory, glory to God. Come on, give God a praise right there. Amen. Yes.

And so, but the story to me gets even better than that. And so, of course, at the school, at movie theaters and things like that, you know, you're not going to be able to, you only have that space for that time you're there that Sunday morning, three or four hours. That's how we started the first Hope City Church here 10 years ago in a movie theater, Regal, Sunday morning, a few hours.

And so turns out when I made a post about the new spot on Facebook last week, someone saw it and they inboxed me and said, "Man, that family is buying up all the property in Savannah." So what she meant was she said in the statement to me, she said, "They also purchased the Regal Theater."

And she said, "They also purchased the Regal Theater." And she said, "They also purchased the Regal Theater." And I'm like, "What? What Regal Theater?" And then it turns out it's the Regal Theater that we had church in 10 years ago. Yes, yes.

So I'm like, "Oh man." So I said, "I cannot wait to see the owner." So we get to the building Tuesday and we had our staff meeting there Tuesday. But back up some here. Not only do we get to use the space for Sunday morning service-wise, the man pretty much said to us if we want to have meetings there to prepare for the launch, we could use any space in the building free of charge.

Come on, somebody. Had the first staff meeting there free of charge on Tuesday. Come on, somebody. So we're in there during the meeting and the owner comes in checking it out. "Good, oh, we're good, thank you." And I said, "Hey, let me ask you a question real fast. I got a message on last week that you guys also purchased the venue. It was a place called the venue you got just purchased that and also the Regal Theater."

He said, "Yes, we purchased the Regal Theater and we're going to turn that into a big conference place with five big rooms." I said, "That was the theater I was telling you about that we had church in 10 years ago." The man stopped by like, "Oh, come on, somebody." You can't tell me that's not by accident.

The steps of a good man, good woman are ordered by the Lord. And I really believe that God is $600. Come on, somebody. Are y'all playing with me? If you understand what property costs to rent today, you'll be... And so I'm like, "Okay, now how can we lock this in and make sure you don't change your mind?"

And so normally, of course, you know with hotels and things like that, it's like week to week. This man literally went in. He said, "I can't do a whole month. I gotta do them each one by one." I think, "Well, can we commit to make sure for the next six months?"

It's out for sure that man is going to be a big man and he's going to be a big man a week later. All I saw was the inbox in my email. He blocked off every week up until June and he said, "Before anybody else wants to get it, I'm going to come back to you and ask you if y'all want it for the next six." Come on, somebody.

So, just had to share that story on today. God is good. How do old folks say? God is good? And all the time? God is good. Amen.

Okay, let me get my composure back together here. I don't even know what I'm preaching today. Amen. Am I preaching? Yes, I am preaching. Okay. Okay, I'm kicking off a new series today talking about "Blessed to Be a Blessing." If you've been here long enough, you know that we always end our year off going into a series on giving and generosity.

You've been a part of Hope City Church for a short period of time, or you're a first-time guest today. We don't preach sermons week in and week out on money or in giving. We just designate it every end of the year during a full four-week teaching on giving and so on and things like that.

At the end of our service today, well, actually, y'all changed it. We do the giving in the middle of service now. I was gone for two weeks, and y'all changed the offering I see here. Actually, they didn't. I approved that.

So, now the offering is in the middle, but first-time guests feel no obligation to give in our services. These services are our gift to you. Feel no pressure, but for those who call Hope City Church home, we feel an obligation to teach what the Bible says when it comes to giving.

So, today, I'm kicking off the series, "Blessed to Be a Blessing," Part 1. We're going to talk about the generous heart. And, of course, we do our legacy offering on December the 8th. We do a once-a-year special offering, only once here at Hope City Church, a special offering, doing that at the end of the year on December the 8th.

We ask everybody to start praying right now. What would be your overflow legacy offering that you'll be giving on that day? And we'll receive that offering as a family. You should receive an email in the next week or so about the details of what all your generosity has done this year so far and how you can make a difference as we close out this year.

Look what it says here in Genesis chapter 12, beginning in verse number 1. It said, "Now, I'm going to read that again, but I'm going to read it here in just a moment in light of you reading in Galatians chapter 3, verses 10, because some of you are saying, 'Well, what does that verse have to do with me in 2024?'"

Now, in light of what you just read in Genesis, look what happened in Galatians chapter 3, verses 10. It says, "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse as it is written. Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law. Clearly, no one who relies on the law is justified before God. It says here, 'Because the righteous will live by faith.' It says the law is not based on faith. On the contrary, it says the person who does these things will live by them."

Now, watch this right here in verse number 13. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'" This version says a poem. He redeemed us.

Now, don't miss this here. In light of what I just read to you in Genesis, how God said to Abraham, "I'm going to bless you, and you're going to be a blessing." It says, "He, Christ, redeemed us in order that the blessings of the Lord be with us." He redeemed us in order that the blessings of the Lord be with us.

The blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. So every promise that was made to Abraham, that was a promise made to us as well, but we only get that promise by what Jesus Christ did on the tree.

And this is the reason why he had to die. He died a sinner's death. He did no wrong. He did no sin, but he hung on the tree so that the promise of the Holy Spirit, all the promises made to Abraham would be made available to the Gentiles.

And what that means, anybody who was not a part of the common home or the household of faith so far as the Israelites were concerned, those were the people that God was using in that moment, in that space to bring Jesus Christ on the scene. And everybody outside of their blood was considered Gentiles.

So when Jesus died on the cross, the scripture says, "Whosoever will, let them come," every nation, every tribe, this Gentiles here so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham hundreds of years earlier might come to the Gentiles through Christ.

Any man being Christ, he's a new creation. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new. So in light of hearing what the New Testament just said, I'm going to go back and read Genesis chapter 12, verse 1.

The Lord said to Abraham, "Go from your country, I love this, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. He says, 'I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you and I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you, I will curse and all people on earth will be blessed through you.'"

Somebody say this right here. "My name is great." Say, "I am blessed." See, if you notice right here, it says, "I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you." Some of you are still in the "I will" when many of us are in the "I am."

I will say it again. Some of you are still in the "I will do this for you." And many of us have made that decision. And so now we are in the "I am blessed." Come on, somebody. We are standing in the "I am" of what God is offering to. It wasn't available to them. But now we are standing in the "I am blessed."

Come on, somebody. I am blessed. I ain't thinking about blessed. He ain't going to do it. He's already done it. I'm already blessed. I'm in the "I am" blessing of God. And this is God's will for all of us to be standing in the "I am blessed," the "I am" posture of what God has made available for us through Jesus Christ.

Now, I want to just talk for a minute. I want to just talk for a minute here about the dangers of not developing a generous heart. Okay, there are some dangers as we talk about being a generous person. There are some dangers of not developing or being a person that does not have a heart of generosity.

Look what it says here. Luke chapter 12, verse number 16. It says here, "And he told them this parable. It says the ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones.'" Little selfish self.

He said, "And there I will store up my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, 'You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy. Eat, drink and be merry.'" It said, "But God said to him, 'You fool.'" I know God said that. He said, "You fool. This very night, your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'"

He said, "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves, but is not rich toward God." Come on, somebody. He said, "This is what he said. You will have plenty, but somehow, some way you will end up losing it all because you're rich down. You're rich towards yourself. But you're not rich towards God."

I remember years ago, my wife used to use a phrase that God make me a kingdom financier. And what her point was, "God, if you can get it to me, if you can get your resources to me, I promise you can get it through me." But there are some people that God gives it to you and you hoard it and you build bigger barns to store up for yourself.

And you become selfish versus God said, "No, I'm giving you all of this surplus so that you could be a blessing to somebody else." Come on, somebody. I mean, how long can grain last in a barn? At some point, it's going to spoil.

And it reminds me of what God said to the children of Israel that when they were going through and he said, "Every day, I'm going to give you fresh manna from heaven." He said, "There's no need to save any up because I'm going to make sure you are provided for each and every day."

But some of them did not have faith and they did not trust him to do what he said he was going to do. And they would try to hide some of them. And if you know the story, it would end up spoiling. And they had to learn to trust God that the God who provided for me today, he will provide for me tomorrow.

They had to trust God that the more I put out and I'd be a blessing to other people, somehow, some way, it's going to come back into my life. And so when I look at this here at the dangers of not developing a generous heart, the thing I saw what happens here is, number one, we get spiritual stagnation.

When you don't develop a generous heart, your spirit man, which is really who we are, we are a spirit that lives in a body that possesses a soul. Are you with me? And so my body is not me. I am a spirit who lives in a body and my spirit possesses, if you would, a soul.

And my soul, one scripture talks about a double-minded man, a double-spirited man, cannot receive everything that God has for him. Why? Because it's like he has two minds. He's in today, he's out tomorrow. So we are a spirit that lives in the body and we possess our soul.

And it's in our soulish realm that we make our decisions whether I'm not going to do this, I'm going to do this, I'm going to work today, I'm not going through it, I'm going to be nice today, be me. We make those decisions in our soulish realm.

And one scripture talks about how the spirit is always willing but the flesh is weak. And that flesh responds to where everything, any and everything that the soul says, the flesh ends up manifesting it out in a physical way.

And so if we're not careful when we don't develop a generous heart, we become stagnant in the areas of our life that God wants us to advance in. See, some of the stuff that we think is demonic and the devil sometimes it's just you not doing some practical stuff of being generous to people who are hurting around you.

Come on, somebody. Are you rebuking the devil? Sometimes you gotta rebuke yourself. Okay, you. The Bible says that we are born and we are shaped in iniquity. You don't have to tell a child to be selfish. Think about that little kid who goes to daycare and they've told us, "Share your toys now. Share your toys now."

They know this is mine, this is mine. No, shouldn't know, Tommy, come on, share now. Give them one. And instead of them being nice and giving them what they throw it to them. And you know, and that's how we are as adults. We try to heap up stuff onto ourselves and we become selfish and we don't want to share with the people who are in need around us.

And we become increasingly self-centered. We have closets full of stuff that we're never going to wear. We have garages full of stuff that we're never going to use. And we say, "I'm gonna save that just in case I need it." And that turns into one week to one year to five years and ten years.

Come on, somebody. We all got those barns, if you would, in our house, those closets, if you would, full of stuff we ain't gonna never see for 10 years. God said, "I'm gonna like." And he said, "This is how it would be with whoever stores up things for themselves."

I mean, you got clothes that the homeless people can use. Come on, somebody. And you got some nice purses. Come on, somebody. You got some nice purses. Yeah, you paid money for, but you ain't gonna never wear it again.

It just look good in your closet. Maybe a sister, a friend just went through something and she's starting over again. And you can find some sisters or something like that, and you can find some sisters or something like that, guys, and be a blessing to them without them having to start all the way over again.

We become increasingly self-centered. We miss opportunities to impact the lives of others when we don't develop a generous heart. We miss opportunities around us to be generous and kind.

One of my... We've been here now 10 years and we've done many acts of kindness in Savannah around the world, but the one that I would never ever forget, if someone would say, "What would be the most exciting, the most passionate, I say the mineral, generous act Hope City Church has ever done?"

And for me, it will by far always be the one where we had the opportunity to give away a car. And the reason why that one is the best for me is because someone in our church saw how we do business, for lack of words, how we handle, how we steward things.

And they were like, "Oh my God, I'm not gonna do that." I'm not gonna do that. They were already being generous with other people, giving away cars even prior to knowing about Hope City. But just by being here, seeing how we did things, the gentleman came to me and said, "Hey, Pastor Cory, I want to give away a car through Hope City."

And what he wanted us to do was to find a single woman, a single mother, and be a blessing to her. We created a whole process to get people to sign up to possibly win this car, and we were literally able to present a brand new, zero miles used on a car to a mother right in a Sunday morning church service.

Come on, somebody. But we will miss opportunities to impact if we are selfish and self-centered. And if it's all about... I mean, I was tempted for a moment to say, "Hey, I need a car." Not for real. What kind of car it is? Yeah, I just need a car. I mean, selfish. Come on, somebody. Selfish and self-centered.

Here's another one here, last one here. When you don't develop a generous heart, you lack a true joy, you lack true joy and fulfillment. When you don't have a generous heart, when everything is about me, me, me, and you're storing everything up for you, you don't get a true understanding of true joy and fulfillment.

There's a fulfillment that when you give something to somebody who you know can never probably give it back to you, there's a joy, there's a pleasure that comes in that, that makes you feel so accomplished. Come on, somebody, that you're able to be a blessing to someone.

And that's what we're going to be doing throughout Giving Hope Mall. I love every year to see all the families who come in, giving away hundreds of toys to families who would have, in most cases, would have never been able to get their children toys during that Christmas holiday season. True joy and fulfillment.

And I love watching all the volunteers who serve. If you never served at a Giving Hope Mall, I want to encourage you to sign up for it this year here. There is such a joy and fulfillment. I forgot where we are this coming Saturday, but we're downtown this Saturday, over 50 volunteers going, the worship team going, and we're going to this place to feed the homeless and just minister to people for Thanksgiving.

There's a joy and a fulfillment that comes when you are blessing others. And if you do not develop a generous heart, you will miss that true joy and you will miss that true fulfillment. Look what it says here in Proverbs chapter 11, verse number 25. It says, "A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

I got to read that again. A generous person will prosper. We can lift it, put a pin point right there and just stop right there. A generous person will prosper. But then it adds, "Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Come on, let's read it together. One, read this with an uplifted voice, like we're in a concert. One, two, read, "A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Have you ever been like parched, thirsty before? I'm talking about like dry mouth thirsty. As soon as, not even the whole water bottle hits your mouth, but as soon as a little ounce of that water hits your mouth, it seemed like it refreshes your, it refreshes not just your mouth, but your mind, your soul, your spirit, your body.

You ever been there before? I mean, like, it ain't nothing like a good drink that you... You start, imagine a person, imagine you are stuck in a financial bind. Maybe you're about to lose your house. Maybe you don't know where the mortgage is coming from or the rent money, or you're about to, but somebody comes along and re... That's what that refreshing is all about.

Some of our soul on the inside is always shriveled up. It is depressed. It is frustrated. It is in pain. It is hurting. You don't know what's going to happen and God sends somebody your way and refreshes your soul. It's refreshing. Come on, somebody.

And there's a lot of people who's around us right now. They look great on the outside. They look refreshed on the outside. They look like everything is quenched on the outside, but on the inside, there's some parchedness going on. There's some dryness going on, and God is looking for people who will be generous and who will help refresh other people in this season that we are in.

Can we give God a praise for his word? I want to just read this one scripture here in 2 Corinthians verse number nine. Look what it says here. 2 Corinthians verse number nine. I'm going to start off in verse number six, but I say, "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly. And he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

Every man according as he purpose in his heart. So whenever you hear people say, "Don't think about it, just give, give, give, give. Don't think about it." No, no, that's not scripture. That's biblical error. He tells us that we shall purpose in our heart.

And this is the reason why he said, "Purpose in your heart." He said, "Purpose in your heart." He said, "Purpose in..." He said, "So let him give not grudgingly." And it's nothing worse than being forced to give. There's no pleasure in being forced to give.

I remember, I remember, and it's been years and years ago right now, but I remember when I was in ministry, I got licensed and saved, but I got saved in February '97, and maybe somewhere between 2003 and 2008, I remember very clearly being at a service, and I went to... And I remember being up in the pulpit, sitting with the ministers, and it was offering time.

And some of y'all haven't been that blessed to be around church that long to see how the way that we do offering is not normal, that it's that quick, fast, and easy. It's normally the one I went to this particular night. The offering went. They count the money in front of you.

Once they collected the offering, they pulled to the side. The deacon said, and they count him. I mean, the most awkwardest feeling in the world. Are we really doing this? Count the money right in front of you. And they whisper over to the person who presided. Pastor says, the minister says, "Well, y'all were a little bit short. You got to do the offering one more time. We need about 500, 800 more dollars."

They're like, "Oh, Lord, here we go with this." I said, "Then, this food is right here." So the offering went again. And they start collecting the offering. "Okay, we closed, but we ain't there yet."

And I remember at that point, they're in one. And this is multiple times this has happened. But one particular time, I whispered over to the pastor and said, "Hey, I'll give the rest of it." And I did that. I did that just to end the show. I was just tired of it.

And I remember in one of those services, when the thing ended, all the ministers went back into the back room. And everyone who gave on the pulpit, they took their offering back out of the bucket. Totally true, true story. True story. I see you got a witness over here. A true story here.

So now you got people who gave to some degree because the mafia came in and made them feel guilty for not giving. But you can go home in joy because you got yours back. Because you created a false... Yeah.

This is why the Bible tells us that we need a purpose in our heart. We know what the Bible says about tithing. That is systematic. That's set. You ain't got to pray about what I'm supposed to give on tithing. That is set.

But apart from a systematic giving, when you go into spontaneous, as I said earlier, for those who can and is willing to give, no force, no pressure, don't feel no guilt if you can't do it. People purpose in their heart that, "Oh, I can do this. Oh, this is easy. Oh, I don't even have to pray about this here."

This goes into the fact that God gives you so much so when it's time to give, you can be like, "Hey, I got it." Do you know that? If you read the different lists of the scriptures. If you read the spiritual gifts, do you know in there that giving is a spiritual gift?

That God, some people are so blessed with finances that it's like, "Hey, my gift to the kingdom and to people is when people are in need, I can give because I have it." And I'm not creating barn, extra barns to store up my surplus. Yes, I got enough for me and my family, my kids, my future generations.

But there becomes a point that we have to make sure the surplus that we're saving up is not for us to be a blessing to other people. Are y'all with me on today? I'm going to make somebody else mad.

You really can't be the generous giver that God wants you to be until you really deal with your debt. And sometimes that may mean for a season, you can't even give to the church. I'm in trouble right now.

I remember those times going back in 2004, people would have single women giving their rent money. Young girls in church on fire for God wise, giving, doing it all for God and giving their light bill money, giving their rent money.

Am I ever saying that out of time? Well, God challenges us and stretches us and say, "Give this by faith," but you're going to know that because you already purpose in your heart, not because somebody forced you or under compulsion.

If you read the rest of the scripture, that was the scripture says you didn't do it under compulsion. So he will. There are times where God would challenge you and stress you to give when you really don't have it to give.

But there's a method to that miracle that he's working with that. And it has nothing to do with a method. Man, I'm manipulating you to give into something that you really maybe should not be doing in that moment.

So some of y'all got to start working on y'all debt. Even if it means you can't give the way you want to give to the church. Because I come to realize if you got a church of people who's debt-free, they're going to give to the church.

And the church will truly have it. Imagine having a room full of debt-free people who don't have to run from that 800 phone number who's keep calling you. You keep running and just because you don't open the bills that come to the house just because you don't open them doesn't mean the bill not due.

Some of y'all have convinced yourself that as long as I don't open the bill, it don't exist. No, just because you don't open those bills, the bills are still... Can I get an amen in this Baptist church on a day?

But imagine, the Bible says, "Oh, no man, what?" What scripture talks about if you got an alt with your brother, leave your gift and go reconcile it. Now, if I was to take that and use it as a principle of how, because I promise you, every debt collector you owe, they got an alt with you.

I promise you, they are mad at you. Because you ain't giving them their money. Come on, somebody. Whoever got somebody in their own personal life that owes you some money? Okay. I bet you got an alt with them, don't you?

Not all of you. Again. Because some of us are mature enough to understand that in most cases, if I give you something, I don't want it back. Come on. If I give you a financial, unless I say this is a loan, give it back to me in 31 days.

But if I give it to you, I'm not even expecting to get it back. Are we learning something today? A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes... See, y'all can handle the book of Acts when the Bible talks. It talks about how they sold everything they had.

How they sold everything they had. They took care of the needs of every... It was no lack in that community. Imagine... I ain't saying we're going to do this so don't get happy. Imagine if 25 of us came out and said, "Hey, we want to make sure everybody in this church here is debt-free. We got the money, and these 25 people are going to pay off your debt."

I bet y'all going to run up here and sign me up, paying off your student debt. Come on, somebody. Those student loans. You know what scripture talks about the wealth of the wicked?

Now, some of y'all done read that wrong. And I'm going to fix that for you real fast here. And the Bible said, "The wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous." I'm claiming that word. I'm putting that word down. The wealth of the wicked. The wealth of the wicked.

Now, number one, God cannot take people's money illegally. So, number one. So, we do get that, right? God's not going to take wicked people's money who worked for it or stole it. He ain't going to just take it.

It got to be a way for the transfer to happen. So, if that's going to be a real transfer, if you would, of the wealth from the wicked, it'll be in life problems that happens that causes people to lose stuff that belonged to them at one point.

Here's an example. Maybe it was 2000. Maybe it was 2008. And when did the housing market bubble? Church people, if all about, if your credit was right and you were saving up like the Bible says, when people was losing stuff by then, you should have had your credit in order, your savings account in order, and you should have been able to go out there and buy up stuff.

Because there was a great transfer of wealth happening. And this happened almost every X amount of years where something happens in our country. Yeah. And that if people, particularly godly people, uses the principles of God of stewardship and saving, come on, somebody, and owing no man nothing, when those moments come, you can go out and get land that you did not till, buy houses you did not build.

That's how the transfer happens when we have our house in order. Come on, somebody. And I believe there's two or three of you that God's already been talking to you about getting things in order. And you're going to get things in order in your life because you're going to be buying up a whole lot of stuff. Come on, somebody.

I don't know who I'm talking to, but you're going to be buying up a whole lot of stuff. You're going to have your credit at 825 credit score, ready to get whatever it is. Y'all playing up here. Come on. This is how the... Not just the likes of a million bucks going to fall from the sky. It's not going to happen.

I remember, again, y'all are babes in Christ, many of y'all. I remember we used to do one thing, you know, what, you spin around five times, jump up two times, and my money come right now. Money still didn't come. Come on, somebody.

But it felt good. Come on. It made you feel motivated like it was about to come. But if you are honest with yourself, you can say, "Man, I did all those things and nothing really happened because God is a God of order and a God of principles."

He's a God of order and he's a God of principles. And if we apply the principles to what he has for us, we can get all that God has for us. I'm almost out of time right here. Let me just give you four or five points that I've done for today.

Here's a few things you can take with you on how you can develop a generous heart. Number one, remember that generosity begins in the heart. It's a matter of the heart. If you're going to be generous, you're going to be giving. It's a matter of your heart.

If you're going to be a prayer about it, since God loves a cheerful giver, and if you are finding it difficult to be a blessing, watch this here, not just to the people who's far away from you but even those who are near you. Come on, somebody.

Those who are in your household because you want to be a blessing to everybody else but can't be a blessing to people who's... You like to bless the church but you don't like to bless people in your house. You make the pastor chicken wings and cakes every Sunday but you don't cook for the people in your house.

Come on, somebody. I'm going to stand right here because some of y'all taking y'all co-worker lunch every week but you ain't feed the kids nothing at all. You've been generous abroad but not generous at home.

Oh, I was at the dance just there. I don't know where that came from just there. We're not being generous. We've been generous on the outside because sometimes we do it for show and tell. We do it to showboat to let people see what we did because we want to make ourselves look good.

Remember the scripture he said to Abraham, he said, "I will make your name great." He didn't say... I see some of y'all looking for a big title. God never promised to make your title great. He promised his mission is to make your name great.

And while some of y'all are after a good title, I'm after a great name. Come on, somebody. Pursue a great name. Generosity begins in the heart. True generosity is birthed in a heart transformed by love and compassion.

Number two, generosity reflects God's character. I think about John 3:16, a very simple verse. God did not just love the world. God so loved the world that he didn't just give any kind of gift. He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him never has to perish but can have everlasting...

You're talking about generosity that reflects God's character, the kind of generosity that gives no matter what, gives even when it costs. I mean, imagine you giving your only begotten son or daughter. I want to tell you right now, there's none of you in here, you... I'm not giving you my child. I don't like y'all like that.

Come on, have you been honest with yourself? The child you got, you don't like nobody here like that either to give up your only begotten. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.

Watch this here, based on an idea and a hope that you will accept him. It says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died." We haven't even accepted the offer of salvation yet, but it says, "While we were yet sinners, he didn't wait till we get things together to die for us. He died for us in advance hoping that we would accept the offer that was made available for us."

Talking about love and generosity, and generosity reflects the character of God. Number three, generosity creates joy. If you don't have no joy in your life, go out today, go out tomorrow, find a homeless person, go to a store, buy some groceries, buy some toys, find a family in need.

Generosity creates joy. And here's one thing about being generous: generosity, it don't drain you. I'll say it again. Generosity, it don't drain you. When you're being generous and you see the impact of what your generosity did for that child, some of you want to retire right now, but you're staying in the school system a year or two longer.

You're staying in the organization a little bit longer because you see needs that are still there, and you're giving up your time and your energy because you're being generous. And it creates joy in your life.

That's the reason why I say when we give, we can't give grudgingly or by force because that will drain you. I may could do that one time, but imagine coming here Sunday after Sunday, and there's, "Oh God, it's offering time. Here we go again."

I already got my dollar ready. No, y'all laughing. But we knew this back then how the offering was going to go. I was at a church one time where we had three offerings. And so for some reason, they thought you do three offerings, you get more money.

No, people got smart. They got their little money. If I was going to give $10, I'm going to divide that sucker up. Come on, somebody. I put three in the first one. I put three in the second one, and I put... Come on.

Come on, that, that, that, that. You'll create, when you teach people principles, whether it's on giving, whether it's on relationships, whether it's on health, whatever it is. When you teach the principles of a thing, even if people don't apply it today, over time, when they get the principle, they're going to begin to walk out what they learned.

Generosity, it creates joy. Joy, it enriches us, filling us with joy as we connect with others through giving. Last thing, and I'm done. Generosity inspires, and it multiplies.

I thought about Exodus, where God told Abraham, I think it was, Abraham or Moses, to build a tabernacle. And he told him exactly how to build the tabernacle. He told them exactly what they had to bring in, how long the curtains and things had to be, what was to go into the ark. He told them specifically what he needed, what type of wood.

And he had him to get it from the people. The people were so generous. They were giving so much that the scripture says that he had to tell them to stop giving. Man, what if a day come to Hope City where I have to tell y'all, "Hey, stop giving. You're giving too much. You're too kind. You're too much of a blessing."

Come on, somebody. He had to stop them because they were bringing so much in. It inspires. When you give, you inspire other people to give. The mere fact that when we, with the list, when we've been doing the Giving Hope, you always give.

And then we partnered maybe about three years ago with Toys for Tots. They love what we do so much, so now that it doesn't matter who goes to them for toys, they make sure Hope City Church is involved. Because they're inspired by what we're doing.

And they know that if we can get it to them, they're going to get it back out. They're going to find the people who are in need. So as I close out this message today on the generous heart, it's my prayer, it's my hope that over the next few weeks that we, as a church, not be known for the baddest choir.

Not be known for the best preachers. But we'll be known for the most loving, the most generous, and the most giving church in our community that is meeting the needs of so many people. Whether it's in the prisons, whether it's in the nursing homes, whether it's in the school systems, whether it's the homeless, whether it's taking care of girls who have purposes in their life, of young boys who need mentors.

Let it be said that Hope City Church, that you don't say my name. You don't talk about how good the drummer is. No, no, no. You talk about, the scripture said, "Let men see your good works so that they can glorify our Father, which is in heaven."

Give people an opportunity through our generosity to say, "Man, I love how they're loving and treating God's people." Amen. Let's give God a hand of praise.

Let's pray. Let's pray. Father, we thank you. Thank you for your word. For your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Thank you for speaking to our hearts. Thank you for speaking to our minds.

Maybe someone is saying today, "Pastor Corey, I needed this word today. I know church, but I don't know him. I'm shaking your hand, but I've yet to shake God's hand. I got good religion, but I don't have a personal relationship with this God you're talking about."

Yes, I know we're all God's creation. We choose to become a son. We choose to become a daughter. And today, maybe you want to make that decision. And then secondly, and then I'll pray.

Maybe you're saying, "Hey, Pastor Corey, I already made that decision. I have that confidence to know that whenever that day comes, I take my last breath on this side, that I will enter into the presence of my creator. I know that I'm saved. I know that I'm born again. But what I do need is a church home that teaches the word of God in a way that I can take it, apply it to my life and see myself and my family transformed thereby.

I believe I can grow here at Hope City." So if you're in this place, I'm not going to call you up. I'm not going to call you out. But just want to know who to include in on this closeout first. If you're in this place, on the count of three, with every head bowed, no one's moving but those who've already been assigned to do so.

On the count of three, just quickly, quickly see. And you can lift it up and bring it right back down. One, two, three. Will that be one? I see that one hand. Anybody? Anybody else? Amen. I see that hand. Amen. I see that hand. I see that hand as well. Amen. Will that be another? No pressure, no prime. Will that be another? No pressure, no prime.

Between you and God, I just want to facilitate the moment for you and with you. Let's pray. Lift those hands up towards heaven, if you would. And just repeat this simple prayer with me, if you would, with those who made that decision.

Say, "Lord God, I believe you sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins, but I also believe he rose from the grave with all power in his hand. So God, I ask you now to forgive me of any and every sin that has separated me from your love.

Now say, "God, I don't fully understand what all this means, but I do believe with your spirit living on the inside of me, I will become the person you desire me to be. So I ask you now, so I ask you now to fill me with the power and the presence of your Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, you are welcome to live in my heart for the rest of my life. God, your word declares any man being in Christ, he's a new creation. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new.

I pray for those that prayed their prayer for the very first time in faith, whether it was to make Hope City Church their home or to invite Jesus into their heart for the very first time, whether physical separation or spiritual separation.

Father, I declare that everything they lost in that season of separation, that they're moving into a season of recovery and restoration and everything they lost prematurely, God, you're going to restore it back to their life.

I also declare that anything that has attached itself to their life, any yokes, any chains, any strongholds, any addictions, Father, that is sucking away at the quality of their life, those things are falling off right now and who the Son sets free, free indeed.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Come on, let us celebrate with every decision made in this place on today.

And do we got that picture? Am I actually going to put a picture up for those who may... I may not know Shannon. But Shannon, she serves in our prayer department here, leads prayer. She works the altar. She's a minister here. Her husband, Ruff. Yeah. And she just recently had that transplant. Been praying for this for months and months right now. And it finally has happened. Praise God. [00:17:55] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


And as crazy as this may sound, and again, we're here long enough at Hope City that we don't do stuff like this this way when it comes to offering. But I'm going to ask, if you're in here and you feel like you're one of the ones, if you don't mind standing, I would appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. [00:19:25] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


And they had to learn to trust God that the God who provided for me today, he will provide for me tomorrow. They had to trust God that the more I put out and I'd be a blessing to other people, somehow, some way, it's going to come back into my life. [00:58:11] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


When you're being generous and you see the impact of what your generosity did for that child, some of you want to retire right now, but you're staying in the school system a year or two longer. You're staying in the organization a little bit longer because you see needs that are still there, and you're giving up your time and your energy because you're being generous. [01:23:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


Generosity inspires, and it multiplies. I thought about Exodus, where God told Abraham, I think it was, Abraham of Moses, to build a tabernacle. And he told him exactly how to build the tabernacle. He told them exactly what they had to bring in. How long the curtains and things had to be. What was to go into the ark. He told them specifically what he needed. What type of wood. And he had him to get it from the people. [01:25:18] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


But we'll be known for the most loving, the most generous, and the most giving church in our community that is meeting the needs of so many people. Whether it's in the prisons, whether it's in the nursing homes, whether it's in the school systems, whether it's the homeless, whether it's taking care of girls who have purposes in their life, of young boys who need mentors. [01:27:03] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)