THANKSGIVING: An Attitude of Gratitude - Sermon Outline for November 10, 2019 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on Nov. 10, 2019)

THANKSGIVING: An Attitude of Gratitude - Thanksgiving and Generosity - November 10, 2019

Video - Worship countdown

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

"Give till it hurts."

"You will never outgive God!"

"God loves a generous giver."

$37,000 for carpet and chairs.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:6-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ (RPB 1243)

I.  GIVE GENEROUSLY

A.  Sowing and reaping
B.  Give as you have decided
1.  Not reluctantly
2.  Not under compulsion
3.  God loves a cheerful giver
C.  Giving and righteousness

II.  GOD BLESSES US SO WE CAN GIVE GENEROUSLY

A.  God will provide
1.  Seed
2.  Bread
B.  God will increase
1.  Store of seed
2.  Harvest of righteousness
C.  Blessed to give to others
D.  Results of generosity
1.  Thanksgiving

III.  GENEROUS GIVING RESULTS IN THANKS TO GOD

A.  Supplying the needs of the Lord's people
B.  Overflowing in many expressions of thanks
C.  Service proves us
D.  Results of our service
1.  Praise God
a.  For the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ.
b.  For your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else
E.  They will pray for you (Lorraine Parker)
1.  Because of the surpassing grace God has given you
F.  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

CHALLENGE

Give more than you can.  He is Lord.  He can sell a few head of cattle on one of his thousand hills.