Restoration Sermon | Grateful & Generous | Everyday Saints

This powerful message takes us into the heart of the early church as described in Acts 4, revealing a community so transformed by the resurrection of Jesus that generosity became their superpower. We discover that the first Christians weren't wealthy elites with unlimited resources—they were ordinary people united in heart and mind, who understood that everything they possessed was a gift from God. Their radical generosity wasn't forced or legislated; it flowed naturally from constantly encountering the story of Christ's death and resurrection. When we truly grasp that we've been radically loved by Jesus, we just can't help ourselves—we become generous with our time, talents, and treasures. The challenge before us is to audit where our gratitude actually shows up: in our bank accounts, our calendars, and our energy expenditure. Are we white-knuckling our resources, or are we holding them with open hands, ready to serve our brothers and sisters? This isn't about socialism or legalism; it's about Spirit-led generosity that recognizes we are our brother's keeper, called to participate in each other's flourishing. As we approach Thanksgiving, we're invited to move beyond simply listing blessings to actually examining how our gratitude translates into tangible acts of love and service.