The Secret Place: Service and Giving
I. East Gate exists to elevate and empower sons and daughters so that they become the place where heaven touches earth.
We are committed to teaching people how to hear the voice of God, connect with Him daily, and walk with Him in obedience.
a. This is accomplished through daily time in the secret place
Psalm 91:1 New King James Version
91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
i. The secret place is any time or place you set apart expecting to meet with Holy Spirit
ii. If you make the secret place your dwelling place, you will abide in His presence
John 15:5-8 New King James Version
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[a] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Fruitfulness
Ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you
Glorify God
b. We are in the middle of a sermon series on the secret place and how the 12 disciplines of our faith connect us to God.
i. It’s about being seen by Him
ii. It’s about connecting with Him
iii. It’s about enjoying Him
c. Today we will be exploring how the disciplines of service and giving connect us to God
II. Connecting with God through Service
Romans 12:1 New King James Version
12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service.
a. Service is a voluntary sacrifice of personal time and energy, offered in obedient worship unto God
b. Service connects you to the mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5-7 New King James Version
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
c. Service connects you to the presence of God
i. If you’re not feeling connected, you’re not serving
John 12:20-26 New King James Version
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much[a]grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
i. It is through the sacrifice of service that we gain deeper access to His presence
1. If anyone serves Me, let him follow me, where I am, there my SERVANT will be also
2. This also unlocks the supernatural in our lives, where His presence is, the supernatural is
a. Morty’s thoughts on the supernatural
b. Barbershop testimonies
d. God honors His servants
Matthew 23:11 New King James Version
11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
ii. If you feel as if you’re not honored, it might because you forgot how to serve
1. Your spouse, children, coworkers, employees, etc…
e. Service opens your ears to the voice of God
1 Samuel 3:1-4 New King James Version
3 Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the [a]tabernacle of the Lordwhere the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”
i. The word of the Lord was rare, there was no widespread revelation
ii. Why did the Lord speak to Samuel and not to Eli and his sons?
1. Samuel ministered to/served the Lord
2. Eli and his sons, served themselves
iii. Sometimes we stop hearing the voice of the Lord because we stop serving Him
1. How sad that Eli could teach Samuel how to do what he himself stopped doing
1 Samuel 3:10 New King James Version
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
f. One last thing about service
i. We often think about the discipline of service as applying primarily in two areas
1. Connecting with Him by serving Him directly
a. Specifically, in the church (pastors, worship leaders, elders, deacons, ushers, greeters, Sunday school, etc…
2. Connecting with Him by serving one another
a. Families, communities, those in need, etc…
ii. Holy Spirit showed me another two areas that He wants us to recognize as service unto Him in which we can connect with Him
1. Your job/career
2. Your artistic/creative giftings
Matthew 5:16 New King James Version
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
a. Works – ergon
i. Business, employment that which any one is occupied
1. That which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking
ii. Any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind
III. Connecting with God through Giving
a. Giving is a voluntary sacrifice of finances and resources, offered in obedient worship unto God
b. There are three biblical ways to connect with God through giving
i. Tithes – literally means 1/10
Genesis 28:20-22 New King James Version
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a [a]tenth to You.”
1. Tithing is not voluntary; your tithe belongs to God and He requires it of His followers
Leviticus 27:30-34 New King James Version
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord. 31 If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord. 33 He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.’ ”
34 These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.
a. Because the tithe belongs to God, it goes to pay for the things that He commands
i. The salaries of those who minister directly to Him (priests and Levites)
Numbers 18:21 New King James Version
Tithes for Support of the Levites
21 “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as [a]an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.
ii. The costs of His festivals and celebrations
Deuteronomy 14:22-23 New King James Version
22 “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23 And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.
iii. To provide for the poor and neglected in His kingdom
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 New King James Version
28 “At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. 29 And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
2. Not to tithe, is to rob God of what belongs to Him
a. Tithers make up only 10-25% of any congregation (Source: https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/)
Malachi 3:8-9 New King James Version
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
b. We need to correct the heresy that the tithe is a requirement of the old covenant and law of Moses and new covenant followers of Jesus are not required to submit to it.
c. Tithing predates the law of Moses
Genesis 14:18-20 New Living Translation
18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High,[a] brought Abram some bread and wine.19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High,
who has defeated your enemies for you.”Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
d. Tithing is affirmed by Jesus and Paul in the New Testament
Matthew 23:23 New Living Translation
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens,[a] but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
Hebrews 7:1-17 New King James Version
e. Refusing to tithe invites a curse into your life
Malachi 3:9 New King James Version
9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
f. Tithing is the ONLY place in scripture we are invited to test God
Malachi 3:10-12 New King James Version
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 12 “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.
i. I believe Holy Spirit told me that there are families in this congregation that are experiencing a lack of blessing, the destruction of things that should be fruitful, because they are robbing God by not tithing.
ii. Holy Spirit is inviting you today to test Him and watch what He does when you begin to obey Him and give Him your tithe.
g. How do I begin to tithe?
i. Give your FIRSTFRUIT
Proverbs 3:9-10 New King James Version
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,And your vats will overflow with new wine.
1. When you give God the first 10% He blesses the remaining 90%
a. Meaning you can do more with 90% than you could have done with 100%
2. If you give God the last 10% there is nothing left to bless
ii. Give FAITHFULLY
Mark 12:41-44 New King James Version
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two [a]mites, which make a [b]quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
1. You’re never too broke to tithe, some of you may be broke because you refuse to tithe and your finances are cursed
h. You cannot be generous when you owe someone money
ii. Offerings
1. Donations of finances or resources, collected for the building, supplying, or repair of the tabernacle and temple of God
Exodus 25 New King James Version
25 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an [a]offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. 3 And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; 5 ram skins dyed red, [b]badger skins, and acacia wood; 6 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. 8 And let them make Me a sanctuary,[c] that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.
Exodus 35:4-9 New King James Version
4 And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying: 5 ‘Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; 7 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; 8 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.
a. Offerings were taken up in order for Solomon to build and furnish the temple
i. 1 Chronicles 29
b. Josiah and Ezra both took up an offering to repair and refurnish the temple
i. 1 Kings 22, Ezra 1
iii. Alms
1. Individual financial gifts given directly to the poor/needy by the individual
a. We announce how to give your tithes and offerings on Sunday’s because tithes and offerings are collected by the church for use within the church, alms are not collected because they are for you to give directly to the recipient
b. Alms are not given in place of tithes and offerings, they are given in addition to them
Matthew 6 New King James Version
6 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you [a]openly.
Proverbs 19:17 New King James Version
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
c. Giving connects you to the heart of God
John 3:16 New King James Version
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
d. Giving invests in your future with God
Matthew 6:19-21 New King James Version
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
i. Store up treasures in heaven not on earth
1. How? Proverbs 19:17
ii. Ladies, if your man is saving up for an engagement ring, wedding, honeymoon, and first home, anniversary/vow renewal, how does it make you feel?
1. Investing in the future of a relationship improves the relationship
iii. The passage doesn’t read, where your heart is, your treasure is…
1. Your heart follows your investments
