1. Spirit Fuelled Generous Living Radical generosity in relationships is possible, and a matter of obedience to God, for those who have been set free from the sin of selfish hard heartedness, those who build generosity into their use of time, energy and money, those who have gained access to outrageous grace through the faithfulness of Jesus.

2. God is our Father Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. For he chose us to be holy and blameless and in love he adopted us as his children Ephesians 1:3-5 Generosity is possible because

3. Jesus is Lord You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 Generosity is possible because

4. the Spirit gives life If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:11 Generosity is possible because

5. We are the assembly (church) of God in Cherry Hinton who are made holy (sanctified) in Christ Jesus and are called to be holy God, has called us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and God is faithful.1 Corinthians 1:2,9 Generosity is possible because Actors

6. What have these got in common? Alfred Hitchcock Jacques Cousteau Charlie Chaplin Laurence Olivier David Attenborough Richard Attenborough Steven Spielberg Alec Guinness John Gielgud Woody Allen Harold Pinter Sean Connery Eric Morecambe Ernie Wise Elizabeth Taylor Michael Caine John Thaw Judi Dench John Mills David Jason Richard Curtis Bruce Forsyth Dawn French Jennifer Saunders Terry Gilliam Martin Scorsese Michael Palin Helen Mirren Julie Walters BAFTA Fellowship

7. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God, has called us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and God is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:3,9) Generosity is possible because We “get” Grace

8. 2 Corinthians 8 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the grace and partnership of serving the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-- see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to prove the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. Generosity is possible because we “get” grace

9. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." Thank God for his written Word to us Generosity is possible because we “get” grace

10. 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the grace and partnership of serving the saints. Generosity is possible because We “get” Grace

11. An Opportunity A married couple from Surrey are visiting their son who is detained in Fulbourn Hospital currently. They are running out of funds to pay commercial hotel guest rates in Cambridge but do need to stay over for some time yet and for longer each time. They wondered if there is anyone in a local church who might like to put them up – probably one or two nights a week. Generosity is possible because we “get” grace

12. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. Generosity is possible because we “get” grace But we can loose sight of it

13. Generosity is possible because we “get” grace

14. From Amen to Action Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. (Luke 6:38) May we all be blessed with the generosity of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Today and always. Amen Our Gathered worship has ended, our Worship & Service continue Generosity is possible because we “get” grace