1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:16,100 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. 2 00:00:16,100 --> 00:00:22,720 To get connected or to give online, go to hcv.church or give.htv.church. 3 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,960 If at any point during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text 4 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:30,200 change me to 970-00. 5 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:32,000 Thank you and enjoy the message. 6 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:36,520 So Rudy's not here today so you get me to introduce your band. 7 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:39,520 Welcome back to week two of Summer Slams! 8 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:41,520 Oh oh oh! 9 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:43,520 I mean Summer Jams! 10 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:45,520 Summer Jams! 11 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:52,520 And this morning I am proud to introduce, put your hands together, from the shower to 12 00:00:52,520 --> 00:01:01,520 the stage, our very own drummer, turnt singer from HDV Worship, Alan Tolentino! 13 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:04,520 Woo! 14 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:32,520 Give it away! 15 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:48,520 Give it away! 16 00:01:48,520 --> 00:02:08,520 Give it away! 17 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:24,520 Give it away! 18 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:44,520 Give it away! 19 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:58,520 Give it away! 20 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:12,520 Give it away! 21 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:22,520 Give it away! 22 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:32,520 Give it away! 23 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:42,520 Give it away! 24 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:52,520 Give it away! 25 00:03:52,520 --> 00:04:02,520 Give it away! 26 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:12,520 Give it away! 27 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:22,520 Give it away! 28 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:32,520 Give it away! 29 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:42,520 Give it away! 30 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:52,520 Give it away! 31 00:04:52,520 --> 00:05:02,520 Give it away! 32 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:12,520 Give it away! 33 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:22,520 Give it away! 34 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:32,520 Give it away! 35 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:42,520 Give it away! 36 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:46,520 Give it away! 37 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:48,520 Give it up! 38 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,520 Wow! 39 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:52,520 Who knew? 40 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:54,520 You go Alan! 41 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,520 Woo! 42 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,520 Alright! 43 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:04,520 Welcome to week two of Summer Jams, if you're joining us from home, thank you for welcoming us into your home. 44 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:10,520 And we continue our series that focuses on music and its connection to our culture. 45 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:14,520 Again, this series is about discovering God in our everyday life. 46 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:21,520 The songs that have been chosen for this series are simply as a means to challenge us to grow in our relationship with Jesus. 47 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:28,520 You know that we are in no way telling you to go out and buy these albums, download the songs or whatever it may be. 48 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,520 I know many of you already have them, so it doesn't matter. 49 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:35,520 But we're not endorsing them or telling you to do so. 50 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:41,520 Last week we kicked off our series discussing loneliness through the song Boulevard or Broken Dreams by Green Day. 51 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:46,520 If you didn't get to see it or hear it, go back and listen to it on our YouTube channel today. 52 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:50,520 You heard Give It Away by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 53 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:58,520 Now the song gained international fame, actually reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in late 1991. 54 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:03,520 And it was actually the band's first ever number one single. 55 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:12,520 Give It Away has gone on to receive numerous accolades, including Grammy Award for the Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocals in 1992. 56 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:20,520 Steve Huey of All Music noted that the single did become one of the band's most instantly recognizable songs. 57 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:29,520 It is a hit of funk rock mix where people are gravitating towards the repetitiveness of the music. 58 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:39,520 It became one of the most recognizable songs of the 90s, again known for its repetition and its challenge to give things away. 59 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:47,520 Anthony Kiedis, the frontman of the band and author of the song, explains the story behind the song and his autobiography Scar Tissue. 60 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:54,520 Kiedis writes, At the time I was dating a popular German singer-songwriter named Nina Hagen. 61 00:07:54,520 --> 00:08:01,520 He was sifting through her closet of exotic apparel. He spotted a jacket and immediately struck him and he wanted it. 62 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:07,520 He told her how much he liked it and Nina simply replied, Take it. You can have it. It's yours. 63 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:14,520 Kiedis was astonished by the offering. He pleaded with her to keep it, telling her it was a nice jacket she owned. 64 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:22,520 She explained in her very own words, That's why I give it to you. It's important to give things away. It creates good energy. 65 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:29,520 If you have a closet full of clothes and you keep them all for yourself, your life gets very, very small. 66 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:36,520 If you have a full closet and someone sees something they like and you give it to them, the world is a better place. 67 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:44,520 Wow, such a true statement. The meaning behind Give It Away seems more fit as a folktale rather than a rock and roll song. 68 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:49,520 Either way, it's a challenge to become a bit more selfless. 69 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:57,520 Now imagine, all of us just take a second to imagine, gifting your most prized possession, whatever it is to you, 70 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:02,520 to someone else without hesitation, not even second guessing it. 71 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:06,520 You know, could you do that? Is that something that you could really do? 72 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:12,520 Now here's the reality. The theme of generosity is throughout the Bible. 73 00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:19,520 I mean, let's just simply look at a few words that when I mention them, you will gravitate towards them 74 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:23,520 because they directly connect with our relationship with Jesus. 75 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:29,520 For example, the word believe. Believe is mentioned 272 times in the Bible. 76 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:34,520 The word pray, pretty important to a relationship with Jesus, true or false? 77 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:42,520 371 times in the Bible. The word love, 714 times. 78 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:50,520 The word give, 2,261 times in the Bible. 79 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:55,520 One of those words where you think, wow, it's not love, it's give. 80 00:09:55,520 --> 00:10:01,520 And why is that? It's because God, the God of the Bible, is a generous God. 81 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:05,520 And we know that God so loved the world that he gave. 82 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:09,520 See, God gives and he's a generous God. 83 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:12,520 And I personally believe that when a person falls in love with Jesus, 84 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:19,520 when their life is radically changed and their heart becomes a heart of love and grace and mercy and forgiveness, 85 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:24,520 that new heart, which is a heart of God, is generous as well. 86 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:28,520 But see, we just have to tap into that generosity. 87 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:35,520 Listen to this verse. It kind of sounds like the lead singer's girlfriend, Proverbs 11, 24, from the message. 88 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:40,520 The world of the generous gets larger and larger. 89 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:47,520 The world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. Isn't that amazing? 90 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:51,520 See, all these verses in the Bible referencing generosity, 91 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:55,520 it's a motivation for us to get outside of ourselves. 92 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:58,520 And it's not about the others receiving it. 93 00:10:58,520 --> 00:11:00,520 You know, so often it's about helping the others. 94 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:06,520 But see, the Bible motivates us to generosity, not for the other people, but for us, 95 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:12,520 because it changes our heart. It's not about the other people. It's not about the receivers. 96 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:16,520 It's about us becoming a better person. 97 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:19,520 And hear me out, friends. This isn't a money message. 98 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:24,520 Okay, this is a talk about giving our lives away to others. 99 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:26,520 Give it away now. 100 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:30,520 And when we live life, when we go through life thinking about others, 101 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:33,520 serving others, desiring to see other people become better, 102 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:39,520 it takes the focus off of ourselves and allows us to point other people to Jesus. 103 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:42,520 I mean, just listen to some of these powerful quotes. 104 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:47,520 Winston Churchill, we make a living by what we get. 105 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:50,520 We make a life by what we give. 106 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:57,520 One day, all of us are going to look back over our lives and reflect on what we gave away. 107 00:11:57,520 --> 00:11:59,520 That's called living a legacy. 108 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:05,520 Mother Teresa, a life not lived for others is not a life. 109 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:09,520 A life not lived for others is not a life. 110 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:13,520 So this morning, friends, we're going to discuss the meaning and the purpose 111 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:18,520 of why God is challenging us to live generously through a rock and roll song 112 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:22,520 that was written in 1991. Yeah, it may have been the number one hit, 113 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:27,520 but the words that were spoken through that song relate directly to Jesus' challenge 114 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,520 to just give it away, which leads us to our first song. 115 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:34,520 See, friends, the generous are happy. 116 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:39,520 The generous are happy. Generous people, they enjoy being generous. 117 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:45,520 And it motivates them and allows their hearts to be full of happiness. 118 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:48,520 You know, I think about the HCV community meal. 119 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:50,520 For those of you who don't know what that is, on Thursday nights, 120 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:56,520 Len and Lisa Rona lead a team of people that serve dinner to anyone. 121 00:12:56,520 --> 00:13:00,520 You can be a part of our community of faith. It can be people within the neighborhood. 122 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:02,520 It can be people that you know, that you invite. 123 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:05,520 And it's just a free meal. 124 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:09,520 And week after week after week, I see Len's posts on Facebook about, 125 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:10,520 hey, the meal's tomorrow. 126 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:15,520 And every time he makes a post about giving this meal 127 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:19,520 and serving people by giving them food, it's just happiness. 128 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:24,520 Like it's a joy in his life to want to serve others in their life, 129 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:27,520 to want to feed other people, to connect with them, 130 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:30,520 to allow them to build a bridge into our neighborhoods. 131 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:33,520 And I want to challenge you, are you doing that? 132 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:37,520 You know, are you living in a way that's just full of generosity? 133 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:39,520 And Len and Lisa, they can use your help. 134 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:41,520 You can help cook. You can help give food. 135 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:44,520 You can help to show up and talk to people. 136 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:48,520 The point is, when you're generous, you're happy. 137 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:52,520 You know, a few weeks ago, my son, I'm not able to be with him today. 138 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:55,520 He's actually playing in the Little League State Tournament today. 139 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:58,520 He has a game at 11.30. We sent him with his grandparents. 140 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:01,520 But anyway, we were down in the square in Williamsport, 141 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,520 and it cost money to go to state tournaments, to travel. 142 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:07,520 And we were just simply in the square collecting money, 143 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:09,520 holding up signs, and just saying, 144 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:11,520 hey, we're going to the state tournament. 145 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:13,520 Could you give a little to help offset costs? 146 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:18,520 We ended up collecting over $2,500, almost like $2,600 in a few hours, 147 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:19,520 which is cool. 148 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:21,520 But the example that I want to use is, 149 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:27,520 everybody that they put money into these kids' buckets were smiling. 150 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:33,520 I mean, they were happy to drop like 20s and fives and tens into these buckets 151 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:38,520 to help these kids go to a state tournament to just play a sport that they love. 152 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:43,520 And the point is, they were being generous, and it brought a smile to their face. 153 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:46,520 But it even goes a step further. It's not just those examples. 154 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:51,520 Scientists have actually discovered that people who behave generously 155 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:56,520 are happier afterwards than those who behave more selfishly. 156 00:14:56,520 --> 00:15:00,520 Helping others triggers a release of oxytocin, 157 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:05,520 which has the effect of boosting your mood and counteracts the effects of cortisol, 158 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:07,520 which is the stress hormone. 159 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,520 The higher your levels of oxytocin, 160 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,520 the more you want to help others and serve others and give, 161 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:18,520 because it literally becomes a pleasure within your life and brings joy to your life. 162 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:22,520 Now, when most people think of giving, they have this narrow focus, 163 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:27,520 and it's like, oh, well, open your pocketbook, put money in a bucket, whatever. 164 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:30,520 But it's just all giving works wonders. 165 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,520 It's not just cash that you give, all giving. 166 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:36,520 And what I mean by that is how you help others, right? 167 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:41,520 How you can support others, a stranger, a random act of kindness, opening doors, 168 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:45,520 pulling over and helping someone change their tire, right? 169 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:50,520 When we fill our day with small random acts of kindness, of giving, 170 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:55,520 what are you doing for yourself? You're bringing happiness and joy into your life. 171 00:15:55,520 --> 00:16:01,520 Even just smiling at other people has been proven to bring joy into your life. 172 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:07,520 See, God has designed us from within to be what? To be generous. 173 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:09,520 He's designed us that way. 174 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:14,520 But see, unfortunately, our culture causes us to draw in and to want more 175 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:16,520 and to suck more and to take, take, take. 176 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:19,520 But God says, no, give it away now. 177 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:22,520 Give your life away. 178 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:26,520 Proverbs 11 25, the generous will prosper. 179 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:30,520 Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 180 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:35,520 Proverbs 21 26, some people are always greedy for more, 181 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:39,520 but the godly love to give. 182 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:43,520 The godly love to give. 183 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:47,520 And if you're sitting there this morning, you're thinking, well, Chris, I'm just not generous. 184 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,520 Why is it that I'm not generous? Why do I hold on to my stuff? 185 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:53,520 Why is it that it's about my stuff? And then it's a heart issue. 186 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,520 You have to realize it's just simply a heart issue. 187 00:16:56,520 --> 00:17:00,520 And if you're in a relationship with Jesus this morning and you find yourself not being generous or stingy, 188 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:07,520 just invite the Holy Spirit to identify any issues or attitudes that's in your heart 189 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:10,520 that's keeping you from wanting to be generous. 190 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:14,520 You know, some of you, it could just be worry or fear or resentment. 191 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:18,520 Some of you, it could be a childhood trauma that you grew up poor 192 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:24,520 and you feel like you just got to gravitate to hold on to stuff and God is challenging, you know, give it away. 193 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:28,520 I mean, look at Acts 20 35, Jesus's own words. You should remember the words of Jesus. 194 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:33,520 It is more blessed to give than to receive. 195 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:38,520 See, friends, the generous are happy, which leads us to our next dog. 196 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,520 The generous are compassionate. 197 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:48,520 And this generosity is something within us that allows us to connect with people who are in need. 198 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:53,520 Meaning that when you see a need, you hear about a need, you recognize that need. 199 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,520 What do you do? You respond to it. 200 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:57,520 You know, kind of like the Good Samaritan. 201 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:02,520 When the Good Samaritan saw the man laying on the side of the road beaten and bloody, what did he do? 202 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:05,520 He responded. He reacted. 203 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:08,520 And if you're in a relationship with Jesus, that's what we're called to do. 204 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:11,520 Jesus had compassion on the people. 205 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:16,520 Everywhere he went throughout the New, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, you read about Jesus's compassion for the people 206 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:19,520 because they were what? They were lost. 207 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:24,520 They were like sheep without a shepherd. Sheep without a shepherd. 208 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:29,520 And see, so again, so often when people think about generosity, 209 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:34,520 they focus on finances and the poor and the food banks. 210 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,520 And that's all good stuff. I'm not saying that's not good stuff. 211 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:43,520 But you have to realize when people aren't in a relationship with Jesus, friends are lost. 212 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:49,520 They're not walking in meaning and purpose and the happiness and the forgiveness and the grace. 213 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:55,520 And so many of us have experienced, there's so many people outside these walls that haven't experienced that yet. 214 00:18:55,520 --> 00:19:00,520 And that's another means for us to be generous and to give away what God has given to us. 215 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:02,520 Proverbs 29, 7. 216 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:07,520 The godly care about the rights of the poor, the wicked don't care at all. 217 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:14,520 Proverbs 21, 13. Those who shut their eyes to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. 218 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:19,520 I mean, we read that verse and we have to recognize, you know, last week we discussed loneliness. 219 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:22,520 For some of us, we're lonely because we're, because we're what? 220 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:26,520 Because we're hoarders, because we're not generous with what we have. 221 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:30,520 See, friends, when we are selfish about our own needs and our own stuff, 222 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:34,520 we become calloused toward those in need. 223 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:39,520 You know, constantly saying to people, recognizing, having a discussion with your spouse, 224 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:41,520 man, those people just seem to get a job. 225 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:44,520 Stop being lazy. Work harder. 226 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:46,520 You know, now we are, now what are we hearing? 227 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:51,520 Those people need to get off that unemployment, the government just paying them to sit around. 228 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:53,520 Now, don't get me wrong. 229 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:57,520 That's an issue that we could get into that we don't want to discuss on a Sunday morning. 230 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:00,520 Okay. 231 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:08,520 But what I'm trying to say is we can't use those reasons and those attitudes as an out 232 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:14,520 for not to give and not to help because we become self-appointed experts on other people's pain 233 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:18,520 when in reality we have no idea what people go through. 234 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,520 We don't. I mean, just listen to these statistics. 235 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:25,520 You know, I know that statistics don't radiate with you, but listen to this. 236 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:31,520 One out of every eight resident in Washington County, Maryland, this is local, is in poverty. 237 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:37,520 One out of every eight resident, according to a new report from the Maryland Poor, 238 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:43,520 Washington County's poverty rate is the eighth highest out of 24 counties in Maryland. 239 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:52,520 And those families that are living in poverty, their average income is $23,850 a year. 240 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:55,520 We all know the cost of food is going up, right? 241 00:20:55,520 --> 00:21:01,520 $23,000 don't get you very far is what I'm trying to say. 242 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:05,520 But immediately our attitude can go, we'll go back to school and get a different job. 243 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:08,520 No, it can't be that type of attitude. 244 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:12,520 It's got to be an attitude, well, how do I fit into solving that problem? 245 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:16,520 First Timothy 6, 7, and 19 teach those who are rich in this world, 246 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:20,520 and we learned a few weeks ago that we're all rich, true or false? 247 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:24,520 Not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. 248 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:29,520 Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 249 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:32,520 Tell them to use their money to do good. 250 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:35,520 They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, 251 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:37,520 always being ready to share with others. 252 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:42,520 By doing this, they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future, 253 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:45,520 so they may experience true life. 254 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:49,520 Everyone get out their bulletins, wave them in the air just like you don't care. 255 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:51,520 Come on, ruffle them around. There you go. 256 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:53,520 Now inside there's this little piece of paper. 257 00:21:53,520 --> 00:21:56,520 Every year we do this thing called the backpack giveaway, 258 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:59,520 and every year we have a goal of a thousand backpacks. 259 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:04,520 What we do is we partner with local elementary and middle schools right around us. 260 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:10,520 There's about seven of them that we partner with within this vicinity of about a 10-mile radius, 261 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:14,520 and it's our goal to give away a thousand backpacks to children in their schools. 262 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:16,520 Do you think we can do that? 263 00:22:16,520 --> 00:22:20,520 Absolutely we can. We've done it every year for like the last eight. 264 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:25,520 Typically when our goal is a thousand, we end up getting like 12 or 13 hundred, which is great, 265 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:29,520 but the point is it's simply a means for us to give back to those who are in need, 266 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:32,520 so the kids can go to school with a backpack, 267 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:38,520 and this year we get to bring them into our own new building to give away backpacks, which is even cooler. 268 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:40,520 Right? 269 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:46,520 So on that little sheet of paper is the backpack supplies that are needed. 270 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:50,520 Of course we need backpacks, and then we need the different supplies that are listed, 271 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:54,520 but it's not just about backpacks and supplies. You heard it on the announcements. 272 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:58,520 We give away clothes, and we give away tons. Everyone say tons. 273 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:01,520 Tons of free food. Tons. 274 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:07,520 So when these families come here, all right, they're going to see the welcome home video on our screen. 275 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:11,520 They're going to be given a free backpack. They're going to go through a giant free clothes assortment 276 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:17,520 where they can just take whatever they want, and they're going to be given tons of food as they leave here. 277 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:20,520 Does that leave an impact on a person's life? 278 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:24,520 You're doing right it does. It's called being generous. 279 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:29,520 Friends, that's what we're called to be, and I want to challenge all of you seated here this morning and at home, 280 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:31,520 do something. Right? 281 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:37,520 Set a goal in your family of how many backpacks you'll give, how many supplies you'll fill it with. Right? 282 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:42,520 And then challenge yourself, not only am I going to give this, but I'm going to partake in it. 283 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:46,520 I'm going to partake in it and see the smiles on kids' faces and people's faces. 284 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:50,520 Heck, we're even thinking about getting out the moon bounces again. Right? 285 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:55,520 Because, you know, COVID's kind of behind us. I mean, moon bounces are fun. Right? 286 00:23:55,520 --> 00:24:01,520 There'll be plenty of you to sanitize them. 287 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:06,520 Backpack giveaway, friends. It's probably the biggest single giveaway that we do every year, 288 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:10,520 and I want to challenge you to be a part because it changes your life. 289 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:13,520 And more importantly, it changes the lives of families in our local community. 290 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:18,520 And now the cool thing is when we're generous, look at our third thought, look at our third thought this morning. 291 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:21,520 When you're generous, the generous are blessed. Right? 292 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:25,520 We never give to get, but look what the Bible tells us. 293 00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:28,520 The Bible says you're going to receive a blessing when you give. 294 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:32,520 Now that can't be our motivation. It can't be like, well, look, God, I'm giving all this stuff. 295 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:36,520 Give back to me. Right? That can't be our motivation. 296 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:41,520 Our motivation's got to be God's kingdom forcefully advancing throughout the tri-state area 297 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:47,520 so that people's lives are being changed by His Spirit. That's got to be our motivation. 298 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:51,520 But truth is when we're generous, He gives back. Look at Proverbs 22.9. 299 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:56,520 Blessed are those who are generous because they feed the poor. Blessed. 300 00:24:56,520 --> 00:25:01,520 Proverbs 28.27. Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, 301 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:05,520 but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Right? 302 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:11,520 Will lack nothing. Now that doesn't, we have to realize that doesn't necessarily mean material possessions. 303 00:25:11,520 --> 00:25:14,520 It doesn't mean you're going to become a millionaire because you're giving away to people. 304 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:21,520 Lacking nothing means that, hey, you're not stressed. You're not overwhelmed with life. 305 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:26,520 You're living a joyful life full of peace where there's no stress or worry. Why? 306 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:31,520 Because you're giving it away now. Because you're sowing life into other people. 307 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:35,520 Friends, that's the world of the generous. Look at 2 Corinthians 9. 308 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:39,520 Very simple, simple parable. Remember this. 309 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:43,520 A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. 310 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:47,520 But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 311 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:52,520 You must each decide in your heart how much to give and don't give reluctantly in response to pressure. 312 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:58,520 For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. 313 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:02,520 Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 314 00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:06,520 As the scriptures say, they share freely and give generously to the poor. 315 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:09,520 Their good deeds will be remembered forever. 316 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:14,520 Now isn't it interesting that the good deeds that will be remembered forever are those deeds of what? 317 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:18,520 Giving. Those deeds of generosity. Right? 318 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:23,520 It's called being blessed with a legacy life. 319 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:30,520 You're leaving behind a legacy. You're not leaving behind a legacy of gather, want, want, want, take, take, take. 320 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:34,520 You're leaving behind a legacy of being generous to others. 321 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:39,520 And when we're generous to others, right, God is going to bless us. 322 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:43,520 So what I want you to do, I want you to take a second. I want all of us here to take a second. 323 00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:49,520 Reflect on your past week. We all just lived life from Sunday to another Sunday. 324 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:55,520 Six days of past, seven. Not quite yet because we still have all of today. 325 00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:59,520 How did you give generously to the poor? 326 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:03,520 How is it that you gave generously to the poor? 327 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:07,520 Now I don't even want you to necessarily think about financially. 328 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:11,520 How did you give back spiritually to someone else? 329 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,520 Someone that was struggling. 330 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:17,520 Right? How are you being generous? 331 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:20,520 Because that's how we're called to live. 332 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:24,520 And when we live that way, we'll be blessed. And not only that, I want to take it a step further. 333 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:28,520 Look at our fourth thought. The generous are rewarded. 334 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:31,520 Not only are you blessed, but you're rewarded. 335 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,520 And hear me out, friends. This is my motivation. 336 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:43,520 I live every day in the fear that I am going to be held accountable before God on how I lead this church. 337 00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:46,520 I am going to be held accountable. Not you. 338 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:50,520 I am going to be held accountable as how I lead this church. 339 00:27:50,520 --> 00:27:53,520 And you want to know what motivates my heart the most? 340 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:57,520 This is what motivates my heart the most. 341 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:03,520 I am here this morning to say that this church will always remain relevant. 342 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:08,520 That this church is called to be a church that's known for making a difference in the community. 343 00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:14,520 That that's what our church will be known for. 344 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:21,520 That when there's people in need, it could be financial, it could be spiritual, it could be drug addicts, it could be alcoholics. 345 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:26,520 When there's people in need, I want those people in the hospital to know, well, you can send them the HCV. 346 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:31,520 Because they're going to be accepted, they're going to be loved on, and they're going to be welcomed into the community of faith. 347 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:37,520 But more importantly, we believe that God's going to supernaturally change, heal, and set them free, true or false. 348 00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:40,520 And that's why we want people to come here. 349 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:46,520 Because we want to PC people set free. And friends, that's making a difference for God's kingdom. 350 00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:51,520 And God, we're going to be rewarded for it. Look at Proverbs 19, 17. 351 00:28:51,520 --> 00:28:57,520 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord, and he will repay you. 352 00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:00,520 He's going to repay you. 353 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:10,520 What if I was to tell you that how much you give, how much you generously give, is a deposit on what you'll get back. 354 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:17,520 How much you give and your generosity is essentially you making a deposit on what you're going to be rewarded. 355 00:29:17,520 --> 00:29:30,520 Look at Revelation 22, 12. Look, I'm coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 356 00:29:30,520 --> 00:29:37,520 Look at Matthew 6, 3 through 4. Jesus said, but when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 357 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:43,520 Give your gifts in private and your Father who sees everything will do what? 358 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:45,520 He's going to reward you. 359 00:29:45,520 --> 00:29:48,520 And again, friends, that can't be our motivation. 360 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:52,520 That can't be our motivation. But here's the reality. 361 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:57,520 We're going to spend a lot longer time in eternity than we hear on earth. 362 00:29:57,520 --> 00:30:02,520 And our focus has got to be that kingdom eternity experience. 363 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:05,520 And I don't know about you, but I want to be rewarded. 364 00:30:05,520 --> 00:30:13,520 I want to be spending eternity with Jesus worshiping, but I want to receive those rewards from a good, good Father. 365 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:16,520 And it happens when we're generous. 366 00:30:16,520 --> 00:30:19,520 Like how many of you this morning want to receive a reward? 367 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:26,520 Like if I was to say that, how many of you want to receive a reward? Are you serious? Some of you? 368 00:30:26,520 --> 00:30:33,520 I mean, come on. Think, think. All right. Everyone think. Everyone, everyone, let's rewind. Let's go to Christmas. 369 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:38,520 Right. It's July. It's Christmas in July. Let's all go to Christmas story. 370 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:41,520 Right. Everyone remember the movie Christmas story, right? 371 00:30:41,520 --> 00:30:48,520 Everyone's seen it. The major award. Right. 372 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:54,520 Now this major award is not going to be fragile. Okay. 373 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:59,520 How many of you want to receive a major award? I mean, I want to receive a major award. 374 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:04,520 And it's coming from your Father in heaven. Wow. 375 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:08,520 Isn't it amazing when you break the Bible down and the truths that you find in it? 376 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:15,520 Right. It's amazing that you can simply take a red hot chili pepper song, which people think we're going to hell because that song was sung in here this morning. 377 00:31:15,520 --> 00:31:25,520 Okay. But when you break it down scripturally and you say, well, wait a minute, what they're singing about is truth. 378 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:28,520 Right. Now they may not have been pointing people to Jesus, but guess what? 379 00:31:28,520 --> 00:31:35,520 HCV is. Okay. We're pointing people to Jesus. 380 00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:40,520 So let's look at four simple ways that we can give it away now. Okay. 381 00:31:40,520 --> 00:31:46,520 Number one, you can be generous with your time. Friends, we need to be generous with our time. 382 00:31:46,520 --> 00:31:50,520 Matthew 10, a give as freely as you have received. 383 00:31:50,520 --> 00:31:55,520 And for most of us, if we're honest, our time is more valuable than our money. 384 00:31:55,520 --> 00:32:00,520 I've heard people say to me, look, Chris, I don't have the time. I'm working too much, but I'll give. 385 00:32:00,520 --> 00:32:06,520 Okay. I receive that. But there's also got to be a point in your life where you give some of your time. 386 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:11,520 Okay. I'm very, very thankful for all the people that serve in our community of faith. 387 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:26,520 Right. I am super thankful. I mean, it's amazing to me, but here I am walking to an 830 pre-gathering planning time where we get together and pray and make sure that Alan knows the words to the song and all those kinds of things. 388 00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:41,520 Right. How he did that is amazing to me. But anyway, as I'm walking through the cafe, I look to my left and to my right, and there's guys out in the parking lot with yellow vests on smiling at people, greeting people, helping them park their cars. 389 00:32:41,520 --> 00:32:51,520 And I'm just humbled by the fact that they want to serve. And that means, isn't that amazing? And there's, I know, give my hand. Give everybody a hand. 390 00:32:51,520 --> 00:33:00,520 And a lot of these people, hear me out, a lot of these people, they serve one's gathering. They serve at nine and then they come to 11 and worship. 391 00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:07,520 Right. Which is a cool thing. But what are they doing? They're giving of their time. And friends, we all can do that if we're honest. 392 00:33:07,520 --> 00:33:16,520 Okay. We all can do that. We all have the ability to give of our time. And what are we asking for? We're asking for an hour and a half of your time a week to serve somewhere. 393 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:21,520 You know, serve on the welcome hub or the kids ministry or on the worship team or whatever it may be. 394 00:33:21,520 --> 00:33:30,520 I mean, get on a camera and zoom in on Chris and make those, you know, ugliness disappear because you are so good at the camera or whatever it may be. 395 00:33:30,520 --> 00:33:36,520 But the point is, we've got to be willing to give of our time. We've got to be willing to do it. 396 00:33:36,520 --> 00:33:42,520 This is like I said about the backpack giveaway. We need people to serve here. There's going to be hundreds, 397 00:33:42,520 --> 00:33:51,520 maybe even a thousand people that come through these doors on that giveaway day. We need your help. Right. So see Tracy sign up. 398 00:33:51,520 --> 00:33:58,520 You know, God, I was on a I was on my run walk with with Phoenix. Phoenix and I take run walks now. 399 00:33:58,520 --> 00:34:05,520 And I was listening to some worship and praying and and I felt God specifically speak to me. 400 00:34:05,520 --> 00:34:12,520 We have an old trailer. That's not old. Well, yeah, it is old. We bought that white trailer that you may have seen. 401 00:34:12,520 --> 00:34:15,520 It's up here in the parking lot. It moves around a lot. People borrow it. 402 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:24,520 But anyway, it's got really old lettering, HCV lettering, because we didn't have any money back when we started the church and we put this ugly design on it. 403 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:34,520 And it's it's cool. It's a trailer. But anyway, I felt like God told me that we're going to use that trailer to make a difference in our community, 404 00:34:34,520 --> 00:34:39,520 that that we're to wrap that trailer in the bright tie dye like our van. Right. 405 00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:43,520 That we're to wrap that trailer in the bright tie dye. I haven't told John Erdly this yet. 406 00:34:43,520 --> 00:34:48,520 So he's probably already like, oh, my gosh, not again. 407 00:34:48,520 --> 00:34:56,520 But I felt like God told me on my walk this week to wrap that trailer in bright tie dye, put our logo on the side of it. 408 00:34:56,520 --> 00:35:07,520 And every first Saturday of the month, go into the community and fix people's houses. 409 00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:10,520 And yeah, I mean, now hear me out. 410 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:20,520 I felt like God told me that we're supposed to start a first Saturday serve and that I'm supposed to reach out to mayors of local little towns and say, hey, do you know anybody that's in need? 411 00:35:20,520 --> 00:35:26,520 Maybe they're going to get evicted soon, whatever. And we can come in and do some minor repairs. 412 00:35:26,520 --> 00:35:29,520 I'm not talking about extreme house makeover here. OK. 413 00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:34,520 Can we come in and do some minor repairs that will help them not get evicted? 414 00:35:34,520 --> 00:35:39,520 Wouldn't that be cool? And we show up with this trailer and we park it out front. Right. 415 00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:44,520 And it may be empty, but who cares? You know, maybe it's full of tools. I have no idea. 416 00:35:44,520 --> 00:35:47,520 But we begin to just serve our community in a simple, practical way. 417 00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:54,520 Now, my question to you is, do you think we could do that? Do you think we should do that? 418 00:35:54,520 --> 00:36:00,520 So you're telling me that that was from God. Luke, was that from God? OK, thank you. 419 00:36:00,520 --> 00:36:05,520 Luke's not a man of very many words, but when he says yes, it's a yes. OK. 420 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:11,520 So that means we're going to do it. Is that OK? Can we do that? All right. 421 00:36:11,520 --> 00:36:16,520 So my goal is to have our first Saturday serve by October. OK. 422 00:36:16,520 --> 00:36:20,520 My goal is that we have that thing wrapped, ready to go. And our first Saturday serve, 423 00:36:20,520 --> 00:36:24,520 I'm going to start reaching out to the local mayors in Williamsport and Hagerstown 424 00:36:24,520 --> 00:36:27,520 and just try to get a list of people and maybe some simple needs. 425 00:36:27,520 --> 00:36:30,520 Again, I'm not talking about extreme house makeover. 426 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:33,520 I'm talking about a first Saturday serve from nine to twelve. 427 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:37,520 We show up at someone's house, someone that's maybe elderly and they need a ramp built, 428 00:36:37,520 --> 00:36:42,520 and we build a ramp and we're gone by twelve. Does that make a difference in the community? 429 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:52,520 All right. Now, remember, you were all clapping when that event comes about. OK. 430 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:56,520 So when that event comes about, I'm going to be like, remember everyone that clapped? 431 00:36:56,520 --> 00:37:00,520 Well, here we go. First Saturday serve. You got to be generous with your time. 432 00:37:00,520 --> 00:37:04,520 Number two, you need to be generous with your talent. Right. 433 00:37:04,520 --> 00:37:07,520 You need to be generous with your talent. Now, I get it. 434 00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:12,520 Many people, when they hear the word talent, they think Simon Cowell. 435 00:37:12,520 --> 00:37:17,520 Immediately they go to, right, they go to American Idol. Why? I can't be on American Idol. 436 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:21,520 Good. I can't either. Right. I wouldn't attempt to go on American Idol. 437 00:37:21,520 --> 00:37:28,520 I wouldn't attempt to go on America's Got Talent. But I feel I have a talent. Right. 438 00:37:28,520 --> 00:37:34,520 I have a talent and the ability to reach people where they're at and see their lives radically changed. 439 00:37:34,520 --> 00:37:40,520 And you have that same talent. You have that same talent and that same ability to be able to meet people 440 00:37:40,520 --> 00:37:47,520 in your sphere of influence right where they are to meet their needs so that God can use you to supernaturally change people's lives. 441 00:37:47,520 --> 00:37:51,520 How do I know that? Well, the Bible tells me that. Look at 1 Peter 4 10. 442 00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:57,520 God has given each of you. Now you say each of you. Now say me. 443 00:37:57,520 --> 00:38:03,520 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. 444 00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:08,520 Use them well to serve one another. So if you're in a relationship with Jesus, guess what? 445 00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:15,520 You got a talent. God deposited that talent into your heart when you began that relationship. 446 00:38:15,520 --> 00:38:21,520 How are you serving one another? Right. I challenged you last week. Start a group. Right. 447 00:38:21,520 --> 00:38:27,520 As far as I know, one person said, hey, I want to get a group of people together. Right. Which is cool. 448 00:38:27,520 --> 00:38:34,520 There should have been like 12 of you. Right. My point is we've got to continually challenge ourselves to grow. 449 00:38:34,520 --> 00:38:40,520 You've been given a talent, friends. Use it. Teach kids. Teach youth. 450 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:48,520 Teach people that are struggling in addictions. Show up to the community meal and serve people. Right. 451 00:38:48,520 --> 00:38:52,520 You have a talent and ability, but you got to begin to believe that. 452 00:38:52,520 --> 00:38:57,520 And when you discover it, you got to be generous with it, which leads us to our next step. 453 00:38:57,520 --> 00:39:04,520 We got to be generous with our touch. There's that word touch again. We hit it last week, but I feel it's very, very important. 454 00:39:04,520 --> 00:39:09,520 We all can do this. Everyone take out your cell phone. Everyone take it out. It's okay. I gave you permission. 455 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:13,520 Take out your cell phone. If you didn't bring it, that's fine. Just pretend you didn't bring it, but many of you did. 456 00:39:13,520 --> 00:39:19,520 Okay. Take out your cell phone. Go to your text messages. Open up your text message. 457 00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:28,520 I don't care if it's Android or Apple. I don't really care what you have. Go to your text messages. Hit plus. 458 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:35,520 Everyone hit plus. That means you're going to create a new message. Now pick someone. Pick a friend. I don't care who it is. 459 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:43,520 Pick someone. Pick someone. Doesn't make any difference who it is. 460 00:39:43,520 --> 00:39:52,520 Now just type in there, I am praying for you with an exclamation point. 461 00:39:52,520 --> 00:40:03,520 Now pray for that person. Now don't hit send because it won't go anywhere. 462 00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:08,520 But you can hit send when you leave and you get outside of these steel walls. 463 00:40:08,520 --> 00:40:15,520 Believe me, trust me, you didn't try to hit send. It's not going to go anywhere. I've tried it. Okay. It doesn't go anywhere. 464 00:40:15,520 --> 00:40:23,520 Now look, we just took about two minutes of a Sunday morning gathering, typed up a simple message, I'm praying for you, and it could be, 465 00:40:23,520 --> 00:40:31,520 I'm thinking about you, I love you, you're the best. You could find a scripture on your Bible app and copy it and send it. 466 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:38,520 There isn't any reason that we're not doing that 10 times a day, true or false. It's just that simple. 467 00:40:38,520 --> 00:40:47,520 And see, that's being generous. There isn't any reason we're not sending a dozen texts every single day to people that are in our sphere of influence, 468 00:40:47,520 --> 00:40:54,520 that are people that are in need, because it encourages people. It brings about hope. It brings about meaning. 469 00:40:54,520 --> 00:41:03,520 Look at Luke 6.38, give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, 470 00:41:03,520 --> 00:41:11,520 running over and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. 471 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:21,520 Think about that. I mean, all these people in this room sending out 10, 12, 15 texts a day of encouragement, of love, of happiness, 472 00:41:21,520 --> 00:41:26,520 that's being generous with your touch. You are touching people when you do that. 473 00:41:26,520 --> 00:41:32,520 All right, does it take five minutes of your time? Absolutely, but God wants us to be generous with our time. 474 00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:37,520 Matthew 10, 7 through 8 from the message. Tell them that the kingdom is near. 475 00:41:37,520 --> 00:41:44,520 This is what we're called to do as Jesus followers. Tell the tri-state area, the kingdom is here. 476 00:41:44,520 --> 00:41:49,520 Bring health to the sick, raise the dead, touch the untouchables, kick out the demons. 477 00:41:49,520 --> 00:41:58,520 That's a cool statement, isn't it? Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. 478 00:41:58,520 --> 00:42:08,520 I mean, it changes our entire outlook. It changes our entire outlook of how we can make a difference in our local community. 479 00:42:08,520 --> 00:42:14,520 Now, let me give you a bonus. Can I give you a quick bonus? Five simple touches that you can do every single day. 480 00:42:14,520 --> 00:42:20,520 You ready for them? Five simple touches that I believe if you and I do them every single day, 481 00:42:20,520 --> 00:42:24,520 you'll make a difference in your family, you'll make a difference in your friends, your classmates, 482 00:42:24,520 --> 00:42:29,520 you'll make a difference in the Walmart lady as you walk in. 483 00:42:29,520 --> 00:42:32,520 Five simple touches that you do every day, you'll make a difference. 484 00:42:32,520 --> 00:42:40,520 One, smile. Just smile. Just get rid of the frown, man. Just smile. 485 00:42:40,520 --> 00:42:46,520 Even when you're pulling out of a parking lot, just smile. Okay? I know it's hard sometimes. 486 00:42:46,520 --> 00:42:50,520 There's a lot of cars here. It's all good. Just smile. 487 00:42:50,520 --> 00:42:57,520 Number two, sympathize. Listen to someone. Share a hug. 488 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:02,520 Man, didn't it feel good giving hugs last week? Wow, that felt good. 489 00:43:02,520 --> 00:43:08,520 Like, do it on a daily basis. Smile, sympathize, speak up. What does that mean? 490 00:43:08,520 --> 00:43:11,520 It means like send those texts that I was talking about. 491 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:15,520 Leave a note behind. Leave a post-it note for your spouse. Right? 492 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:19,520 Leave a little post-it note on her mirror as she's doing it with a big heart and says, 493 00:43:19,520 --> 00:43:23,520 you're beautiful. 494 00:43:23,520 --> 00:43:29,520 I'm telling you, man, you're going to get back later. Okay? It's worth it. It's worth it. 495 00:43:29,520 --> 00:43:37,520 I mean, the Bible is real. The Bible speaks truth. 496 00:43:37,520 --> 00:43:42,520 Y'all like that? Smile, sympathize, speak up. 497 00:43:42,520 --> 00:43:46,520 Number four, serve. Just serve somewhere. 498 00:43:46,520 --> 00:43:50,520 Find a need, someone that's struggling, and meet it. 499 00:43:50,520 --> 00:43:54,520 Right? Just serve someone. Get outside of yourself. 500 00:43:54,520 --> 00:43:58,520 And number five, sacrifice. You say, sacrifice, Chris, what does that mean? 501 00:43:58,520 --> 00:44:02,520 It means do something that actually costs you something. 502 00:44:02,520 --> 00:44:06,520 Right? So often, we only want to give. We don't want to give until it hurts. 503 00:44:06,520 --> 00:44:11,520 Right? But when it starts hurting, then all of a sudden, that's when change happens. 504 00:44:11,520 --> 00:44:15,520 Right? And for some of you, you need to grow into this. 505 00:44:15,520 --> 00:44:18,520 I want to challenge you right now. I told Rudy I would do this. 506 00:44:18,520 --> 00:44:22,520 There's this class that Rudy's doing starting in August. It actually starts August 1st. 507 00:44:22,520 --> 00:44:26,520 It's the last rock anthem. Okay, we're doing Pink Floyd. 508 00:44:26,520 --> 00:44:31,520 Oh, I can't tell you what song. But anyway, we're going to close out summer jams with Pink Floyd. 509 00:44:31,520 --> 00:44:36,520 Well, on that Sunday, Rudy is going to start a four-week class called Now What? 510 00:44:36,520 --> 00:44:42,520 And you say, well, Chris, what's Now What? It's just learning to follow Jesus in a non-religious way. 511 00:44:42,520 --> 00:44:46,520 It's all it means. It means we're going to take the religion, shake it out of you, 512 00:44:46,520 --> 00:44:51,520 and allow you to just follow Jesus in a real way so that you can help others. 513 00:44:51,520 --> 00:44:55,520 And how Rudy's going to do it, he's going to do it right here on Sunday morning. 514 00:44:55,520 --> 00:44:59,520 So at 9 o'clock, when we start our first gathering, he's going to do the Now What? class 515 00:44:59,520 --> 00:45:04,520 from 9 to 10. And then that way you can do your class and then come to the second gathering. 516 00:45:04,520 --> 00:45:07,520 Hang out with people in the middle and then come to the second gathering. 517 00:45:07,520 --> 00:45:11,520 So we're setting that up for you so it's a means where it's not an extra time away. 518 00:45:11,520 --> 00:45:15,520 It's here on a Sunday morning. And I challenge you, man, get in that class 519 00:45:15,520 --> 00:45:19,520 because you will grow in your relationship with Jesus, which is the most important thing. 520 00:45:19,520 --> 00:45:24,520 Okay, August 1st for four weeks in August. Just go to nowwhat.htv.church. 521 00:45:24,520 --> 00:45:29,520 N-O-W-all one word, now what,.htv.church. Isn't that cool how we have all that? 522 00:45:29,520 --> 00:45:33,520 Man, it's just amazing. Technology just blows my mind. 523 00:45:33,520 --> 00:45:36,520 So we have to be generous with our touch. 524 00:45:36,520 --> 00:45:41,520 The fourth and final thing, you need to be generous with your treasure. 525 00:45:41,520 --> 00:45:44,520 Again, it's a biblical statement, Matthew 6, 19, 21. 526 00:45:44,520 --> 00:45:48,520 Don't store up treasures here on earth where moths eat them and rust destroy them 527 00:45:48,520 --> 00:45:51,520 and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven. 528 00:45:51,520 --> 00:45:56,520 The kingdom where moths and rust cannot destroy and thieves do not break in and steal, 529 00:45:56,520 --> 00:45:59,520 wherever your treasure is there, it is as your heart will also be. 530 00:45:59,520 --> 00:46:04,520 Okay, we're called to give of our treasures. We're called to give to God. 531 00:46:04,520 --> 00:46:08,520 I mean, I'll be honest with you, I shared with you a few weeks ago, we're called to tithe. 532 00:46:08,520 --> 00:46:12,520 I believe in it 100%. How do you give above and beyond that? 533 00:46:12,520 --> 00:46:15,520 What is it that the Holy Spirit is calling you to do? 534 00:46:15,520 --> 00:46:18,520 Write a practical example to give above and beyond. 535 00:46:18,520 --> 00:46:23,520 Some of you are going to go out to lunch today and you're going to enjoy lunch with friends or family 536 00:46:23,520 --> 00:46:28,520 and hang out, you know. Leave a 50% tip with one of our cards. 537 00:46:28,520 --> 00:46:31,520 It gets people's attention, right? 538 00:46:31,520 --> 00:46:35,520 How is God calling you to give above and beyond? 539 00:46:35,520 --> 00:46:38,520 What is he calling you to do in the means of generosity? 540 00:46:38,520 --> 00:46:40,520 2 Corinthians 9, 11. 541 00:46:40,520 --> 00:46:44,520 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous, 542 00:46:44,520 --> 00:46:46,520 meaning God's not going to let us down. 543 00:46:46,520 --> 00:46:52,520 And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 544 00:46:52,520 --> 00:46:56,520 I mean, again, that's not even, I'm not even talking about finances. 545 00:46:56,520 --> 00:47:00,520 Clean out your closets, clean out your basement, get rid of your storage locker, right? 546 00:47:00,520 --> 00:47:03,520 Because it's not a locker, it's a sea container, right? 547 00:47:03,520 --> 00:47:06,520 Get rid of it, clean it out and give it away. 548 00:47:06,520 --> 00:47:09,520 Like just give it away now. 549 00:47:09,520 --> 00:47:12,520 Friends, there's freedom when we declutter, right? 550 00:47:12,520 --> 00:47:15,520 I shared that a few weeks ago. Just give it away, clean it out. 551 00:47:15,520 --> 00:47:18,520 There's freedom when we declutter. 552 00:47:18,520 --> 00:47:22,520 This week I sent an email out about the rich young ruler, right? 553 00:47:22,520 --> 00:47:24,520 We're all rich young rulers. And what did he do? 554 00:47:24,520 --> 00:47:26,520 He asked Jesus, how do I get to the kingdom of God? 555 00:47:26,520 --> 00:47:29,520 You know what Jesus said? Give it away now. 556 00:47:29,520 --> 00:47:32,520 He answered with a quote from a Red Hot Chili Pepper song, 557 00:47:32,520 --> 00:47:38,520 Jesus rocks on! 558 00:47:38,520 --> 00:47:45,520 Or actually, I should say, Anthony Kiedis quoted Jesus. 559 00:47:45,520 --> 00:47:51,520 But isn't it amazing, and I did some studying of it this week, 560 00:47:51,520 --> 00:47:56,520 there's actually theological discussions about the word it. 561 00:47:56,520 --> 00:48:01,520 There's actually all these different camps about, well, what did Jesus mean by the word it? 562 00:48:01,520 --> 00:48:04,520 Give it away now. 563 00:48:04,520 --> 00:48:11,520 Some people feel that it's okay to have stuff and that God blesses you with things 564 00:48:11,520 --> 00:48:14,520 and give away your leftovers. 565 00:48:14,520 --> 00:48:16,520 Some people believe that. 566 00:48:16,520 --> 00:48:21,520 There's some people that believe that they're really to do nothing with it. 567 00:48:21,520 --> 00:48:27,520 That when Jesus said give it away now, it just means that you just give away things. 568 00:48:27,520 --> 00:48:32,520 But not necessarily your own things. 569 00:48:32,520 --> 00:48:36,520 I don't know what that means, but... 570 00:48:36,520 --> 00:48:41,520 There's some people that just ignore the whole passage altogether 571 00:48:41,520 --> 00:48:43,520 because it hurts too much. 572 00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:48,520 But then there's those in the camp that says, well, when Jesus says give it away, 573 00:48:48,520 --> 00:48:50,520 he means everything. 574 00:48:50,520 --> 00:48:53,520 He means you give everything away. 575 00:48:53,520 --> 00:48:59,520 So you're saying, Chris, does that mean that I give someone the keys to my house and my car? 576 00:48:59,520 --> 00:49:02,520 I hope you hear from God if he tells you to do that. 577 00:49:02,520 --> 00:49:05,520 I'm certainly not going to tell you to do that. 578 00:49:05,520 --> 00:49:08,520 But if God tells you if you have excess and you have six cars 579 00:49:08,520 --> 00:49:11,520 and he tells you to give a car to someone, it's happened to me before. 580 00:49:11,520 --> 00:49:15,520 God's given my family a car before, which is really cool. 581 00:49:15,520 --> 00:49:20,520 So it does happen, but it's all about that excess. 582 00:49:20,520 --> 00:49:24,520 Does that make sense? Like we live in excess. 583 00:49:24,520 --> 00:49:29,520 What I feel Jesus is calling us to do when he says give it away, 584 00:49:29,520 --> 00:49:32,520 it means that we're commanded to give away from our privilege. 585 00:49:32,520 --> 00:49:35,520 We're commanded to give away of our excess. 586 00:49:35,520 --> 00:49:39,520 We're commanded not to focus on our 700 plus credit rating 587 00:49:39,520 --> 00:49:45,520 because it's affecting our ability to give. 588 00:49:45,520 --> 00:49:49,520 We're commanded to give away our perfect image of a family and a lifestyle 589 00:49:49,520 --> 00:49:53,520 so that we can serve others. 590 00:49:53,520 --> 00:49:56,520 We're commanded to give where it causes us pain. 591 00:49:56,520 --> 00:49:59,520 Because what that rich young ruler learned, he said, 592 00:49:59,520 --> 00:50:04,520 well, I follow all the commandments of God, but when Jesus said give it all away, 593 00:50:04,520 --> 00:50:10,520 he turned and walked away because he had so much stuff, because the stuff had him. 594 00:50:10,520 --> 00:50:15,520 So this morning my question to you is, does your stuff have you? 595 00:50:15,520 --> 00:50:20,520 And if it does, we're called to be generous and to give it away. 596 00:50:20,520 --> 00:50:26,520 See, friends, the value of life isn't determined by how much I achieve or accumulate, 597 00:50:26,520 --> 00:50:30,520 but it's of how much of my life I give away. 598 00:50:30,520 --> 00:50:38,520 That is living the life of legacy, and that is what people remember about you. 599 00:50:38,520 --> 00:50:44,520 They'll remember whether you were a taker or a giver. 600 00:50:44,520 --> 00:50:49,520 Can we stand together this morning? 601 00:50:49,520 --> 00:50:53,520 You know, it's truly amazing to me that every single year, 602 00:50:53,520 --> 00:50:56,520 and again, this is the first time we've done this series in four years, 603 00:50:56,520 --> 00:51:05,520 and I've missed it so much, that every single year God can redeem. 604 00:51:05,520 --> 00:51:14,520 God can redeem, I mean, again, a band that doesn't really have much positive to say. 605 00:51:14,520 --> 00:51:19,520 I'll just be honest with you, their lyrics aren't full of a lot of positivity, 606 00:51:19,520 --> 00:51:22,520 but yet we can take one of their songs and redeem it 607 00:51:22,520 --> 00:51:26,520 and challenge ourselves to grow in our relationship with Jesus. 608 00:51:26,520 --> 00:51:31,520 So I just want to, is it okay if I pray a prayer over you this morning? 609 00:51:31,520 --> 00:51:35,520 All I want to do is pray a simple prayer of generosity over you. 610 00:51:35,520 --> 00:51:41,520 That's it. I want our church to be a generous church and generous people. 611 00:51:41,520 --> 00:51:44,520 Remember, the church isn't this building, it's you and me. 612 00:51:44,520 --> 00:51:47,520 So I just want to pray a prayer of generosity over all of us, 613 00:51:47,520 --> 00:51:51,520 that literally God wells up within us a spirit of generosity 614 00:51:51,520 --> 00:51:54,520 that we give and give and give and give so much 615 00:51:54,520 --> 00:52:01,520 that we just see what a multitude of people saved in coming into his kingdom. 616 00:52:01,520 --> 00:52:06,520 And friends, that's the meaning of life, pointing people to the kingdom. 617 00:52:06,520 --> 00:52:08,520 So Holy Spirit come. 618 00:52:08,520 --> 00:52:11,520 God, I just pray for each and every person in this place this morning. 619 00:52:11,520 --> 00:52:15,520 I pray for each and every person that's watching at home online. 620 00:52:15,520 --> 00:52:21,520 And I just pray right now, God, that you would release a spirit of generosity in Jesus' name. 621 00:52:21,520 --> 00:52:26,520 That the spirit of generosity would well up within us, God. 622 00:52:26,520 --> 00:52:30,520 That God, through our generosity, as we give and give and give, 623 00:52:30,520 --> 00:52:35,520 your scripture says that we're going to get back and it's going to be poured into our lap 624 00:52:35,520 --> 00:52:38,520 and it's going to runneth over, God. 625 00:52:38,520 --> 00:52:42,520 I just pray for more and more and more of that generosity 626 00:52:42,520 --> 00:52:46,520 to well up within each and every person. 627 00:52:46,520 --> 00:52:50,520 That God, we truly would be known as a church that is willing to give, 628 00:52:50,520 --> 00:52:54,520 that is willing to serve, that is willing to make a difference. 629 00:52:54,520 --> 00:53:02,520 That this is a place where people can come home in Jesus' name and together we all said, Amen. 630 00:53:02,520 --> 00:53:06,520 All right, before we go, before we go, 631 00:53:06,520 --> 00:53:12,520 if you could all go to that place, no one looking around, if you could go to that place of prayer. 632 00:53:12,520 --> 00:53:16,520 I've been sharing about how, you know, 633 00:53:16,520 --> 00:53:22,520 here Anthony Kittes' girlfriend is speaking biblical truths to him and she didn't even know it. 634 00:53:22,520 --> 00:53:25,520 Well, those biblical truths can come alive in your heart this morning 635 00:53:25,520 --> 00:53:30,520 if you're distant from God, if you've walked away or if you haven't started that relationship yet. 636 00:53:30,520 --> 00:53:33,520 So if you're here this morning, no one looking around, 637 00:53:33,520 --> 00:53:37,520 this is a private matter between you and God and we're not going to have you come forward, 638 00:53:37,520 --> 00:53:39,520 we're not going to make you stand up, we're not going to make you say anything, 639 00:53:39,520 --> 00:53:41,520 we're just going to pray a simple prayer together. 640 00:53:41,520 --> 00:53:47,520 Is there anybody here that needs to recommit their life or start a life with Jesus this morning? 641 00:53:47,520 --> 00:53:51,520 Just slip your hand up right now. Is there anybody here? 642 00:53:51,520 --> 00:53:57,520 Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. 643 00:53:57,520 --> 00:54:02,520 Hey, we all pray this prayer together. We're a family this morning, you know that. 644 00:54:02,520 --> 00:54:12,520 Jesus, I'm a broken person, full of sin, doubt, shame and negativity. 645 00:54:12,520 --> 00:54:22,520 I need you. I believe you're God's son. I believe you died for me. 646 00:54:22,520 --> 00:54:30,520 I make you Lord of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. 647 00:54:30,520 --> 00:54:36,520 Make me new. Allow me to change others. 648 00:54:36,520 --> 00:54:43,520 In Jesus' name, we all said together, Amen, Amen. God bless you guys. 649 00:54:43,520 --> 00:54:47,520 Now listen, you know the drill, right? If you prayed that prayer, there it is. 650 00:54:47,520 --> 00:54:53,520 Text change me all one word as Dara said to 970000. 651 00:54:53,520 --> 00:54:59,520 And before we go, before we go, as a lasting memory of our song this morning, 652 00:54:59,520 --> 00:55:04,520 can we all stay together, give it away now, can we all do it on three? 653 00:55:04,520 --> 00:55:18,520 Ready? One, two, three. 654 00:55:34,520 --> 00:55:36,520 Amen.