SECOND SUNDAY
PART I I.
THE FAITH IN THE GIVING.
TEXT: LUKE 6: 38
This faith that we spoke about last week, is the GOD type of faith. It gives without looking back. It is priceless. On our part, it comes from a life totally sold out to the LORD the Living GOD, just like Matthew in Matthew 9: 9.
The key note here however is, IT IS NOT FAITH THAT HAS NO EXPECTATION. It has the ONE expectation, that is, OF PLEASING GOD.
EXAMPLES
1. Daniel 3: 16-18. Their lives to be burnt, was to be a gift of faith to GOD.
2. Daniel 6: 10, 16-23. When Daniel descended into the den, it was a gift of faith to the
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
3. Genesis 22: 1-12. Abraham was ready to give Isaac as a gift to the LORD. He did not
hold back Isaac. It was a gift of faith.
4. Genesis 39: 8-9. When Joseph was lied against and was jailed. His action was a gift
to GOD.
5. Acts 16: 25-26. The praise by Paul and Silas in jail, was a gift of faith to GOD.
NOTE
(a) that in all the cases mentioned, the gifts were costly, life threatening and faith sapping. They were heights of submissiveness to GOD and of trust in HIM.
(B) all genuine gifts of faith are costly and most times faith sapping and sometimes life threatening.
(C) in all, the expectation was to please GOD, who rewards in LUKE 6: 38.
REWARDS WERE CERTAIN.
1. The 3 Hebrew children were promoted. Daniel 3: 30.
2. Daniel was promoted. Daniel 6: 1-3,28.
3. Abraham was promoted forever by GOD. Genesis 22: 15-18; Galatians 3: 13-14.
4. Joseph was promoted. Genesis 41: 39-46.
5. Paul was promoted as an Apostle who had the ears of GOD. Acts 27: 20-25,31.
OUR COMMON MISTAKES
1. Refusal to obey GOD. Malachi 3: 8-12; Exodus 23: 25-26 and Mark 16:20.
2. Desire to be blessed despite our disobedience. 1 Samuel 4: 4-11.
3. We forget very easily that GOD is a GOD of principle. Deuteronomy 28: 1-13.
GOD spoke in LUKE 6: 38. HE cannot lie. Let us begin as those dead to self, but alive unto GOD, to give our lives, ourselves, talents, time and treasures to GOD.
GOD rewards. Luke 6: 38.
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