You Have Something to Give

In his sermon this past week, Pastor John highlighted all that we have to give others through small groups because of the Jesus who lives in us. He pointed to four things that we have, and two things that we are.

First, we have four things from which to give:

1. We have Christ. Paul writes, “But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).
2. We have the Holy Spirit. Again, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
3. We have the word of God. “And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
4. We have spiritual gifts. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

Second, we give because of who we are:

1. We are a new creation in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. We are a fountain. “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living waters’” (John 7:38).

He closed this way, “I know many of you feel like you have little or nothing to give. I am bold to say on the authority of God’s word: If you are a Christian, that is not true. ... This is not a matter of personality. This is a matter of faith. Trust him, and give yourself. I tell you this because it is the path of deepest, strongest, longest joy."