Heart for East Gate — We Are Ecclesia

Feb 19

Feb 19 Heart for East Gate

Exodus 25:1-9 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.

GENEROSITY || ITS NOT OURS ANYWAY

We recognize that every resource we’ve been given comes from our generous Father. We choose to be just like Dad, and give as He leads.

I. Generosity Connects You to the Heart (thoughts, feelings, and desires) of God

a. God is GENEROUS

i. Genesis 1: Plants, animals, and families that increase exponentially over time

ii. Exodus 16 and 17: Manna from Heaven and water from the rock

iii. 1 Kings 17:1-16: Brooks of water, ravens providing meat, oil and flour that never run out

iv. New Testament: His son and His Spirit multiplying both within His church exponentially

b. When we begin to give generously, we have the potential to catch and connect with His heart

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.

II. 2 Biblical Ways to Practice Kingdom Generosity and a Pastoring Moment

a. Tithes – Command to return one tenth of all our increase to Him (Lev. 27:30-34. Deut. 14:22-29)

i. Tithing is NOT generosity, it is obedience

1. You cannot even begin to practice kingdom generosity if you have neglected to tithe

2. No condemnation, just begin today

ii. The tithe is holy and set apart by God for His ministers, feasts, and poor (Num. 8:21, Deut. 14:22-23 & 28-29)

iii. Not you giving God 10% of your money, but God letting you hold onto 90% of His money

b. Alms – voluntary donations given directly to the poor

Matthew 6:1-4 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.

i. Prophetic Word: Your alms are remembered and are a means of AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION for your family and beyond

Acts 10:1-4 New King James Version
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

c. Offerings:

i. As Worship

1. Lives surrendered to God in worship

Romans 12:1 English Standard Version
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b]

ii. As Kingdom Generosity

1. Voluntary donations/contributions for the building, repair, expansion and/or furnishing of the place of corporate encounter (Exodus 25:1-9, 1 Chronicles 29, 1 Kings 22, Ezra 1)

III. Holy Spirit’s Heart for East Gate

a. Generational Vision

John 8:14 New King James Version
14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.

b. Remembering where we came from

i. Fellowship Meals in the Living Room

ii. Sunday School in the Living Room

c. Vision for where we are going

i. Vision of a renovated fellowship hall, commercial kitchen, and bathrooms

ii. Vision of second floor

iii. Vision of larger sanctuary and foyer

iv. Vision of a beautiful altar

d. The Year of AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION

i. Fortify and Expand the Foundations

1. Family – Ground Zero

2. 1417 Marvine St – Heart for East Gate

ii. East Gate Inc. OWNS our property outright

Luke 16:10-12 New King James Version
10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

iii. Wear and tear over the years caused the sidewalk in front of our building to sink about 4-6”

iv. Plan to remove the damaged sidewalk, repair, seal, and expand our foundation

v. Repair/replace basement flooring

vi. Plans to remodel and renovate the lower level

IV. Heart for East Gate Offering

Exodus 25:1-9 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.

a. Holy Spirit has asked that East Gate bring Him an offering

b. From those who give it willingly with their heart

c. This is the offering you shall take from them:

i. Financial offerings for the fortifying and expansion of the foundation our property

d. Holy Spirit is inviting us to partner with His Heart for East Gate

i. Building Him a sanctuary (a holy place)

ii. According to what He has shown us (the lower level)

iii. So that He may dwell among us (from youngest to the oldest)

V. Heart for East Gate Collection: Sunday, March 26th, 2023

Exodus 35:20-21 New King James Version
20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 Then everyone came whose heart [b]was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.

a. You have over a month to seek the Holy Spirit and hear Him for yourself

b. As your pastor I am asking you for a few things:

i. Hear God’s voice, connect with His heart, and walk with Him in obedience

1. Ask Holy Spirit to see His heart for East Gate and to stir your heart for East Gate

2. Ask Holy Spirit what He is asking you to give

3. Partner with His heart for East Gate and give in obedient partnership

ii. Bring your offering in person on March 26th

1. Leadership wants to lay hands and pray over the offering

iii. If for any reason you are unable to give in person there are three additional ways to give

1. Online at weareeastgate.com/give

2. Text $amount with “Heart for East Gate” to 610-810-5022

3. Cash or check using the Heart for East Gate mailers

VI. Final Thoughts

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 New King James Version
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [a]bountifully will also reap [b]bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [c]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

a. It’s not the amount, but the heart that matters

Luke 21:1-4 New King James Version
21 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

i. Hear and obey Holy Spirit alone

1. Do NOT allow the spirit of religion or the fear of man to taint your offering

2. Fear GO, religion GO, Holy Spirit speak, Your servants are listening!

b. Holy Spirit has shown me spiritual storehouses that have been waiting years to be opened

Malachi 3:8-12 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. 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.