God Gives In Great Abundance, So He Gets All The Glory

God’s Abundance is seen in her blessings

Jim’s sermon, “God Gives In Abundance, So He Gets All The Glory,” profoundly emphasizes the boundless generosity of God and our response to His grace. This message, intertwined with scripture and Lakeview Christian Church’s mission, inspires us to live lives of gratitude and service.

Abundance In Action

Jim draws attention to 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV): “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” This verse underscores that God’s blessings equip us for every good work, emphasizing the completeness of His provision.

God’s abundant blessings are not merely financial but encompass all aspects of our lives. This holistic view of God’s generosity aligns with Ephesians 3:20 (NIV): “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Giving for God’s Glory His Abundance Leads To Overflow

Jim passionately expressed that the glory for all our good works should go to God. “I hope people say, ‘Look at what God did through Lakeview,'” he said. This humility is echoed in Matthew 5:16 (NIV): “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Our giving and service are ways to reflect God’s grace and point others to Him. This is central to Lakeview Christian Church’s mission to “Be The Change.” By engaging in Just 3—studying God’s Word, sharing life together, and serving others—we shine His light in our community.

Scriptural Foundation for Giving in Abundance

The Bible is replete with verses about God providing in abundance and the call to glorify Him through our generosity. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) assures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” This promise strengthens our faith in God’s provision.

Furthermore, Psalm 23:1 (NIV) declares, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” This verse encapsulates the sufficiency of God’s provision in every area of our lives.

The Joy of Serving The overflow of having an abundance in our heart

Jim’s sermon emphasizes that our service should be an expression of gratitude for God’s abundant blessings. Serving others is a way to reflect God’s love and grace. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) instructs, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Our service is an expression of gratitude for all that God has done for us.

Serving with joy and humility brings glory to God. It demonstrates the transformative power of His grace in our lives. As we serve, we become living testimonies of God’s love and generosity.

Applying the Message to Our Lives

At Lakeview Christian Church, we live out our mission through the principles of Just 3: Study, Share, and Serve. Studying God’s Word reveals His character and His plans for us. Psalm 119:105 (NIV) states, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” guiding us in our daily walk with God.

Sharing life with others builds a supportive and loving community. Romans 12:10 (NIV) encourages, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This mutual care and respect strengthen our bonds and reflect God’s love.

Serving others is a direct response to God’s abundant blessings. Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV) reminds us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

The Impact of Just 3 God’s Abundance Leads To Action

By incorporating Just 3 into our lives, we fulfill our mission to “Be The Change.” Studying God’s Word equips us with the knowledge and wisdom needed to navigate our spiritual journey. This deepens our relationship with God and strengthens our faith. Sharing life with others creates a supportive and nurturing community that reflects God’s love, encouraging us to grow together in our spiritual walk. Serving others allows us to demonstrate God’s grace in practical ways, making a tangible difference in our community.

Living Out Generosity That Comes From God’s abundance

Generosity is not just about financial giving; it’s about giving our time, talents, and resources to serve others and glorify God. This holistic approach to generosity is exemplified in James 2:14-17 (NIV): “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Our faith must be accompanied by action. When we study God’s Word, we are called to live it out by sharing and serving others. This is the essence of Just 3. It’s about transforming our knowledge of God’s love into actions that reflect His grace and mercy.

Encouraging a Culture of Generosity

At Lakeview Christian Church, we encourage a culture of generosity as our response to God’s overflow of abundance. This means creating opportunities for our congregation to give and serve in ways that reflect their unique gifts and passions. We believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and by working together, we can make a significant impact.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) says, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” This passage highlights the diverse gifts within the body of Christ and the importance of using these gifts to build up the church and serve others.

Practical Ways to Give and Serve

There are many practical ways to live out generosity through Just 3:

Study: Commit to regular Bible study, both individually and in groups. Understanding God’s Word is foundational to living a generous life. Consider joining or leading a small group, participating in a Bible study class, or using daily devotionals to deepen your understanding of scripture.

Share: Build relationships within the church and the wider community. Invite friends, family, and neighbors to church events, share your faith journey with others, and support those in need through acts of kindness and hospitality.

Serve: Get involved in service projects and ministries within the church and the community. Volunteer at local shelters, participate in mission trips, support community outreach programs, and use your skills and talents to help those in need.

The Ripple Effect of Generosity

Generosity has a ripple effect stemming from God’s Abundance. When we give and serve, we inspire others to do the same. Our actions can lead to a chain reaction of kindness and generosity, impacting countless lives. This ripple effect is beautifully described in 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 (NIV): “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.”

When we give, it not only meets the needs of others but also brings glory to God and inspires gratitude and generosity in others. This is the power of living a generous life.

Conclusion of Abundance from God

Jim’s sermon calls us to recognize God’s abundance seen in His blessings and to give Him all the glory. By embracing the principles of Just 3—Study, Share, and Serve—we fulfill Lakeview Christian Church’s mission to “Be The Change.” Let us live lives of gratitude, giving, and service, reflecting the glory of God in all we do.

As we continue to study His Word, share life with one another, and serve our community, we become living testimonies of God’s transformative grace and abundance. Let us strive to give as Jesus gives, willingly and lovingly, making a lasting impact on the world around us. Through our generosity, we can bring hope, joy, and the message of God’s love to those in need, ultimately giving all the glory to Him.

Additional Scriptural Insights

To further enrich our understanding of God’s abundant blessings and our call to generosity, let’s explore additional scriptures that reinforce these themes:

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV): “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” This passage highlights the paradox of generosity—by giving freely, we receive even more blessings.

Luke 6:38 (NIV): “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Jesus teaches that our generosity will be rewarded abundantly.

Acts 20:35 (NIV): “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” Paul reminds us of Jesus’ teaching on the blessedness of giving.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NIV): “And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” The Macedonian churches exemplify how joy and generosity can flourish even in difficult circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV): “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Paul instructs Timothy to encourage the wealthy to be generous and to place their hope in God rather than in material wealth.

Embracing a Lifestyle of Generosity

As we reflect on these scriptures and Jim’s sermon, let us commit to embracing a lifestyle of generosity. This means being intentional about how we use our resources, time, and talents to serve others and glorify God. It means recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and that we are called to be faithful stewards of these blessings.

Let us pray for hearts that are open to God’s leading, for wisdom to discern how we can best serve others, and for the courage to step out in faith and generosity. May our lives be a testament to God’s abundant grace and may we bring glory to Him in all that we do.

In conclusion, Jim’s sermon, “God Gives In Abundance, So He Gets All The Glory,” challenges us to recognize the boundless generosity of God and to respond with lives of gratitude, giving, and service. By embracing the principles of Just 3—Study, Share, and Serve—we can fulfill Lakeview Christian Church’s mission to “Be The Change” and make a lasting impact on our community and the world. Let us strive to live out our faith through generous actions, reflecting the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.