Sermon Reflection from December 4, 2022 | The King’s Perspective

I loved Pastor Alex’s message on generosity which was shown to us as an example to follow by the Magi, Kings or Wise men.  Just for fun this morning I looked up Magi in the dictionary.  They are wise men, generally assumed to be 3 in number, who came to worship Jesus.  They were thought to be Zoroastrian priests from ancient Media and Persia.  Lastly, they were known to be astrologers.  All of this fits with the story told in Matthew 2:1-12.  Another thought is that these men who studied the stars had been influenced in earlier times by Daniel or Ezra or Nehemiah and that is how they had come to know of the coming birth of the “King of the Jews’.   The thought that God used pagan kings, wise men to travel a great distance to worship His Son, speaks of the impartiality of God and His love for all mankind.  His Son is meant to be worshipped by all people.

Back to the heart of Pastor Alex’s message, generosity.  How generous do you consider yourself to be?  Does your generosity come from a desire to be recognized and thanked or from the heart in wanting to help and comfort others?   Do you desire to please God?  God desires for us to have generosity in our character as it comes from the heart of God and connects us to Him in a unique way.  Our generosity is to be the result of being ‘in Christ’ and having the Holy Spirit indwell us.  Believers have a spirit of generosity that is evident in their lives because they know Jesus!   

Psalm 112:5 “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”  God’s Holy Spirit will be evident in our lives and gives us a spirit of generosity.  Pastor Alex mentioned Proverbs 11:25, our memory verse for the week, “A generous person will prosper;whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” 

God promises to cause us to prosper and be refreshed when we are generous.  Prosperity is not limited to material wealth but can include spiritual and emotional prosperity too!   I love the promise in Proverbs 22:9 that God gives us about generosity. “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Sharing and giving brings blessings!

Jesus is the root of our generosity.  He is the one who gave it all for us, that we might know Him and have a relationship with him.  Through and by God’s grace, we can be and are made generous if our hearts are willing.  2 Corinthian 9:11 puts it this way: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”  God gives us the resources to practice generosity and that generosity should lead us to give thanks to God from which everything comes.  Generosity comes from the heart of God and brings Him glory!

So as we journey through this holiday season, take time to examine your motives for giving.  Seek to align them with God’s desire for you, that you love Him and He is the reason for your generous spirit and giving.  Then bask in the joy of giving as you seek to bring glory to God and bless others.
Linda


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This Christmas | The King's Perspective
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Sermon series, "This Christmas" Today Alex teaches from Matthew 2:1-12

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Getting to Know the Heart of Your Leadership Team Through Scripture
 
Recently I asked members of the Leadership Team to give me their favorite scripture. 
 
Seeking Assurance?  ASK!  As we age it seems harder and harder to keep up with those young ones around us. Whether it is little children or teens, their endurance is only a remembrance to us! Today's favorite verse, from my friend Sharon, is Isaiah 40:30-31 which gives us encouragement no matter what our age. 
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

In these verses, God's Word is acknowledging our humanness and reminds us that even the young do not have unlimited strength and endurance. To survive in the world, we must rely upon the Lord. He promises to renew our strength when we feel we cannot go on. We do not need to wait until we are spent to call upon the Lord for additional strength. As we learn in walking with Jesus, it is better to call upon Him before we reach the end of our strength as He promises He will lift us up, cause us to soar and be renewed. 

I can see how this verse is a favorite as it stands as a reminder of God's strength in all things and our limited resources. When you combine this with Philippian 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."  We can be assured that God does not tire, God has unlimited resources and He wants to provide for us. We just need to ask.  John 14:13-15 shows us Jesus' willingness if we ask with the right heart.  "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Where do you need God's help today? Is your need physical, mental, emotional or spiritual? What obstacles are you facing that you are allowing pride to get in your way of asking God for help? Do you see problems ahead and need God's strength to overcome? God has the resources to help you soar and not grow faint. He can give you the wings of eagles to cause you to soar above and be renewed.

Thanks Sharon for the reminder of God's strength and constant provision. Call upon Him and be renewed!
By Linda Knight

Getting to Know the Heart of Your Leadership Team Through Scripture
 by Linda Knight
 
Recently I asked members of the Leadership Team to give me their favorite scripture. 
 
Just a slight deviation from favorite verses today to favorite Bible stories. When I asked my friend Kathy for a favorite verse or two she responded with her favorite stories. As I thought about this, it so suits Kathy. She is a lifelong student of the Bible and the consummate Sunday School teacher. She sees things relationally as they impact our lives. Here are her favorites:

“I love the story of Esther because it tells me that even though the name of God is never mentioned, He is there, working in our lives.” Do you see God working in each area of your life? Is He with you in the hard times- rescuing, helping, guiding and providing all that behind the scenes encouragement? Do you also turn to Him in praise when things go well? I am reminded of God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Esther believed God was there with her and her people. What about you?
 
 “I love the story of Ruth because of the love and devotion it speaks.” Ruth gives us an example to follow because of the love she showed her mother-in-law, Naomi. Do you have someone you are serving even though it is hard? Are you letting the love of God shine through you towards them? Paul put this in another context in Romans 12:9-11 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” What does your love reflect?
 
“I love the story of Jonah because it tells me that I can’t outrun God.” Jonah is such a great example of thinking we know better and can get away from God. Do you try to second guess God and tell Him how things should be? Submission is not easy but it is biblical. Christ is our example in Hebrews 5:7 “ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Let us learn from Jonah and strive to be like Jesus.
 
“I love the story of the blind man in John 9 because it tells me that even though people can see, they may still be blind.” Jesus made mud and put it on this man’s eyes and his eyes were opened. He had been blind from birth. The Pharisee’s were incensed that Jesus healed this man and did it on the Sabbath. They considered healing work and Jews were not permitted to work on the Sabbath. They questioned the man’s parents to verify he was born blind. They questioned the former blind man about who had healed him. He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not (meaning Jesus), I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” He was blind physically but Jesus gave him sight. The Pharisee’s were blind spiritually and could not see the truth of Jesus and His power. Are you open to His work and leading so that you can see God’s truth in your life?
 
 “I love the story of Ananias and Sapphira because it tells me that God knows me so well, I can’t lie to him (and lying never brings about a good ending).” This story occurs in Acts 5. Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. It would seem from what happened, they said they were giving all the proceeds from their land sale. Maybe they wanted to look good in the eyes of the apostles and their fellow believers so they would think well of them, think them generous and selfless when they secretly held back a portion for themselves. Their actions were deceitful and here is what happened. Ananias came before Peter:
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, carried him out and buried him.
 
Next his wife came in, not knowing what had happened to her husband. “About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.  The sin was not that they did not give it all to the Lord’s work but lying about it. If they had been truthful about the price and what they were giving, all would have been well but they tried to lie and get away with it. What a price to pay for pride and trying to be more than they were. I agree with Kathy this is an example of God’s Omniscience and man’s pride. God knows, and we kid ourselves, when we think we can get away with things. God always knows.

I am reminded of 1 John 3:19-21 “This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.”

Be encouraged today with these stories displaying God’s character. He is Omnipresent and Sovereign as in Esther showing His providential care and guidance. He is loving and the great Provider as seen in Ruth. He is Omniscient in the case of Jonah and Ananias and Saphira. He is Compassionate, Loving and Almighty God as seen by the blind man. Who is God to you? How do you see him in the story of your life? Is He Faithful, Unchanging, Savior, Redeemer and friend? Take time to thank Him for His presence in your life today.

I’d love to hear your favorite story too. Thanks, Kathy, for directing me to these gems of scripture that give us foundational truths to live by.
​
Linda
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