Sunday 31st August 2014 - Give - Rob Goldring

31.8.14 Give • This is such a vast area, with so many areas to speak of I will not be able to cover all of it. I simply want to convey God’s heart. • I bought a present for my children’s teachers to say thank you for all their support. I didn’t expect a thank you as I wasn’t going to see them, but I wanted to give the present anyway. Something in me wanted to give it. • Made me think about giving. Why is that the normal thing to do? • Because God made us in His image (Genesis 1:27). He is a God who loves to give. • I’ve recently read the book of Acts. I looked at the life of Paul. • He persecuted Christians. • Then he had an encounter with Jesus – this transformed him. • He then preached the gospel and performed miracles. • He dedicated his life to God – he gave himself. • Why? Because of his encounter. • When we encounter Jesus, we have a lot to give away to others. • Personally speaking, when I think of all that God has done for me, I recognise how much I should give it away to others. • Matthew 22:37-39. We are told to love God and love others. • Paul did this by preaching the word and performing miracles. This is what God called him to do (and we can do that too). • God may speak to you to give in a different way. • When you love, you give. • What can you give? Time? Money? Gifts? Advice? Expertise? All? • And who do you give to? Just your friends, or do you take yourself out of your comfort zone? • Matthew 25:40 – ‘when you do it for the least of these, you do it for me’. • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – you reap what you sow. Give generously. • And don’t shout about it either – Matthew 6:1-4. • I want to honour people who give up time. • ‘Springs’, ‘Stewards’, ‘Children, Youth and Young Adults workers’, ‘Tea and Coffee’, ‘Cleaners’, ‘Leaders and Speakers’, ‘Worship team’, ‘Prayer Ministry’, ‘Prophetic Encouragement’, ‘Sozo’, ‘Street Pastors’ etc… • Final challenge. Can you give to one of these areas? Can you give your time, your abilities?