A Crucified Life - - Is Enriched For Purpose

 

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4148

Enriched: cause to abound in

From the Greek word 'ploutizó' (pronounced ploo-tid'-zo): to bring fullness, make abundant.

    Used three times in the New Testament. In addition to today's verse: 1 Corinthians 1:5 and 2 Corinthians 6:10.

    1 Chronicles 29:12-14

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious Name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us!

    James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

    What is the purpose of God giving His people increase? (To Praise Him & Thank Him. (2) That we might give our increase back to Him through our giving to advance His kingdom. We are the conduit through which the Power of God (His Holy Spirit) flows, dispensing and dispersing His gifts where He so chooses. 

    1 Corinthians 12 describes the spiritual gifts which we receive as the body of Christ. Verse 4: many gifts, one Spirit. Verse 5: different administrations, same Lord. Verse 6: diverse operations, same God. 

    1 Corinthians 12:7

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the  profit of all." 

    Manifestation simply means 'disclosure', a revealing of; bringing into the light (illuminating). In other words, making clearly known. It is not a shimmering, vague spirit, but The Holy Spirit Who makes known the gifts God has given His people. 

    Gifts which advance God's kingdom. These gifts are the tools and weapons whereby we are able to spread and share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. God loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. This best includes His Son, His Spirit and His enriching power which is given us in the gifts He gives us.

    Whatever gifts God gives His people we are meant to share with all of His people in the way in which the Spirit leads us to share said gifts. We are to be good stewards of the blessings we receive. We learn this lesson in the Parable of Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). And again, in The Sheep and The Goats (Matthew 25:31-46 [the least of these]).   

    We need to take responsibility for our gifts and how we use them. It is not for our personal gain that God gives us good gifts and perfect gifts: it is for our spiritual gain. Are we using that which God has given us for His glory and honor? Are we a people after God's own heart? 

ENRICHED FOR PURPOSE

Who Are We - Mercy Me

Spirit of God - Canyon Hills Worship

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets

To Live Is Christ - Sidewalk Prophets

Torches - Forerunner Music/Lauren Alexandria

Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective

By Our Love - For King & Country

Storm All Around You - Forerunner Music/Jon Thurlow, Mike Bickle, Todd White

    

A Crucified Life - - Enriches Others

 

2 Corinthians 6:10

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 

Rich: to cause to abound, enrich

From the Greek word 'ploutizó' (pronounced ploo-tid'-zo): to bring fullness, to bring abundance.

    This is not a monetary wealth which the believer blesses others with, nor is it meant to be. This is a wealth far greater than mere money.

    From Acts 3:1-10 we read of the lame man who became whole, complete when he received from Peter and John a perfect healing, which not only healed his feet and ankles, but his hungry soul. Acts 3:6 "But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Acts 3:16 "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence."

    In John 4:1-26, the woman at the well got more than water. She came to the community well to gather water for herself. But after meeting and speaking with Jesus, she received the Living Water and ran back to her neighborhood, telling everyone that she had met the Messiah. Her enthusiasm caused all who heard her voice to come near to her and run to the well themselves.

    Have you met Jesus? Have you spoken with Him? And, having done so, have you run to preach the Good News to your community? your neighbors? Come, let us tell everyone we meet and all whom we know, the Lord is near, for I have seen Him! 

    1 Corinthians 1:4-6

I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge, because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

    In Christ we are enriched in every way. 1 Corinthians 1:7 tells us that we lack nothing. And verse 8 reminds us that Christ is our Sustainer -- our Security, our Guarantee -- that we will be blameless in the day of the Lord. We are, indeed, quite rich and as His followers, we encourage everyone to receive Christ and live in His, as well.

    The psalmist wrote, in Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my Strength, and my Redeemer." 

    Our words have power, for in the tongue is the power of life and the power of death (Proverbs 18:21). Therefore, we need to watch what we say and how we say it. I would that my words would be healing words, encouraging words, strengthening words; words to raise you up and not bring you down. Words to give you life and not death. 

    I am accountable to God for not only the words/Word I speak to you, but for my thoughts toward you. The psalmist included that in his prayer, too: the meditation of my heart. My thoughts must be pleasing to God. Knowing I am speaking with many brothers and sisters in Christ, let me remind you that your thoughts must be acceptable to God, as well. 

    These are encouraging words, calling you into His presence to seek His face and believe His Word; that your bodies and minds, too, might receive from God what He has prepared for you today. 

    Do you require healing? Turn your face to the Healer and raise your hands in faith believing that you will receive. Do you require saving? Turn your face to the Savior and ask that you may receive. And be baptized into Him. 

    Are you seeking love? God is Love. Turn your hearts to God in prayer and in His Word that you may receive His Love into you, and that you would learn His Way and His Will, in order that you could Love yourself and others with His Love. 

    Whatever it is you are looking to receive, God is ready to give it to you. By faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, they who desire to please God must first turn to God in Christ, before they can receive the gift(s) which God has prepared for them for that day.

ENRICHING OTHERS 

O Come To The Altar - Elevation Worship

The Well - Casting Crowns

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson

Jesus, Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns

All My Hope - Crowder

Able - Ryan Stevenson

Walking Free - Micah Tyler

Rescue Story - Zach Williams

Mended - Matthew West

Maybe Midnight - tobyMac

Priceless - 4 King & Country

Fill My Cup - Andrew Ripp

  

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Blessing

 

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of The LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 6238

Enriches: to be rich, to become rich

From the Hebrew word 'ashar' (pronounced aw-shar'). 

    In this verse the word 'enrich' means 'to make rich'. Therefore, the blessing of The LORD makes rich the person He is blessing. Having a right relationship with Him is all the riches I need. 

    So just what is the blessing of The LORD that I should desire it? 

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

>Prospers the one being blessed (Proverbs 3:33)

>Is on the wise (Proverbs 2) 

>Is Life Eternal (James 1:12)

>Is Abundant Grace (1 Timothy 1:14)

>Is with they who seek with and  walk with Him 

(2 Chronicles 17:3, 4)

>Is on His faithful (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

>Is a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)

>Multiplies (Leviticus 25:21)

>Is on His people who persevere in The Name of The Lord 

(James 5:10, 11)

ENRICHES

    Not for personal gain nor to increase one's own finances or bank account, but to prosper in the ways of The Lord. God's blessing is on His faithful: faithfully following His Word, faithfully hearing His Word, faithfully living in His Word. 

    1 Timothy 6:9, 10 Self-Enrichment

    God's blessing is NOT on the unfaithful. Their riches are by their own hand for their own glory. When men (and women) enrich themselves, they praise themselves and are praised by others. 

    1 Timothy 6:11 Godly Enrichment

    When God's hand is the source of the enrichment, then God gets the glory and praise. The blessing of The Lord is "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

   

    Let us receive the blessing of The Lord by seeking Him out and meeting with Him in private {prayer}, by surrendering ourselves fully to Him (submission) and by faithfully living a life that honors God in all His ways (surrender). Let us have joy in the God of our salvation, who showers us with His grace, His mercy and His compassion. 

GUARDING OUR BLESSING

    1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Fight the good fight of the faith. Hold onto the eternal life we have been given and confessed before many that we have. 

    Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own."

I press on. I persevere. I endure. With His grace. With His help. In His strength. In His love. In Him. 

GUARDING OUR BLESSING MEDLEY 

All To Jesus I Surrender - Robin Mark 

I Surrender - Hillsong 

Submission - Piano & Song Cover

At Your Feet - Casting Crowns

Find Us Faithful - Steve Green