Giving as Christ Gave For Us

Giving as Christ Gave For Us

Introduction:

Psa 50:7-15 – God is the owner of everything that exists. 1 Cor. 10:26 – this can also be said of Jesus. Before He came to this world – Jesus was on equality with God. (John 17:3-5; Phil. 2:5-6) He gave all for us! Christians are encouraged to have a giving spirit – remembering that everything we have comes from God. This remains a challenge for some Christians. 2 Cor. 8:7-12 – Corinthians encouraged to give to help needy brethren in Jerusalem. Focus on 8:9. Here is the reason he encourages them to give liberally. Each one of us must consider Jesus as we give!

I. How poor did Jesus become?

A. Phil. 2:5-6 – being a man is a long way from being equal to God.

1. 2:7 – He choose a condition of poverty.

2. He was connected w/a poor family. Lk. 2:4; Isa. 11:1

B. He went from Master & Ruler over all to being the servant of all.

1. Mt. 20:26-28; John 13:3-5; Who should have washed whose feet?

C. 2:8 – being found in appearance as a man…

1. Psa. 8:4 – what is man that you take thought of Him & the Son of Man that you care for him?

2. How poor was Jesus while on earth?

a) Lk. 2:7 – at his birth – wrapped in swaddling clothes.

b) Lk. 9:58 – he had no home.

D. 2:8b – obedient – to the point of death.

1. Greatest example of poverty seen in his death on the cross.

2. Heb. 5:7-9 – 5:7: his prayer in the Garden the night before crucifixion.

3. He suffered this penalty due to our sin. Rom. 5:6-10

II. Jesus became poor that we might be rich.

A. Jesus went from riches to poverty so we could go from poverty to riches.

B. Eph. 2:1 – so poor – we were dead in our trespasses & sins.

C. Eph. 2:12 – so poor – we were w/o hope & w/o God in the world.

D. So poor – that we were once sinners condemned to eternal fire.

E. So poor – that Jesus had to die for us that we might not perish.

F. How rich have we become?

1. 1 John 3:1 – we’re God’s children. Eph. 1:7 – we’re free from sin.

2. Phil. 4:6 – we’re free from worry. Heb. 2:14 – we don’t fear death

III. No one in this world is richer than the child of God!

IV. A spiritual heart exam. (Considering what Jesus did for us)

A. Do we realize all things are Gods?

B. Do we realize He has given all things to us? (Even the air we breathe?)

C. Are we willing to give back to Him in abundant amounts?

D. How deep is my appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ?

E. Do we remember that God looks at HOW we give – not just the amount given? Mk. 12:41-44

1. Here we learn some important things about our giving:

2. If we give only what we can afford – it is not sacrifice.

3. Not sacrifice unless given w/the right purpose & w/the right reasons.

Conclusion:

A. We ought to give liberally of our material things because Jesus gave Himself for us.

B. Not a Christian? Consider how poor you are in your present spiritual condition & how through Christ you can become spiritually rich!



Giving as Christ Gave For Us Introduction: Psa 50:7-15 – God is the owner of everything that exists. 1 Cor. 10:26 – this can also be said of Jesus. Before He came to this world – Jesus was on equality with God. (John 17:3-5; Phil. 2:5-6) He gave all for us! Christians are encouraged to have a giving spirit – remembering that everything we have comes from God. This remains a challenge for some Christians. 2 Cor. 8:7-12 – Corinthians encouraged to give to help needy brethren in Jerusalem. Focus on 8:9. Here is the reason he encourages them to give liberally. Each one of us must consider Jesus as we give! I. How poor did Jesus become? A. Phil. 2:5-6 – being a man is a long way from being equal to God. 1. 2:7 – He choose a condition of poverty. 2. He was connected w/a poor family. Lk. 2:4; Isa. 11:1 B. He went from Master & Ruler over all to being the servant of all. 1. Mt. 20:26-28; John 13:3-5; Who should have washed whose feet? C. 2:8 – being found in appearance as a man… 1. Psa. 8:4 – what is man that you take thought of Him & the Son of Man that you care for him? 2. How poor was Jesus while on earth? a) Lk. 2:7 – at his birth – wrapped in swaddling clothes. b) Lk. 9:58 – he had no home. D. 2:8b – obedient – to the point of death. 1. Greatest example of poverty seen in his death on the cross. 2. Heb. 5:7-9 – 5:7: his prayer in the Garden the night before crucifixion. 3. He suffered this penalty due to our sin. Rom. 5:6-10 II. Jesus became poor that we might be rich. A. Jesus went from riches to poverty so we could go from poverty to riches. B. Eph. 2:1 – so poor – we were dead in our trespasses & sins. C. Eph. 2:12 – so poor – we were w/o hope & w/o God in the world. D. So poor – that we were once sinners condemned to eternal fire. E. So poor – that Jesus had to die for us that we might not perish. F. How rich have we become? 1. 1 John 3:1 – we’re God’s children. Eph. 1:7 – we’re free from sin. 2. Phil. 4:6 – we’re free from worry. Heb. 2:14 – we don’t fear death III. No one in this world is richer than the child of God! IV. A spiritual heart exam. (Considering what Jesus did for us) A. Do we realize all things are Gods? B. Do we realize He has given all things to us? (Even the air we breathe?) C. Are we willing to give back to Him in abundant amounts? D. How deep is my appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ? E. Do we remember that God looks at HOW we give – not just the amount given? Mk. 12:41-44 1. Here we learn some important things about our giving: 2. If we give only what we can afford – it is not sacrifice. 3. Not sacrifice unless given w/the right purpose & w/the right reasons. Conclusion: A. We ought to give liberally of our material things because Jesus gave Himself for us. B. Not a Christian? Consider how poor you are in your present spiritual condition & how through Christ you can become spiritually rich!