Revealing the heart of God

Glory to God!

The Lord is speaking to us about "the Church" and yesterday He showed us what the evidence is of a church that is full of faith, hope and love. This is what God revealed to us:

Faith is Conviction

• Faith without works is dead. James 2:26
• Obedience is the evidence of faith. Rom. 1:5
• Conviction without action is opinion.
• True convictions bear fruit.
• God loved so He gave. John 3:16

The fruit of love

• The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism in love.
  
• God is love and those who are immersed in Him and filled with Him are filled with, and immersed in love. 1 John 4:15,16
• Those who are baptised in love will demonstrate God's love and share their lives with others. Acts 2:45
• The Thessalonian church demonstrated their faith, hope and love. 1 Thess. 1:1-10; 3:6: 4:9,10; 5:8
• Paul encourages the Corinthian church to give as the Thessalonians did to prove the sincerity of their love. 2 Cor. 8:24; 9:23

The grace of giving: Blessed to bless

• God gives His people resources and gifts to be a blessing to others. 2 Cor. 9:6,11
• Our giving reveals what we believe about God - what we do in the natural reveals what we believe in the spiritual. 1 John 4:20

Tithes and Offerings

• The Church is called to tithe and give the first-fruits of her wealth to the local Body so that the church organisation can function and also support other church organisations.
• Believers tithe because they fear God and seek to honour Him with what He gives them. Proverbs 3:1-10
• The Church is encouraged to meet the needs of fellow believers in the church family (organism) and to support other believers in other churches by supplying an offering. 2 Cor. 8,9; James 2:15-17
  
• An offering reveals the heart of God and demonstrates the believer's love for God and His people.

Giving is the fruit of faith and love!

Quote of the week:

"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men 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." 2 Cor. 9:13

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