Generosity

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Is. 1: 18)

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Pro. 23:7)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” (Ps. 32: 8-9)

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Eph. 4:22-23)

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth” (Col. 3:2)

Here in Philippians 4: 8 God calls us to “think about these things”…

1. True

2. Honorable

3. Just

4. Pure

5. Lovely

6. Commendable

7. Excellence

8. Praise-worthy

We must agree that the transforming power of God is linked to our obedience to the word of God.

When you discount the Word of God you disconnect from the power of God.

There are two areas of powerlessness that exist in most American Christians

The Gospel life is not only a life surrendered to Jesus in worship, but also a life transformed by the Word of God each day. God calls us to be transformed and this transformation is the most telling mark that we are saved and surrendered to Jesus in worship.

Transformation occurs, as we trust God’s call to…

1. Present our bodies to the Lord (1) “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God”…

2. Renew our minds by the Word (2) “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”…

3. Know God’s will from the world (2) “that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect”…

1. The local church is God’s visible representation of His kingdom (19) “you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens”…

2. The local church is God’s family (19) “with the saints and members of the household of God”…

3. The local church is God’s place for us to join & grow as holy people (21) “in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord”…

The gospel life extends forgiveness and puts away bitterness knowing…

1. Our ability to forgive displays our new grace nature (Mt. 6: 14-15)

2. Bitterness is the fruit of an unforgiving believer (Eph. 4: 30-31) “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice”…

3. God expects His children to exercise forgiveness to others (32) “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”…

Gospel life is characterized by expressive worship, forgiveness & life change, it is distinct from self-righteous religion, and today we will see from the life of Jesus how gospel life…

1. Pursues God in prayer (39-41, 45-46) “and He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed”…

2. Agonizes faithfully during temptation (44) “and being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground”…

3. Submits to God’s will not their own (42) “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done”…

4. Receives God’s loving affirmation & strength (43) “and there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him”…

What does a life surrendered in worship of Jesus look like? How is gospel life different from any other forms of worship?

1. A life of surrendered worship is expressive in the presence of Jesus (36-38)

A. She was humbled by her sin (37-38) “and behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping”…

B. She was grateful for His grace (38) “she began to wet His feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head”…

C. She was expressive with her love (38) “and kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment.”

2. A life of surrendered worship is distinct from mere religion (39-46)

A. Self-righteousness lacks compassion (39) “He would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner”…

B. Self-righteousness lacks hospitality (44) “you gave me no water for my feet”…

C. Self-righteousness lacks honor (45) “you gave me no kiss”…

D. Self-righteousness lacks sacrifice (46) “you did not anoint my head with oil”…

3. A life of surrendered worship is forgiven and never the same (47-50, 41-43)

A. She was forgiven of all of her many sins (47)

B. She loved Jesus much because He had forgiven her sins (47-48)

C. She responded to God’s grace by placing her faith in Jesus (50)

1. The character of God (1-4) “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”

2. The conviction of sin (5) “and I said: Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

3. The cleansing of man (6-7) “and he touched my mouth and said; behold this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

4. The call to missions (8) “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then I said, here am I! Send me.”