Hebrews 12:1b-2a New King James Version (NKJV)
The Race of Faith
12 1 … let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith,
Youth Sunday
Living For God's Will
James 4:13-17 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow [a]we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
An Example Of What True Giving Should Be
2 Corinthians 8:1-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency [a]that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
SERMON NOTES
Introduction: In this passage, Paul shows to us, through the example of the Macedonian believers, what true giving should be. When we understand principles of Biblical stewardship, then our giving will be like this, too.
They gave ______________________________ (vs. 1,6,7)
Their giving was their response to the GRACE of God.They gave ______________________________ (v. 2)
Their giving was done in spite of their affliction.They gave ______________________________ (vs. 3,4)
Their giving was not coerced or forced.They gave ______________________________ (v. 5)
Their giving started with the giving of themselves.