God’s Attributes 8 “Graced”
Pastor David Moore
Theme today is relaxed in God’s grace.
Old Testament reading: Isaiah 55:1-7
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
New Testament reading: Acts 4:32-27
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabus (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostle’s feet.
Theme this week is on God’s grace within the context of money. God’s character should have an effect on our character. If we are His people and He is our shepherd, then we will be prompted to give of our resources because of God’s grace given to us.
Measuring God’s grace in our lives can be measured by our attitude, understanding, and use of money. ~D. Moore
Early Christians set themselves apart from the world in the way they used their money. ~D. Moore
The Emperor Julian wrote that Christianity was spreading in the Roman Empire because of the early Christians generosity to others, created by the believers’ experience with God’s grace. The early Christians saw the money as a gift from God and they were stewards of their valuable resources. ~D. Moore
A life changing experience with God’s love, even though we don’t deserve His love, frees us to live a life free from the effects of our past and future mistakes. ~D. Moore
We can talk about loving others, we can talk about loving God, but money will tell us where our heart really lies. ~D. Moore
Life for rent means that my life isn’t really my own, I only rented it for a while, but if I don’t manage to buy it, to own it, then nothing of what I think is mine is really mine. ~Dido Armstrong
“You, Lord, are my goodness; I was your punishment. You took on everything I deserved and was, so I can receive everything you deserve and are.” ~Martin Luther
The Apostle Paul understood that people’s hearts are changed through God’s grace, giving us His love freely. That change encourages the Christians to give freely of His resources. ~D. Moore
Luke 18:22 Jesus said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
If your salvation is your money, your appearance, or your security, you will use money to support your own god.
As our faith matures and our gratitude of what God has given us changes our hearts, that change causes us to begin to think about giving our resources away in an organized plan. ~D. Moore
Give from your First Fruits.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
The most important idea today is: Have you accepted Christ in your life? The second concept is as you grow as a Christian with God’s love working in your heart, the free flow of your gratitude will begin in free flowing of resources into others’ lives, and you will begin to strategically place your resources into the most beneficial place for God.
God bless.