For SCC - Give It Up 8-5-07

From One to Outrageous is the Weekend Service theme for Sunrise during the month of August. This past Sunday John 6:9 was the one verse and that we learned to live so that we can begin to experience outrageous results. John 6:9 is tucked away in the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. John 6:9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?"

This one verse is packed full of biblical truths that you and I can apply to our lives, but we walked away with two thoughts to live. The boy decided to give. The lad made the choice to give up his fish and barley loaves. He gave. Out of his giving the boy and others were amazed. The boy gave and outrageous results were experienced. The people who were hungry ate from the fish and loaves the boy gave until everyone was full and there were leftovers to the amazement of all. Five barley loaves and two fish fed over 5000 people with lunch for tomorrow left over. From one verse we can begin to experience outrageous results in our own lives. We, like the boy, can chose to give. We can give of our finances, abilities, and resources. We can decide to give of our time, talents, and treasure. When you and I give it blesses other people and we like to bless other people. We like to see people smile, rejoice, and have fun. We enjoy giving gifts to loved ones. We enjoy giving at Christmas time. We like to go out to dinner with family and friends and even purchase the meal. We like to open up our homes and have people over for drinks, chips and a football game. We like to give. May we give it up. Choose to give.

When we choose to give we will be amazed as the people were in the story. The question posed by Andrew, "but what are these for so many people?", is answered when we give and God multiplies. When we choose to give God will do a mighty work. Be amazed. Give. If you are not giving begin giving. Be like the boy. Choose to give. If you are giving, continue to give and ask God to multiply your giving for His glory. Giving of your time, talents, and treasure leads to people experiencing eternal life, new and hopeful relationships, the hungry being feed, homes being built, and other outrageous results. Give it up. The boy gave. He was amazed.