DEFINING MOMENTS – PART FIVE
FACE TO FACE WITH DIVINE GENEROSITY
JOHN 3:16-18 (PAGE 752 - DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2015)
Introduction:
Today we are focusing on the most important defining moment in life; when you, as a person created by God, understand the amazing, sacrificial generosity of God’s grace. Turn to John 3:16-18-P. 752
“For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18
John 3:14 is arguably the most quoted verse in the world. We have all seen the guy holding or wearing a ‘John 3:16’ sign a sporting events; we have seen John 3:16 painted on rocks along the side of a road, or on tee shirts and bumper stickers. We all know the verse well: “For God so loved the world…” BUT,’ IF YOU READ THIS PASSAGE IN PROPER CONTEXT, YOU ALSO KNOW THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN HIM FIRST, ARE CONDEMNED
Interesting, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT GENEROSITY PEOPLE START GETTING NERVOUS! A new building campaign; or sign a pledge card? THE GREATEST WAY TO REALLY UNDERSTAND GENEROSITY IS EXAMINE THE GENEROSITY OF GOD. IN COMPARISON…
BILL GATES: Bill Gates is on the top of the Forbes list for the richest man in the world and is now worth $79.3 Billion. Statistics regarding wealth of Bill Gates:
• If Gates were a nation he would be the 37th wealthiest COUNTRY on EARTH of 196 nations.
• $79.3 billion dollars, at a simple 6% rate, means that he makes $124.70 every second of his life. It is not worth his time to stop and pick up; truthfully, he should leave it there for one of us!
• Bill Gates is 59 years old. If he lives to be 90, he will have to spend $6 million dollars a day to exhaust his fortune.
• If Bill Gates gave EVERYONE on earth $10 he would still have $9 billion to work with.
• Bill Gates is not only the wealthiest man on earth, but he also one of the most generous in giving away $33 billion dollars to date!
Here’s what you need to understand about today’s defining moment…The Gates statistics are staggering…BUT COMPARED TO THE GENEROSITY OF JESUS CHRIST…POOR BILL GATES IS A HOARDER. WHY? Because: “ALL THAT YOU ENJOY IN LIFE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU BY GOD!” Col. 1:16 – p.833
“For through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 (NLT)
EVERYTHING WE ENJOY IN LIFE HE HAS MADE FOR US. We often forget it. I love a GREAT HAMBURGER but I never drive by a farm and look at a cow and say, “WOW, I BET THAT IS GOING TO BE DELICIOUS!” OR a pig in the mud and you look at that and say, “OH, MAN, if I could just get Your BACK END and STICK THAT IN THE OVEN…WOW!” We see the generosity of God in the common everyday experience of life. THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU ENJOY THAT WAS NOT GIVEN BY GOD.
MY GOAL: FOR YOU TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND DEFINING MOMENT REGARDING THE GENEROSITY OF GOD: I want you to be SO overwhelmed by what God has given you that you would never again be resentful for what you don’t have.
Sadly, THAT’S THE DEFAULT MOST OF US CONSIDER! WHAT WE DON’T HAVE! WHAT IF TODAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2015 YOU WOULD SAY “I HAD A DEFINING MOMENT AS MY EYES WERE OPENED TO THE TRUE GENEROSITY OF GOD IN MY LIFE!”
THREE PIECES OF EVIDENCE to help you conclusion.
I. THE GENEROSITY OF GOD IS EVIDENCED WHEN: GOD SENT HIS SON (John 3:16-18)
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18
Here is the difference between God’s generosity and Bill Gates generosity. God gave generously; His very best, even to His enemies, even though they stood against Him and did not believe in Him. You will never see Bill Gates wearing an APPLE WATCH!
In John 3:16-18 God sends Jesus into the world…NOT TO CONDEMN THE WORLD BUT TO GIVE THEM A WAY OUT! We are all in rebellion at times to God. WE EVEN WEAR THE GOD HAT…WE KNOW WHAT IS BEST, we KNOW WHAT DECISION, WE KNOW WHAT WE LIKE, IT’S NOTHING BUT OUR FLESHLY DEFAULT IN OUR REBELLION AGAINST OUR CREATOR.
God didn’t send Jesus to “show you up and GIVE YOU A LIST OF ALL THINGS YOU DON’T DO RIGHT.” God sent Jesus to say, “I AM GOING TO PROVIDE A WAY OUT OF CONDEMNATION; WAY OUT OF FAILURES; WAY OUT YOUR SINFUL REJECTION OF ME.”
HOW DOES THE GENEROSITY OF GOD, BY SENDING HIS SON, WORK IN OR LIVES? (Rom. 8:3-4)
“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4 (NLT)
Two important facts how sending Jesus to us demonstrates God’s generosity in our lives.
• HE SENT JESUS BECAUSE WE CANNOT OBEY THE LAW
We are not able to obey the law; we’re not good enough to purchase with our works our justification & salvation. If you’re here today thinking that are spending your life checking all the boxes to get ready before you die, let me tell you again, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CHECK ALL THE BOXES! Trying to earn your own salvation is like a man who neglects his family to work 15-16 hours a day to try to pay for a mortgage he does not owe. CRAZY!
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS WERE GIVEN IN A VERY REAL SENSE TO REMIND US WE CAN’T OBEY THEM ALL THE TIME. GOD DID WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO BY SENDING JESUS TO FULFILL ALL THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW. Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that WE ARE NOT ABLE TO KEEP THE LAW BECAUSE OF OUR SINFUL NATURE.
• Second fact demonstrating God’s Generosity: JESUS DID PROVIDE ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED BY GOD IN HIS OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW.
Some of you are saying… “I’m not sure I believe that. There is something good I can do to prove that God should let me into eternity.” Listen to me…THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IT ALL…PERFECTLY and that is what Jesus has already done for you. IT IS CHRIST ALONE WHO JUSTIFIES YOUR FAITH THROUGH HIS GRACE!
Illustration: I love my grandsons. I MEAN I REALLY LOVE MY GRANDSONS. There are so many things that Strong can do now, and he wants to help, but there are times I want to say, “Sorry Bud, I have to do this for you.” Many of you keep saying to God, “I’m going to help you out with my salvation; I can do this and I can do that… Jesus says, “NO. I HAVE ALREADY FINISHED THAT ASSIGNMENT, YOU CAN’T HELP ME; ALL YOU CAN DO IS RECEIVE THE HELP I GAVE YOU!”
YOU ARE NOT STOPPING HIM FROM SAVING YOU…YOU ARE STOPPING YOURSELF FROM ENJOYING WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE FOR YOU!
When you try to help Jesus with your GIFT of salvation remember this: THE TREE THAT WAS USED TO MAKE THE CROSS THAT JESUS HUNG ON TO PAY FOR OUR SINS WAS CREATED BY HIM, SUSTAINED BY HIM AND HELD TOGETHER BY HIM.
That is why Jesus can:
• Tell a STROM to stop and the weather obeys Him
• Can tell a crippled man to stand up and walk because the Body obeys him.
• Tell Lazarus, a dead man to come back to life and walk out of the tomb because He has the POWER OVER DEATH AND EVEN DEATH MUST OBEY HIM.
Colossians reminds us: “In Him all things are held together…” (Col.1:17)
At BAPTISM/MOUNT TRANSFIGURATION God speaks: “THIS IS MY SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED!”
IT WAS A COSTLY GIFT…THE GREATEST GIFT EVER GIVEN, FOR GOD TO SEND HIS SON! GOD’S GENEROSITY IS SEEN IN GIVING THE LIFE OF HIS SON SO THAT THIS WORLD, THAT IS IN REBELLION AGAINST GOD, COULD BE REDEEMED!
The second reason to have a defining moment to understand the generosity of God is…
II. THE GENEROSITY OF GOD IS SEEN WHEN: THE SON GAVE UP HIS LIFE (John 10:18)
“No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” John 10:18 (NLT)
NO ONE TAKES HIS LIFE…HE LAID IT DOWN.
IT WAS NOT THE AUTHORITY OF PILATE OR THE VERBAGE AND CHARGES OF THE HIGH PRIEST THAT PUT JESUS ON THE CROSS.
Here’s a couple of incidents prove this:
GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE – Peter takes out his sword and slices a soldier’s ear off and Jesus says ‘NO’ and picks up the ear and puts it back on the soldier. You would think the soldier would say to everyone else, “Did you see what happened; we need to get outta here!” BUT…they didn’t and they continued to arrest Him. However, what Jesus said is even more important… He looks at Peter and says, “Don’t you know I could have called out twelve legions of angels to destroy these guys?” Do you really think they are arresting me? I’m going with them, they are not taking me. BTW…we read in the Bible where a couple of angels destroy an entire army so 12 legions is a bit of an overkill.
STANDING BEFORE PILATE: “Do you really believe you have the authority to take my life?” No I am giving my life!
THE GENEROSITY OF GOD IS SEEN IN THE DEATH OF HIS SON; JESUS CHRIST WAS LAYING DOWN OF HIS LIFE FOR US; HE WAS GIVING HIS LIFE; IT WASN’T TAKEN FROM HIM.
IT WAS THE DELIGHT OF JESUS TO PRESS THROUGH THE PAIN IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD (John 12:27)
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!” John 12:27 (NLT)
There isn’t some divine narcotic that GOD is about to give to Jesus when they tie him to a post and beat him within an inch of his life at Pilate’s pavement; or when they drive the nails into his hands and feet and when they thrust the sword into His side; there is no relief from that pain. HE WILL GO TO THE CROSS AND YET SUFFER THE GREATEST PAIN WHEN HE IS ABSORBING ALL OF GOD’S WRATH TO PAY FOR ALL OF OUR SIN. And knowing all of this He is facing and sweating drops of blood at the thought of this reality; He says, “NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE!”
Read this with me…Matt. 20:25-28
“But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 (NLT)
Start at the bottom of the text and work up…
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus says, “As my followers you will not try to dominate others with your wealth, talent, status, abilities, power or fame. I did not LORD my authority over you. I actually know I am happiest in my life when I am serving others…not being served. YOU WILL USE HOW I HAVE GIFTED YOU SO YOU CAN NOW SERVE OTHERS, JUST AS I HAVE SERVED YOU.”
The third DEFINING MOMENT in discovering the generosity of God...
III. THE GENEROSITY OF GOD IS SEEN IN: GOD’S GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1 Cor. 12:4-7)
Some of you may immediately say, “Oh no, he’s talking about “THE HOLY SPIRIT.” Let me assure you, regardless of what you have heard, THE H.S. IS NOT THE WEIRD COUSIN OF GOD AND JESUS. AS a matter of fact, since we’re talking about the generosity of God as a defining moment in all of our lives, YOU WILL NEED TO REALIZE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LAVISHING THE GIFTS OF GOD ON GOD’S PEOPLE. (1 Cor. 12:4-7) P. 813
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us SO WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.” (1 Cor. 12:4-7)
Let’s review…
• God Gives the Son
• The Son Gives His Life
• Holy Spirit Gives Gifts To God’s Children
HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVE GIFTS TO THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST?
Two ways the Holy Spirit gives gifts to God’s children.
1. HE RANSOMS AND REDEEMS THE NATURAL GIFTS WE WERE GIVEN AT BIRTH.
Each of us have a certain bent in life; we know the things that we can do and be successful and we know the things we can’t do. I can speak; I have a heart for people who are hurting; I like to encourage others; I love to give; I have a sense of humor; I love God; I cannot sing but love to hear those who have that gift; I cannot fix anything in my house, and I also don’t like jigsaw puzzles. The Holy Spirit takes that personality we have from the Lord and the passion we have and redeems it and uses it for His glory. I shudder to think where I would have been today if the Lord had not redeemed me and chosen to use the gifts I was born with for His glory. I think I would have been so driven that I would be impossible to live with; I believe that I would have demanded the attention of others for my personal gain; I believe that the jewels of my life, Cynthia, Taylor and Jen, Mason and Marty, Strong and Truman…I’m afraid they would probably find little to be proud in me had not God redeemed the gifts in my life for His glory.
THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IF YOU ARE NOT IN FULL TIME MINISTRY YOU ARE NOT USING YOUR GIFTS FOR GOD. YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. YOU ARE USING GOD’S GIFT IN YOUR AREA OF INFLUENCE AND YOU ARE MAKING AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE IN HIS KINGDOM. PROBABLY MUCH MORE THAN I AM DOING!
OUR WORK DOES NOT DEFINE WHO WE ARE! We leverage our natural gifts and abilities in ways that can show others the eternal work of God and His plan for their life. Secondly…
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS YOU NEW GIFTS WHEN YOU TRUST CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR.
Gifts like patience, mercy, service, empathy, compassion and intercession. DO you realize there is no intercessors before you become a Christian. That is a gift brought by the Holy Spirit. When we think about the gifts SOME OF US GET HUNG UP ON WHICH GIFTS YOU HAVE AND DON’T HAVE. It’s the people who know their gift and realize that one gift is not any greater than the other; that use their gift for God’s honor and glory.
VISIT TO CHURCH BY THE GLADES: Cynthia and I had a great experience at Christmas time to attend Church by the Glades with my good friend Pastor David Hughes. You already know what it is like when you pull into our parking lot, but I don’t. I get here between 6:00-7:00 on Sunday morning. I have a parking space and I walk in. But for this Christmas service we pulled into Glades church and there must have been 20 people serving in their parking lot. They were smiling, directing us and when we parked they thanked us for visiting and then some guy walks up and says “Can’t I shoe paint your window inviting people to join you at Glades.” I politely said “NO!” But what I remembered in my visit is that this is what so many of you do every week. You SERVE with gladness and it is your gift and you do it for the Lord. Before a song is every sung and a sermon is ever preached the BODY has ministered to the BODY in the parking lots, at the doors, in the hallways, in the classrooms…
The reality of your Defining Moment in realizing the GENEROSITY OF GOD is when you come to full realization that we not only NEED GOD…WE NEED ONE ANOTHER!
So how do you use your gift…YOU JUST USE IT! Gift of hospitality see our First Impressions. Gift of teaching speak with our BLG or discipleship team or one of our ministers; if you have the gift of encouragement I believe you have one of the most needed of all the spiritual gifts in this day and age we live; if you have the gift of leadership you need to help us…If God has given you the gift of giving then use it for His glory. We all don’t have the same gift. If you have the gift of prayer then join us on Saturday or Watchman Prayer Ministry. IT WOULD BE A NIGHTMARE IF WE ALL HAD THE SAME GIFT. Can you imagine if we were all PROPHETS. “YOU ARE A SINNER! REPENT, YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY TO HELL BUDDY!” We need folks like that…but a whole church of us would be really different.
CONCLUSION:
I WANT TO PAUSE NOW AND REFLECT ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HERE TODAY. I want us to simply express a thankful heart for what God has done in your life. Mary Lou has used her spiritual gift to lead the cancer support group for years and I know she has not had a great report and is having some more tests but she is here today…because she loves the Lord and always has a thankful heart.
Let today be a defining moment. Think about three truths that bring YOUR defining moment into focus as you consider the generosity of God.
• God Gives YOU HIS Son
• The Son Gives YOU His Life
• Holy Spirit Gives Gifts YOU the gifts to use in the body to bring honor to Him.
