When Jesus is Known, Giving is Easy

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of experiencing God's presence in our lives, going beyond mere knowledge or obedience. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about their experiences in Hong Kong, where they have seen people work hard but struggle with relationships and intimacy with God. They highlight the difference between knowing about God and truly experiencing Him, using the example of Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ in Philippians 1:21-24.

Key Scripture References

• Philippians 1:21-24 - This passage shows how Paul's desire is not just to obey commands or follow rules, but to have a deep relationship with Christ. He longs to leave the earth and be with Jesus, demonstrating that true intimacy with God is possible.
• Psalm 27:4-5 - David expresses his desire to gaze upon God's beauty and seek refuge in Him. This psalm highlights the importance of relationship and intimacy with God, rather than just following rules or obeying commands.
• Second Corinthians 8:1-15 - Paul shares about the generosity of the Macedonian churches, which was a gift from God's grace. He explains that true generosity comes from receiving God's blessing, not from human effort or pride.
• Psalm 34:8 - This psalm says "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" It emphasizes the importance of experiencing God's goodness firsthand, rather than just reading about it.

Main Points

• The speaker emphasizes the difference between knowing about God and truly experiencing Him.
• They share personal anecdotes about their experiences in Hong Kong, highlighting the struggle to find intimacy with God in a culture that values knowledge and obedience over relationship.
• The passage from Philippians 1:21-24 shows how Paul's desire is not just to obey commands or follow rules, but to have a deep relationship with Christ.
• The psalm of David (Psalm 27:4-5) highlights the importance of seeking refuge in God and gazing upon His beauty.
• Second Corinthians 8:1-15 emphasizes that true generosity comes from receiving God's blessing, not from human effort or pride.

Application

This message encourages listeners to move beyond mere knowledge or obedience and seek a deeper relationship with God. It challenges them to ask themselves if they have truly experienced God's presence in their lives, rather than just reading about it. The speaker invites listeners to join him in his prayer: "God, I don't want to just talk about you; I want to experience you."