1 Generosity: Fish, Bread and an Open DoorPERSONAL FIND WHAT YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR. Generosity: Fish, Bread and an Open Door
2 “Oh, I don’t like sharing, Daddy” .A Deuteronomy 6:7 Moment “Oh, I don’t like sharing, Daddy” .
3 The generosity we see manifest in Jesus is a far more holistic generosity than just finances.In Christ, we see extravagant generosity along three dimensions: tangible things His time and energy Himself We are so self-centered as a culture that often even our attempts at generosity are even rooted in selfishness. Our generosity as a culture has many strings attached; we’ll be generous only if it somehow benefits us, but not so with Jesus ….
4 Exploring Christ’s GenerosityLuke 5: The Miraculous Catch Note that Luke makes careful mention that both boats were filled so full that they began to sink. The sheer magnitude of the catch again points to Christ’s generosity. Matthew 14 and 15: Christ feed more than 15,000 people on 13 loaves of bread and 5 or so fish. Note that Matthew makes record that between the two miracles, 19 basketfuls of leftover food was collected. Again, Christ’s generosity is on display; He not only creates enough for all the people, but generously provides more than enough food.
5 John 2:1-11: The Water into Wine Miracle Exploring Christ’s Generosity John 2:1-11: The Water into Wine Miracle Notice that Jesus generously responded to Mary’s concern even though it was not in His timing of things. John makes two important inclusions in the early part of the narrative; the stone jars: held 20 – 30 gallons each were filled to the brim Some perspective is probably helpful here; Jesus creates 907 standard bottles of wine. The master of the banquet commented on the quality of the wine; Jesus miraculously generated an abundance of fine wine.
6 People came to Jesus all the time – in the morning, late into the night, walking on the roads, while eating His meals, while retreating for some solitary time, etc. Christ also went to the people; He modelled both a “come to me” and a “go to them” mode of ministry. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Come to me whoever, wherever, whenever, however is the generous call of Jesus. Christ’s 24/7 model of approachability is both wildly generous and very difficult to apply in one’s own life. We ought to use his example as encouragement to honest consideration of how generous we are with our time and energy as a whole.
7 Christ’s generosity is perhaps most clearly seen in His giving of Himself.“… he poured out his life unto death” (Isaiah 53:12). “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). The phrase “poured out” points back to the drink offering common within the Jewish sacrificial system. Israelite worshippers would pour out about 5 litres of their best wine, right down to the last drop, upon the altar when offering a burnt offering. Jesus, through His death on the cross, poured out His life, His blood – the best wine there is – in its fullness – for our forgiveness.
8 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry …” (John 6:35).“This is my body given for you …” (Luke 22:19). Jesus will feed His followers – supplying their needs - generously and eternally. The Kingdom principle of God’s generosity: (Matthew 7:7-11) For those who live according to its principles and by the leading of the Spirit, God’s generosity is always available; we need but ask, seek and knock, expecting to receive the good gifts God has in store for us.
9 As His followers, do we exhibit the same generosity that Christ exhibited?Does the world around us see the church and Christians as generous and sacrificial, willing to extend generosity? Do we as Christ’s followers, model a “come to me” mentality, as we simultaneously “go” into the world around us. To extend to others the kind of generosity Christ modelled, it requires faith that God will provide for our needs. More often than not, a lack of generosity is the fruit of a lack of faith in God’s provision. Are you trusting God for your “daily bread”? As a church, are we able to be generous because we trust in God’s provision for us?
10 I pray “you will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). May our acknowledgement of Christ’s generosity, be reflected in our generosity and may our generosity result in praise to God and lives won for the Kingdom.