Church 5/4/2024
Offertory scripture:
2 Corinthians 9:7, NLT
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
2 Corinthians 9:7, AMP
Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].
2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Sermon message:
Thesis: It is worth it.
Case example: a man who had a need. He had a few friends who wanted to help but didn’t know how.
Point #1: Jesus says come.
Matthew 11:28 (all translations NKJV from here on out)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Point #2: Obstacles try to stop us from getting to Jesus.
Internal struggles: doubting God’s power, doubting God’s goodness, shame of feeling not good enough, or fear of what others might think and that others might mock them.
To bring someone to Jesus, there will be mental challenges, emotional challenges, and spiritual challenges to try to stop us from bringing them to Him. But these challenges can be overcome by simply going to Jesus.
The case of the man who had a need was that he needed Jesus. His friends helped him to come to Jesus.
Both of the friends needed faith. And they acted in faith.
Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed was still powerful.
Point #3: Jesus responds to faith. Coming to Him is worth it.
Mark 2:3-5
Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
Interruption: sometimes there’s a lesson within a lesson in the Bible.
Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
Jesus paid for everything in our lives, not only our sins. He cares about your whole being.
Mark 2:9-10
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic,
Jesus can forgive sins and He can command healing.
Mark 2:11-12
“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
God knows you and understands the challenges that you’re going through. But if you’ll take a mustard seed step of faith, He will help you.
Point #4: Coming to Jesus is worth it.
Receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is worth it and important.
Point #5: bringing someone to Jesus is worth it.
Point #6: Serving God is worth it.
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