My New Life Of Grace & Generocity July 25, 2009

Text: 2 Cor. 8: 1-9 NIV





I. GIVE BACK WHAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED



A. When I am generous it helps to remind me of the grace that I received. 1 Tim 1:14 "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."



B. God gave first, now it is my turn to give.



C. When I do NOT grace people with generosity I diminish the Cross of Christ and the grace that saved me.



D. When I grace people with generosity I place value on them. "We are most like God when we're giving. Gaze upon Christ long enough and you'll become more of a giver. Give long enough, and you'll become more like Christ."




II. EXCELL IN THE GRACE OF GIVING



A. My giving is a reflection of my gratitude for Christ's sacrifice.



B. My giving is a true reflection of the sincerity of my faith.



C. My giving is a reflection of the depth of my experience of God’s love. Our giving habits reveal IF the substance of our faith has penetrated the grip of materialism that seeks to keep our hearts in bondage.




Conclusion:

ARE YOU GRACIOUS? Has the grace of God that forgave you and saved you been returned to others in the form of grace and generosity?