1. Be a cheerful giver.

2. Be consistent.

3. Be a compassionate giver. - Look for those who have a need.

4. Be a complete giver - in word and deed.

5. Be a cooperating giver.

We prove the reality of our faith. What you are will show in what you do.

I. Thanksgiving is associated with sacrificial offering. Psalm 107:22

II. Thanksgiving is associated with prayer and praise. Psalm 27; Philippians 4:6

III. Thanksgiving is associated with keeping vows.

A. Marriage

B. Ministry

C. Morality

IV. Thanksgiving is associated with singing. Psalm 69:30: 95:1; 147:7

It chases away the devil.

V. Thanksgiving is associated with temple worship. Psalm 100

Come to church with a thankful heart.

VI. Thanksgiving is associated with salvation. Romans 12:1

I. It is great because of Who gave it.

II. It is great because of who it was given to - the church.

III. It is great because of who it includes - everyone.

IV. It is great because of the good it accomplishes.

V. It is great because of the results if it is ignored. 1 Peter 1:10

I. The fate of the heathen

A. Who cares for the heathen? Psalm 142:4

We care about our home, health, hair, etc.

B. God cares about the heathen. 1 John 4:14; John 20:21

Concern leads to action. - We are missing compassion.

II. The financial responsibility Romans 1:14; 2 Corinthians 8:12

III. The future of Central Baptist Church

IV. Fruit that remains

V. Facing Jesus

In Acts 13, we see a local church missions conference in motion.

1. It was in the church. vs. 1

2. God called men to missions. vs. 2

3. They took them on for support. vs. 3

4. They left for the field. vs. 4

*The great commission is a great commandment.

I. The number one purpose is to exalt and glorify Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31

The best way to please God is obedience.  We need to obey in every area. Psalm 28:2

Psalm 118:20 *to exalt: to raise high

II. We want to encourage the missionary. Acts 13:3; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18

Be a servant.

Send them away in prayer and provision.

III. We must exhort our members to continue to go forward.

2 Corinthians 10:15-16 - When your faith is increased, you will give more.

IV. Will we enlist new members in touching the ministry to the saints?

We will give an account of our stewardship.

The purpose of the church is to glorify God as we reach the lost with the gospel.

The pastor preaches to help your joy.

What will help your joy?

- Separated living

- Sacrificial giving

I. The power of God

Prayer - Pray for more laborers.

II. The presence of faith Hebrews 11:6

A. Faith is demanded.

B. Faith is defined.

C. Faith is demonstrated. Romans 4:18-21

Abraham believed God - strong faith, sacrificial faith.

*God does not want your Isaacs; He just wants to make sure you are willing.

III. The performance of giving

A. Plan your giving.

B. Proportionate giving

C. Provisional giving

Faith should affect our:

1. Walk

2. Witness

3. Worship

4. Wallet

I. The personal responsibility

A. The challenge

B. The consideration

"Missions is not optional but essential." Matthew 28:18-20

II. The practical reasoning

A. Faith promise giving is Biblical. 2 Corinthians 8-9

B. Faith promise provokes others to give. 2 Corinthians 9:2

C. Faith promise is blessed. Acts 20:35

1. It blesses God.

2. It blesses you.

III. The proven results

A. It is successful.

B. It is satisfying.

1. Personal involvement

2. Partnership

3. Prayer connection - Pray for particular needs.

I. Revival

*Revival is hard to get, difficult to maintain, but easy to lose.

A. We need revival to increase our giving.

B. We need revival to increase our fervency.

*Revival means "to come alive."

II. Rejoicing

A. Rejoicing improves our service.

B. Rejoicing increases our spiritual strength.

I. God in His grace is bringing the Jews back to their promised land.

II. The Bible tells us what God will do with the Jews in the future.

Ezekiel 37:14; Romans 11:25; Zechariah 12:10

*God told us to support the Jews!

I. It is right for God to leave me behind at the Rapture. Matthew 25:10-13

*If we are trying to earn our own way, we deserve to be left behind.

II. It is right for God to give me up to reprobation. Romans 1:18-28; Hebrews 12:16-17

*When the Holy Spirit quits talking to you, watch out!

III. It is right for God to cast me into hell. Revelation 20:15

*In Bible times, when people got serious about God, they fell on their faces before Him.

Why is there such a lack of surrender amongst God's people?

I. Apathy

A. Apathy is a lack of feeling; a calmness of mind incapable of being ruffled by pain, pleasure, or passion.

B. Apathy comes from no surrender.

C. Apathy keeps you from feeling the conviction of the Holy Ghost.

II. Self-justification

A. We make excuses for ourselves.

B. We compare ourselves to others instead of measuring up to God.

C. We excuse our sin because it is not as bad as someone else's sin.

III. We have a form of religion without the power of God.

We have become mechanical.

IV. A lack of surrender leads to a hard heart.

*We have to be broken before we can be used.

*The devil steals the seed in that we try to second-guess the preacher. Matthew 13:18

*God does miracles for us on a regular basis, but we blame Him when hard times come.

*Thank God for the miracles and the hard times too.

I. The flesh likes to attack right after a victory. 1 Samuel 15:1-22; 2 Samuel 1:4-14

II. The flesh wants to steal our rewards.

III. The flesh has no fear of God.

IV. The flesh wants to destroy us, but it does not stop there.

V. The flesh wants to destroy God's perfect will. Esther 3:1