Key Insights
The Grace and Truth of Jesus Christ
- “Without grace, lens can’t see anything and you won’t see it until you understand the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.”
- “Now that you’re in Christ Jesus, that truth has changed.”
- The act of bringing bread and wine in worship is seen as a symbol pointing to Jesus, who will provide victory, healing, and deliverance.
- “We have no more fear about giving because we know that God takes care of us.”
- “How will you respond to a God that has taken care of you…that’s delivered you up out of a ditch…how will you respond and you’ll never respond to God like this without opening the door for him to come and do something extravagant for those who will trust him.”
- “There’s only one person you need and his name is Jesus, hear ye him.”
- I promise you world changers, I will never be afraid to preach the truth.
Giving as a Response to Jesus’ Finished Works
- Abraham and Jacob gave their tithes out of gratitude for God’s care and protection, not as a way to try to obtain blessings.
- Giving should be a response to the finished works of Jesus Christ, not a requirement under the law of tithing.
- “You can give a tenth, you can give 20, you can give whatever you want to do, but when you start seeing him as a possessor of heaven and earth…it ain’t going to be enough, you’re like I got to give him more.”
- “You can stick with tithing but I’m going with generous giving.”
- “It was not tithe, it was generous giving.”
The Tension Between the Old Covenant and the Gospel Message
- The blessing of Abraham can only be obtained through Jesus in the new covenant.
- Paul’s concern for keeping the gospel pure without adding Jewish rules highlights the tension between the old covenant and the gospel message.
- “No one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”
Summary
- Understanding the grace and truth of Jesus Christ in tithing is important, as it is a personal decision and should not be used to guilt or condemn others; Jesus’s death and resurrection brought about a new covenant, releasing believers from the requirements of the Mosaic law and allowing them to live under grace instead.
- Before the cross, keeping commandments and forgiving others were necessary for salvation, but after the cross, God’s forgiveness and love enable us to love and be saved in Christ Jesus.
- Giving a tenth of your earnings, known as tithing, is a response to God’s provision and can be more than just a tenth after the cross, based on gratitude for what God has done.
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting God and giving generously, stating that after the cross, individuals must decide in their hearts how much to give, removing the pressure and shame associated with tithing.
- Choose support, ignore negativity, focus on what matters; Jesus is the one to listen to, not Moses or Elijah; Paul preached grace to Gentiles, emphasizing faith over worldly possessions and the importance of generous giving for resurrection.
- People should trust God for their financial needs instead of relying on tithing, and should give generously based on the blessings they have received, while being honest about their commitment to church during the pandemic.
- Believers should give proportionally to how God has blessed them, intentionally setting aside a portion of their earnings, without shaming the poor, as demonstrated by the Macedonian church and the poor widow’s significant contribution.
- Trust in God, give generously, join the church, and receive blessings and protection in all aspects of life.
