Jesus Was Generous (Jesus Habits Series)

Jesus was generous.  We should develop the habit of living generously.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Jesus Habits:  Generosity."

Jesus was generous.

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

What does it mean to be generous?  Generosity is defined as being intentional in life by offering yourself and resources to others in the name of Jesus.  We are never more like Jesus than when we are generous.  Generosity is a foundational Jesus habit.

Jesus Habits:  Generosity

Generosity was a habit in the life of Jesus.  

Jesus gave healing to those who were hurting.

Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” - Mark 1:41

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”  When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”  Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” - Matthew 9:27-29

A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”  The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”  Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”  Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. - John 5:5-9

At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.   And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. - Luke 7:21-22

If you are hurting, Jesus is willing to heal you.

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Jesus was generous with His time. 

Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:13-14 

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Jesus always made time for those who were hurting.

Jesus was generous to His enemies.

Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”  Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. - Matthew 26:48-50

But Jesus responded and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. - Luke 22:51

³⁴ But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves. - Luke 23:34

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. - Romans 5:10

And you were dead in your offenses and sins, ² in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. ³ Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). - Ephesians 2:1-5

Jesus gave Himself to us.

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16

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But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. - Philippians 2:3-8

When we see how much we have been given, it is easy to give. 

What does the habit of generosity look like in our lives?

The biggest lie Satan wants you to believe is that you have to already have a lot in order to be generous.  Not true!  Let's read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

¹⁴ “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. ¹⁷ In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. ¹⁸ But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

²² “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ - Matthew 25:14-23

God has given each of us a "measure of talents" to be used to invest in God's kingdom.  Some of have 5 and some of us have 2.  The "talents" we are given are to be used as Jesus commands and that is to love Him and love others.  How do we love others?  We follow Jesus' example.  We are to be generous to others. 

We do not need a lot to be generous.  We only need a changed heart.

There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. - John 6:9-11

Generosity is not just and act.  It is an attitude of the heart.

Generosity is not just a feeling.  It is a lifestyle choice.

We don't always feel like being generous.  Sometimes we don't want to be generous because we feel the other person doesn't deserve our generosity.  Well, generosity is not based on how we feel or whether or not the receiver deserves our generosity.  Our generosity is based on who we are in Christ Jesus.

How can you be generous?

Be generous with your words.

Be generous in prayer.

Be generous with your time.

Be generous with your money.

Be generous with your home.

When we embrace the Jesus habit of generosity, our lives become transformed.  We become others-centered.

How is God calling you to be generous today?  

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Jesus was generous.

Jesus Was Relational (Jesus Habits Series)

Jesus was relational.

If you read and study the Bible, especially the gospels, you'll quickly realize the habits of Jesus.  You'll see His characteristics and His behavior.  You'll recognize the habits of the Man who lived a sinless life.  My pastor is leading us through a series called Jesus Habits.  We are learning about various Jesus Habits because as Christ followers, we should be copying the habits of Jesus as closely as we possibly can.  Today, we are learning that Jesus was relational.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 Jesus Was Relational

Relational people draw others to themselves.  They don't push others away.  They don't talk about others.  They talk to others.  They don't look down on others or pull others down.  They lift others up.  They don't take from others.  They give to others.  Instead of pre-judging others, they intentionally seek to get to know others.  

What habits have you formed regarding other people?  Would you be considered a relational person?

Relating to others is the key to opening the door to their hearts.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them." - Luke 15:1-2

Jesus was relational.  Notice in Luke 15:1-2 above that the tax collectors and sinners were "coming near Jesus to listen to Him."  Jesus drew people to him.  Jesus loved people.  He cared and still cares about people.  Jesus was always intentional about bringing people to their greatest  need, a relationship with God.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a series of stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son.  Every one of those items were found.  Let's read the entire chapter together.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. ² And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

³ And so He told them this parable, saying, ⁴ “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the ^[c]open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The Lost Coin

⁸ “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin which I had lost!’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Prodigal Son

¹¹ And He said, “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. ¹³ And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. ¹⁴ Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. ¹⁷ But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! ¹⁸ I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ ²⁰ So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; ²³ and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. ²⁹ But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; ³⁰ but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ ³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” - Luke 15

Did you notice that in all three of Jesus' stories, He illustrates the passion of loving relationships?  Jesus pursued relationships with others to bring them to God.

My pastor mentions the lyrics to a song called Reckless Love.  Some of the lyrics are:

There's no shadow You won't light up,

Mountain you won't climb up; coming after me.

There's no wall You won't kick down,

Lie You won't tear down; coming after me.

Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God . . . 

It chases me down, fights till I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine.

The love of God is powerful and relational!

All throughout the gospels, the examples of Jesus relating to others with love are everywhere.  Those examples are likely found around you as well, in your church and in Jesus-followers who live life around you.  

Jesus comes to you, relates to you, loves you where you are, and transforms you by His power.

Here are a few more examples of Jesus relating to others. 

Jesus began a relationship with a man named Matthew, an unpopular tax collector, and it opened many other doors. 

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. - Matthew 9:9-12

Jesus demonstrated that sharing a meal is one of the best steps to building relationships.

Jesus valued relationships over "red tape."

Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶ Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, said to him, “Do you want to get well?” ⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” ⁹ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

Now it was a Sabbath on that day. ¹⁰ So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is a Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” - John 5:5-10

Are you someone who removes "red tape" so some relationships can be formed and others can come to Christ?

 Jesus removed "red tape" multiple times.

*The Samaritan woman in John 4.

*A sinful woman in John 8.

*Zacchaeus in Luke 17.

*The leprous man in Luke 5.

*Nicodemus in John 3.

The last thing Jesus did before He died on the cross was to build a relationship with a person.

⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:42-43

If we want to follow Jesus's habits, what does this look like for you?

1.  Be authentic.

Be authentic in your identity.  Be yourself.  Some people will like you and some won't but you are unique and gifted to relate to others. God is always at work in YOU.  Be YOU.

Be authentic in your motives.  Your motive should always be about getting others into a relationship with God.

2.  Be aware.

If you want to be like Jesus, then you have to be aware of His work.  Be aware of His work around you.  Be aware of divine appointments.

But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” - John 5:17

Where has God placed you?  Do you view where you are as a divine appointment, His assignment?

3.  Be approachable.  

Smile.  Be nice.  Be kind.  Be friendly.  Be interested in others.

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. - Romans 12:9-10

Don't pretend to love others.  Really love them.

4.  Be affirming.  

Acceptance doesn't mean approval.  We can affirm others because they were made in the image of God.  Everyone has the same basic needs.  Our affirmation of others is always rooted in God's love for them.

All that you do must be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

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Is there a bad habit that you need to let go of so that you can begin to relate to others like Jesus did? 

Jesus wants a relationship with you!  

Learn more about how you can have a relationship with Jesus here.

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Jesus was relational.

Psalm 19: Glorifying God in Every Situation (Summer Playlist Series)

Glorifying God in Every Situation

As part of our Summer Playlist Series, our associate pastor delivered a sermon about glorifying God in every experience.  His text was Psalm 19, a Psalm of David.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
 
² Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
 
³ There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
 
⁴ Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
 
⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
 
⁶ Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
 

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

 
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

 
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

 
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

 
¹¹ Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.

 
¹² Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

 
¹³ Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

 
¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 Glorifying God in Every Situation

When we have something wonderful to celebrate, we want the whole world to know about it.  Maybe you are celebrating the birth of a child, a new relationship, an award at work, a big birthday, etc.  When we celebrate milestones, it's difficult to keep the good news to ourselves.

David wasn't always positive in his psalms, but in Psalm 19, David expresses joy in knowing God and in being known by God. 

We can glorify God in EVERY experience, good or bad.

Creation proclaims God's power.

God's power is seen when we look at the heavens and the skies.  Creation never stops pointing to its creator.  Creation was meant to glorify God.  Creation doesn't use words yet it proclaims the power of the God who created it.

We know there is a God because of His creation and works.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  Romans 1:20

We know God and His power when we see His creation.  Just look at it.  

Creation worships God.  God doesn't NEED us to worship Him so why did He create us?  He created us for relationship.  God doesn't need us.  He WANTS us.  Isn't that amazing?  

You are not an accident.  God is powerful enough to sustain creation.  He is powerful enough to sustain you.  

Scripture reveals God's perfection.

We can know God through His creation, but we can also know Him through His Word.  David describes God's Word as:

Perfect
Blameless
Sure
Firm
Faithful
Unchanging
Right
Correct
Level
Pure
Undefiled
Clean
True
Righteous

God's Word is a direct reflection of who God is.

God is perfect, blameless, sure, firm faithful, unchanging, right, correct, level, pure, undefiled, clean, true, and righteous.

David describes God's Word as more precious than anything else.  It is by God's Word that we are warned of sin and the dangers of it.  God's Word is an instruction manual about how to live and how to know God.

A perfect God can be trusted.  His Word is true and we can trust it.

Do you want to know God?  Then read His Word.

God is personal.

God is more than the God of creation or the author of the Bible.  God is personal.  

 God knows you and He wants you to know Him.

Our joy isn't dependent upon our circumstances.  Our joy comes from knowing God and glorifying Him in every situation.

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Glorifying God in Every Situation