God’s Message of Hope…4.(Isaiah 1:16-18) Is Full of Forgiveness & Grace available to you.Ask yourself…•(Isaiah 5:13-14) Am I ignoring God’s Message of Hope?•(Isaiah 6:9-10) Have I become insensitive to God’s Message of Hope?•(Isaiah 8:16-19) Have I replaced God’s Message of Hope with something else?•(Isaiah 8:20-22) Am I miserable because I’m living without God’s Message of Hope?God’s Message of Hope…5.May not include •More $•Better health•Better circumstances6.(Isaiah 9:1-7) Has always been Jesus!•He brings us true gladness.•He is the God-man.•He is Our Counselor.•He understands the conflict between God and man.•He removed the conflict between God and man.

2 Corinthians 4Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!2 Corinthians 9:15“We have this…”1. PRIVILEGED MINISTRYNot A QUITTER (v. 1)Not A DECEIVER (v. 2-4)Not A SELF-PROMOTER (v. 5-6)2. PRICELESS TREASUREGod’s POTS (v. 7-9)God’s POWER (v. 7)God’s PRIESTS (v. 10-12)There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John 1:6-8…be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:213. PERSEVERING FAITHConfident of God’s POWER (v. 14)Confident of God’s GLORY (v. 15)Confident of God’s RENEWAL (v. 16)Confident of God’s ETERNALITY (v. 17-18)And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28“Therefore…we do not lose heart.” (v. 1, 16)

2 Corinthians 8:9-15“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”-Apostle Paul to Elders at Ephesus1. BECAUSE YOU ARE “RICH” (v. 9)And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5“…[Jesus] humbled Himself…to the point of death…even the death of the cross”Philippians 2:8“…[we are]…heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”Romans 8:172. BECAUSE YOU ARE ABLE (v. 10-12)Perform, Don’t Just PromiseGive As God Provides3. BECAUSE YOU ARE BLESSED (v. 13-15)Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share…1 Timothy 6:17-18Give…It’s Who You AreGenerouslyRegularlyDeliberatelyVoluntarilySacrificiallyWorshipfullyProportionatelyQuietlyGIVING IS NOT A TAX, BUT GRATEFUL HEARTS RUNNING RAMPANT BECAUSE OF THE “INDESCRIBABLE GIFT”

2 Corinthians 8:1-15“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”-Apostle Paul to Elders at EphesusLast Week: N.T. Standard is GenerousToday: Example of Generous Giving (THE MACEDONIANS)I. GRACE OF GOD A. WILLINGLY (v. 1-3) 1. In Great AFFLICTION 2. With Abundant JOY 3. In Extreme POVERTY 4. With Radical GENEROSITY 5. Beyond Their ABILITY 6. Sacrificing FREELY B. PASSIONATELY (v. 4-5) 1. Begging To HELP 2. Begging To SHARE 3. Because of RELATIONSHIPS •First -- JESUS •Second -- OTHERS 4. Because of GOD’S WillII. LOVE OF GOD (v. 6-9) A. Proves SINCERITY B. Proves SPIRITUALITYIII. GRATITUDE TO GOD (v. 10-16) A. PERFORM, Don’t Just PROMISE B. Give As God PROVIDES