STRONGER in Generosity (January 21, 2018) | Judah Thomas

[2 Corinthians 9:7] You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” For God so loved the world, He ____________. If you believe in Gods ability to _____________, it will move you towards generosity. [Philippians 4:19] And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Generosity is the gateway to God’s _______________. True generosity is a _______________ of our love for God. [Mark 14:1-9 NIV] Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. [2] “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” [3] While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. [4] Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? [5] It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. [6] “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [7] The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. [8] She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. [9] Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Anytime you give on a _______________ level you will hear a voice saying, “This doesn’t make sense.” [John 12:1-3] Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. [2] A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. [3] Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. It’s not the size of the ____________ that matters, but the size of the ____________ that it took to give the gift. Generosity reveals the true _______________ of our heart.