RAP SHEET "FIRST GIFT"

SERMON: First Gift

SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:8; Matthew 6:19–21; 2 Corinthians 8:7–8

REVIEW

This week, we paused between Thanksgiving and Christmas to reflect on God’s faithfulness and to thank Him for all He has done in and through MetaChurch this year. We looked back at the vision God gave us in Acts 1:8 and how we’ve already seen the Holy Spirit move powerfully—through growing spiritual hunger, increasing attendance, expanded ministry impact, and record numbers of salvations and baptisms.

We celebrated God’s generosity toward us: the gift of creation, life, His presence, salvation, the Church, and the Holy Spirit. We also acknowledged the measurable ways God has blessed our ministry—from support of local and global partners, to the launch and growth of the Helotes venue, to over a thousand weekly attenders, to the incredible movement of baptisms this year.

From there, we shifted to our response: because gratitude naturally leads to generosity. Jesus taught continually about money, not to guilt us, but because He knew that where our treasure goes, our heart follows. Scripture calls Jesus’ followers to give first, sacrificially, and consistently—not out of fear or compulsion, but out of worship and trust.

In light of God’s faithfulness, we introduced FIRST GIFT, a one-time offering during December, as an act of gratitude to the God who has given us everything. It’s an invitation for every household—whether giving for the first time or giving above and beyond—to participate in moving the mission forward together.

APPLY

Before considering your main application question, take time to reflect:

• Where have you seen God bless, sustain, or grow you this year?

• How has gratitude shaped (or struggled to shape) your attitude toward generosity—financially or otherwise?

• What expectations, habits, or fears tend to keep you from trusting God with your resources?

What is ONE WAY you will practice generosity out of gratitude this December—whether through your first gift, renewed consistency, or a specific step of faith toward trusting God with your treasure?

PRAY

Use these prompts to guide your prayer:

• Take time to thank God specifically for what He has done in your life this year.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your gratitude and loosen your grip on anything you cling to for security.

• Pray for clarity and courage to take the next step of generosity God is inviting you into.

• Thank God for entrusting our church with so much life change, and ask Him to continue using MetaChurch to reach people in the coming year.