SERMON: May 8, 2022

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VIRTUAL SERMON:

SERMON NOTES

Tithe/Grace Giving 

1 Samuel 16:7 - New King James Version

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [a]refused him. For[bthe Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

  • What does your heart look like to God (true self) in your giving?

Grace- says we give, because we want to, not because we have to

  • God’s been so good to me, every good gift I have I know came from God

  • Act of worship, reverence, bringing glory to God

  • Authentication of your Faith to yourself that God is your source (spiritual)

  • Obedient giving disciplines your flesh from mammon (love of money)

  • Promises of blessing & protection attached

Law- Tithe or else your cursed (fear, consequences, performance-based religion)

Genesis 12:1-3 - Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

12 Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].

And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].

  • God commands Abraham to get away from his family (family- worshipped idols)

  • Increase of favors (God will convey favors that no one can explain)

  • You are a dispenser of good to others in this world 

    • God works through people (we are His hands & feet here on the earth)

    • You are the temple of the Holy Ghost

    • Christ Jesus hope of Glory is in YOU (as Jesus is so are you)

Genesis 13:2 - Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Now Abram was extremely rich in livestock and in silver and in gold.

  • Abraham is obedient to God’s word, result is he is extremely rich

Genesis 14:1-2 - New King James Version

14 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of [a]nations, that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

  • War 5 kings vs 4 kings

Genesis 14:11-16 - New King James Version

11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by [a]the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. 14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is [b]north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.

  • Abraham’s servants have seen Abraham work under the blessing firsthand (they operated under that blessing through association)

  • Restoration part of the blessing

Genesis 14:18-24 - New King James Version

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said:

Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

And he gave him [a]a tithe of all.

21 Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the [b]persons, and take the goods for yourself.”

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’— 24 except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”

  • Abraham tithes 500 years before the law (10 commandments)

  • Tithes out of worship 

  • giving glory to God (Abraham called on the hand of the Lord)

  • God is Abraham source (spiritually, physically, and financially)

Genesis 15:1 - Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

15 After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great.

  • Abraham tithes & gives spoils of war = God says He is his shield and abundant compensation and reward

  • Protector and ABUNDANT provider

  • Abraham giving authenticated his faith and connected him to God’s blessing (proved to himself and everyone else around him)

Mark 8:34-36 - Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

34 And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and [a]lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [[b]joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow [c]with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me].

35 For whoever wants to save his [[d]higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the [e]lower, natural, temporal life [f]which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it [his [g]higher, spiritual life [h]in the eternal kingdom of God].

36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life [[i]in the eternal kingdom of God]?

  • Be honest with yourselves; are you living this lower, temporary life for God?

    • Where is your heart? God looks at your heart

    • Are your worshiping, serving, and giving glory to God with your finances?

    • Repent- rededicate your life- sell out for Jesus- be determined to live this life for the Lord


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