1 00:00:01,020 --> 00:00:10,889 barbels telling me to the book of X X 2 00:00:05,130 --> 00:00:15,389 chapter 20 X chapter 20 verse 35 Angela 3 00:00:10,889 --> 00:00:18,300 Kahn hey Don good to see you and I just 4 00:00:15,389 --> 00:00:21,470 felt God's there I had a picture and 5 00:00:18,300 --> 00:00:25,650 this is a stranger keep playing Chris 6 00:00:21,470 --> 00:00:28,320 and I just had a picture and the picture 7 00:00:25,650 --> 00:00:30,929 was of this there's a YouTube clip and 8 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:33,570 there's a person out there at this like 9 00:00:30,929 --> 00:00:36,719 concert outdoor concert and they're just 10 00:00:33,570 --> 00:00:38,070 like doing this and everyone's looking 11 00:00:36,719 --> 00:00:40,050 at them and thinking what are you doing 12 00:00:38,070 --> 00:00:42,719 and my way out there on their own saying 13 00:00:40,050 --> 00:00:44,460 I'm out of my own yeah and and then also 14 00:00:42,719 --> 00:00:46,649 and someone join them and before you 15 00:00:44,460 --> 00:00:48,510 know a whole crowd came in behind them 16 00:00:46,649 --> 00:00:50,070 and I don't know what area of your life 17 00:00:48,510 --> 00:00:51,270 it is but there's a part of your life 18 00:00:50,070 --> 00:00:52,199 where you feel like I'm just on my own 19 00:00:51,270 --> 00:00:54,570 where is everybody 20 00:00:52,199 --> 00:00:56,070 and I feel God say you just keep dancing 21 00:00:54,570 --> 00:00:57,809 before the Lord you just keep worshiping 22 00:00:56,070 --> 00:01:00,149 God and you're gonna find God's gonna 23 00:00:57,809 --> 00:01:02,160 use you as a leader for people to come 24 00:01:00,149 --> 00:01:03,359 and encounter his presence that God's 25 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,799 going to use you as someone who's going 26 00:01:03,359 --> 00:01:06,630 to inspire others and there's going to 27 00:01:04,799 --> 00:01:09,390 come a moment you realize I'm not on my 28 00:01:06,630 --> 00:01:11,670 own I'm not out on a limb that God is 29 00:01:09,390 --> 00:01:13,409 going to have full support come around 30 00:01:11,670 --> 00:01:14,880 you in those areas where you're feeling 31 00:01:13,409 --> 00:01:18,439 like you've been isolated and being 32 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:26,070 alone amen praise God 33 00:01:18,439 --> 00:01:28,210 Acts chapter 20 verse verse 35 32 the 34 00:01:26,070 --> 00:01:34,580 first 35 35 00:01:28,210 --> 00:01:36,680 actually um Vincent Lloyd who is good to 36 00:01:34,580 --> 00:01:39,380 say here and I just heard the Holy 37 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:41,900 Spirit just say just then that he is 38 00:01:39,380 --> 00:01:44,720 going to replace something that you had 39 00:01:41,900 --> 00:01:46,850 lost that seemed irreplaceable that 40 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:49,400 there was something that you had lost it 41 00:01:46,850 --> 00:01:51,140 was an area of loss and it was like it 42 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:52,940 never it was almost like left a 43 00:01:51,140 --> 00:01:54,800 permanent void and it's like well that 44 00:01:52,940 --> 00:01:56,509 is permanent that's irreplaceable I felt 45 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:58,759 God saying that he is going to fill the 46 00:01:56,509 --> 00:02:00,649 void and at that area of loss he is 47 00:01:58,759 --> 00:02:02,509 going to replace and he's going to feel 48 00:02:00,649 --> 00:02:05,000 life with life joy he's going to bring a 49 00:02:02,509 --> 00:02:08,600 great deal of life joy and strength into 50 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:10,070 your life as a result so amen I think 51 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,770 that's it that's it Chris 52 00:02:10,070 --> 00:02:14,959 awesome won't you thank Chris is he it 53 00:02:12,770 --> 00:02:15,620 just just got off a plane from South 54 00:02:14,959 --> 00:02:19,340 Carolina 55 00:02:15,620 --> 00:02:22,340 we were just in South Carolina it was 56 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:24,230 all just all over America don't praise 57 00:02:22,340 --> 00:02:25,850 and worship around America and then make 58 00:02:24,230 --> 00:02:27,860 sure he's back on Sunday incredible 59 00:02:25,850 --> 00:02:35,090 order an awesome man of God and single 60 00:02:27,860 --> 00:02:37,340 and praise God and so yeah so any of you 61 00:02:35,090 --> 00:02:40,670 oh no I did that to scope like more last 62 00:02:37,340 --> 00:02:42,380 year we we're gonna set up a stand for 63 00:02:40,670 --> 00:02:44,690 anyone any expressions of interest but 64 00:02:42,380 --> 00:02:47,269 chris is a good boy and I can vouch for 65 00:02:44,690 --> 00:02:48,920 him and if you're looking for someone to 66 00:02:47,269 --> 00:02:53,180 marry your daughter or your 67 00:02:48,920 --> 00:02:55,820 granddaughter or yourself he's you know 68 00:02:53,180 --> 00:02:57,500 he's on that good age you know like no 69 00:02:55,820 --> 00:02:59,540 anyway I'll leave that alone alright 70 00:02:57,500 --> 00:03:03,560 praise God Acts chapter 20 come back 71 00:02:59,540 --> 00:03:08,750 Holy Spirit Acts chapter 20 verse 35 72 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:10,760 Acts chapter 20 verse 35 says this I've 73 00:03:08,750 --> 00:03:12,200 shown you in every way by laboring like 74 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,940 this that you must support the weak 75 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,250 remember the words of the Lord Jesus 76 00:03:13,940 --> 00:03:18,799 that he said it's more blessed to give 77 00:03:16,250 --> 00:03:21,019 than it is to receive I read that again 78 00:03:18,799 --> 00:03:22,519 I've shown you in every way by laboring 79 00:03:21,019 --> 00:03:24,200 like this so you must support the weak 80 00:03:22,519 --> 00:03:25,850 remember the words of the Lord Jesus 81 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:29,269 that he said it's more blessed to give 82 00:03:25,850 --> 00:03:30,890 than it is to receive tired of my 83 00:03:29,269 --> 00:03:33,620 message today is get blessed part 2 84 00:03:30,890 --> 00:03:35,120 let's pray father I thank you for your 85 00:03:33,620 --> 00:03:36,590 word I just ask him pray that you help 86 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:38,840 us to have a Kingdom mindset in all 87 00:03:36,590 --> 00:03:39,930 things log on and I pray for freedom and 88 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,970 liberty for people too 89 00:03:39,930 --> 00:03:44,370 I think and praise you for that Lord in 90 00:03:41,970 --> 00:03:47,189 Jesus name Amen 91 00:03:44,370 --> 00:03:50,879 last week I started a little miniseries 92 00:03:47,189 --> 00:03:52,709 called I get blessed and you know kind 93 00:03:50,879 --> 00:03:54,599 of jumping off this verse where it's 94 00:03:52,709 --> 00:03:56,939 quoted about Jesus the Apostle Paul is 95 00:03:54,599 --> 00:03:59,909 quoting Jesus said it's more blessed to 96 00:03:56,939 --> 00:04:01,680 give than it is to receive what that 97 00:03:59,909 --> 00:04:04,140 means is we open up more of the 98 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:06,150 blessings of God by giving than by 99 00:04:04,140 --> 00:04:08,370 simply receiving there's nothing wrong 100 00:04:06,150 --> 00:04:11,340 with receiving receiving is a blessing 101 00:04:08,370 --> 00:04:13,560 but it's more blessed that we give and 102 00:04:11,340 --> 00:04:15,840 so one of the things I want to talk 103 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,100 about over last week in this week is I 104 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,169 want to talk about the different 105 00:04:17,100 --> 00:04:21,359 blessings that happen as a result of 106 00:04:19,169 --> 00:04:22,620 giving because all through Scripture it 107 00:04:21,359 --> 00:04:24,210 indicates there's a number of things 108 00:04:22,620 --> 00:04:27,270 that happen as a result of our 109 00:04:24,210 --> 00:04:29,699 generosity to others and as a result of 110 00:04:27,270 --> 00:04:31,800 our generosity towards the lawn I 111 00:04:29,699 --> 00:04:34,320 started last week and we looked at the 112 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:36,150 first part of Malachi chapter 3 and the 113 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:38,789 reason why I'm using Malachi chapter 3 114 00:04:36,150 --> 00:04:41,070 is basically because within that whole 115 00:04:38,789 --> 00:04:42,750 passage there's a number of things where 116 00:04:41,070 --> 00:04:44,460 it kind of references some of the things 117 00:04:42,750 --> 00:04:46,410 I'm talking about and you notice we 118 00:04:44,460 --> 00:04:48,660 cross-referenced it with other passages 119 00:04:46,410 --> 00:04:50,970 of scripture to talk about the different 120 00:04:48,660 --> 00:04:53,130 things that happen as a result of our 121 00:04:50,970 --> 00:04:55,229 giving and we talked about last week in 122 00:04:53,130 --> 00:04:57,150 number one that when we give to God a 123 00:04:55,229 --> 00:04:59,669 text when we give or a generous it 124 00:04:57,150 --> 00:05:02,820 actually pleases God that it's something 125 00:04:59,669 --> 00:05:05,400 that he enjoys that it's actually an act 126 00:05:02,820 --> 00:05:07,050 of worship when we do that we also 127 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:10,349 talked about a whole number of other 128 00:05:07,050 --> 00:05:12,240 things that happen as a result of our 129 00:05:10,349 --> 00:05:14,550 giving but today I'm going to jump down 130 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:16,620 to the second part of Malachi chapter 3 131 00:05:14,550 --> 00:05:19,139 and talk about a few other things that 132 00:05:16,620 --> 00:05:21,599 indicates happens as a result of our 133 00:05:19,139 --> 00:05:23,880 giving now I'm sure if you've been in 134 00:05:21,599 --> 00:05:26,220 church any length of time every couple 135 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:29,130 of years there's like a miniseries or a 136 00:05:26,220 --> 00:05:32,550 discussion or a talk on the area of 137 00:05:29,130 --> 00:05:34,500 finances and sometimes when that happens 138 00:05:32,550 --> 00:05:36,419 we think to ourselves ah okay you know 139 00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:37,979 I've heard this topic before but who 140 00:05:36,419 --> 00:05:40,169 knows that there's nothing wrong with us 141 00:05:37,979 --> 00:05:42,870 sometime from time to time having a 142 00:05:40,169 --> 00:05:45,060 little bit of revision I was a Bible 143 00:05:42,870 --> 00:05:47,789 College lecturer and I used to do it you 144 00:05:45,060 --> 00:05:49,260 know do ethics and and I do a year on 145 00:05:47,789 --> 00:05:51,210 ethics and then the next year I get the 146 00:05:49,260 --> 00:05:52,500 second years in and I talk to them about 147 00:05:51,210 --> 00:05:53,590 some things I talked about the year 148 00:05:52,500 --> 00:05:54,730 before 149 00:05:53,590 --> 00:05:56,500 I would say to them you remember how we 150 00:05:54,730 --> 00:05:59,080 talked about this last year and they 151 00:05:56,500 --> 00:06:01,240 looked at me blankly and I'm like come 152 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:03,310 on you remember we spent a few hours on 153 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:05,500 this and they said could you remind me 154 00:06:03,310 --> 00:06:07,600 and so then in reminding them they like 155 00:06:05,500 --> 00:06:09,370 our that's right because who knows just 156 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:11,200 because you heard something once it 157 00:06:09,370 --> 00:06:13,480 doesn't mean we shouldn't hear about it 158 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,010 again and so I just really felt that 159 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:17,380 this was a really appropriate time in 160 00:06:15,010 --> 00:06:20,020 the life of our church probably at it to 161 00:06:17,380 --> 00:06:22,030 be honest at a part time within our 162 00:06:20,020 --> 00:06:24,820 church we're actually now finding our 163 00:06:22,030 --> 00:06:26,440 search finances are probably in some of 164 00:06:24,820 --> 00:06:28,540 the healthiest position it's been for 165 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:30,910 many many years and so I thought that 166 00:06:28,540 --> 00:06:32,770 would be an appropriate time to talk on 167 00:06:30,910 --> 00:06:34,900 this topic so people wouldn't think it's 168 00:06:32,770 --> 00:06:36,940 out of a place of need for us or think 169 00:06:34,900 --> 00:06:40,060 it was somehow that our motives were 170 00:06:36,940 --> 00:06:41,350 polluted or anything like that and so I 171 00:06:40,060 --> 00:06:43,870 want to talk to you today from the 172 00:06:41,350 --> 00:06:45,640 second half of Malachi chapter 3 about 173 00:06:43,870 --> 00:06:49,450 some other things that the scripture 174 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:52,780 tells us our blessings as a result of 175 00:06:49,450 --> 00:06:54,940 giving to the Lord the first thing I 176 00:06:52,780 --> 00:06:57,970 want to talk and so we'll go to Malachi 177 00:06:54,940 --> 00:06:59,770 chapter 3 verses 10 to 12 and I'll just 178 00:06:57,970 --> 00:07:02,860 read those out again Malachi chapter 3 179 00:06:59,770 --> 00:07:04,180 verses 10 to 12 says is bring all the 180 00:07:02,860 --> 00:07:06,490 tithes into the storehouse that there 181 00:07:04,180 --> 00:07:08,350 may be food in my house and try me now 182 00:07:06,490 --> 00:07:09,640 and this says the Lord of Hosts if I 183 00:07:08,350 --> 00:07:11,140 will not open for you the windows of 184 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,030 heaven and pour out for you such 185 00:07:11,140 --> 00:07:15,580 blessing that there will not be enough 186 00:07:13,030 --> 00:07:17,530 room to receive it and I will rebuke the 187 00:07:15,580 --> 00:07:19,450 Devourer for your sakes so that he will 188 00:07:17,530 --> 00:07:21,250 not destroy the fruit of your ground nor 189 00:07:19,450 --> 00:07:22,900 shall the vine fail to bear fruit for 190 00:07:21,250 --> 00:07:24,940 you in the field says the Lord of Hosts 191 00:07:22,900 --> 00:07:27,310 and all nations will call you blessed 192 00:07:24,940 --> 00:07:29,440 for you will be a delightful land it 193 00:07:27,310 --> 00:07:31,180 says the Lord of Hosts within this 194 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:34,060 passage of Scripture are a few more 195 00:07:31,180 --> 00:07:36,610 things that happen few more blessings 196 00:07:34,060 --> 00:07:39,490 that happen as a result of giving the 197 00:07:36,610 --> 00:07:40,450 first one is this Malachi 3:10 says 198 00:07:39,490 --> 00:07:43,930 bring all the tithes into the storehouse 199 00:07:40,450 --> 00:07:45,820 that they may be food in my house try me 200 00:07:43,930 --> 00:07:47,650 now and this says the Lord of Hosts if I 201 00:07:45,820 --> 00:07:49,630 will not open for you the windows of 202 00:07:47,650 --> 00:07:51,550 heaven and pour out for you such 203 00:07:49,630 --> 00:07:54,640 blessing that not enough room to receive 204 00:07:51,550 --> 00:07:58,270 it so he is saying that when we give we 205 00:07:54,640 --> 00:08:00,850 open the windows of heaven now in this 206 00:07:58,270 --> 00:08:03,850 immediate context the immediate context 207 00:08:00,850 --> 00:08:05,710 is actually talking about provision but 208 00:08:03,850 --> 00:08:07,030 it's even more than that 209 00:08:05,710 --> 00:08:09,760 all through the scripture whenever it 210 00:08:07,030 --> 00:08:11,860 talks about open heavens it always talks 211 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:14,350 about the presence of God power and 212 00:08:11,860 --> 00:08:15,970 revelation so when God here is saying 213 00:08:14,350 --> 00:08:18,760 that I will open the windows of heaven 214 00:08:15,970 --> 00:08:21,610 it's more than just provision it's even 215 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:23,530 a much wider spiritual dynamic the Bible 216 00:08:21,610 --> 00:08:25,690 says that when Jesus was baptized in the 217 00:08:23,530 --> 00:08:28,300 River Jordan Bible said heaven was 218 00:08:25,690 --> 00:08:30,070 opened the Holy Spirit the presence of 219 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:33,160 God came upon him in the form of a dove 220 00:08:30,070 --> 00:08:34,810 and there was a voice revelation a voice 221 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,910 from heaven saying here is my beloved 222 00:08:34,810 --> 00:08:38,920 Son in whom I am well pleased 223 00:08:36,910 --> 00:08:41,230 all through the scripture there are a 224 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:43,180 number of times that indicate that when 225 00:08:41,230 --> 00:08:45,400 there was some kind of sacrifice brought 226 00:08:43,180 --> 00:08:47,620 before the Lord that not only was it 227 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:49,990 actually lit manually but there were 228 00:08:47,620 --> 00:08:52,840 times when it actually attracted the 229 00:08:49,990 --> 00:08:55,840 fire and the presence of God and so the 230 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:58,900 first thing the first blessing as a 231 00:08:55,840 --> 00:09:01,720 result of generosity is actually power 232 00:08:58,900 --> 00:09:03,910 in the presence of God I want to read to 233 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:08,350 you a number of scriptures that indicate 234 00:09:03,910 --> 00:09:10,540 this in 1 Kings 18 verse 38 says then 235 00:09:08,350 --> 00:09:12,820 the fire of the Lord fell and consumed 236 00:09:10,540 --> 00:09:15,010 the burnt sacrifice and the wood and the 237 00:09:12,820 --> 00:09:17,170 stones and the dust and it leaked up the 238 00:09:15,010 --> 00:09:18,580 water that was in the trench now 1 all 239 00:09:17,170 --> 00:09:20,650 the people saw it they fell on their 240 00:09:18,580 --> 00:09:23,860 faces and they said the Lord he is God 241 00:09:20,650 --> 00:09:25,390 He is God so this is the story about the 242 00:09:23,860 --> 00:09:27,760 prophet Elijah I talked to you about 243 00:09:25,390 --> 00:09:29,470 this recently where he was actually 244 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:31,660 conducting a duel with the prophets of 245 00:09:29,470 --> 00:09:33,940 Baal and he established his sacrifice 246 00:09:31,660 --> 00:09:36,280 and it was an act of generosity even 247 00:09:33,940 --> 00:09:38,950 more than that he had a number of large 248 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:40,630 jars of water which is what they didn't 249 00:09:38,950 --> 00:09:42,610 have because I were in a drought and he 250 00:09:40,630 --> 00:09:45,070 poured it upon them and then after 251 00:09:42,610 --> 00:09:47,800 praying the fire of heaven fell so the 252 00:09:45,070 --> 00:09:51,160 fire of heaven fell upon a sacrifice 253 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:54,520 God's presence is attracted to sacrifice 254 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:57,040 and Leviticus chapter 9 verses 23 to 24 255 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:59,200 says when and Moses and Aaron went into 256 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:01,120 the tabernacle of meeting and came out 257 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:02,740 and blessed the people then the glory of 258 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:05,320 the Lord appeared to all the people and 259 00:10:02,740 --> 00:10:06,880 fire came out from the Lord and consumed 260 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:09,130 the burnt offering and fed on the altar 261 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:10,570 when all the people saw it they shouted 262 00:10:09,130 --> 00:10:13,060 and fell on their faces 263 00:10:10,570 --> 00:10:14,950 so David established a sacrifice an 264 00:10:13,060 --> 00:10:16,570 altar before the Lord and placed an 265 00:10:14,950 --> 00:10:19,170 offering upon it and without even 266 00:10:16,570 --> 00:10:21,660 lighting it fire fell from heaven 267 00:10:19,170 --> 00:10:26,130 landed upon one chronicles chapter 21 268 00:10:21,660 --> 00:10:27,899 verses 21 chronicles 21 verse 26 says in 269 00:10:26,130 --> 00:10:29,279 david built there an altar to the lord 270 00:10:27,899 --> 00:10:31,290 and offered burnt offerings and peace 271 00:10:29,279 --> 00:10:33,720 offerings and called on the Lord and he 272 00:10:31,290 --> 00:10:35,910 answered him from heaven by fire on the 273 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:38,130 altar of the burnt offering so once 274 00:10:35,910 --> 00:10:40,170 again David actually establishes an 275 00:10:38,130 --> 00:10:42,000 altar before the Lord he's not a priest 276 00:10:40,170 --> 00:10:44,010 so it's not a sin offering that Jesus 277 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:46,500 replaced it was an outstanding act of 278 00:10:44,010 --> 00:10:49,380 generosity and the fire of Lord the Lord 279 00:10:46,500 --> 00:10:52,440 fell on that altar and fell upon the 280 00:10:49,380 --> 00:10:55,019 sacrifice in second chronicles chapter 7 281 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:57,839 verse 1 said when Solomon had finished 282 00:10:55,019 --> 00:10:59,790 praying fire come down from heaven and 283 00:10:57,839 --> 00:11:01,949 consumed the burnt offering in the 284 00:10:59,790 --> 00:11:04,410 sacrifices and the glory of the Lord 285 00:11:01,949 --> 00:11:06,540 filled the temple again this was an 286 00:11:04,410 --> 00:11:08,550 offering not given by a priest it was an 287 00:11:06,540 --> 00:11:10,769 offering given by the King Solomon King 288 00:11:08,550 --> 00:11:13,410 Solomon and the Bible says that fire 289 00:11:10,769 --> 00:11:15,510 from heaven fell upon that offering 290 00:11:13,410 --> 00:11:17,790 interestingly enough then there's 291 00:11:15,510 --> 00:11:19,440 probably more references to fire falling 292 00:11:17,790 --> 00:11:21,959 upon that than even inhabiting our 293 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:23,970 praises that literally all through the 294 00:11:21,959 --> 00:11:26,399 scripture there are times when people 295 00:11:23,970 --> 00:11:28,050 had a sacrifice before the Lord and not 296 00:11:26,399 --> 00:11:30,060 all of them were ones that were replaced 297 00:11:28,050 --> 00:11:31,649 by Jesus Christ many of them were 298 00:11:30,060 --> 00:11:34,290 actually just outstanding acts of 299 00:11:31,649 --> 00:11:36,540 generosity as a result fire from heaven 300 00:11:34,290 --> 00:11:38,550 fell from it fell upon it 301 00:11:36,540 --> 00:11:40,500 that's why Bill Johnson from Bethel 302 00:11:38,550 --> 00:11:42,899 Church actually says that generosity is 303 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:44,850 one of the keys to revival if you do a 304 00:11:42,899 --> 00:11:47,220 study of revivals you will notice that 305 00:11:44,850 --> 00:11:48,810 there's often two common elements one is 306 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:51,120 prayer but another one is actually 307 00:11:48,810 --> 00:11:53,160 generosity if you look at the early 308 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:55,620 church a church that was one that had 309 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:58,740 many signs and wonders in Acts chapter 2 310 00:11:55,620 --> 00:12:00,839 42 to 47 like many signs and wonders 311 00:11:58,740 --> 00:12:02,550 were done by the apostles apostles and 312 00:12:00,839 --> 00:12:04,260 then the very next sentence and said it 313 00:12:02,550 --> 00:12:07,920 and everyone gave generously and 314 00:12:04,260 --> 00:12:11,100 liberally generosity fire power and 315 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:12,930 presence actually go together and that 316 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:14,640 is why what I have seen over the years 317 00:12:12,930 --> 00:12:16,589 there's been times when I've sat in a 318 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:18,829 move of God and the thing that actually 319 00:12:16,589 --> 00:12:21,569 triggered it was actually generosity 320 00:12:18,829 --> 00:12:24,029 remember one time yes group we just had 321 00:12:21,569 --> 00:12:26,459 a regular meeting and at the end of the 322 00:12:24,029 --> 00:12:27,839 regular meeting afterwards I just you 323 00:12:26,459 --> 00:12:29,490 know when I was just about to close the 324 00:12:27,839 --> 00:12:31,230 meeting and as I did all of a sudden all 325 00:12:29,490 --> 00:12:33,430 these kids just came out and just stood 326 00:12:31,230 --> 00:12:35,080 at the altar and the only way I could 327 00:12:33,430 --> 00:12:37,390 describe it it was almost like a side 328 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:39,700 door opened and it was just like a wave 329 00:12:37,390 --> 00:12:41,410 of God's presence came through and for 330 00:12:39,700 --> 00:12:43,120 the next hour God's presence was 331 00:12:41,410 --> 00:12:45,100 touching these kids as they came before 332 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:46,810 the altar before the Lord and he was 333 00:12:45,100 --> 00:12:48,430 just touching and moving powerfully I 334 00:12:46,810 --> 00:12:50,500 remember at the end of the service 335 00:12:48,430 --> 00:12:52,240 thinking to myself well you know that 336 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:54,370 was an interesting sovereign move of God 337 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,870 we didn't even pray for that we didn't 338 00:12:54,370 --> 00:12:57,850 plan that it's something that just 339 00:12:55,870 --> 00:13:00,370 happened but then afterwards one of the 340 00:12:57,850 --> 00:13:01,630 ushers came up to me and he passed the 341 00:13:00,370 --> 00:13:04,240 van he said you should have seen the 342 00:13:01,630 --> 00:13:06,070 offering tonight and I said what and the 343 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:08,290 offering was five times the normal 344 00:13:06,070 --> 00:13:10,180 amount that our youth would actually 345 00:13:08,290 --> 00:13:11,800 give and what had happened was there was 346 00:13:10,180 --> 00:13:14,020 one of our team actually going to join 347 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:17,020 why Wham and we took up an offering for 348 00:13:14,020 --> 00:13:18,190 her and just from the kids and it was so 349 00:13:17,020 --> 00:13:20,230 much more than what we would normally 350 00:13:18,190 --> 00:13:22,330 take out and it just so happened that on 351 00:13:20,230 --> 00:13:24,640 that very same night the power and the 352 00:13:22,330 --> 00:13:26,560 presence of God came in the presence of 353 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:29,380 God one of the things that can actually 354 00:13:26,560 --> 00:13:32,709 help the Bible says open the windows of 355 00:13:29,380 --> 00:13:34,810 heaven is actually is actually acts of 356 00:13:32,709 --> 00:13:37,120 generosity if we want to have an open 357 00:13:34,810 --> 00:13:40,330 heaven over our lives obedience and 358 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:42,400 sacrifice which includes generosity is 359 00:13:40,330 --> 00:13:45,520 one of the ways that we can actually 360 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:48,160 walk in that the next thing that the 361 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:50,860 scripture says Malachi chapter 3 verse 362 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:52,540 10 it says bring all the tithes into the 363 00:13:50,860 --> 00:13:54,970 storehouse that there may be food in my 364 00:13:52,540 --> 00:13:57,670 house try me now in this says the Lord 365 00:13:54,970 --> 00:13:59,920 of Hosts if I will not open you the 366 00:13:57,670 --> 00:14:02,020 windows of heaven and pour out fees such 367 00:13:59,920 --> 00:14:05,470 blessing that will not be enough room to 368 00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:07,810 receive it so he is saying there God is 369 00:14:05,470 --> 00:14:11,709 saying to the Israelites if you will I 370 00:14:07,810 --> 00:14:14,140 will he says if you will step into 371 00:14:11,709 --> 00:14:16,540 obedience in this area in the realm of 372 00:14:14,140 --> 00:14:18,730 generosity he says if you will do that 373 00:14:16,540 --> 00:14:19,150 then actually I will open the windows of 374 00:14:18,730 --> 00:14:21,130 heaven 375 00:14:19,150 --> 00:14:23,260 what's he actually talking about these 376 00:14:21,130 --> 00:14:25,630 actually saying that giving can actually 377 00:14:23,260 --> 00:14:28,810 reduce break throughs then literally God 378 00:14:25,630 --> 00:14:32,110 can respond to actually our generosity 379 00:14:28,810 --> 00:14:34,300 that generosity is one of the keys to 380 00:14:32,110 --> 00:14:36,220 unlocking an opening breakthrough you 381 00:14:34,300 --> 00:14:38,800 would know that last year we talked 382 00:14:36,220 --> 00:14:40,420 about that tooth during the 12 days of 383 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:43,900 breakthrough and spent a fair bit of 384 00:14:40,420 --> 00:14:45,370 time on that but we read our 21 days of 385 00:14:43,900 --> 00:14:46,050 breakthrough is basically based on 386 00:14:45,370 --> 00:14:48,509 message 387 00:14:46,050 --> 00:14:51,600 the six and in Matthew chapter 6 Jesus 388 00:14:48,509 --> 00:14:54,149 gives us three principles that he says 389 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:57,300 if you do these in private then actually 390 00:14:54,149 --> 00:14:59,399 God will reward you in public and one of 391 00:14:57,300 --> 00:15:01,889 those keys was actually Dupree says when 392 00:14:59,399 --> 00:15:03,209 you pray go into your room and pray and 393 00:15:01,889 --> 00:15:06,179 your father who sees what you're doing 394 00:15:03,209 --> 00:15:08,549 secret will reward you openly another 395 00:15:06,179 --> 00:15:11,369 one is fasting he says when you fast 396 00:15:08,549 --> 00:15:12,809 your father you know don't you know 397 00:15:11,369 --> 00:15:14,999 don't disfigure your face like the 398 00:15:12,809 --> 00:15:16,799 hypocrites do guys wash your face and he 399 00:15:14,999 --> 00:15:18,299 says don't show that you're fasting and 400 00:15:16,799 --> 00:15:21,749 your father who says what you're doing 401 00:15:18,299 --> 00:15:24,389 secret will reward you openly so we can 402 00:15:21,749 --> 00:15:26,489 see that those two disciplines of prayer 403 00:15:24,389 --> 00:15:28,410 and fasting are actually some things 404 00:15:26,489 --> 00:15:30,209 that actually can produce breakthroughs 405 00:15:28,410 --> 00:15:32,549 is there anybody here who's ever 406 00:15:30,209 --> 00:15:36,420 received a breakthrough as a result of 407 00:15:32,549 --> 00:15:38,129 prayer five of you awesome is the only 408 00:15:36,420 --> 00:15:40,980 one here who's ever received a 409 00:15:38,129 --> 00:15:42,779 breakthrough as a result of fasting well 410 00:15:40,980 --> 00:15:45,420 Jesus says in Matthew chapter six verse 411 00:15:42,779 --> 00:15:47,069 three he says wheat goes when you give 412 00:15:45,420 --> 00:15:48,449 and when you give to the poor 413 00:15:47,069 --> 00:15:50,429 do not let your left hand know what your 414 00:15:48,449 --> 00:15:52,470 right hand is doing so that your giving 415 00:15:50,429 --> 00:15:54,839 will be in secret and your father who 416 00:15:52,470 --> 00:15:57,209 sees what is done in secret will reward 417 00:15:54,839 --> 00:15:59,779 you so he is actually saying there that 418 00:15:57,209 --> 00:16:02,009 giving just like prayer and fasting 419 00:15:59,779 --> 00:16:03,990 actually a keys to receiving 420 00:16:02,009 --> 00:16:06,119 breakthrough the difference between 421 00:16:03,990 --> 00:16:09,119 breakthrough and there's an difference 422 00:16:06,119 --> 00:16:11,220 between unexpected miracles is that 423 00:16:09,119 --> 00:16:12,990 literally there are times when you can 424 00:16:11,220 --> 00:16:15,029 seek God about a breakthrough in your 425 00:16:12,990 --> 00:16:16,499 life and he can actually tell you what 426 00:16:15,029 --> 00:16:19,170 to do in order to receive it 427 00:16:16,499 --> 00:16:21,089 there are times we can receive miracles 428 00:16:19,170 --> 00:16:22,949 that are like sovereign that we didn't 429 00:16:21,089 --> 00:16:25,410 realize we're coming but there are other 430 00:16:22,949 --> 00:16:28,049 times that literally by our generosity 431 00:16:25,410 --> 00:16:30,449 he can tell us ahead of time what's 432 00:16:28,049 --> 00:16:32,610 going to happen and we can do that in 433 00:16:30,449 --> 00:16:34,919 faith in order to receive the 434 00:16:32,610 --> 00:16:37,499 breakthrough I know myself many many 435 00:16:34,919 --> 00:16:41,100 times that I have received breakthroughs 436 00:16:37,499 --> 00:16:42,749 as a result of and the kids are actually 437 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:44,579 getting the breakthrough was actually 438 00:16:42,749 --> 00:16:46,139 true generosity I remember a couple of 439 00:16:44,579 --> 00:16:47,730 years ago when I was itinerant and on 440 00:16:46,139 --> 00:16:49,919 the road and when you're on tenant 441 00:16:47,730 --> 00:16:51,569 speaker your your income is so fluent 442 00:16:49,919 --> 00:16:53,850 you just don't know how you're gonna get 443 00:16:51,569 --> 00:16:57,209 and I remember one time I said Lord I'm 444 00:16:53,850 --> 00:16:58,410 believing you for an extra you know 500 445 00:16:57,209 --> 00:16:59,850 bucks a week 446 00:16:58,410 --> 00:17:01,380 and I'm you know 447 00:16:59,850 --> 00:17:03,839 was praying about it and I felt God say 448 00:17:01,380 --> 00:17:06,510 to me he said well I want you to give 50 449 00:17:03,839 --> 00:17:10,199 dollars to this particular ministry and 450 00:17:06,510 --> 00:17:12,030 I'm like well you know I want more why 451 00:17:10,199 --> 00:17:13,890 are you getting me to give more and he 452 00:17:12,030 --> 00:17:15,569 says now once he gives this finance over 453 00:17:13,890 --> 00:17:18,329 to that particular ministry and I said 454 00:17:15,569 --> 00:17:19,890 okay I'll try this week and so this was 455 00:17:18,329 --> 00:17:21,480 between me and God and the Bible said I 456 00:17:19,890 --> 00:17:24,539 told you last week he said test me in 457 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:26,520 there and so I grabbed and so I remember 458 00:17:24,539 --> 00:17:28,439 I rode off and I sent some money over to 459 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:31,110 this ministry and literally that week I 460 00:17:28,439 --> 00:17:33,830 got given an extra $500 unexpectedly I 461 00:17:31,110 --> 00:17:37,140 said that could have been coincidence I 462 00:17:33,830 --> 00:17:38,850 said I'll try it again I had so the next 463 00:17:37,140 --> 00:17:40,289 week I did the same thing to that same 464 00:17:38,850 --> 00:17:41,760 ministry that God spoke to me about I'm 465 00:17:40,289 --> 00:17:43,110 not telling you the name of the ministry 466 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:45,270 because the powers not in the ministry 467 00:17:43,110 --> 00:17:46,409 the pair is in obedience to God and yeah 468 00:17:45,270 --> 00:17:49,559 what's that ministry I'll send some 469 00:17:46,409 --> 00:17:52,740 money to it no um that's not what this 470 00:17:49,559 --> 00:17:54,320 is about and so I took and I did the 471 00:17:52,740 --> 00:17:57,179 same thing happened the next week and 472 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:59,520 then the third week I said okay I'll try 473 00:17:57,179 --> 00:18:01,230 a third time and I felt God say do it 474 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:04,320 and I did it again and that very next 475 00:18:01,230 --> 00:18:06,809 week another $500 but what did he say to 476 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:09,450 me he said this act of faith is active 477 00:18:06,809 --> 00:18:12,150 sacrifice is going to be the to receive 478 00:18:09,450 --> 00:18:14,159 what actually I have for you now some 479 00:18:12,150 --> 00:18:16,530 people misinterpret the scripture or 480 00:18:14,159 --> 00:18:18,840 misinterpret this philosophy or theology 481 00:18:16,530 --> 00:18:21,539 and try and make it so that we can twist 482 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:23,669 God's arm that somehow we can get God to 483 00:18:21,539 --> 00:18:26,490 do whatever we are we want him to do 484 00:18:23,669 --> 00:18:28,650 that's not how it works he is God he is 485 00:18:26,490 --> 00:18:31,440 the Lord and we are his servants but 486 00:18:28,650 --> 00:18:33,809 make no mistake at his initiative there 487 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:35,640 are times where he will say test me now 488 00:18:33,809 --> 00:18:37,350 on this and see if I don't open the 489 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:40,080 windows of heaven that it actually 490 00:18:37,350 --> 00:18:42,390 initiates on his behalf and he says if 491 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:44,490 you do this I give you a promise that 492 00:18:42,390 --> 00:18:46,590 when you do this I will release this 493 00:18:44,490 --> 00:18:47,850 into your world all through scripture 494 00:18:46,590 --> 00:18:49,830 there are a number of times this happen 495 00:18:47,850 --> 00:18:51,390 if you want to look it up David that 496 00:18:49,830 --> 00:18:53,460 scripture I read before about the fire 497 00:18:51,390 --> 00:18:56,010 falling when David actually offered a 498 00:18:53,460 --> 00:18:58,890 sacrifice he gave that sacrifice in 499 00:18:56,010 --> 00:19:01,080 order to stop a plague in order to stop 500 00:18:58,890 --> 00:19:02,970 that God promised him that um that he's 501 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:05,340 going to stop a Paul but he not to give 502 00:19:02,970 --> 00:19:07,740 that outstanding act of generosity in 503 00:19:05,340 --> 00:19:09,809 order to receive the breakthrough that 504 00:19:07,740 --> 00:19:12,000 God actually had for him we need to be 505 00:19:09,809 --> 00:19:13,830 open to the fact that in order to get 506 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,720 the breakthroughs that God has for us 507 00:19:13,830 --> 00:19:17,789 sometimes one of the ways one of the 508 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:20,429 mechanisms is actually through 509 00:19:17,789 --> 00:19:21,899 generosity and I spent 21 days a 510 00:19:20,429 --> 00:19:23,610 breakthrough last year talking about 511 00:19:21,899 --> 00:19:26,549 that so I'm not going to spend any more 512 00:19:23,610 --> 00:19:28,769 time on that this morning the next one 513 00:19:26,549 --> 00:19:30,750 is this says in Malachi chapter 3 verse 514 00:19:28,769 --> 00:19:32,399 10 says bring all the tithes into the 515 00:19:30,750 --> 00:19:34,590 storehouse that there may be food in my 516 00:19:32,399 --> 00:19:36,840 house tribe now and this says the Lord 517 00:19:34,590 --> 00:19:39,090 of Hosts if I will not open the windows 518 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:41,220 of heaven and pour out for you such 519 00:19:39,090 --> 00:19:43,830 blessing that there will not be enough 520 00:19:41,220 --> 00:19:46,620 room to receive it he's actually saying 521 00:19:43,830 --> 00:19:48,779 here that if you and he's telling these 522 00:19:46,620 --> 00:19:51,120 people that if you do what I asked you 523 00:19:48,779 --> 00:19:52,380 to do in this area of generosity he is 524 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:54,720 saying I'm going to open the windows of 525 00:19:52,380 --> 00:19:56,940 heaven and the immediate context of that 526 00:19:54,720 --> 00:20:00,419 is talking about releasing the provision 527 00:19:56,940 --> 00:20:03,210 of God so the third key the third thing 528 00:20:00,419 --> 00:20:05,909 the third blessing that can result as an 529 00:20:03,210 --> 00:20:08,370 as a result from generosity the third 530 00:20:05,909 --> 00:20:09,149 blessing is actually prosperity its 531 00:20:08,370 --> 00:20:11,309 prosperity 532 00:20:09,149 --> 00:20:13,260 now the word prosperity has been 533 00:20:11,309 --> 00:20:14,760 hijacked a little bit because some 534 00:20:13,260 --> 00:20:16,950 people think that prosperity is that 535 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:18,570 everybody's driving around in limos that 536 00:20:16,950 --> 00:20:20,610 everybody's driving around in Ferraris 537 00:20:18,570 --> 00:20:23,309 but that's not actually what it's 538 00:20:20,610 --> 00:20:25,919 talking about the prosperity of God is 539 00:20:23,309 --> 00:20:28,230 that God will supply all your needs but 540 00:20:25,919 --> 00:20:30,870 more than just your needs so that you 541 00:20:28,230 --> 00:20:33,000 have more to actually give away proverbs 542 00:20:30,870 --> 00:20:35,100 chapter 3 verses 9 and 10 says this 543 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:37,529 honor the Lord with wealth with the 544 00:20:35,100 --> 00:20:39,269 firstfruits of all your crops then your 545 00:20:37,529 --> 00:20:41,580 barns will be filled to overflowing and 546 00:20:39,269 --> 00:20:44,190 your vats will brim over when you on 2nd 547 00:20:41,580 --> 00:20:45,840 Corinthians 9 verse 6 but this I say he 548 00:20:44,190 --> 00:20:49,110 who so sparingly will also reap 549 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:52,139 sparingly he who sows bountifully will 550 00:20:49,110 --> 00:20:53,909 also reap bountifully chapter 638 we 551 00:20:52,139 --> 00:20:55,529 don't have the list there but he says 552 00:20:53,909 --> 00:20:57,029 give and be given back to you pressed 553 00:20:55,529 --> 00:20:59,760 down shaken together and running over 554 00:20:57,029 --> 00:21:01,889 all men pour into your lap one of the 555 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:04,350 great joys of scene in ministry over the 556 00:21:01,889 --> 00:21:07,380 years is when people have stepped into 557 00:21:04,350 --> 00:21:09,240 this realm of accessing an increase in 558 00:21:07,380 --> 00:21:11,250 the provision of God because they've 559 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:14,130 stepped into that realm of generosity 560 00:21:11,250 --> 00:21:15,720 and I have given many stories in this 561 00:21:14,130 --> 00:21:17,610 church over the last couple of years of 562 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:19,980 that and I thought maybe already you're 563 00:21:17,610 --> 00:21:21,450 sick of some of my stories so I thought 564 00:21:19,980 --> 00:21:23,820 I might ask someone else for one of 565 00:21:21,450 --> 00:21:25,529 their stories and so I'm going to invite 566 00:21:23,820 --> 00:21:26,970 my nessa Lord to come up one of the 567 00:21:25,529 --> 00:21:27,690 great members of our church won't you 568 00:21:26,970 --> 00:21:33,630 give her a round of 569 00:21:27,690 --> 00:21:35,840 and she came up to me last week she goes 570 00:21:33,630 --> 00:21:38,280 past me and I've got so many stories 571 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:40,020 about the miraculous provision of God 572 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:41,910 and that's and I said well won't you 573 00:21:40,020 --> 00:21:45,630 come and share one and so she's going to 574 00:21:41,910 --> 00:21:47,550 share one today good morning I'm English 575 00:21:45,630 --> 00:21:51,840 so I'm gonna be talking about pounds 576 00:21:47,550 --> 00:21:54,480 dollars back in my early twenties I 577 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:56,670 started going to church and I started 578 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,690 having Bible studies with the pastor and 579 00:21:56,670 --> 00:21:59,190 I thought it was great 580 00:21:57,690 --> 00:22:01,200 I was learning all these wonderful 581 00:21:59,190 --> 00:22:03,600 things you are loved you are forgiven 582 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:05,820 etc etc and I'm thinking this is 583 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:07,800 wonderful and there's a little thing in 584 00:22:05,820 --> 00:22:08,370 the back of my mind going it's too good 585 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:11,190 to be true 586 00:22:08,370 --> 00:22:13,770 it's a catch so I turned up for the 587 00:22:11,190 --> 00:22:16,320 Bible study one week and the pastor said 588 00:22:13,770 --> 00:22:18,330 I'm gonna talk about tithing I said all 589 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:21,420 right what's that I've never heard the 590 00:22:18,330 --> 00:22:23,540 word he said well basically give 10 591 00:22:21,420 --> 00:22:25,620 percent of your income to the church and 592 00:22:23,540 --> 00:22:28,050 the little voice in the back of mine 593 00:22:25,620 --> 00:22:30,840 said there's the catch he's after your 594 00:22:28,050 --> 00:22:33,000 money but I was too polite to say that 595 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:35,370 to him and I said I'm sorry I can't do 596 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:37,850 that I can't make ends meet on my salary 597 00:22:35,370 --> 00:22:40,260 as he did without giving any more away 598 00:22:37,850 --> 00:22:44,940 he said well you need to talk to God 599 00:22:40,260 --> 00:22:46,710 about it I said okay god I think it's 600 00:22:44,940 --> 00:22:48,270 the stupidest thing I've ever heard of 601 00:22:46,710 --> 00:22:51,990 but if you want me to do it you 602 00:22:48,270 --> 00:22:54,180 convinced me and I start get this 603 00:22:51,990 --> 00:22:57,600 niggling my version of the Bible says 604 00:22:54,180 --> 00:22:59,940 prove me now prove me now prove me now 605 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:03,120 prove me now prove me now prove me now 606 00:22:59,940 --> 00:23:05,580 it's okay you can trust me I want to 607 00:23:03,120 --> 00:23:07,980 bless you and I wasn't big on trust in 608 00:23:05,580 --> 00:23:11,400 those days and I was thinking this is 609 00:23:07,980 --> 00:23:13,440 stupid I thought you know I'm gonna do 610 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:15,240 it I'm gonna um I was fed up it being 611 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:19,770 nagged basically so I said right I'm 612 00:23:15,240 --> 00:23:21,810 gonna do it now time I I was working as 613 00:23:19,770 --> 00:23:26,010 a police officer and my salary it was a 614 00:23:21,810 --> 00:23:28,650 hundred and sixty pounds a month and I 615 00:23:26,010 --> 00:23:31,500 bought a house and my mortgage was a 616 00:23:28,650 --> 00:23:33,870 hundred and twenty pounds a month which 617 00:23:31,500 --> 00:23:35,850 didn't leave a lot so I had a 618 00:23:33,870 --> 00:23:38,330 policewoman living with me who gave me 619 00:23:35,850 --> 00:23:43,550 thirty pounds a month 620 00:23:38,330 --> 00:23:46,850 so I've got 190 coming in and I have 120 621 00:23:43,550 --> 00:23:48,140 going out so I'm left with 70 and I 622 00:23:46,850 --> 00:23:50,210 thought right I'm going to pay the tithe 623 00:23:48,140 --> 00:23:52,130 but that month had actually got a 60 624 00:23:50,210 --> 00:23:54,590 pound overdraft already because that was 625 00:23:52,130 --> 00:23:56,800 how I handled my finances I'd get my 626 00:23:54,590 --> 00:24:02,000 salary pay them or pay the overdraft 627 00:23:56,800 --> 00:24:04,790 build up another overdraft so okay I've 628 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:08,600 got 70 pounds I've got 60 pound 629 00:24:04,790 --> 00:24:10,760 overdraft so I've got 10 pounds left hmm 630 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:17,450 10 pounds for the month but I've got to 631 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:20,480 play 19 pounds tithe okay I don't know 632 00:24:17,450 --> 00:24:23,120 how this is going to work for the whole 633 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:26,210 of that month I didn't go without food I 634 00:24:23,120 --> 00:24:28,130 went to work every day when my bank 635 00:24:26,210 --> 00:24:31,030 statement came in at the end of the 636 00:24:28,130 --> 00:24:34,910 month there was ten pounds in my account 637 00:24:31,030 --> 00:24:37,220 and I thought that's not logical it 638 00:24:34,910 --> 00:24:38,990 doesn't add up and I added it up from 639 00:24:37,220 --> 00:24:41,060 top to bottom from bottom to top and it 640 00:24:38,990 --> 00:24:43,130 still came out I've got 10 pounds and I 641 00:24:41,060 --> 00:24:46,400 had no idea what I'd lived on for a 642 00:24:43,130 --> 00:24:49,880 month and this little thing inside went 643 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:50,900 God's just done something and I thought 644 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:54,110 no it can't be 645 00:24:50,900 --> 00:24:56,390 can't be no that's not logical but I'll 646 00:24:54,110 --> 00:25:00,830 try it again so the following month I 647 00:24:56,390 --> 00:25:03,230 paid my 19 pounds and I was walking down 648 00:25:00,830 --> 00:25:05,450 the road and I passed a carpet shop and 649 00:25:03,230 --> 00:25:07,700 there was a piece of carpet outside now 650 00:25:05,450 --> 00:25:10,280 I needed a new carpet for my lounge room 651 00:25:07,700 --> 00:25:13,970 and I'd priced it and it was over 120 652 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:15,920 pounds the exact carpet that I'd priced 653 00:25:13,970 --> 00:25:19,430 was there and it was an offcut 654 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:22,480 it was 32 pounds and it was us the right 655 00:25:19,430 --> 00:25:25,780 size for my lounge room and I thought 656 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:28,760 wow that was a lucky coincidence 657 00:25:25,780 --> 00:25:31,520 the following month had paid my tithe 658 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:34,250 and there was a same carpet shop 659 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:36,980 beautiful piece of carpet at the front 660 00:25:34,250 --> 00:25:39,380 and I thought it's lovely that would 661 00:25:36,980 --> 00:25:42,410 look so nice and it was just the right 662 00:25:39,380 --> 00:25:44,660 size to do my haul stairs landing and 663 00:25:42,410 --> 00:25:46,029 bathroom should have been over 300 664 00:25:44,660 --> 00:25:48,489 pounds 665 00:25:46,029 --> 00:25:53,289 but because it was an offcut I got it 666 00:25:48,489 --> 00:25:54,729 for 58 I don't think I think that's 667 00:25:53,289 --> 00:25:57,809 doing something but I wasn't quite sure 668 00:25:54,729 --> 00:26:01,419 and I thought I'll give it one more shot 669 00:25:57,809 --> 00:26:03,039 hate my tithe and I was at work and one 670 00:26:01,419 --> 00:26:06,190 of the police women came to me and she 671 00:26:03,039 --> 00:26:10,210 said them did you want a car and I said 672 00:26:06,190 --> 00:26:12,759 yeah I couldn't afford a car and she 673 00:26:10,210 --> 00:26:14,729 said damn my dad's a second-hand car 674 00:26:12,759 --> 00:26:17,789 dealer and he wants to get rid of a car 675 00:26:14,729 --> 00:26:23,019 would you like it so and how much it is 676 00:26:17,789 --> 00:26:25,659 you can have it for 35 pounds so my 677 00:26:23,019 --> 00:26:28,719 weekly salary was 40 you know so you can 678 00:26:25,659 --> 00:26:30,129 imagine what kind of car it was in 679 00:26:28,719 --> 00:26:32,649 England you have a thing called an MOT 680 00:26:30,129 --> 00:26:34,960 certificate which says your car is legal 681 00:26:32,649 --> 00:26:39,669 to drive on the road and it had a 13 682 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:42,070 month MOT certificate so for 35 pounds 683 00:26:39,669 --> 00:26:46,419 I've got this car that was legal for 13 684 00:26:42,070 --> 00:26:48,460 months and I drove it for 13 months I 685 00:26:46,419 --> 00:26:52,239 did the equivalent of Sydney to Brisbane 686 00:26:48,460 --> 00:26:54,879 about two or three times a month when 687 00:26:52,239 --> 00:26:58,269 the exhaust fell off I went back after 688 00:26:54,879 --> 00:27:00,279 13 months I went to the garage and I 689 00:26:58,269 --> 00:27:02,830 said can you do anything with this he 690 00:27:00,279 --> 00:27:04,330 said yes darling I'll give you 20 pounds 691 00:27:02,830 --> 00:27:09,690 scrap that's it 692 00:27:04,330 --> 00:27:14,739 so my my car actually cost 15 pounds for 693 00:27:09,690 --> 00:27:16,929 13 months of trouble-free driving after 694 00:27:14,739 --> 00:27:21,339 that I decided that yes I did want to be 695 00:27:16,929 --> 00:27:23,289 a Christian and since then I've never 696 00:27:21,339 --> 00:27:25,119 not paid tithes it doesn't matter how 697 00:27:23,289 --> 00:27:28,179 much I've got how little I've got I've 698 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:30,789 always paid my tide because God showed 699 00:27:28,179 --> 00:27:33,969 me that he actually he means what he 700 00:27:30,789 --> 00:27:35,830 says I want to bless you I want to open 701 00:27:33,969 --> 00:27:37,960 the windows of heaven and pour out a 702 00:27:35,830 --> 00:27:40,169 blessing so that's how God taught me to 703 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:40,169 tithe 704 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:50,570 we found that carpet shop that's how we 705 00:27:47,330 --> 00:27:52,700 did the floor just in case you were 706 00:27:50,570 --> 00:27:54,290 wondering so and although I know some of 707 00:27:52,700 --> 00:27:57,980 you thinking where is that shop anyway 708 00:27:54,290 --> 00:28:01,630 so praise God oh the next one in the 709 00:27:57,980 --> 00:28:04,580 last point Malachi chapter 3 verse 11 710 00:28:01,630 --> 00:28:06,770 and he says and I will rebuke the 711 00:28:04,580 --> 00:28:08,810 Devourer for your sakes so that he will 712 00:28:06,770 --> 00:28:10,340 not destroy the fruit of your ground nor 713 00:28:08,810 --> 00:28:11,960 shall the vine fail to bear fruit for 714 00:28:10,340 --> 00:28:16,040 you in the field Caesar Lord of Hosts I 715 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:18,590 will rebuke the Devourer the fourth 716 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:21,380 thing the fourth blessing of giving it 717 00:28:18,590 --> 00:28:23,150 actually petrifies the devil the devil 718 00:28:21,380 --> 00:28:24,830 actually doesn't like it there's a 719 00:28:23,150 --> 00:28:26,480 number of things that we can do which 720 00:28:24,830 --> 00:28:29,720 are actually an act of spiritual warfare 721 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:33,260 and generosity is actually one of those 722 00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:36,320 things you know there was a tithing in 723 00:28:33,260 --> 00:28:38,330 mark chapter 14 verses 3 to 10 I won't 724 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:41,930 read that all but it's the story about 725 00:28:38,330 --> 00:28:43,880 Jesus and he was at Simon a man named 726 00:28:41,930 --> 00:28:46,250 Simon's house who was a Pharisee and and 727 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:49,580 Mary Magdalene came in with an alabaster 728 00:28:46,250 --> 00:28:52,070 box of perfume the equivalent of a 729 00:28:49,580 --> 00:28:54,350 year's salary so it's very expensive and 730 00:28:52,070 --> 00:28:57,650 so she grabbed it and she poured it out 731 00:28:54,350 --> 00:28:59,930 upon him over his head and poured it out 732 00:28:57,650 --> 00:29:01,760 and then she was washing she was weeping 733 00:28:59,930 --> 00:29:04,460 and she was washing his feet with her 734 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:06,680 tears and she had was drawing it with 735 00:29:04,460 --> 00:29:09,530 her hair a lot of people there were 736 00:29:06,680 --> 00:29:11,930 indignant because they said what a waste 737 00:29:09,530 --> 00:29:16,330 of money why would you spend that money 738 00:29:11,930 --> 00:29:19,460 on the body of Christ amen 739 00:29:16,330 --> 00:29:21,770 he says instead we should have been 740 00:29:19,460 --> 00:29:23,870 given to the poor what alone is this the 741 00:29:21,770 --> 00:29:26,060 world would much prefer you given your 742 00:29:23,870 --> 00:29:27,200 finance to the poor but doesn't like it 743 00:29:26,060 --> 00:29:31,250 when you give it to the body of Christ 744 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:32,600 and then Jesus said he goes well he said 745 00:29:31,250 --> 00:29:36,290 you don't know what she's done she's 746 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:40,700 anointed my body for burial so the body 747 00:29:36,290 --> 00:29:43,370 of Christ was anointed through 748 00:29:40,700 --> 00:29:46,160 generosity we talked about the presence 749 00:29:43,370 --> 00:29:49,520 of God before amen and then the Bible 750 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:51,230 says after this Inlet in Luke and I'm 751 00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:53,779 sorry it was in it was in mark there's 752 00:29:51,230 --> 00:29:56,599 three accounts and he marked the Bible 753 00:29:53,779 --> 00:29:59,090 says that after this Judas then decided 754 00:29:56,599 --> 00:30:00,259 that he was going to betray Jesus that 755 00:29:59,090 --> 00:30:02,889 was the trigger for him he couldn't 756 00:30:00,259 --> 00:30:06,049 handle it and he decided to betray Jesus 757 00:30:02,889 --> 00:30:08,149 but elsewhere in the Gospels when it 758 00:30:06,049 --> 00:30:10,729 says that he was actually going to 759 00:30:08,149 --> 00:30:14,769 betray Jesus one of the other Gospels 760 00:30:10,729 --> 00:30:18,879 said Satan into Judas so watch this 761 00:30:14,769 --> 00:30:21,289 Satan into Judas and triggered him after 762 00:30:18,879 --> 00:30:24,469 that act of generosity towards the body 763 00:30:21,289 --> 00:30:27,950 of Christ the enemy cannot handle that 764 00:30:24,469 --> 00:30:30,469 devourer is rebuked when the fight went 765 00:30:27,950 --> 00:30:32,929 be God's people bless the body of Christ 766 00:30:30,469 --> 00:30:35,269 and bless his kingdom the enemy cannot 767 00:30:32,929 --> 00:30:37,099 handle it that's why it's really easy 768 00:30:35,269 --> 00:30:39,619 for discernment when you know what God 769 00:30:37,099 --> 00:30:43,669 wants you to give because I promise you 770 00:30:39,619 --> 00:30:45,109 it won't be the devil telling you to now 771 00:30:43,669 --> 00:30:46,279 the Bible says that when it comes time 772 00:30:45,109 --> 00:30:48,559 to give we shouldn't do it under 773 00:30:46,279 --> 00:30:50,299 compulsion so there's been many times 774 00:30:48,559 --> 00:30:51,409 when I've given a lot of money to things 775 00:30:50,299 --> 00:30:54,379 and there's been other times I just 776 00:30:51,409 --> 00:30:56,269 haven't felt - but what I found is this 777 00:30:54,379 --> 00:30:58,639 if ever there's a voice really where I 778 00:30:56,269 --> 00:31:00,499 have a desire to actually give something 779 00:30:58,639 --> 00:31:02,450 and then there's a little voice on my 780 00:31:00,499 --> 00:31:03,919 shoulder actively opposing it and giving 781 00:31:02,450 --> 00:31:06,499 me all the reasons why it's not why I 782 00:31:03,919 --> 00:31:08,899 can't do it most of the time I tend to 783 00:31:06,499 --> 00:31:10,549 think that's probably the enemy if God 784 00:31:08,899 --> 00:31:12,080 doesn't want me to give to something I'm 785 00:31:10,549 --> 00:31:14,419 generally just not moved by it I 786 00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:16,820 generally don't feel compulsion I have 787 00:31:14,419 --> 00:31:18,229 that freedom not to but when God does 788 00:31:16,820 --> 00:31:20,269 want me to give to something I have this 789 00:31:18,229 --> 00:31:23,330 desire to do it but then there's almost 790 00:31:20,269 --> 00:31:25,879 like this real opposition coming up with 791 00:31:23,330 --> 00:31:27,409 all those reasons I find if that's the 792 00:31:25,879 --> 00:31:29,539 case if there's a great resistance 793 00:31:27,409 --> 00:31:31,190 towards me doing that along with other 794 00:31:29,539 --> 00:31:33,559 spiritual disciplines as well this is 795 00:31:31,190 --> 00:31:35,210 not the only one then I find that it's 796 00:31:33,559 --> 00:31:36,619 often the enemy trying to stop me from 797 00:31:35,210 --> 00:31:39,320 stepping into something that God 798 00:31:36,619 --> 00:31:41,389 actually has for me because no mistake 799 00:31:39,320 --> 00:31:44,659 the enemy is anti God says he will 800 00:31:41,389 --> 00:31:46,909 rebuke the Devourer John 10:10 says the 801 00:31:44,659 --> 00:31:49,609 thief the enemy has come to steal kill 802 00:31:46,909 --> 00:31:52,099 and destroy one of his roles is to steal 803 00:31:49,609 --> 00:31:55,129 and to devour and God's Word says he 804 00:31:52,099 --> 00:31:56,929 will rebuke the Devourer in response to 805 00:31:55,129 --> 00:31:59,809 people stepping into this realm of 806 00:31:56,929 --> 00:32:03,710 generosity it's what it's an act of 807 00:31:59,809 --> 00:32:07,470 spiritual warfare so not only does it 808 00:32:03,710 --> 00:32:10,080 actually please God but actually it also 809 00:32:07,470 --> 00:32:12,509 petrifies the devil and I'm not trying 810 00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:14,279 to get people to give to things under 811 00:32:12,509 --> 00:32:15,539 compulsion or feeling like I have to do 812 00:32:14,279 --> 00:32:17,009 or anything like that that's not it 813 00:32:15,539 --> 00:32:19,620 that's not what I'm trying to say at all 814 00:32:17,009 --> 00:32:21,240 what I'm saying is when God moves on 815 00:32:19,620 --> 00:32:23,100 your heart to give towards something if 816 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:24,509 there's a voice that comes in from the 817 00:32:23,100 --> 00:32:26,970 other side giving you all the reasons 818 00:32:24,509 --> 00:32:29,669 why you can't a lot of the time that's 819 00:32:26,970 --> 00:32:32,250 actually the enemy that is why in Anna's 820 00:32:29,669 --> 00:32:35,399 Ananias and Sapphira when they actually 821 00:32:32,250 --> 00:32:36,509 lied about giving about the selling of 822 00:32:35,399 --> 00:32:39,000 their property and bringing their 823 00:32:36,509 --> 00:32:41,820 finances into the early church and this 824 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:44,159 is the New Testament Post Pentecost when 825 00:32:41,820 --> 00:32:46,919 they did that the Apostle Peter said how 826 00:32:44,159 --> 00:32:48,539 was it that Satan got you to do this he 827 00:32:46,919 --> 00:32:50,460 was he was not saying that you should 828 00:32:48,539 --> 00:32:52,950 have given more he's actually saying you 829 00:32:50,460 --> 00:32:56,850 lied about it but notice this the enemy 830 00:32:52,950 --> 00:32:59,580 came in over an act of generosity over 831 00:32:56,850 --> 00:33:02,009 giving to the kingdom of God it's 832 00:32:59,580 --> 00:33:05,039 something that the enemy will always 833 00:33:02,009 --> 00:33:07,529 actively oppose and so sometimes if 834 00:33:05,039 --> 00:33:11,759 there's if sometimes just for a bit of 835 00:33:07,529 --> 00:33:13,919 fun just to annoy the devil sometimes 836 00:33:11,759 --> 00:33:16,350 it's good to do something to bless God 837 00:33:13,919 --> 00:33:18,360 and bless his kingdom amen just to know 838 00:33:16,350 --> 00:33:20,070 that that would dick him off that our 839 00:33:18,360 --> 00:33:21,870 enemy the thing that you could do 840 00:33:20,070 --> 00:33:23,580 something to tick off your enemy I mean 841 00:33:21,870 --> 00:33:24,840 some people are motivated the other way 842 00:33:23,580 --> 00:33:26,519 to know that you would do something that 843 00:33:24,840 --> 00:33:27,720 would bless God that's wonderful but 844 00:33:26,519 --> 00:33:28,860 there are other people move out another 845 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:31,350 way I could do something just to tick 846 00:33:28,860 --> 00:33:33,990 off the enemy then one of the ways and 847 00:33:31,350 --> 00:33:37,309 that can happen is actually through 848 00:33:33,990 --> 00:33:41,009 generosity it is more blessed to give 849 00:33:37,309 --> 00:33:43,529 that is to receive we open up more of 850 00:33:41,009 --> 00:33:46,169 the blessings of God by giving than by 851 00:33:43,529 --> 00:33:49,559 simply receiving and I know that many of 852 00:33:46,169 --> 00:33:52,590 you have experienced this in your life 853 00:33:49,559 --> 00:33:55,529 and it's something that is part a 854 00:33:52,590 --> 00:33:58,590 fundamental part of the Christian life 855 00:33:55,529 --> 00:34:01,230 but the reason why God wants us to be 856 00:33:58,590 --> 00:34:05,399 generous is because it's more blessed to 857 00:34:01,230 --> 00:34:07,470 give than it is to receive amen and my 858 00:34:05,399 --> 00:34:08,940 prayer for every single person in our 859 00:34:07,470 --> 00:34:10,679 church if you want to look up the word 860 00:34:08,940 --> 00:34:15,270 bless and blessing through the scripture 861 00:34:10,679 --> 00:34:17,520 are a lot a lot more than courtesy that 862 00:34:15,270 --> 00:34:19,679 actually God's love and grace towards us 863 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:21,119 is far stronger than when you give your 864 00:34:19,679 --> 00:34:22,829 life to Jesus cry 865 00:34:21,119 --> 00:34:25,409 the wrath of God has actually turned 866 00:34:22,829 --> 00:34:28,319 away from us and his blessing is towards 867 00:34:25,409 --> 00:34:31,200 us and one of the ways that we can open 868 00:34:28,319 --> 00:34:32,609 up even more the blessings of God is 869 00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:35,069 through generosity amen 870 00:34:32,609 --> 00:34:36,480 and I know for a number of you this is 871 00:34:35,069 --> 00:34:38,609 something you've already got down pat 872 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:41,339 and this is just a little refresher a 873 00:34:38,609 --> 00:34:44,190 little holiday reminder of the promises 874 00:34:41,339 --> 00:34:46,200 in the scripture amen but maybe you're 875 00:34:44,190 --> 00:34:48,210 hearing your like how mean essa was when 876 00:34:46,200 --> 00:34:50,309 she first spoke and went to that church 877 00:34:48,210 --> 00:34:52,019 in England and it's things that could be 878 00:34:50,309 --> 00:34:54,419 quite jarring or it could be something 879 00:34:52,019 --> 00:34:56,309 that's quite it could be something 880 00:34:54,419 --> 00:34:58,890 that's quite foreign a foreign concept 881 00:34:56,309 --> 00:35:00,930 to you you know the Bible says and we 882 00:34:58,890 --> 00:35:03,269 read it last week God says test me in 883 00:35:00,930 --> 00:35:05,339 this and it's something that she said as 884 00:35:03,269 --> 00:35:07,710 well that she felt God say to approve me 885 00:35:05,339 --> 00:35:10,200 in this and she first and she proved God 886 00:35:07,710 --> 00:35:12,839 in that area and I can testify in my own 887 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:15,779 life and on behalf of my wife that we 888 00:35:12,839 --> 00:35:19,019 can tent in this area we can test him in 889 00:35:15,779 --> 00:35:22,309 this amen praise God I just get you to 890 00:35:19,019 --> 00:35:22,309 close your eyes and bare heads from