A Season Of Generosity: From Gratitude and Grace

2015-12-06 
Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Memory Verse:

Psalm 136:1
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Last week, we started talking about generosity, we talked about how to treat others. 

Luke 6:31
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

Recognizing that above all, God’s intention for us is to treat others with love, respect and Christ-likeness. This what is summed up in the Great Commandment – – (Matt 22:37-39 and Mark 12:29-31). This is God’s plan for you and me. But, as we discussed last week, it is the opposite of our human nature, our sinful nature. The sinful nature tells us that its all about us, that we must look out only for ourselves. So, in light of that truth, where do find the inward strength and power to live out generous lives? 

It’s is found in a life of Gratitude and Grace.

Psa. 136:1
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; 6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; 7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever— 8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever. 10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever; 11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever; 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever; 13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever; 14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever; 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever; 16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever; 17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever; 18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever— 19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever; 20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever— 21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever; 22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever. 23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; 24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever. 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever. 

1. A life of gratitude requires work (verses 1-5)
– we must recognize the source of everything good

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Psa. 136:1
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 

Psa. 136:4
To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;

– But in a world such as ours, it is difficult to separate the trials of this age to recognize the mercy of God
– It takes deliberate effort

2. A life of gratitude requires humility (verses 6-9)

vs 6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; 7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever— 8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.

we must recognize the significance of Creator God in His great power and our great weakness 

3. A life of gratitude requires dependence (verses 10-22)

vs 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever

– Without Him we are nothing, with Him…all things are possible!

4. A life of gratitude must be based in grace (verses 23-26)

verses 23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; 24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever. 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.

2 Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

Eph. 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

– It is God’s grace and mercy that allows us to experience gratitude, generosity and love