This Sunday
Sermon Title: I Get It Generosity
Let's hear some stories from the Independent Church of India about how generosity literally frees slaves in Pakistan. Our Bible message today is from Deuteronomy and God's heart for a system that is set up with generosity in mind. Releasing slaves, cancelling debts. Why would anyone do such a thing? Well, if you remember where you came from, you might be able to be generous towards others who are in a similar situation as you were.
Sermon Points and Questions
1. What is something you've been through in your life so that you can say "I Get It," when you relate to others? Does that help you care for them?
2. What do you think about the idea of forgiving debts and releasing servants every 7 years. Do you think this is something that should be done? How does this work in our world today?
3. What does this chapter teach you about God's heart for people?
4. An important verse for today:
Dt. 15:10 - 10 Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.
5. What do you think about letting people go free if they are good workers or good people for you? That is hard to do! Do you send people away from your home with full pockets?
Dt. 15:13-14 - do not send him away empty-handed. 14 Give him a generous farewell gift from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Share with him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you.
6. The WHY behind doing this helps us understand why and how we can live this out today. God reminded them they once were slaves. So they needed to treat others like they wanted to be treated.
7. Do you need to experience this kind of "release from bondage today?"
8. Does God want to use you and your generosity to release someone? ... and in the process release you to be a impact maker in the kingdom of God as you release your resources back to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 15 NLT
Release for Debtors
15 “At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money. 2 This is how it must be done. Everyone must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the Lord’s time of release has arrived. 3 This release from debt, however, applies only to your fellow Israelites—not to the foreigners living among you.
4 “There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession. 5 You will receive this blessing if you are careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. 6 The Lord your God will bless you as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations but will never need to borrow. You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you.
7 “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. 9 Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. 11 There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.
Release for Hebrew Slaves
12 “If a fellow Hebrew sells himself or herself to be your servant[a] and serves you for six years, in the seventh year you must set that servant free. 13 “When you release a male servant, do not send him away empty-handed. 14 Give him a generous farewell gift from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Share with him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you. 15 Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you! That is why I am giving you this command.
16 “But suppose your servant says, ‘I will not leave you,’ because he loves you and your family, and he has done well with you. 17 In that case, take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door. After that, he will be your servant for life. And do the same for your female servants.18 “You must not consider it a hardship when you release your servants. Remember that for six years they have given you services worth double the wages of hired workers, and the Lord your God will bless you in all you do.
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- Also, the last Sunday of this month - if you are not a team or group leader... there will be a prayer meeting during the 9am time in the room to the right of the stage.
Upcoming Events
1. Sign up for helping at the mount joy memorial day parade.
2. We are starting a "older kids" ministry group very soon. Does this 5th grade ish age group interest you? Could you help somehow?
3. Church picnic June 20. Rapho park.
4. July Community Groups sign up start today! LET US KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING -> HERE
StepUp
Sundays
Time: 9:00am-9:45am
Location: Elementary Room.This group is the next step in the discipleship pathway after First Step or Popcorn with the Pastor. It's all about growing deeper in your faith and getting more connected with others.
Engage
Sundays
Time: 9:00am-9:45am
Location: Red Room (To the right of the stage).This group is the third step in the discipleship pathway. It's all about discovering and developing your gifts and abilities and taking your next step in serving others.
Men's Ministry Event
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Women's Ministry Event
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Small Groups and Bible Studies
- Women's Ministry next event TBD
- Men's Ministry next event TBD
- Theresa Slocum Ladies Bible Study Tuesdays at 1pm.
- Would love to help a new group get started!
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