DEVOTED

“Devoted to Fearless Generosity”
Gary Hoyt – March 3, 2024

Acts 4:31-37 (NLT) – After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT) – Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

1. Fearless Generosity clings to a GRATEFUL FASCINATION with God’s KINDNESS.
   
   2 Corinthians 8:1 (NLT) – Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what GOD in his KINDNESS HAS DONE…
   
   1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV) – “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
   
   

2. Fearless Generosity means that we REGARD ourselves as God’s CONDUITS.
   
   2 Corinthians 8:1 (NLT) – Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his KINDNESS has done THROUGH THE CHURCHES in Macedonia.
   
   Matthew 10:8b (NIV) – “…Freely you have received; freely give.”
   
   2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT) – And GOD will GENEROUSLY provide all you NEED. Then you will always have everything you need and PLENTY LEFT OVER TO SHARE with others.
   
   

3. Fearless Generosity GIVES CHEERFULLY and FREELY—even when STRAPPED.
   
   2 Corinthians 8:2-3 (NLT) – They are being tested by MANY TROUBLES, and they are VERY POOR. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in RICH GENEROSITY. For I can testify that they GAVE NOT ONLY what THEY COULD AFFORD, but FAR MORE. And they did it of their own free will.
   
   

4. Fearless Generosity SEEKS and SEIZES upon GOD-SIZED Generosity Opportunities!
   
   2 Corinthians 8:4 (NLT) – They BEGGED US again and again for the PRIVILEGE of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
   
   BONUS: Fearless Generosity Flows with an AFFLUENCE of JOY!
   
   2 Corinthians 8:2 (NLT) – They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. but they are also filled with ABUNDANT JOY, which has overflowed in RICH GENEROSITY.