27th Mar 26 | 16:08
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03 Acts 09 32-43 THE MINISTRY OF PETER 17 Acts 09 39 A life of generosity
📖 Acts 09:32-43
17 – Fri14Jun2024 – *A life of generosity* - _Acts 09:32-43_ – THE MINISTRY OF PETER – _Philippians 04:17-18_
_Acts 9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And *all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them*._
The life of Dorcas or Tabitha was a life of giving of herself to meet the needs of others. This is the life of Christ. It is a life of being a blessing to others. _Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "_
This is what fruit bearing is all about. A tree bears fruit for others to consume, not for itself. Whereas, we are largely, self-obsessed. *The self in us has to be consumed in Christ.* _Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God._
The self in us must die and Christ must live in us. This is a repeated exercise, for the self has the unique capacity to resurrect. As soon as we see the self in us seeking some significance, we must take it to the cross of Christ by faith, and be crucified with Him. _II Timothy 2:11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him._
I give below a list of the symptoms of the self in us.
Comparative/Competitive thinking - Fear of rejection - Seeking acceptance - Win-lose mentality - Poor listener – Defensive – Complaining – Cynical - No vision – Insecure - Autobiographical mindset - Confessing others sins - Unwillingness to submit to authority - Victim mentality - Poor team worker - Assigning my motives to other’s action - Highly critical - Being judgemental - Blaming others strengths/weakness for my inaction - Unwilling to say, “I’m sorry” - Chronic worrying – unforgiving – pushing my agenda – seeking commendation from others – pursuing my dreams - …
This is not a comprehensive list. This list shows us the different ways in which the self, manifests in us. I encourage you to take time and go through this list prayerfully. Ask the Lord to show you your ego symptoms. Confess, ask the Lord’s forgiveness, and surrender this area of your life to Christ.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to alert us as soon as the self in us rears up its head. The Holy Spirit will alert us. As soon as He does, by faith, in the enablement of the Holy Spirit, take the issue of the self to the cross. As we do so, *we will* experience God’s healing. *We will* experience the life of Jesus flowing through us. *We will* see a verifiable change in our behaviour, our words, and in our inner man. Others will also see the remarkable change in us.
_II Corinthians 4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, *that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body*._
The life of Jesus is a life of giving of oneself to others. _Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross._
Since Jesus gave Himself for us, He is calling us to also have his character and nature of giving. _II Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, *that you through His poverty might become rich*._
We are rich in Christ to share with others. _I Timothy 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,_
The character of the church is generosity. _Isaiah 32:8 But a generous man devises generous things, And *by generosity he shall stand*._ If we have become all about ourselves, then we are no more church.
When we are only self-driven, we will be anxious. The Lord has commanded us not to be anxious. The reason why ought not to be anxious is because our heavenly Father knows our needs and He meets our needs out of His abundance. _Matthew 6:32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For *your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things*._ / _Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus._
Every time we are self-absorbed, we are denying God as our Father. This is a serious offense and that is why God has commanded us not to be anxious.
We, therefore, have the basis to be a giving people. We have no excuse for being selfish and tight-fisted. *Are you a giving and sharing person?* *Dorcas gave herself to meet the needs of others. She was demonstrating the life of Christ.*
When we give and share, we are investing into our account in heaven. _Philippians 4:17-18 Not that I seek the gift, but *I seek the fruit that abounds to your account*. (18) Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God._