Impartations.

The Lord God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21-22)

In Sunday’s sermon, Reverend Courtney Richards emphasized that when God gives His people vision, He also gives them provision. It is God who equips us to do what He has called us to do.

And, lest we might be tempted to pretend we don’t understand, Reverend Courtney shared a number of very practical applications. It is God who gives us the capacity to recognize His sovereignty. It is God who gives us the desire and longing that we have for Him. It is God who empowers us to testify of His goodness even under the threat of death. It is God who imparts the ability to be and to do. It is God’s air we are breathing, physiologically and spiritually. There is no good thing we have that He did not grant us.

So, in light of God’s provision, what hinders us from achieving His vision?

We are hindered when our lives are not submitted to His Spirit.

We are insensitive when our attention is taken by the world.

We are fools when, in the face of God’s knowledge, we choose to disobey Him.

This might be a good time to use another practical application. Reverend Courtney spoke on the topic of giving to God. He posited that a lack of giving to God is particularly dangerous for the person who has unabashedly given themselves to the world and the world’s system of excess. While Courtney did not condemn anyone for having things, he warned of the dangerous state of things having us. It is a state in which we brag about the things we purchased “on sale” for hundreds of dollars, but we whine about the appeal for giving to the work of the Lord.

And in the tenor of Pastor Sam, and even more so in the tenor of Scripture, Reverend Courtney warned against the act of giving to God’s work with a heart of resentment. Courtney said, and I paraphrase, “If that’s your attitude, keep your money. God has no lack and He will provide what I need, with or without your participation.” Amen.

God has given to us: His life, His Spirit, His provision.

What are we giving to Him?