John 3:16
Genesis 3
Genesis 3:21
“Instead of being repelled by the messiness of life, we need to run to the messiness of life.”
“The good news is that God brought Adam and Eve out of their prison. He’s going to forgive them and put them on the pathway of freedom until He can deal with sin—once and for all in Jesus”
“Transformational forgiveness is wrapped up in both mercy and grace. You are withholding from someone what they deserve and then on the other hand demonstrating toward them unmerited favor through forgiveness—something they don’t deserve.”
“Imagine the kind of marriage and family we would have if we all were generous according to biblical generosity.”
“You must receive generosity before you release generosity. You cannot release what you have not received.”
In Genesis 3, we see God continuing to be generous to Adam and Eve even as they sinned and through them sin entered into the world. God did not abandon Adam and Eve. He sought them out.
God used sacrificial, generous ways to counteract the sin of Adam and Eve. He was present with them. He gave them grace, mercy and forgiveness. He made garments for them by sacrificing an animal so that Adam and Even would no longer be naked.
Adam and Eve did have to face the consequences of their sin, but God showed love as He brought them out of hiding. God set them on the path of freedom by putting into place His plan to deal with sin once and for all as He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place for all our sins so that none would perish if they believe in Jesus. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Through all of this messiness, God was faithful and He consistently remains faithful all throughout the Bible. Psalm 36:5-8 states, “Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies …. People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.” This passage is a great encouragement to each of us as believers. We can trust God and His promises which we see in the Bible.
During the last weeks, we have seen the many ways our God is a generous God. We learned that God calls us to be a biblically generous people which comes at a cost. What might this cost be? Is there someone we should forgive? Do we need to ask God to bless someone who has wronged us and for Him to be at work in their lives? Might we need to practice using the two most powerful phrases in the human language, “You are Forgiven” and “I am Sorry” with our family, coworkers, or with those in our church and community? (Ephesians 4:32b states, "Forgive each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." ) Do we need to think about ways God may be calling us to die to ourselves so that the people and things that we love and cherish will be able to flourish?
As we finish up this series, The Backstory of Generosity, we are reminded that God is sacrificially and continuously generous as we both receive generosity and release generosity to others through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Key learning points from The Backstory of Generosity sermon series:
Counteractive Measurements Good took to overcome the greed (sin) of Mankind.
The Principle: We must be willing to sacrifice where we want to be with where we need to be.
Generosity is measured by the trifecta of MERCY, GRACE, and FORGIVENESS.
The Principle: Sacrificial generosity involves paying someone else's bail to release them from your prison and then inviting them to be a part of your life.
Generosity is measured by DEATH.
In closing this series, The Backstory of Generosity, the:
During this week, think about ways where you can apply mercy, grace and forgiveness even when this is difficult and costly. Are there ways you can use the most powerful phrases in the human language which are: “You are Forgiven” and “I am sorry?” Take a look at Northland’s website to learn more about LifeHope Childcare Center and see some ways to be generous with your time, talents and treasures with opportunities like Christmas House or Giving Tuesday or Deck the Halls!
Lord, we thank you that you have shown us mercy, grace and forgiveness. We are sinners but you have dealt with our sin once and for all by sending Jesus, your son, to die on the cross for our sins. We are thankful for the generosity you have shown us as you love and forgive us even though we don’t deserve your mercy and grace. Help us, to be generous to others, showing them forgiveness. Transform our hearts so that we see others as you see them and help us to desire and prayerfully hope for the good God can do in their lives. Help us to yield our lives to you so that we can effectively reach our neighbors and nations with the good news of the Gospel.
Nelson Mandela on Forgiveness- Written during 27-year imprisonment
The Backstory of Generosity
back-sto-ry
noun
a history or background, especially one created for a fictional character in a motion picture or television program. - Google’s English dictionary
What if we told you that the backstory of generosity isn’t fictional? It’s real and the characters at its forefront lived in real-time. You think you already know what you need to know about generosity? Think again.
The Backstory of Generosity
back-sto-ry
noun
a history or background, especially one created for a fictional character in a motion picture or television program. - Google’s English dictionary
What if we told you that the backstory of generosity isn’t fictional? It’s real and the characters at its forefront lived in real-time. You think you already know what you need to know about generosity? Think again.
In our new 4-week series The Backstory of Generosity, you’ll learn about the biblical birthplace of generosity (spoiler alert: it’s in Genesis!). Find out about its great purpose to bring heaven on earth. Take in how you can live generously via real-life practices and patterns. Finally, discover how you can develop a passion for generosity. Remember, generosity isn’t a behavior, if you are a child of God, generosity is a part of your very being.
» November 26-27
SIMPLE CHRISTMAS | Complicated Family, Simple Savior | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
» December 3-4
SIMPLE CHRISTMAS | Simple Word | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
» November 26-27
SIMPLE CHRISTMAS | Complicated Family, Simple Savior | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
» December 3-4
SIMPLE CHRISTMAS | Simple Word | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
Tuesday, November 22 at 9 a.m.
Come deck the halls at Northland to help us prepare for the Christmas season. Wear your festive Christmas apparel and enjoy hot chocolate and snacks. We will be setting up Christmas Trees in the foyer, making decorations for our children’s areas, setting up garland, and many more projects around the building. Children of all ages are welcome! There will be stations set up for kids to make ornaments for our Early Childhood area!
Join us on November 29 where we will be raising money for our Lifehope Childcare, who has been providing free childcare in our community since 2015.
December 23 & 24 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Join us as Pastor Josh teaches us about the simplicity of Christmas! Children's Church is available for all ages. You can also serve at one service and attend another. There's something for everyone!
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