FIRST FRUITS

Bruce Chant

generation-j

15 June 2001

Intro.

I remember at Christmas as a kid – we loved it! We wrapped up the white pages, Mum’s sticky tape holder, the guinea pig…

I used to love it as it was a time of giving and a time of focusing upon Jesus Christ.

The two go together!

Giving is such a part of being a Christian!!

- God so loved the world that He gave His only son

- God loves a cheerful Giver

- God says Give and it shall be given unto you!!

Giving.

“How nice it must be to give” “what a cute thing” – but How is it going to help me?

Some of you have doubts – how does this help me see breakthrough in my life??

Giving is related to breakthrough in every sphere of life!!!

Eg Ian Thorpe – his breakthrough was to win Gold / to be the best in the world.

He had to give a lot to see that happen. He gave his time to sleep in – to watch TV – to hang with his friend – TO SEE THE BREAKTHRU HE WANTED!!

Eg Aspiring Actors – give up big bucks to acting colleges to have a shot at breaking thru to the big time, moving to Sydney etc.

Eg Business people – pay big $$ to go to business college in USA to help them crack it.

These people say ordinary life – how things are now is not good enough – I need more.

TO SEE BREAKTHRU – SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE!!

Natural vs Supernatural.

What I’m talking about there is natural – but what about supernatural (the realm of the Holy Spirit)?

Natural giving = natural breakthrough

Supernatural giving = supernatural breakthrough

Joshua and Jericho.

Joshua chapter 6.

Verse 1-2 – unlikely but God promised it to them!! Starts with a promise – “I will bless you!”

Verse 3-5 – obedience – God shows the way – even if it seems totally unlikely!

That took some GIVING.

They gave up their plans, their ways, their humanistic thinking, their wishes, their time, their selfishness, their life – to see breakthrough!!

Verse 20-21 – God came thru in a supernatural way.

They gave in faith – doing something that looked stupid and didn’t make sense and God came thru BIG TIME!!

Why Money?

You say “Joshua gave up that stuff – why can’t I? Why does money come into it?”

We can do what Joshua did and we should – BUT God also commands us to give our First fruits – that is what tonight is all about.

Proverbs 3:9-10

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (the best part of everything your land produces); then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

First fruits = Crops/Livestock = Income = of the crops of that year, God gets our best.

Barns/Vats = what they stored their income in = bank accounts and wallets.

Money talks – People listen. Imagine the media here if we all caught this vision.

Thousands being given by kids!!!

Giving your first fruits = your best = leads to breakthru in your life.

God promises it = your barns will overflow!!

Testimony.

Last year we got married. Most people pay between $15000 - $25000 all up.

How do you afford that? Don’t have to if you know God!!

God follows His word and follows up your giving with breakthrough!

1. Engagement Ring. Value = $3600. Cost = $1600. Main diamond alone valued at $2200.

2. Honeymoon. One week’s accom. Given –Free!!

3. Ruth’s Dress. Went with a picture. Saw it first up. Tried it on. Fit. It was the one!! Cost. Expecting $1000. Was $799!! But Reduced to $199!!

4. Full-time Job. Ruth needed more hours working as a teacher. EDWA = have to go country. In April she got a full-time job!!

5. House – Sept 2000.

Looking in Padbury and Craigie. Saw nothing. Agent said Kingsley. Too expensive? No. Friday saw it. Tuesday offer. Accepted that night!!

MORE Than We could’ve hoped or dreamed of!!

6. Contents. Lounge, Dining Room, Outdoor setting, Fridge, BBQ, Chairs, Bookshelf – GIVEN.

7. Reception – Wrong bill. Not $1100 - $270.

8. Video - $1100 worth given!!

God can bring you breakthrough. Just offer your best.

Exodus 23:16

"Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.”

Three things:

1. First fruits – the best you can give out of your income.

2. Sow! – Tonight we sow expecting to reap! (you can eat seed or the fruit)

3. Harvest – Sowing our first fruits (may seem foolish) but it is to see a harvest!

Prayer à Offering.

Fill in form – name, phone, area of breakthrough. Put with offering into bucket!

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