Love Looks Like Giving
Pastor Nick Scheske | The Character of Jesus | Sunday, March 23, 2025
View these Message Notes in Spanish
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Generosity is not something God does, it's who He is.
1 John 4:11-12
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
“Wow… do you see the way they love, humbly, unity, sacrifcally, generously, there must be a God.”
Humility & Unity ➡️ Generosity
You are actually most like Jesus when you give generously... HUG -> ACT The HUG always comes before the ACT
Mark 10:17 NKJV – Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Mark 10:18-19 NKJV – So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’"
Mark 10:20 NKJV – And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
Mark 10:21 NKJV – Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before Me.
He's calling out the hypocrisy of the very statement that you said you've kept these your whole life, but you have set up something as more important than God… You honor me with your lips, talk about LOVE, but your hearts are far from me... Mark 10:21 NKJV
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 5:39-41
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
3 Questions...
Where has God been generous to you?
When was the last time you just sat down and did an audit of the blessings of God in your life?
James 1:17 AMP
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father…
Physical Blessings, Relational Blessings, Everyday Blessings, Spiritual Blessings
Tim Keller -> The Prodigal God, true generosity is seen in the Father’s response to the Prodigal Son—giving lavishly, even when it was undeserved. And it breaks this kid... overwhelms Him… Happens to every believer at some point... Happened to King David... on the run from his Son Absalom... has cause so much pain and regret in his family... and yet...
Psalms 63:2-5 – “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
Where is it Hard for Me to be Generous?
Jesus was...
Generous in presence (here, not somewhere else)
Generous in position (humble, last)
Generous in honor (blessing those who are overlooked)
Generous in listening (eyes and ears)
Generous in time (always busy, never in a hurry; slow down be patient)
Generous in curiosity (ask questions)
Generous in money (whatever they need; Peter Fish…)
Generous in mercy (All the disciples abandon him…)
Generous in service (extra mile)
What is God asking me to Give?
How are you asking me to show love? Not sure what He is saying to you right now... but For some, maybe it’s to have the humility to give your...
Time? Attention? Patience? Words of encouragement? Resources? Influence? Benefit of the Doubt?, Mercy? -> To the measure you have been given...
And in order to do that, God might be asking you to give something up... To value the unity of the kingdom to give up...
Pride? Privilege? Bitterness? Outrage? Certainty? Control? Judgment? Hate?
God's desire for you is to GROW! This is the voice of hope! Not of shame... Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.