Sermon Notes
The Thanks-Giving Principle
Blessed to Bless
November 8, 2026
God’s posture toward humanity is blessing!
Divine Image Bearers
Genesis 1:26–28
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
We were created to reflect his goodness, but instead used the divine image to build our own kingdom.
“Let us make a name for ourselves.” ~ Genesis 11:7
Genesis 12:1–3
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
THANKS-GIVING PRINCIPLE #1
We are BLESSED to BLESS.
Powerful contrast:
Genesis 11 — “Let’s make a name for ourselves.”
Genesis 12 — “I will make your name great.”
“Babel says, Let’s make a name for ourselves.
Abraham’s story says, Let’s trust the God who knows our name.
What Happens When a Church Lives This Way?
2 Corinthians 8:1–7
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very 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 privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Severe Trial + Overflowing Joy + Extreme Poverty = RICH GENEROSITY
Jesus and the Grace of Giving
2 Corinthians 8:8–9
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
What If…
What if I excelled in the grace of giving?
What if WE excelled in the grace of giving?
This Week:
Identify ONE blessing God has entrusted to you and ONE person who could be blessed through it.