Take the plunge
July 19, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I have thoroughly enjoyed our walk together through the Minor Prophets. My goal in preaching this series has been to show that the Old Testament truly does point us to our only hope – the Lord Jesus Christ.
However, as I have prepared each week, I have been struck by how frequently the prophets declare how we use our resources is a primary indicator of where we are placing our trust – are we trusting in Christ and pursuing the hope of His Kingdom?
This theme is so prominent in the prophets that I have found myself wanting to just skip over the relationship between real faith and generous giving. This was especially true as I was preparing the message from Haggai and getting a bit frustrated that God mentioned giving – again! But, the Spirit stopped me dead in the tracks of my preparation – it was almost like I heard Him say, “You better not be afraid; preach the whole counsel of God, and trust Me!”
My response was simply, “Okay Lord, but I need Your help.” Over the next several minutes, I began to understand why I was feeling so awful about preaching on giving. I realized we needed to not merely hear about what faithfulness in giving looks like and why it matters in our walk with Christ – just as importantly, we need an opportunity to respond to what God has shown us.
That is why I announced Take the Plunge Sunday in my sermon from Haggai this past Sunday. This will be a special Sunday where we come together and encourage one another to trust God and take the next steps in generously supporting God’s church as we endeavor to extend God’s Kingdom throughout the Valley and around the world.
If we hear and never purposely consider how God wants us to respond, we risk being only hearers of the Word and not doers. I trust we want to respond to what God has said, and I hope August 7th will be enough time for us to fast, pray, and respond. I am planning to fast and pray one day/week as Stacie and I ask the Lord what He is leading us to do. The church will be open from 8-5 on Thursday, August 4 for you to come and pray and ask the Spirit to help us all grow in the grace of giving.
So, on Sunday, August 7th, I want to encourage you to respond to God’s incredible grace toward us as the Spirit leads. Here’s what that could look like.
*Some who have never financially supported the church may begin giving for the first time. Take a plunge means “it is time to get started and stop missing out on the joy of supporting the mission.” In most churches, nearly 1/3 of the active members and regular attenders give $0 to support God’s mission through the local church. Imagine what God would do in us and through us in our community if we all got started on August 7th.
*Others may test God (see Malachi 3:10) and begin giving a tithe of their whole income. The average Christian living in the U.S. gives 2.5 percent of his income to the church and other mission efforts each year. Some of us have had a desire to grow in generous giving, but something always seems to come up that holds us back. Take a plunge means “I’m going to do what I’ve wanted to do for a long time and trust God to provide as I give because Christ truly is the Treasure I seek.”
*Still others have come to see God is not glorified when our desire is to give God the minimally-acceptable amount. More than money, God is after our hearts. And, as the Lord blesses us financially, He increasingly calls upon us to deeper levels of generous giving as a way to keep our hearts in tune with Christ rather than the pleasures and treasures of this world (1 Tim 6:17–19). Christ’s Kingdom advances through the sacrificial giving of His church, and, for some, Take a Plunge means God may lead you to give even more generously as an expression of your ongoing desire to live for the Kingdom of Christ and not the kingdoms of this world.
For all of us, I pray Take a Plunge means we cannot stay the same – that we long for Christ to use us on mission for Him and that we are eager and willing to be deployed for the glory of God.
I do not know what God will do on August 7th. My prayer is simply that we honor Christ as a grateful and generous people motivated by the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we seek the Spirit and ask Him to lead us in giving from a heart of gratitude for all we have received in Christ, God will meet us where we are on August 7th and in the weeks ahead as we grow in the graces of giving and living out the gospel – together.
Thank you for being a part of the North Roanoke family of faith, and thank you for considering this letter. Most of all thank you for the privilege of serving Christ as your pastor. I look forward to seeing you Sunday, August 7 as we Take the Plunge together.
For Christ and the gospel,
Brother Daniel
P. S. If you will not be able to join us on August 7th and still want to Take the Plunge, consider using online giving or mailing your gift to the church office. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Thank you!
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I have thoroughly enjoyed our walk together through the Minor Prophets. My goal in preaching this series has been to show that the Old Testament truly does point us to our only hope – the Lord Jesus Christ.
However, as I have prepared each week, I have been struck by how frequently the prophets declare how we use our resources is a primary indicator of where we are placing our trust – are we trusting in Christ and pursuing the hope of His Kingdom?
This theme is so prominent in the prophets that I have found myself wanting to just skip over the relationship between real faith and generous giving. This was especially true as I was preparing the message from Haggai and getting a bit frustrated that God mentioned giving – again! But, the Spirit stopped me dead in the tracks of my preparation – it was almost like I heard Him say, “You better not be afraid; preach the whole counsel of God, and trust Me!”
My response was simply, “Okay Lord, but I need Your help.” Over the next several minutes, I began to understand why I was feeling so awful about preaching on giving. I realized we needed to not merely hear about what faithfulness in giving looks like and why it matters in our walk with Christ – just as importantly, we need an opportunity to respond to what God has shown us.
That is why I announced Take the Plunge Sunday in my sermon from Haggai this past Sunday. This will be a special Sunday where we come together and encourage one another to trust God and take the next steps in generously supporting God’s church as we endeavor to extend God’s Kingdom throughout the Valley and around the world.
If we hear and never purposely consider how God wants us to respond, we risk being only hearers of the Word and not doers. I trust we want to respond to what God has said, and I hope August 7th will be enough time for us to fast, pray, and respond. I am planning to fast and pray one day/week as Stacie and I ask the Lord what He is leading us to do. The church will be open from 8-5 on Thursday, August 4 for you to come and pray and ask the Spirit to help us all grow in the grace of giving.
So, on Sunday, August 7th, I want to encourage you to respond to God’s incredible grace toward us as the Spirit leads. Here’s what that could look like.
*Some who have never financially supported the church may begin giving for the first time. Take a plunge means “it is time to get started and stop missing out on the joy of supporting the mission.” In most churches, nearly 1/3 of the active members and regular attenders give $0 to support God’s mission through the local church. Imagine what God would do in us and through us in our community if we all got started on August 7th.
*Others may test God (see Malachi 3:10) and begin giving a tithe of their whole income. The average Christian living in the U.S. gives 2.5 percent of his income to the church and other mission efforts each year. Some of us have had a desire to grow in generous giving, but something always seems to come up that holds us back. Take a plunge means “I’m going to do what I’ve wanted to do for a long time and trust God to provide as I give because Christ truly is the Treasure I seek.”
*Still others have come to see God is not glorified when our desire is to give God the minimally-acceptable amount. More than money, God is after our hearts. And, as the Lord blesses us financially, He increasingly calls upon us to deeper levels of generous giving as a way to keep our hearts in tune with Christ rather than the pleasures and treasures of this world (1 Tim 6:17–19). Christ’s Kingdom advances through the sacrificial giving of His church, and, for some, Take a Plunge means God may lead you to give even more generously as an expression of your ongoing desire to live for the Kingdom of Christ and not the kingdoms of this world.
For all of us, I pray Take a Plunge means we cannot stay the same – that we long for Christ to use us on mission for Him and that we are eager and willing to be deployed for the glory of God.
I do not know what God will do on August 7th. My prayer is simply that we honor Christ as a grateful and generous people motivated by the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we seek the Spirit and ask Him to lead us in giving from a heart of gratitude for all we have received in Christ, God will meet us where we are on August 7th and in the weeks ahead as we grow in the graces of giving and living out the gospel – together.
Thank you for being a part of the North Roanoke family of faith, and thank you for considering this letter. Most of all thank you for the privilege of serving Christ as your pastor. I look forward to seeing you Sunday, August 7 as we Take the Plunge together.
For Christ and the gospel,
Brother Daniel
P. S. If you will not be able to join us on August 7th and still want to Take the Plunge, consider using online giving or mailing your gift to the church office. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Thank you!