Notes on the Word
5 Fruitful Practices: Mission & Generosity
Jeffery A. Raker January 8, 2012
1 Corinthians 9:19-27 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
The early church practiced some core disciplines or practices. They are contained here in these verses:
Acts 2:42-47 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
The United Methodist Church has adapted them and added some excellent adjectives:
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Radical Hospitality
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Passionate Worship
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Intentional Faith Development
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Extravagant Generosity
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Risk-Taking Mission & Service
These are the regular practices of healthy Christ-followers and healthy Churches. We're going to look at them over the next 3 weeks.
Practicing Extravagant Generosity &
Risk-Taking Mission & Service....
1......realigns our hearts
Isaiah 61:1-3a “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.”
2.....reorders our priorities
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
3.....refocuses our eyes
Matthew 9:35-38 “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
What do these practices look like?
A. Uncomfortable
Great comfort rarely produces great growth
B. Unselfish
Possible Action Steps:
[ ] Go on a mission trip to Haiti or Guatemala
[ ] Take Financial Peace University – Begins January 18th from 6:45 – 8:45 p.m.
[ ] Put away $25 - $45 per month to sponsor a child in Guatemala or Haiti
[ ] Return to the house you delivered a Thanksgiving food bag to – find a way to serve them again
[ ] Step up to serve for 4 weeks in a ministry area @ Cornerstone – serve somewhere you have interest but it's uncomfortable
[ ] Take steps to move toward tithing – if you're at 5%, move to 7%. Make plans to move to 10%.
[ ] Put your household on an automatic giving schedule. Most people give financially only when present in worship.
[ ] Offer to provide a partial scholarship for someone going on a mission trip teen this summer
[ ] You and your family or small group commit to serving one dinner a month at Serve City
