This is the last week of our series called Made for More. And over the course of this series, I've tried to help you understand a few things:
- God made you to be the recipient of his blessing and favor.
- He created you for exponentially more than you could ever imagine.
- He has a plan, a purpose, a calling for your life.
-He knows your deficiencies, your frailty, your brokenness and still loves you, want you, and has a plan for you
- He knows there are things that will keep you from stepping into everything he planned for you, so he's giving you authority over the work of the enemy to eliminate those obstacles.

And he fully expects you to step into everything he has for you.
- Including the plan, which you only know parts of,
- The path, which is going to be easy and hard, fun and terrifying, satisfying and painful
- The purpose, which you are having to discern, to discover, and to implement

But finally, he expects you to use the more he blesses you with to see people come into the Kingdom of God.

This is what I believe God wants us to focus on today. God wants you to use the more he blesses you with to get people into the kingdom of God.

I asked you a question in a couple of weeks ago: If money was no object, and you were guaranteed success, what would you do for the Kingdom of God? Rather than forcing you into a corner right now to give me an answer, instead, I want to talk to you today about how to live out generosity with the more God made you for.

Why generosity, and how does that have anything to do with that question?
It's because the answer to that question is always going to be about benefiting other people. If God gives you a dream, that dream will always be for the benefit of others, not you. God does not give you dreams, and likewise, purpose and calling, where you are the only beneficiary. The proof of this is a simple run through some Bible characters:
- Abraham: blessed to be a blessing.
- Israel: a nation to show all the other nations who God is.
- Moses: a leader to deliver others.
- Esther: a queen to save God's people
- Jonah: a prophet to save a city.
- Paul: an apostle and evangelist to the Gentiles.

If it's a dream that comes from the heart of God, it is always one that benefits his people.

That is what generosity has to do with that question, but why generosity?
That's because giving is the verb of the Bible. And from the very beginning, He gave us breath, life, dominion in the garden. And consistently through the Bible: He gave new names and identity, children to barren wombs, Deliverance to the oppressed, a king for the leaderless, A prophet to speak hope, a warrior to win battles.

And let us not forget the best gift ever given, Jesus.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Through his son, he gives Grace, forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation, righteousness, restoration, peace.

And then the gift of the Holy Spirit
John 14:16-17, 26
I will pray the father, and he will give you another helper that he made abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the father will send in my name. He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance, all things that I said to you.

And wisdom
James 1:5
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

We serve a generous God who lives to give.
Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

I'm working so hard right now to establish the fact that the verb of the Bible is give and that we serve a generous God because we have to understand that our and until we understand why God gave us more, we will never be able to use it in the way God intended.

For two months, we've been talking about the fact that we were made for more, but the very heart and soul of more is not so we can have more. It's so we can give more. It's so we can bless more. It's so we can be the conduit of generosity, not just the beneficiary of it. Remember, Paul tells us in Acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than to receive.

My point today is this: at the core of more is generosity.

Generosity
I'm not going to spend the time today unpacking the fact that God gives you more so you can do more for the kingdom. You are blessed to be a blessing. God wants you to be a conduit, a blessing, not a hoarder of it. I feel like we've established that over the last seven weeks pretty soundly.

But I often think that we get paralyzed into an action because we don't exactly know how to take the more that God is given us and use it for the Kingdom. This is partially why we can get bogged down in a question like "if money was no issue and you were guaranteed success, what would you do for the kingdom?” It isn't that it is a hard question, but I think sometimes we think if it's not something huge or wildly impactful that it can't be the answer.

For some, God is going to call them to great massive impacts that change generations. But for some, God is going to call you to daily moments of micro impacts that add up to something great and massive.

The question is: are you going to be generous with what God has given to make those impacts in reality, whether it is one huge calling, or a lifetime of little moments?

Anytime a pastor starts talking about generosity, it's almost always in the context of finances. I'm hoping today you can expand your vision, a little larger than simply finances to understand that God has called you to be generous with your whole life, not just a portion of it.

What does living a generous life look like to you?
If generosity is limited to your finances, most people would assume that it would take great finances to make a generous impact. I have known people with tons of money who are the most generous human beings I've ever met. I've known people with tons of money who are the greedy people I've ever met. But I've also met people with no money who are greedy. And I've met people with no money who are wildly generous. I don't know how many times I've seen on TikTok videos where a wealthy person is greedy and a homeless person is generous.

But again, look past the filter of finances. What does it look like for you to live a generous life?

Typically generosity stops in people because of one of three reasons:
- They think they don't have it.
- They think they're incapable of it.
- They just don't wanna do it.

If it's the last one for you, that's just pride. At Freedom, we are a judgment free zone. You might hear this often: “If you judge, it just means that you forgotten what God's brought you out of.” In the same vein, if generosity stops in you because you just don't want to do it, you've forgotten that everything you have, down to the very breath your breathing right now comes from God above.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father

If you can't give that offering, or meet that need, or offer that advice, it's a dishonoring of what God has done for you. It is declaring to God that you are your own source.

If it's the first one, that's just a poverty spirit. (Don’t have it to give). Remember, a poverty spirit wants you to believe that in all things, you are lacking. This spirit is tantamount to someone pouring QuickCrete into your water supply. The result is that your heart is hardened towards generosity because you genuinely believe that not only do you not have it to give, but even if you did, you refuse to be without. Maybe God isn’t giving it because he knows you’ll hoard it.

The second one, that you are in capable of it, is what I'd like to spend the rest of our time talking about.

I realize that we are not in River Oaks or Bunker Hill and that not everybody in Liberty County lives in a $3.2 million home. But aren't you so glad that God's ability to use you to be generous isn't limited to finances?

Have any of you ever gone through anything where you've learned something? Do you have a skill that could benefit someone else? Do you have a talent or a ability that can make an impact?

That's the beauty of life with Jesus. No matter who you are, where you are from, or what's happened with you, you are capable of being the conduit of God's blessing in other peoples’ lives.

I don't know of a better candidate than the apostle Peter to explain this.

Many of you know the story of the apostle Peter. I was actually having a conversation with Elon Musk's AI called Grok about Peter. I made a comment to grok that Peter was, at least to me, an odd choice.

“You’re not alone in finding Peter an intriguing choice—his selection does seem surprising at first glance, but when you dig into it, there’s a logic to it that reveals something about Jesus’ approach.

Peter wasn’t polished. He was impulsive—cutting off a servant’s ear during Jesus’ arrest (John 18:10), jumping out of a boat to walk on water and then panicking (Matthew 14:28-31). He was brash, often speaking before thinking, like when he blurted out a plan to build tents during the Transfiguration (Mark 9:5-6). And, of course, he famously denied Jesus three times under pressure (Luke 22:54-62). On paper, he’s a shaky candidate for “rock” of anything.

Yet, that might be exactly why Jesus chose him. Peter’s flaws made him relatable—a regular guy, not an untouchable saint. His messiness showed that Jesus wasn’t building his movement on human perfection but on transformation. After denying Jesus, Peter didn’t slink away; he wept bitterly, repented, and later stood up at Pentecost with unshakable courage (Acts 2:14-41). Jesus didn’t pick a finished product; he picked potential.

There’s also the fisherman angle. Fishing required patience, persistence, and grit—qualities Peter would need to “fish for men.” He wasn’t educated like Paul, but he had a raw, practical faith that connected with everyday people. And his loyalty, though tested, ran deep—post-resurrection, he’s the one who dove into the sea to reach Jesus (John 21:7).

Some scholars suggest Jesus saw in Peter a reflection of Israel itself—flawed, stubborn, yet capable of renewal. Others think it’s simpler: Peter was willing. When Jesus called, he dropped his nets and followed (Matthew 4:20). No overthinking, just action.”

Grok coughed that out in less than 2 seconds. Incredible.

So you take this guy, this rough around the edges fisherman with no apparent qualifications, mentor him day and night for three years only to have him deny you three times. How in the world could Jesus use somebody like Peter and make him a generous conduit of blessing that would literally shape the church, faith, belief, and practice?

We've talked before about the incredibly courageous message he gives in Acts 2 after having been filled with the Holy Spirit. By the way, this is one of the main reasons we focus on a Spirit led life here. The Holy Spirit gives you the power and courage to do the things your flesh is too cowardly to accomplish. But beyond Acts 2, I was reading specifically in Acts 3:1-11
1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Here's what I'm hoping you can see today:
Peter is a classic case of God, taking somebody and preparing them, empowering them, and releasing them into the more God made them for. Peter didn't have silver and gold, but what he did have he gave. What he had was given to him by Jesus. And because he'd been prepared for this moment, empowered for this moment, God sent an opportunity for him to be released into a moment of generosity.

God wants to do the same exact thing with you. He wants you to take everything he's given you, be that tangible goods, or intangible things like gifts, talents, ability, and even your experiences, and generously use them to move the Kingdom.

Look, financial blessing is great. Thank you and I receive it! You are going to have an opportunity to give over an above your tithe next Sunday as we celebrate our four year anniversary, our grand opening, and Legacy Sunday, where we give over and above to leave a legacy in Liberty County.

But what are some of those intangibles that God is asking you to be generous with? Your time, talent, gifts, ability, through serving or loving on others. Your life experiences and lessons learned to encourage and help others. Your extensive knowledge of the Bible or some other area to help grow and develop people.

You might hear this and think, “Yes, I'm all in!," but still worry, whether or not you're capable of meeting God's expectations in terms of giving that more out.

But you need to know that you've been prepared, you've been empowered, and God wants to release you into what he has for you. Let's talk about that in the time remaining.

You’ve been prepared
Believe it, or not, every experience that you had in your life has led up to this moment right now where you were listening to the words come out of my mouth. Every good thing, every bad thing. Every happy moment, every broken one. Every success and every defeat. Satan meant for those moments to kill you. God wants to use those moments to give you opportunity to be generous.

Peter did not meet Jesus one day and then wake up the next morning healing the lame. There was a process, and a pretty tough one at that. There were moments of brilliance and then moments of utter stupidity.
Peter was confessing Jesus as the Messiah with one breath, and being called Satan the next.

I love how The Chosen paints all of this, but beyond the show,
look at the character development of Peter over the course of the three years with Jesus through the Gospels. When Peter meets Jesus, a miracle happens and Peter’s response was Luke 5:8
“Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”

Yet over the years with Jesus, getting pushed and pulled, challenged, enduring trials and tests, growing, learning, developing, we get to a version of Peter where he is able to write this in 1 Peter 1:1-2, 6
1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
6. …There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
You know how Peter could write that?
Because Peter lived that!! Peter was prepared! You have been, too.

Peter had learning and growing to do until the day he died, but you do, too. Peter was even corrected by God AND Paul after this lame man moment.

I know you think you aren’t ready to be generous with what God has given you, but you are! Remember God isn’t looking for perfect. He’s just looking for willing.

Every moment of your life has been God preparing you to be generous with the more he made you for. Who needs the help you can offer? Who needs to hear your story? Who needs your encouragement? Who needs to be blessed by what you have to give?

You’ve been empowered
This one is going to be short.
2 Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life

You are incapable in your own strength to be generous. Generosity is like forgiveness. It is not natural to our flesh. But you are not led by the flesh.

Romans 8:26-32
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Whatever you think you are lacking in your capability the Holy Spirit will supplement. Those spaces in your efforts that were created by sin or brokenness or fear, even from a lack of ability, the Holy Spirit will empower you.

Stop saying, “I can’t do it.” Start saying, “Through Him, I can do it.”
Thinking about the preparation stage, you often hear people say, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” That is a lie. He OFTEN does this. But it is a blessing, not a curse. It helps you more effectively lean on Him. “With you Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, I can be generous.”

You’ve been released
This might be the hardest one for you. Stop waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. 5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. 6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
When does the profit come? Most times when you least expect it.
But profit never comes from unplanted seeds.

Look at when this story of the lame healed happened: Acts 3:1-3
1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in.

Do you think Peter woke up that day and said, “John, today we heal the lame man.” They weren’t looking for a moment to perform a miracle, but they were ready when it was time to give.

I know we often expect a Saul on the road to Damascus miraculous angel donkey moment, but God almost exclusively uses the every day mundane as an opportunity to give.

The longer I've been a pastor the more I have learned how important it is to pay attention to how and what people are saying because it often gives a clue into what's really going on.

Had a conversation with a friend this week that was really just a call to say hi, but because I heard sadness in his voice, it prompted me to ask if everything was OK. We ended up talking for an hour where I encouraged him and prayed with him.

We serve a God who is renowned for making mundane moments into miraculous ones. Those mundane moments are so easy to overlook because it's just normal every day life, but what miracle is God wanting to accomplish through your generosity?

What kind word, what simple encouragement, what hand of help, what advice or moment of care can you give that would make the difference?

I was in the airport on Monday and saw a lady putting a trash bag in a can but she just looked so down. I heard a little voice say, "tell her how much you appreciate what she's doing." I was in such a hurry to get on an airplane that I didn't do it.

What miracle did I miss, what miracle did she miss?
I don't say that to make you feel bad, or me either. I say it to let you know that you have something to give, something to offer, more, and God has released you to do it, to give, to be generous.

What is keeping you from stepping into the generosity that God created you to give?
Maybe what you’re struggling with is this one: How do I know what God wants me to do?

If this is you, let me give you a spiritual life hack:
Stop worrying about how to know his will, and focus on how to know him more. You pray to know his heart. You study the Word to know his character. You live ready to act when he speaks.

If you live to understand his hand, you'll often miss his heart. But if you live to understand his heart, you'll rarely miss his hand.

There is s direct correlation between knowing God more and understanding what he wants you to do.

Colossians 1:9–10
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

Knowing God ➜ Receiving wisdom from the Spirit ➜ Understanding His will ➜ Living a life that pleases Him ➜ Bearing fruit

The deeper your knowledge of God, the clearer His will becomes, and the more fruitful your life will be.

I’ve given you a lot to chew on today, so if you don’t hear anything today, listen to this:

Your life experiences, good, bad, and ugly, have prepared you to be generous. God has empowered you with his Spirit and with gifts, talents, abilities, and goods, both tangible and intangible, to be used to make an impact on the Kingdom.

He’s released you, called you, dare I say, challenged you, to make that impact. It is time to let go of whatever is keeping you from stepping out and embracing the more you were made for. It is time to stop playing games with your relationship with God and get serious about your calling. No more excuses. No more “But God…” No more pushing back to another day. It is time to commit.

God I have allowed my sin, past, a list of things to keep me from embracing what you have for me.
God I have been in covenant with everything else in the world but you and I need to get it right.
God I have made these excuses to justify why I am not doing what you’ve asked.
God I have not been praying and reading the Word and seeking you like I know I should.
God I am terrified to step out and do what you asked me to do.

There’s an altar here and a team to pray. However the Holy Spirit is telling you to respond, do it.

Let’s pray.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?

How does he want you to respond?