Message Notes                                                                                        August 21, 2005
”Drive-Offs”                                                                                                    In the ZONE

 

BLESSINGS (In the ZONE) = To be on the receiving end of the tangible and intangible favor of God

 

Malachi 3:8-9 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’  In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you- because you are robbing me.”

 

Malachi 3:10 ‘Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’

 

Luke 11:42 Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

 

What is something that you would miss out on if you were to “Drive Off?”

 

 

 

Is there something that causes you to “Drive Off?”

 

 

 

The Challenge:

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ²Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. ⁵And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. ⁶So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. ⁷But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

    ⁸I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

 

NEXT WEEK: FRIEND DAY! Invite 12 friends! Bring something for the cookout… Last Name A-H bring Chips or Sides, I-Q Drinks, R-Z Dessert