OUTRAGEOUS GOD-IMITATING GENEROSITY

The 5th Sunday of Easter

PROVERBS 25:21-22 (MSG)
If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
and God will look after you.

LUKE 6:35 (MSG)
“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Surprise the hell out of your enemies through your outrageous God-imitating generosity.

DAILY FODDER
How can Jesus say that you'll not regret giving to your enemies without expecting return? What should we expect? Does he mean we should literally do this? If not, what does he mean?

PRAYER
God, you sent your Son to save us while we were living as rebellious children. Forgive my failure to grasp the magnitude and the implications of grace. I don't think I'm capable of this kind of grace on my own and since you're the expert I'd appreciate having some personalized instruction. Under your tutelage I want to become an expert at disrupting the pattern of sin in the world by loving my enemies. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

HELP!

PSALM 18:6 (MSG)

A hostile world! I call to GOD,

I cry to God to help me.

From his palace he hears my call;

my cry brings me right into his presence—

a private audience!

MARK 4:38 (CEV)
Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don't you care that we're about to drown?”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God ushers us to the front of the line when we call out to him for help.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever felt like your problems were not worth God's attention? How desperate should a person be before they call out to God for help? What do you think God's perspective is on this?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for listening and responding to my pleas for help. As I look back on things I realize that you intervene in even the smallest of crises. How come I am so hesitant to admit that I can't function without your assistance? Help me to relax during the stormiest of times. Because I know that you're on duty I'm going to become a non-anxious presence among Jesus' storm-worn disciples. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

PROBLEM SOLVED

ZECHARIAH 3:9 (MSG)
I’ll strip this land of its filthy sin, all at once, in a single day.

1 JOHN 2:2 (MSG/alt)
When Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus, served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is God's solution to the sin problem.

DAILY FODDER
If Jesus is the solution for the world's sin problem why is sin still such a problem?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for interjecting yourself into our tainted and broken world. I admit that even though I know that sin is still a problem I prefer to kick the can down the road to deal with it later. Increase my faith in Christ so that I can matter of factly own up to my sinfulness and better trust in his solution. I'm going to partner with our Savior to share his solution everywhere. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

GOING PUBLIC

PSALM 119:172 (ABP)
I'm going to sing about your promise and how your instructions are totally on target.

ROMANS 1:16 (ABP)
I'm going public with the good news of what Christ has one! It's God's powerful way of rescuing everyone who trusts him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't hesitate to openly share the good news of Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
Romans 1:16 is often translated, "I am not ashamed of the gospel..." What about the gospel might be shameful and cause people to hesitate to share their faith?

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful for the gospel and how you have changed my life through it. I admit that there are times when I'm not as vocal about my faith as I could be. Grant me courage and wisdom so that I know the best way to share the gospel in each situation and the boldness to do so. I'm going to be an open book. Amen.

As LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.