February 8, 2026
What is God’s desired outcome in the lives of deeply grounded, Christ-like, maturing disciples?
God’s desired outcome in the lives of deeply grounded, Christ-like, maturing disciples is a lifestyle of…
I. Overflowing Gracious Generosity: Abounding- God’s part and our participation (Col. 2:7).
a. From survival in scarcity to eschatological abundance: The mighty river of God’s grace poured on God’s people (Am 9:13-16, Is 65:17-25, Ez 47, Jl 3:18).
b. Grace given results in extravagant generosity that replaces entitlement, self-righteous pride, discontentment, criticism, jealousy and envy, competition, greed, worry, fear – Woman in the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50).
II. Expressed in life-giving, thanksgiving (2:7).
a. What is thanksgiving? A lifestyle of ongoing joyful celebration and willing dependence on God for our participation in the eschatological fulfillment of our hope in Christ: Seeing beyond our immediate needs and blessings to the ultimate blessing (cf. Ten leppers – Luke 17:11-19).
b. A lifestyle that proclaims the blessings of God’s grace are enough now, considering his future glorious kingdom – the eucharistic feast – Blessing and Thanksgiving (cf. Matt. 26:26-28, Mk. 14:22-23).
Those who are deeply rooted in Christ do not merely survive,
They overflow with God’s grace, leaving blessing in their wake.
Your first step to be life-giving is to be thanks-giving.
1. Are you a generous person? Generosity is what spills over from a life that acknowledges God’s grace and imitates him in his desire to bless others through sacrificial redemptive love. When our heart switches from hoarding goods to giving our goods to bless others, this is a good indication we are maturing in Christ.
2. Are you closer to being grumpy or to being grateful? Take your first step making the Lord’s supper your anchor to be grateful because of Jesus no matter what.
