“Undying Commitment”
The Mystery Revealed Series
2 Corinthians 9:6-8; 1/18/09
Introduction: There are a lot of things to be committed to in life; our spouse, our job, our family, our friends, our sports teams, our church, and God. We are committed to each one in a different level. We are hopefully more committed to our spouse and family than we are to our friends. We should be more committed to our church than to our sports teams. And ultimately, we need to be committed to God.
It is interesting to see how people claim to be Christians, followers of Christ, and yet their life doesn’t really live out this claim; they lack commitment. This morning, as we continue in our “Mystery Revealed” series, we look at the need for undying commitment when it comes to God and our faith. I want us to look at how God desires for us to reflect commitment. What does this look like? How do we know if we are truly committed to God?
I. Using our resources- (2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Deuteronomy 15:7-10)
a. Sowing and reaping- In our scripture reading this morning from
2 Corinthians 9:6-8, the apostle Paul challenges us in a significant way. He starts out by telling us: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Think of it in terms of farming. If you were growing a crop, you wouldn’t just plant a few seeds, you would plant many; you wouldn’t hold back some of your seeds to plant later. If you want a good return at harvest, then you sow a generous amount of seed.
This is true in the general sense of giving: Paul insists that no one was ever a loser by being generous. While we shouldn’t give with a reward in mind, the Bible does talk about the rewards that come from having a generous attitude about giving. This is because when we have a reward in mind, we usually are thinking about the wrong kind of reward, and then we are disappointed when what we expect doesn’t come about. The rewards that are received are usually not material in nature; it is not about the wealth of money and resources, although sometimes it can be that.
So what kinds of rewards can we expect when we are generous? When we sow generously, what do we reap?
1. First, we will be rich in love. It is difficult to be a loving person if we do
not have a giving attitude. A heart that is warm is a heart that seeks to reach out to others. To be stingy and selfish are not characteristics of someone who is rich in love. When we give of ourselves generously, people respond back to us with love; it is a natural response. And even more, we are blessed by God, who fills us with His love. When we give generously, we put ourselves in a position to receive God’s love, and God desires to pour this out freely to us.
2. Second, we will be rich in friends. Someone who is unloving cannot expect
to be loved. If we were to look around at those we know who are generous with their time, their resources, their love, we would see that they are loved back in a great way. People will go out of their way to be there for us when we are in need. The measure we have given ourselves to others will determine the measure with which it is given back to us.
3. Third, we will be rich towards God. Jesus teaches us that what we do
towards others, we do to God. If we find it difficult to give ourselves to others, then the truth is, we will struggle to give ourselves to God. We might think we have opened ourselves up to God. We might think we have a giving spirit when it comes to God. But whether or not we are rich towards God will be determined by our actions of how giving we are in our life in general.
b. The blessing of giving- Paul goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Paul wants us to understand that those people who have an undying commitment to the Lord, are those who not only giving generously, but they give willingly, and cheerfully. When the gift is given, there is joy, not regret.
In Deuteronomy 15:7-10 we are told: “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Have you ever found yourself looking at someone who was poor, or homeless, and thinking bad thoughts about that person? Maybe you think they should go out and get a job. Or maybe you think about getting as far away from them as you can because they make you nervous or fearful?
When we see a need where we can give, and we feel God leading us to give, we shouldn’t question the opportunity, we should joyfully respond to the Lord’s leading. Now that doesn’t mean we can or should give in every circumstance. Being the pastor of this church, there are many occasions where people come asking for help (usually it is for money). We don’t have the means to give to every person who asks. But even more, it isn’t always wise to give money every time someone asks.
This leads us to our next point, knowing God’s plan so we can follow it!
II. Following God’s Plan- (Jeremiah 29:11-13; Proverbs 11:24-25)
a. I know the plans- One of the challenges, when it comes to giving, is
that there are so many needs; so many ways we could give. How can we know when we should say “yes,” and when we should say “no?” In essence, if God calls us to give generously, if this is part of God’s plan, then are we going against God’s plan when we don’t give?
I don’t think that God expects us to give every time there is a need, or to every one who asks. Part of this is that people don’t always know what they need. They may ask you for money, but their real need is to become self-sufficient, and your giving them money will cause them to be all the more dependent on others. Part of this is that we don’t have the means to take care of all the needs that exist!
When Jesus was here on this earth, there were many needs that He didn’t take care of; many people who needed healing that He didn’t heal. So if this is the case, how can we know what God’s plan is for being generous with what we have?
Illus. The other day someone sent me these short commercials from Ameriquest mort-gage about not judging too quickly. In one of the ads a husband comes home to make a surprise romantic dinner for his wife. He is cooking the red sauce as he is chopping up some vegetables. All of a sudden his white cat jumps up on the counter and knocks over the sauce onto the floor. The cat jumps down to lick the sauce and gets some sauce on himself. The husband reaches down and grabs the cat by the scruff of the neck and picks him up. Just then the wife walks in and sees the cat in her husbands one hand (with what appears to be blood), and a large knife in his other hand!!
When we think about God’s plan for our lives, it isn’t always clear. There are times when we think things are going wrong, there are great struggles, and we don’t see how this can be God’s plan for our lives. It doesn’t appear to be what we want. But God assures us in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
b. Clear and unclear- When we find ourselves in these situations that
seem unclear, we need to trust God. A couple weeks ago I talked about how when we find ourselves in difficult and unclear situations, it is helpful to stop thinking about ourselves, and try to fulfill the need of another. And I believe that the more we give ourselves over to God, the more we will sense how we are to give, and to whom we are to give. I believe when we seek God, God will bring these opportunities to us.
God wants us to be a blessing to others, and when we are, He will then bless us. We are told in Proverbs 11:24-25, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
But there are also those times when the way is clear. I know that many of you have had situations where you have heard of a need, and you felt a strong need to respond to the request that was being made.
Illus. A little over a year ago I had the opportunity to give away $1000 for what was called “The Kingdom Assignment.” I had been given $1000 by a pastor and his wife for the purpose of giving $100 each to ten people. The assignment was to find a way to grow the money, and then use the money to bless another ministry or ministry opportunity. When I first thought about it, I thought it might be easier to choose the 10 people I would give the money to ahead of time. But as I talked it over with the pastor and his wife, we decided we would let God direct the hearts of those who would respond. As I got to that point in my sermon, I explained the assignment, and then asked for those who felt that God was calling them to this task. Exactly 10 people responded!! Those 10 people felt led to answer this call.
When we let God’s Spirit into our lives, the Spirit prompts and prods, speaks and leads, so that we can know how and when God wants us to give.
III. Through impossible circumstances- (Matthew 17:20, 19:26; Lk. 1:37)
I just watched a movie last weekend called “Face the Giants.” This movie is
about a coach who is struggling to make ends meet. He is having trouble paying his bills, he doesn’t have the money to fix the things that are breaking, and his football team is heading towards another losing season. On top of this, he finds out from the doctor that he is the reason his wife and him aren’t able to get pregnant. He decides to give himself completely over to God; to give God his undying commitment. And he challenges his team to give the best of themselves to God. Because of this, his team starts winning. They make it all the way to the state championship game. The game is close, and at the end, just when the other team is going to score a touchdown and win the game, his team forces a fumble and runs it back to the other teams 34 yard line. He has a choice: with 3 seconds left in the game he can try a hail Mary pass into the end zone, or have his kicker try a 52 yard field goal (into the wind). He decides to go for the field goal, even though his kicker has never kicked it farther than 39 yards! He asks his kicker: “Do you believe God can help you make this field goal?” To which his kicker answers “Yes.” Just before the kicker tries the field goal, the wind changes direction, and the kicker kicks the ball through the goal posts for the unbelievable win!!
Ex. I want to show you a clip from this movie right after this win. Listen to the question the coach asks his players. “What is impossible with God?” To which his players answer: “Nothing coach.”[1:41 – 1:45]
In the Bible we read this over and over again. In Matthew 17:20 we read, “Jesus replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” In Matthew 19:26 we read, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” In Luke 1:37, the angel tells Mary, in regards to the Holy Spirit making her pregnant with Jesus: “For nothing is impossible with God.”
Conclusion: There is a story of a tightrope walker named Charles Blondin who walked a tightrope over Niagara Falls. Everyone was amazed as they watched him do it. Blondin then turned to the crowd and asked: “How many of you think that I could walk across the tightrope pushing this wheelbarrow?” Everybody’s hands went in the air. Then Blondin said: “Who is willing to ride in the wheelbarrow as I push it?” Only one hand stayed in the air. And Blondin successfully pushed him across in the wheelbarrow.
To have undying commitment to God is not just about lip service, it is about our actions. How we live shows our commitment to God. But even more, the way we give generously of what God has given to us shows it all the more. As Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” We cannot fool God. God knows where our commitment lies. I hope yours lies with God. Let us seek to fully be committed to God, this day and every day. Amen.
The Mystery Revealed Series
2 Corinthians 9:6-8; 1/18/09
Introduction: There are a lot of things to be committed to in life; our spouse, our job, our family, our friends, our sports teams, our church, and God. We are committed to each one in a different level. We are hopefully more committed to our spouse and family than we are to our friends. We should be more committed to our church than to our sports teams. And ultimately, we need to be committed to God.
It is interesting to see how people claim to be Christians, followers of Christ, and yet their life doesn’t really live out this claim; they lack commitment. This morning, as we continue in our “Mystery Revealed” series, we look at the need for undying commitment when it comes to God and our faith. I want us to look at how God desires for us to reflect commitment. What does this look like? How do we know if we are truly committed to God?
I. Using our resources- (2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Deuteronomy 15:7-10)
a. Sowing and reaping- In our scripture reading this morning from
2 Corinthians 9:6-8, the apostle Paul challenges us in a significant way. He starts out by telling us: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Think of it in terms of farming. If you were growing a crop, you wouldn’t just plant a few seeds, you would plant many; you wouldn’t hold back some of your seeds to plant later. If you want a good return at harvest, then you sow a generous amount of seed.
This is true in the general sense of giving: Paul insists that no one was ever a loser by being generous. While we shouldn’t give with a reward in mind, the Bible does talk about the rewards that come from having a generous attitude about giving. This is because when we have a reward in mind, we usually are thinking about the wrong kind of reward, and then we are disappointed when what we expect doesn’t come about. The rewards that are received are usually not material in nature; it is not about the wealth of money and resources, although sometimes it can be that.
So what kinds of rewards can we expect when we are generous? When we sow generously, what do we reap?
1. First, we will be rich in love. It is difficult to be a loving person if we do
not have a giving attitude. A heart that is warm is a heart that seeks to reach out to others. To be stingy and selfish are not characteristics of someone who is rich in love. When we give of ourselves generously, people respond back to us with love; it is a natural response. And even more, we are blessed by God, who fills us with His love. When we give generously, we put ourselves in a position to receive God’s love, and God desires to pour this out freely to us.
2. Second, we will be rich in friends. Someone who is unloving cannot expect
to be loved. If we were to look around at those we know who are generous with their time, their resources, their love, we would see that they are loved back in a great way. People will go out of their way to be there for us when we are in need. The measure we have given ourselves to others will determine the measure with which it is given back to us.
3. Third, we will be rich towards God. Jesus teaches us that what we do
towards others, we do to God. If we find it difficult to give ourselves to others, then the truth is, we will struggle to give ourselves to God. We might think we have opened ourselves up to God. We might think we have a giving spirit when it comes to God. But whether or not we are rich towards God will be determined by our actions of how giving we are in our life in general.
b. The blessing of giving- Paul goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Paul wants us to understand that those people who have an undying commitment to the Lord, are those who not only giving generously, but they give willingly, and cheerfully. When the gift is given, there is joy, not regret.
In Deuteronomy 15:7-10 we are told: “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Have you ever found yourself looking at someone who was poor, or homeless, and thinking bad thoughts about that person? Maybe you think they should go out and get a job. Or maybe you think about getting as far away from them as you can because they make you nervous or fearful?
When we see a need where we can give, and we feel God leading us to give, we shouldn’t question the opportunity, we should joyfully respond to the Lord’s leading. Now that doesn’t mean we can or should give in every circumstance. Being the pastor of this church, there are many occasions where people come asking for help (usually it is for money). We don’t have the means to give to every person who asks. But even more, it isn’t always wise to give money every time someone asks.
This leads us to our next point, knowing God’s plan so we can follow it!
II. Following God’s Plan- (Jeremiah 29:11-13; Proverbs 11:24-25)
a. I know the plans- One of the challenges, when it comes to giving, is
that there are so many needs; so many ways we could give. How can we know when we should say “yes,” and when we should say “no?” In essence, if God calls us to give generously, if this is part of God’s plan, then are we going against God’s plan when we don’t give?
I don’t think that God expects us to give every time there is a need, or to every one who asks. Part of this is that people don’t always know what they need. They may ask you for money, but their real need is to become self-sufficient, and your giving them money will cause them to be all the more dependent on others. Part of this is that we don’t have the means to take care of all the needs that exist!
When Jesus was here on this earth, there were many needs that He didn’t take care of; many people who needed healing that He didn’t heal. So if this is the case, how can we know what God’s plan is for being generous with what we have?
Illus. The other day someone sent me these short commercials from Ameriquest mort-gage about not judging too quickly. In one of the ads a husband comes home to make a surprise romantic dinner for his wife. He is cooking the red sauce as he is chopping up some vegetables. All of a sudden his white cat jumps up on the counter and knocks over the sauce onto the floor. The cat jumps down to lick the sauce and gets some sauce on himself. The husband reaches down and grabs the cat by the scruff of the neck and picks him up. Just then the wife walks in and sees the cat in her husbands one hand (with what appears to be blood), and a large knife in his other hand!!
When we think about God’s plan for our lives, it isn’t always clear. There are times when we think things are going wrong, there are great struggles, and we don’t see how this can be God’s plan for our lives. It doesn’t appear to be what we want. But God assures us in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
b. Clear and unclear- When we find ourselves in these situations that
seem unclear, we need to trust God. A couple weeks ago I talked about how when we find ourselves in difficult and unclear situations, it is helpful to stop thinking about ourselves, and try to fulfill the need of another. And I believe that the more we give ourselves over to God, the more we will sense how we are to give, and to whom we are to give. I believe when we seek God, God will bring these opportunities to us.
God wants us to be a blessing to others, and when we are, He will then bless us. We are told in Proverbs 11:24-25, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
But there are also those times when the way is clear. I know that many of you have had situations where you have heard of a need, and you felt a strong need to respond to the request that was being made.
Illus. A little over a year ago I had the opportunity to give away $1000 for what was called “The Kingdom Assignment.” I had been given $1000 by a pastor and his wife for the purpose of giving $100 each to ten people. The assignment was to find a way to grow the money, and then use the money to bless another ministry or ministry opportunity. When I first thought about it, I thought it might be easier to choose the 10 people I would give the money to ahead of time. But as I talked it over with the pastor and his wife, we decided we would let God direct the hearts of those who would respond. As I got to that point in my sermon, I explained the assignment, and then asked for those who felt that God was calling them to this task. Exactly 10 people responded!! Those 10 people felt led to answer this call.
When we let God’s Spirit into our lives, the Spirit prompts and prods, speaks and leads, so that we can know how and when God wants us to give.
III. Through impossible circumstances- (Matthew 17:20, 19:26; Lk. 1:37)
I just watched a movie last weekend called “Face the Giants.” This movie is
about a coach who is struggling to make ends meet. He is having trouble paying his bills, he doesn’t have the money to fix the things that are breaking, and his football team is heading towards another losing season. On top of this, he finds out from the doctor that he is the reason his wife and him aren’t able to get pregnant. He decides to give himself completely over to God; to give God his undying commitment. And he challenges his team to give the best of themselves to God. Because of this, his team starts winning. They make it all the way to the state championship game. The game is close, and at the end, just when the other team is going to score a touchdown and win the game, his team forces a fumble and runs it back to the other teams 34 yard line. He has a choice: with 3 seconds left in the game he can try a hail Mary pass into the end zone, or have his kicker try a 52 yard field goal (into the wind). He decides to go for the field goal, even though his kicker has never kicked it farther than 39 yards! He asks his kicker: “Do you believe God can help you make this field goal?” To which his kicker answers “Yes.” Just before the kicker tries the field goal, the wind changes direction, and the kicker kicks the ball through the goal posts for the unbelievable win!!
Ex. I want to show you a clip from this movie right after this win. Listen to the question the coach asks his players. “What is impossible with God?” To which his players answer: “Nothing coach.”[1:41 – 1:45]
In the Bible we read this over and over again. In Matthew 17:20 we read, “Jesus replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” In Matthew 19:26 we read, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” In Luke 1:37, the angel tells Mary, in regards to the Holy Spirit making her pregnant with Jesus: “For nothing is impossible with God.”
Conclusion: There is a story of a tightrope walker named Charles Blondin who walked a tightrope over Niagara Falls. Everyone was amazed as they watched him do it. Blondin then turned to the crowd and asked: “How many of you think that I could walk across the tightrope pushing this wheelbarrow?” Everybody’s hands went in the air. Then Blondin said: “Who is willing to ride in the wheelbarrow as I push it?” Only one hand stayed in the air. And Blondin successfully pushed him across in the wheelbarrow.
To have undying commitment to God is not just about lip service, it is about our actions. How we live shows our commitment to God. But even more, the way we give generously of what God has given to us shows it all the more. As Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” We cannot fool God. God knows where our commitment lies. I hope yours lies with God. Let us seek to fully be committed to God, this day and every day. Amen.
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