People's Church

Acts 3:1-10 NLT

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer

service.

  2  As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was

put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people

going into the Temple.

  3  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

4  Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”  5  The lame man looked at

them eagerly, expecting some money.

  6  But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the

name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

7  Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s

feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.  8  He jumped up, stood on his feet, and

began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

9  All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.  10  When they realized he was the

lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!

1. Christmas reminds us our hope is in Jesus.

1 Peter 1:6-8 NLT

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a

little while.  7  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and

purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith

remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the

day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Colossians 1:3-5 NLT

3  We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  4  For

we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,  5  which come

from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this

expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

2. Christmas reminds us we can trust His plan.

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

14  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a

son, and will call him Immanuel.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

    and do what is just and right in the land.

6  In his days Judah will be saved

    and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

Zechariah 9:9 NIV

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

    righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 13:54-57 NIV

54  Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were

amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they

asked.  55  “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his

brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?  56  Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this

man get all these things?”  57  And they took offense at him.

Matthew 6:25-33 NIV

25  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your

body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  26  Look at

the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly

Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  27  Can any one of you by

worrying add a single hour to your life?

28  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not

labor or spin.  29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of

these.  30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is

thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  31  So do not worry,

saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  32  For the pagans

run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  33  But seek first

his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

3. Christmas reminds us that God wants us to share his hope.

Luke 2:15-18 NIV – 15  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said

to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord

has told us about.”

16  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the

manger.  17  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them

about this child,  18  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Acts 3:1-10 NLT

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer

service.

  2  As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was

put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people

going into the Temple.

  3  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

4  Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”  5  The lame man looked at

them eagerly, expecting some money.

  6  But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the

name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

7  Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s

feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.  8  He jumped up, stood on his feet, and

began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

9  All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.  10  When they realized he was the

lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!

1. Christmas reminds us our hope is in Jesus.

1 Peter 1:6-8 NLT

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a

little while.  7  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and

purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith

remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the

day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Colossians 1:3-5 NLT

3  We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  4  For

we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,  5  which come

from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this

expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

2. Christmas reminds us we can trust His plan.

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

14  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a

son, and will call him Immanuel.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

    and do what is just and right in the land.

6  In his days Judah will be saved

    and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

Zechariah 9:9 NIV

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

    righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 13:54-57 NIV

54  Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were

amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they

asked.  55  “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his

brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?  56  Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this

man get all these things?”  57  And they took offense at him.

Matthew 6:25-33 NIV

25  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your

body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  26  Look at

the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly

Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  27  Can any one of you by

worrying add a single hour to your life?

28  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not

labor or spin.  29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of

these.  30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is

thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  31  So do not worry,

saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  32  For the pagans

run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  33  But seek first

his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

3. Christmas reminds us that God wants us to share his hope.

Luke 2:15-18 NIV – 15  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said

to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord

has told us about.”

16  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the

manger.  17  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them

about this child,  18  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6 (NIV)

23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6 (NIV)

23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

3 Labels That Limit You

1. The label of the past

Joshua 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said,

“especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

(NIV)

Joshua 6:22   Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and

bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” (NIV)

Joshua 6:25 But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because

she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day. (NIV)

James 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did

when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? (NIV)

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those

who were disobedient.  (NIV)

Matthew 1:5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose

mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, (NIV)

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ

Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

both theirs and ours: (NKJV)

2. The label of loser

Judges 6:12-15 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty

warrior.” 13  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to

us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up

out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14  The Lord turned

to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending

you?” 15  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in

Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (NIV)

3. The label of not enough

1 Kings 17:10-12 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there

gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a

drink?”  11  As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12  “As surely as

the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a

little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son,

that we may eat it—and die.” (NIV)

1. She gave first

1 Kings 17:13   Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a

small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself

and your son.  (NIV)

Proverbs 11:24–25   One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly,

but comes to poverty. 25  A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be

refreshed. (NIV)

2. She went to work with what she had

1 Kings 17:14-15 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up

and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 15  She went away and

did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her

family. (NIV)

3 Labels That Limit You

1. The label of the past

Joshua 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said,

“especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

(NIV)

Joshua 6:22   Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and

bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” (NIV)

Joshua 6:25 But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because

she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day. (NIV)

James 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did

when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? (NIV)

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those

who were disobedient.  (NIV)

Matthew 1:5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose

mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, (NIV)

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ

Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

both theirs and ours: (NKJV)

2. The label of loser

Judges 6:12-15 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty

warrior.” 13  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to

us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up

out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14  The Lord turned

to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending

you?” 15  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in

Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (NIV)

3. The label of not enough

1 Kings 17:10-12 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there

gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a

drink?”  11  As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12  “As surely as

the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a

little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son,

that we may eat it—and die.” (NIV)

1. She gave first

1 Kings 17:13   Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a

small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself

and your son.  (NIV)

Proverbs 11:24–25   One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly,

but comes to poverty. 25  A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be

refreshed. (NIV)

2. She went to work with what she had

1 Kings 17:14-15 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up

and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 15  She went away and

did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her

family. (NIV)

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine,

according to the power that works in us, (MEV)

Matthew 14:15-16 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s

already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16  But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” (NLT)

1. God wants to do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond through you

2. You need examine what you have

Mark 6:37-38 But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months

to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” 38  “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go

and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” (NLT)

3. You need to bring what you have to Jesus

Matthew 14:17-18 “But we have only five loaves of br

ead and two fish!” they answered. 18  “Bring them

here,” he said. (NLT)

4. What you give to God, He multiples

Matthew 14:19-21 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two

fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread

to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the

disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.  21  About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the

women and children! (NLT)

Luke 6:38 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.”

(NIV)

1. Spontaneous 

2. Systematic

Leviticus 27:30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees,

belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. (NIV)

3. Strategic

2 Corinthians 9:6-10 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever

sows generously will also reap generously.  7  Each of you should give what you have decided in your

heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  8  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. 9  As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness

endures forever.”  10  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and

increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (NIV)

4. Sacrificial

2 Corinthians 8:2–5 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also

filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3  For I can testify that they gave not

only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4  They begged us again

and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5  They even did more than

we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted

them to do. (NLT)

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine,

according to the power that works in us, (MEV)

Matthew 14:15-16 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s

already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16  But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” (NLT)

1. God wants to do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond through you

2. You need examine what you have

Mark 6:37-38 But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months

to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” 38  “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go

and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” (NLT)

3. You need to bring what you have to Jesus

Matthew 14:17-18 “But we have only five loaves of br

ead and two fish!” they answered. 18  “Bring them

here,” he said. (NLT)

4. What you give to God, He multiples

Matthew 14:19-21 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two

fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread

to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the

disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.  21  About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the

women and children! (NLT)

Luke 6:38 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.”

(NIV)

1. Spontaneous 

2. Systematic

Leviticus 27:30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees,

belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. (NIV)

3. Strategic

2 Corinthians 9:6-10 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever

sows generously will also reap generously.  7  Each of you should give what you have decided in your

heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  8  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. 9  As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness

endures forever.”  10  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and

increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (NIV)

4. Sacrificial

2 Corinthians 8:2–5 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also

filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3  For I can testify that they gave not

only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4  They begged us again

and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5  They even did more than

we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted

them to do. (NLT)

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us, (NASB)

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up

their cross daily and follow me. (NIV)

4 Truths About Surrender

1. Surrender is a test

Genesis 22:1–2 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he

replied. 2  Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the

region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (NIV)

2. Surrender is giving up what you love for what you love more

Genesis 22:2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the

region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (NIV)

3. Surrender is worship

Genesis 22:5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there.

We will worship and then we will come back to you.” (NIV)

4. Surrender leads to supernatural provision

Genesis 22:12-14 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know

that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13  Abraham

looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and

sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14  So Abraham called that place The LORD Will

Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” (NIV)

Genesis 22:15-18 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16  and said, “I

swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your

only son, 17  I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as

the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18  and

through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (NIV)

Malachi 3:10–11 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of

heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11  I will

prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit

before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. (NIV)

4 Reasons People Don’t Surrender The Tithe

1. It’s under the law 

Genesis 14:20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (NIV)

Genesis 28:22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you

give me I will give you a tenth.” (NIV)

Matthew 23:23   “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees.

Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you

ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes,

but do not neglect the more important things. (NLT)

2. I already tithe

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me

in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour

out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (NIV)

3. The church doesn’t need my money

4. I can’t afford to tithe

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us, (NASB)

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up

their cross daily and follow me. (NIV)

4 Truths About Surrender

1. Surrender is a test

Genesis 22:1–2 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he

replied. 2  Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the

region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (NIV)

2. Surrender is giving up what you love for what you love more

Genesis 22:2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the

region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (NIV)

3. Surrender is worship

Genesis 22:5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there.

We will worship and then we will come back to you.” (NIV)

4. Surrender leads to supernatural provision

Genesis 22:12-14 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know

that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13  Abraham

looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and

sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14  So Abraham called that place The LORD Will

Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” (NIV)

Genesis 22:15-18 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16  and said, “I

swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your

only son, 17  I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as

the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18  and

through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (NIV)

Malachi 3:10–11 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of

heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11  I will

prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit

before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. (NIV)

4 Reasons People Don’t Surrender The Tithe

1. It’s under the law 

Genesis 14:20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (NIV)

Genesis 28:22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you

give me I will give you a tenth.” (NIV)

Matthew 23:23   “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees.

Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you

ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes,

but do not neglect the more important things. (NLT)

2. I already tithe

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me

in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour

out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (NIV)

3. The church doesn’t need my money

4. I can’t afford to tithe