Jesus: The Generous One Part 3 - Archie Callahan

Bridge Church Virginia Beach

Series: Jesus

Sermon: Jesus the Generous One: Part 3

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-10 & 2 Corinthians 8:7

6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

INTRODUCTION: Don’t rob God of the opportunity to bless you.

DID YOU KNOW THE TITHE IS A TEST?

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

If Jesus said you ought to tithe in the New Testament, would you do it?

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of you spices- mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter (Justice, mercy, faithfulness) without neglecting the former (tithing). (Matthew 23:23)

Will a man rob God?

Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. (Malachi 3:8a)

How do we rob God?

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. (Malachi 3:8b)

Will we give God an opportunity to continue bless us?

”Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.“

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV

”Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.“

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV

CONCLUSION: If Bridge Church is going to excel in it's mission, we collectively must excel in the GRACE of GIVING!