1. Compelling generosity.

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men 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.” 2 Corinthians 9:12-13

2. Wrong priorities lead to selfish, safe living.

“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.” Titus 3:14

3. Rewards follow risk.

“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.” Acts 20:35

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

Who is it that needs to know about Jesus?

1. God is at work, join Him.

2. Found people, find people.

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" They came out of the town and made their way toward him.”
John 4:28-30

“Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
John 20:21

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8

Who is your WALDO?

3. Passion overcomes discomfort.

“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:20

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:41

His Word > Our Experiences
John 1:1-14

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

1. Jesus is the Word

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” Psalm 33:6

2. Jesus is Truth

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. Jesus is Lord

“Come, let us bow down in worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God.” Psalm 95:6

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

It is not how many titles you have but how many toilets you clean.

1. You have been gifted to serve.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

2. You have been qualified to serve.

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7

3. You have been called to serve.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

1. The compassion of God will meet you where you are.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1:12-14

2. The love of God will not leave you there.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Christ proceeds change; change follows Christ

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28

3. Everyone has a next step.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2

“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Romans 12:5

Life is better together.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10

1. Life together brings growth.
a. Spiritual growth
b. Numerical growth

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

2. Life together brings help.

a. Hardships

“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative's house when disaster strikes you-- better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.”
Proverbs 27:10

b. Dangers

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17

3. Life together brings joy.

a. To know and be known
b. To love and be loved
c. To serve and to be served.

“So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8

Who are your 2am friends?
Do they help you walk closer to Jesus?

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God..” Hebrews 12:2

1. Jesus took your punishment.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole." Galatians 3:13

2. Jesus gives you forgiveness.

“And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:23-24

3. Go to Jesus.

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

1. Do not allow money to be an idol.

a. Give it away

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

b. Keep perspective

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10

2. Be content with God’s provision.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

3. Trust the Lord to meet your needs.

“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men 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.” 2 Corinthians 9:13

1. Marriage should be honored.

2. Marriage should be holy.

“In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.” Ephesians 5:28-29

3. Marriages should be healed.

"There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1

"Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin" Psalm 32:1, 2

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

“Who for your sake was made to be sin that you might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“Who bore your sins in his body on the cross.” 1 Peter 2:24

Love God with everything.

Love Others as yourself.

“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29

Remember implies that they once knew them, they once did something for them.

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17

The main point is the main point, meeting physical needs was never the main thing, the spiritual life was the main thing.

The Gospel is the solution.