That we ought to love everyone because God loves the world - it doesn’t matter what your background - your social status, racial background or educational qualifications

Example used was that of God challenging Peter to go and share the Gospel with a Gentile - Cornelius.

Peter - religious, apostle
    - mightily used by God
    - highly regarded in his community
    - God had to challenged him to change
    - all of God creation is precious to Him
    - many of us are prejudice -  racially, socially , or even intellectually

Peter told the group in Cornelius house v 28
“You know it is against the Jewish laws for me to come into a Gentile home like this. But God has shown me that I should never think anyone as impure.”

Cornelius v33 “Now here we are, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”

The world is waiting to hear the Good News - are we ready to share with them?

GOD SO LOVED

Is the Message of the cross,
Is the message of the saving grace of Jesus
Is the message of the love of God -  for everyone to hear and experience
But it is for each one of us to share it to someone else who has not heard it.

We can’t deny this precious gift to someone else just because they are not as same as you
We need to pray and ask God for His AGAPE love to flow to us so that it will touch loves around us.

Especially now in Ireland there are so many people from different nations
We should take advantage of this open doors before us to share.
Build relationships with those who do not know the Lord so that it becomes easier to share
We need to start at home first before we can go to the nations - we need to get over whatever prejudices so that going to the nations becomes easier.

TODAY

Not only GOD SO LOVED BUT HE ALSO GAVE

READ : 1 Kings 8 - 16

Many of us have no problems in sharing the Gospel with others because you have been blessed - you are filled with gratitude
But when it comes to the area of giving it becomes tough - it hits your pocket!!!! Ouch!!
It caused God  - His very Son when He gave us Eternal Life

Lets look at this story of Elijah and the widow
4 things that we should consider when it comes to Giving    

God prepares the heart of the giver v  8
God’s nature is to give and to bless all of us
God told the widow to take care of Elijah
But God did not tell her how
The ‘how’ part is left to us to figure out    
It always starts from little and then more.
God has to see that you are trustworthy to handle bigger amounts than He starts pouring it into your lap!
Why did God speak to this poor widow and not to some wealthy or religious person in that town?
God is looking for man and woman with a willing heart to respond to Him
Are you the channel of blessing to someone today?

God wants us to give from our lack        
Then you are trusting Him to provide
If not you are tapping from your recourses
Elijah meets this lady - total stranger and ask for a cup of water v 10 & 11
She was very hospitable enough to bring him that cup
But then this great prophet turns and tells her bring him a ‘sandwich’
That was bit too much to ask a poor old widow - who was going to have her last supper - literally her last meal for herself and her son.
All her defence mechanism began to set into motion
All the excuses why she cannot oblige to that request

It is ok to tell God all your excuses and why you find it difficult to give right now
Maybe you have just made plans to buy a house or a car
Or maybe you are trying make your ends meet and it is so difficult to meet another financial obligation
Or maybe you have already committed to some other organization or person  - you are keeping it for your children’s education.
Maybe not now - some other time        

There is no better time than the present
You will not do not do  it later because there will be other responsibility    

God wants to bless us as we step out in FAITH
When we give what we have that is not faith but its your goodwill/ kindness
It is a frightening place to be in when you start to exercise FAITH
Without Faith it is impossible to please God Hebrews 12:6
Elijah told her ‘Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and cook that ‘last meal’ BUT bake me a little loaf of bread first.
We will say that Elijah was very insensitive - trying to manipulate a poor old lady
But he was telling her what God had put into his heart.
Sometimes it is very difficult to receive God’s word but when you start to obey you see every word of God coming to pass

God blesses Obedience which leads to the supernatural
    She did what the man of God told her v8
What was going on in her mind as she used the floor to back the last meal
What if - it is not true
What if - there is none for my son and myself
    There can be many ‘what ifs’ that can go through all our minds  - when God speaks to us to do something that is beyond our understanding

God cannot lie and He is keeps to His word
That lady saw a miracle in front of her eye
What a testimony for her son!
I am sure he was a great man of faith as he  grew up
She lacked no food throughout the drought - at least for few years

Friends we need to step out into the supernatural and see God at work

How can we give today?
There are many ways that we can give to see the Gospel reaching the ends of the earth
Tithing & Offering
Mission Faith Pledge
Each one of us must step out and give because God not only loved us but also gave His very Son for each one of us ,so that we can have life to the fullest.