The Gospel Needs Givers

Written By Adam Dragoon

Sermon Summary

In this World Evangelism Sunday message, the focus is on the vital role each believer plays in advancing the gospel to the nations. Drawing from personal experience as a former missionary and from the example of our fellowship’s global reach, the call is clear: the mission of God is not just for a select few, but for every member of the body of Christ. The upcoming trip to Cambodia is a tangible opportunity for our congregation to participate in this mission, whether by going or by sending.

The story of D.L. Moody and John Farwell illustrates that while some are called to preach and pioneer, others are called to empower the mission through their resources. Farwell, though never a preacher, used his business and finances to undergird Moody’s ministry, resulting in a legacy that has touched tens of thousands. This mirrors the biblical account in Luke 8, where women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna—transformed by Jesus—supported His ministry out of their own means. Their gratitude for what Christ had done in their lives overflowed into generosity, making them essential partners in the work of the kingdom.

Gratitude is the spark that ignites true generosity. When we remember what Christ has done—how He found us in our brokenness, forgave our sins, and gave us new life—our natural response is to ask, “What can I do to bless my Savior?” Giving is not a burden, but a privilege and a joy. The kingdom of God advances not primarily through the wealthy, but through ordinary people who give sacrificially out of love for Christ and His mission.

Giving is what sustains the gospel. Even Jesus, the Son of God, relied on the faithful support of others to carry out His earthly ministry. The partnership between goers and senders is essential; both are equally important in God’s eyes. When we give, we move from being spectators to participants, investing in something that will outlast us. Our resources, when given to the kingdom, become spiritual investments with eternal returns.

The impact of generosity is often unseen in this life, but it is never forgotten by God. Every soul reached, every life changed, becomes part of our legacy. Even the smallest gift, given in faith, can have a ripple effect that touches nations. The greatest use of our lives is to spend them for something that will endure forever—the salvation of souls and the glory of God among the nations.

“The impact of generosity is often unseen in this life, but it is never forgotten by God.”
— Pastor Adam

Watch/Listen

Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

  • [00:00] - Welcome

  • [01:00] - The Heartbeat of World Evangelism

  • [02:33] - The Story of D.L. Moody and John Farwell

  • [06:03] - The Cost of Advancing the Kingdom

  • [07:35] - Women Who Supported Jesus’ Ministry

  • [09:29] - Gratitude as the Root of Generosity

  • [12:47] - Mary Magdalene’s Transformation

  • [13:55] - The Value of Forgiveness and Giving

  • [14:51] - Zacchaeus: Radical Gratitude in Action

  • [24:15] - Earthly Spending vs. Kingdom Investment

  • [26:22] - From Spectator to Participant

  • [29:07] - Givers Shape Global Impact

  • [33:04] - The Widow’s Offering and Jesus’ Commendation

  • [35:16] - Legacy: The Ripple Effect of Generosity

  • [36:53] - The Call to Respond and Give

  • [39:42] - Invitation to Salvation

  • [42:24] - Giving and the Blessing of God

  • [45:20] - Personal Testimony of Generosity

  • [46:22] - Closing and Final Prayer

Key Takeaways

  1. Gratitude Fuels Generosity: True generosity is born from a heart that remembers what Christ has done. When we reflect on our own salvation and the transformation Jesus has brought, our giving becomes a joyful response rather than an obligation. Gratitude compels us to ask, “How can I bless the One who has blessed me?” [09:29]

  2. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact: God often uses those who seem insignificant in the world’s eyes to accomplish His greatest purposes. The women who supported Jesus’ ministry were not famous, but their faith and giving were essential to the advance of the gospel. Never underestimate what God can do through your faithful, even seemingly small, contribution. [13:55]

  3. Giving Transforms Spectators into Participants: When we invest our resources in God’s mission, we move from the sidelines into the heart of what God is doing. Our giving ties us to every soul saved, every life changed, and every work established. It is through this partnership that we become co-laborers with Christ in the harvest. [26:22]

  4. Faithful Giving Invites God’s Miraculous Provision: God delights in using what we have, no matter how little, to accomplish His purposes. Like the widow who gave her last meal to Elijah or the woman who gave two coins at the temple, God honors sacrificial giving and often responds with supernatural provision. The miracle is not just in the gift, but in the faith that releases it. [33:38]

  5. Our Legacy is Measured by Eternal Impact: The true value of our generosity will be revealed in eternity, when we see the lives touched and transformed because we gave. Every act of giving for the sake of the gospel becomes part of a legacy that outlives us. One day, in heaven, we may meet those whose lives were changed because we chose to invest in God’s mission. [35:16]

Bible Reading

  • Luke 8:1-3 NKJV- Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve [were] with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

  • Mark 12:41-44 NKJV- Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many [who were] rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to [Himself] and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 NKJV- I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, [you are] God's building.

Observation Questions

  1. According to Luke 8:1-3, who were some of the people supporting Jesus’ ministry, and how did they do it?

  2. In Mark 12:41-44, what did Jesus notice about the widow’s offering compared to the others?

  3. In the sermon, what was the connection between gratitude and generosity, especially in the lives of Mary Magdalene and Zacchaeus? ([12:47] / [14:51])

  4. What does 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 say about the roles of different people in God’s work?

Interpretation Questions

  1. Why do you think the Bible specifically mentions the women who supported Jesus financially? What does this tell us about their role in the kingdom? ([07:35])

  2. The widow in Mark 12 gave “all she had to live on.” What does this reveal about the kind of giving that pleases God? How is this different from giving out of abundance? ([33:04])

  3. The sermon says, “Gratitude is what sparks generosity.” How does remembering what Christ has done for us change the way we view giving? ([09:29])

  4. The pastor shared that both “goers” and “senders” are essential in God’s mission. Why is it important to see both roles as equally valuable? ([26:22])

Application Questions

  1. The sermon shared stories of ordinary people—like John Farwell and the women in Luke 8—whose generosity made a huge impact. Do you ever feel like your contribution is too small to matter? How does this message challenge that thinking? ([29:07])

  2. The pastor said, “Gratitude is what sparks generosity.” Take a moment to remember a time when God changed your life. How can you let that gratitude overflow into generosity this week? ([09:29])

  3. The example of Zacchaeus shows radical gratitude in action. Is there an area in your life where God is prompting you to give or serve out of thankfulness? What might that look like? ([14:51])

  4. The sermon mentioned that giving turns us from spectators into participants in God’s mission. In what ways have you been a “spectator” in the past? What is one step you can take to become more of a “participant”? ([26:22])

  5. The widow in Mark 12 gave sacrificially, even when it seemed small. Is there something you feel God is asking you to give—time, money, or something else—that feels like a stretch? What fears or hesitations do you have, and how can you trust God with them? ([33:04])

  6. The pastor talked about the upcoming Cambodia trip and the need for both goers and senders. How can you personally support missions—whether by going, giving, or praying? ([36:53])

  7. The sermon said, “Our legacy is measured by eternal impact.” What kind of legacy do you want to leave? How can your generosity today shape that legacy for the future? ([35:16])

  • We find ourselves here on the last Sunday of the month, which is our World Evangelism Sunday. We have this because my wife and I, we were missionaries. We served four and a half years in Eastern Europe and the nation of Bulgaria. And that means missions work is near and dear to our hearts.

    We also have a fellowship. What you are experiencing here tonight is just a tip of the iceberg. We have 4,000 churches in our organization, and there are 4,000 Sunday night services happening around the world along with us here tonight in different time zones, of course. But it's incredible to think about all that God is doing.

    And one of the main focuses of our fellowship is sending pioneers and workers into nations, into cities, and believing God to raise up indigenous workers in those nations. And so there's one thing from the calendar that I did not tell you about tonight, and that is an upcoming trip that we will be taking to the nation of Cambodia. The plan is to make that trip in the month of August. We've had a sign-up sheet out here for about six months and haven't had any brave takers to be a part of that trip.

    But what we want to do tonight is I want to encourage you. We need finances for this upcoming trip. Now, I know I've been asking for finances. We ask for finances in every single service. But I want to encourage you tonight because this is a separate and a very special gift that we want to give specifically for this one need for the trip to Cambodia.

    We have a couple that is there, Pastor Gilbert and Judy Ong. They've been sent out from the Chandler Church, the same mother church. They've been there for about two years. And the reason that we are going to them, the reason that we want to go and minister in that church, the city is Phnom Penh, and the nation is Cambodia. It's in southeastern Asia.

    And the reason we want to help them is because they are members, they're pastoring, leading that church. That church has been there for about five or six years. They've been there for about two years. And in the two years that they've been there, they have had zero Americans come and visit them. And so we want to be a help to them.

    And what's amazing is that from this church, from the Potter's House in Virginia Beach, you can be a blessing to them. And I want to encourage you tonight. We're gonna take up an offering. I want to encourage you in that way. So I want to open up our Bibles to Luke chapter 8. If you join me there. Luke chapter 8. And we're gonna take that offering as soon as we finish this message.

    So how many here have heard the name Dwight Moody? Anybody here? Dwight Moody, founder of the Moody Institute. And he was a great 19th-century evangelist who preached to millions across the United States and the United Kingdom. The reason that his name is well known is because he was a man of passion, power, and great purpose. His voice across many cities around the world. His sermons stirred many souls, and his legacy moves on. Lives on through churches that he planted and the famous Moody Bible Institute, which continues to train ministers, pastors, and missionaries to this day.

    He's the kind of guy that when you think about somebody who changes the world, he is that kind of guy. Through his ministry, God used him powerfully. But there's a name that very few people know that is responsible for much of what Moody experienced, and that name is John Farwell. Anybody heard the name John Farwell? I didn't before I found this information.

    And John Farwell, the interesting story is that he was no preacher. He never held revival meetings. He never stepped behind a pulpit. He never crossed an ocean on a missions trip. He had a desk, a business, and he had a conviction. And his conviction was, I can use my finances that God has given me to empower the gospel. And in that way, he became just as much part of the mission as the one who was behind the pulpit.

    Whenever Moody needed a place to preach, this man John Farwell rented the hall. When Moody dreamed of training a school for young missionaries, Farwell donated the land. When Moody planned crusades all around Chicago, Farwell rallied other businessmen to back him financially. Eventually, because of the growing ministry, Farwell became the president of the board of trustees at the Moody Bible Institute.

    To this day, that institution has trained over 50,000 ministers and missionaries who have gone on to reach every corner of the globe. We cannot overstate the impact of this man's generosity, the willingness to be used by God in different ways for different purposes. And we recognize that the body of Christ has different members, just like your body has different members. You have hands, you have feet. They look the same, but they do different things. Your body has eyes and ears, different functions for different purposes. And so it is in the kingdom of God.

    There are those like D.L. Moody who preach the gospel and are powerfully used by God in direct ministry to hearts. There's also people like John Farwell, never gaining a spotlight, never even wanting a spotlight, but using the gift that God gave him to enable the kingdom to thrive. And so D.L. Moody shook the world, but it was Farwell who paid the bills.

    And we have to recognize tonight that for the kingdom to go forward, for the gospel to be advanced, there are bills to pay. And when it comes to paying those bills, God calls unique and everyday people like you and me. And I want to read this scripture from Luke chapter 8, where we find that there is also in the scripture a record of those who provided financially for the ministry of Jesus.

    Now, we know Jesus, in the gospels, did many amazing things. He prayed for the sick and they were healed, opened blind eyes and deaf ears. He preached incredible sermons that have never been matched in all of history. He was even raised from the dead. But you know what? I want you to just understand for a second that for three years, Jesus ran a ministry on earth, and that ministry had bills to pay.

    And what's amazing about the Bible record here is that it tells us who paid the bills. And you might never have heard these names before, but here they are recorded for all eternity. Let's read together. Luke chapter 8, verse 1.

    Now it came to pass afterward that he went through every city and village, preaching and bringing glad tidings of the kingdom of God. The 12 disciples, apostles, were with him. And here we go—certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons; and Joanna, the wife of Chusa, Herod's steward; and a third woman, Susanna; and many others who provided for him from their substance.

    Let me pray for a moment. Lord, we are grateful for the opportunity to gather in your house. Lord, we recognize the work that you are doing, the great mission that you have put us on. And I pray on this World Evangelism Sunday that you would touch the hearts of people so that we can provide for the needs of your kingdom. We thank you, Lord, for all that you're going to do. In Jesus' mighty name, God's people would say, amen.

    First, I want to share with you this truth tonight: gratitude is what sparks generosity. When you are grateful—we spoke about gratitude this morning—we spoke about communion, how Jesus said, "Remember me" through this sacrament, through this holy action that we are called to do on a regular basis. As we take the bread, we remember the broken body of Jesus. We drink the cup, the blood, which is the new covenant in Jesus Christ. We thank God for all of the imagery and the meaning, the impact of that act.

    But why do we do that? It's a very compelling picture, isn't it? Of what Christ did for us. And what it should produce in you whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup—hopefully, if your heart is anywhere close to being sensitive to God—it should produce gratitude.

    You know what, Lord? You didn't have to do that. I will do this together. I... you didn't have to go to the cross. You didn't have to shed your blood. You didn't even have to come down from heaven. You didn't have to be publicly mocked and shamed and whipped. You didn't have to wear the crown of thorns. You didn't have to receive the spikes in your hands and feet. You didn't have to do any of that. You owed that to nobody, but Lord, you were willing to do that for me.

    What does that do to you? I don't know about you, but that makes me feel grateful. And when we are grateful, the next logical thing to happen is: what can I do to be a blessing? Is there anything, Lord, that I could possibly do to show and express my profound gratitude for what you have done in my life?

    I remember where Jesus found me. I was broken, lost, confused, angry. A young man, a child of divorced parents. I was about 16 years old. My two grandfathers had died in the previous six months. I was dealing with the reality of the shortness of life for the first time. One of my grandfathers was a righteous man, a Christian, and I know he went to heaven. I was there in the hospital room when he breathed his last, and Jesus was on his lips to the very end. I know where he went, and I know where he is.

    My other grandfather was not a believer. He mocked Christianity. I loved him dearly, but I am very sorry to say that I don't think he's in heaven. He never confessed Christ as his Savior. That reality, as a 16-year-old boy, seeing two of my grandfathers pass into eternity, had an impact on me. In my confusion, in my brokenness, I cried out to God. I said, "God, are you even there?" I didn't know if you are or not.

    And I want to tell you, God answered my prayer. As a confused 16-year-old boy, God spoke to me. God showed me that I was worth something to Him—that He was not going to throw me away. And I will never forget what Christ did for me. He changed my life. And when this life gets hard, when ministry gets hard, when pastoring gets hard, when dealing with difficult people gets hard—you know what? I'm still grateful for how He changed me.

    So, Lord, I'm willing. If you are willing to do that for me, then I'm willing to do a few things for You.

    Look at these women in our scripture. The Bible says, first of all, about Mary Magdalene, that she had been delivered from seven demons. Mary Magdalene was what you would call a woman of the street. She had a history. She had a reputation. If you ask the men of that city, "Do you know Mary Magdalene?" they would all say, "Yes, we know her. We've met her." She was demon-possessed.

    And when Jesus found her, He changed her in a radical way. He changed her so profoundly that even the people who knew her from before said, "She's different." And she began to follow Jesus. And, you know, when you come out of a life like that—I didn't come out from a life like that. I know some people who did come out of addiction, pornography, hatred, sexual addiction. I want to tell you, I bet Mary Magdalene was more than willing to share whatever resources God had put in her life.

    There were others like her who had been healed of diseases, lifted out of shame, and welcomed into the circle of Jesus. These women, as specified in this scripture, remembered what Jesus did for them. They remembered how He had changed their lives. What price can you put on that? Like, when your sins are forgiven, when your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, when you have a place in eternity reserved for you—what is that worth? Can you put a price tag on what Christ did for you?

    And so, that's why—when we have a heart of gratitude—we want to be a blessing to our Savior. We want to help Him. We want to follow Him. We want to do His will.

    We see it in Zacchaeus. You know the story of the chief tax collector. As He's passing through, Zacchaeus is a short little guy, and he wants to get a view of Jesus. So he climbs up on a sycamore tree, crawls out on a branch, and he's looking. He's like, "Is this the guy everyone's been talking about?" Jesus sees him hanging from a branch like a monkey, and He calls him by name. "Zacchaeus, come down, for today I must stay at your house." And can you imagine? Out of that whole crowd of people, Zacchaeus is counted as one worthy to receive the Savior into his home.

    Jesus could have gone to anyone's house, but He chose Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus, who had ripped people off, who had a bad reputation, who had turned from his Jewish roots and culture—man, it was a bad position to be in. But with all that reputation, Jesus shows up at his house. Zacchaeus stands up to Jesus and says, "Listen, Jesus, here's what I'm willing to do." In Luke 19, he says, "I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will return fourfold."

    What is so interesting to me about that story is that when Jesus hears the heart of this man, He doesn't say, "Oh, Zacchaeus, I appreciate your offer, but you don't really have to do that. That's above and beyond." No. Jesus didn't say that. In fact, Jesus was encouraged. He said, "Look at this man. Look at his true faith. Behold, a true son of Israel." Jesus encouraged his genuine gratitude, his giving.

    Do you recognize all that Christ has done for you? If you recognize His salvation, His blessing, His calling, then you know—giving is not a burden. It's not a bummer. It's not something we have to do. It's something we get to do for the kingdom. Can you say amen?

    Can I tell you tonight that radical givers are not often rich? You might be here thinking, "Pastor, I appreciate you trying to raise funds for world evangelism, but I've got nothing. I have very little." And what I would say to you tonight is, God very rarely asks large riches from the wealthy. For the most part, the kingdom resources come from average, everyday people like you and me—that's the reality of the kingdom.

    I would take one Mary Magdalene over a dozen tight-fisted Pharisees. I would take one of these women—choose her—and her, instead of a hundred who came out of the temple, full of devils, now full of faith. That is what revival looks like. When it hits your heart, it hits your bank account—not the other way around. If salvation has touched you, it should also touch your wallet.

    It was Amy Carmichael who said, "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." Isn't it true? Anything you love in this life, you're more than willing to give toward. If you love your wife, you love to bless her. You love your children. You want to put food in their mouths. You want to give them a good, stable home. It is not a burden; it is a blessing to be able to give to what you love.

    Some of you love video games, sports, hobbies. When you have extra funds, supporting those things isn't a burden—it's a joy. And if we love the kingdom, if we love what God is doing in faraway places, then this is not a burden. This is a privilege. We get to do this, not have to do this.

    The gospel is spread through gratitude that sparks generosity. Secondly tonight, giving is what sustains the gospel. Now, you would think, "Jesus is king of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus, who walks on water, turns water into wine, produces a coin in a fish's mouth—" you know, all these miracles. But when it comes to supporting His ministry, He doesn't automatically produce a pot of gold. He doesn't go "poof" and supply all needs.

    How does He supply? How does He partner with ordinary people to meet those needs? He has them giving. Luke 8, verse 3, says that these women helped support Jesus out of their own means. Yes, even Jesus needed financial support. Did you realize that? Mary Magdalene, and these three women—Chusa's wife, Joanna, and Susanna—probably never have their names on a flyer, never be highlighted. But I wonder, in 2,000 years, how many sermons have been preached about them? Probably very few compared to all the sermons about Jesus and His ministry.

    And yet, His ministry could not go forward without their support. Romans 10 asks, "How can they hear unless someone preaches? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" We find this throughout the gospel: there are goers and there are senders. Both are essential.

    I'm willing to be a goer—like, not everybody can do that. You, this congregation, have enabled me to go and preach in different places around the world. Last year, I was in Hyderabad, India; before that, Bangalore. I’ve been to Mozambique, South Africa. Thank you for giving me that opportunity to share the gospel in these nations.

    And we don't take it lightly. So now, as we face this opportunity in Cambodia, I want you to realize—love—you have a goer. That's me. And if some of you want to be a goer, the opportunity is open. I'd love to take someone with me. Got a passport? Let's go. We need goers and we need senders. Both are critically important. Just because I go doesn't mean I’m more important than you. I could not go without your support.

    So, how can they hear unless someone preaches? And how can they preach unless they are sent? William Carey, the father of modern missions, said to his supporting church, "I will go down into the pit if you will hold the rope." That’s what we’re talking about tonight. We want the gospel to keep going forward. We want to be part of every soul saved on the field.

    Just realize: when you give tonight, when we raise this offering, you are part of that. You are invested in that. Every soul saved, every visitor who hears the gospel—you're part of that as a giver, as a sender.

    Hudson Taylor said, "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." What's amazing is that when we give our hard-earned money—yes, I know how tough it is in this economy—it turns us from spectators into participants. It aligns our hearts with what heaven is doing, not just what earth is doing.

    Your finances can take on a spiritual dimension. When you go to Walmart and spend $200 on groceries, that’s easy. It’s used up, gone. When you buy a Chick-fil-A sandwich, it’s gone in a moment. But when you invest in a missions trip, a building fund, or a kingdom purpose—those funds are not wasted. We use them for God's work. And God keeps good books. Jesus said, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal."

    Investing in the kingdom, in souls—that’s an eternal investment. And there is a future return. It’s not like a 401(k) or stock market; it’s a spiritual return. You won’t see it until we all arrive in eternity.

    Charles Spurgeon said, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter." That’s a strong statement. I’ll let that sink in. You might not be the one preaching or going, but every one of us is called to a mission. I’m not getting many amens tonight, Mr. Stephen. But I want to tell you: if Jesus needed support, so do our missionaries. Angels aren’t paying for airfare—I wish they would. I wish they’d sprinkle gold dust on our services tonight. But the reality is, God asks His people to supply His needs.

    I’ve been in the third world. Some of you have been on these missions trips. I’ve seen the faces and smiles of people whose lives are touched and transformed forever. I remember Nigeria—there was a church three hours outside of town, with a tin roof, no windows, dirt floor, outhouse in the back. Right, Amanda? You became very familiar with that outhouse. I want to tell you, in that service, God moved. It was rainy season, and outside the church was a huge pothole—like a swimming pool. The only way in was wading through muddy water, with no idea what was in that water.

    But those people, in their Sunday best, were smiling. They hiked up their dresses, took off their shoes, and went through that muddy water to hear the gospel. That’s real sacrifice. And it’s worth it.

    I want to close with this last thought: Givers can shape global impact. In Luke chapter 8, it mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. Did you catch that? Many others who provided for Him out of their substance. Only heaven knows their names. We don’t. We have no books with their names. We have Peter, James, John—those we know. But behind the scenes, there were many others working, giving out of their means so that the gospel could go forward.

    I always think of the widow in 1 Kings 17. Elijah was passing through, and God said, "I will provide for you." Elijah was thankful, and he expected a miracle. But God took him to a poor widow’s house. She had only one meal left. She said, "I have one meal left. After I eat this, my son and I will die." And God told Elijah, "Go and stay with her." She gave her last meal in faith. She didn’t go into debt. She didn’t give on a credit card. She simply gave what she had, and God supplied. Her jar of oil and her flour never ran out. Every time she opened it, there was more. That’s divine provision.

    Maybe you feel like that widow today—nothing left, just a little bit of faith. And you think, "Lord, it’s kind of rude for you to ask for my last." But I want to tell you: if God asks, it’s because He’s about to do a miracle. Be sensitive to the Spirit. Ask, "Lord, what would you have me give?"

    In Mark 12, there’s the story of the widow who gave two mites. Jesus watched her drop her offering. He said, "She gave more than all the others." Because she gave everything she had—100%. And Jesus honored that small gift. Others gave large amounts, but she gave all she had in faith.

    Every gift counts. Don’t underestimate what God can do with ordinary people who have extraordinary faith. Every soul we reach is part of your legacy. In 1 Corinthians 3, it says, "One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase." Your giving is tied to every baptism, every life transformed.

    And one day, when we enter heaven, I believe there will be people who come up and say, "Thank you. Because you gave, I am here." I saw a post on WhatsApp from Mary Hungandu, our missionary in Nigeria. She posted a picture of a young man preaching on the street with a bullhorn. The caption said he was saved 12 years ago when Pastor Dragoon and the team from Virginia Beach visited their church. Now, he’s preaching the gospel in the streets. His life was radically changed.

    Your giving—your support—has a ripple effect. It’s part of that miracle. Who knows the eternal impact of your generosity?

    As we close, remember: the greatest use of your life is to spend it on something that outlasts you. That’s why we’re raising this offering tonight. We’re going to bow our heads in a moment. I thank you for your attention and your willingness to hear this.

    We have an upcoming trip to Cambodia. I plan to go myself, and I’d love to take someone with me. If you have a desire to set aside funds or seek sponsorship, we’d love to have a team. The cost is about $2,000 per person—tickets, lodging, food. It’s a worthy expense.

    Before we take the offering, I want to share the gospel with you. It would be a crime to travel around the world and preach the good news and not give you that same opportunity tonight. Maybe you’re here, and your life is broken because of sin. You’re separated from God. The good news is, Jesus came, died, and rose again. You can experience His life-changing power tonight.

    If you’re here and you want that change, I invite you to respond. With courage, lift a hand and say, "Pastor, pray for me. I’m not saved, but I want to be." Is there anyone? Quickly, just lift your hand. I see your hand. Thank you.

    Maybe you’re backslidden, wandering, lost. He’s calling you home tonight. If you turn from sin and trust in Jesus, He will save you. Anyone else? Just lift your hand. Thank you, my brother. God is going to help you.

    Today, could we all stand? If you raised your hand or want to come forward, do so now. We’re going to pray together. Greg, we’re going to pray with you. Thank you. Let’s support him as he turns his life to Jesus.

    Pray with me: "God in heaven, thank you for the blood of Jesus. Save me from my sins. Make me a new creation in Christ. I know I’ve done things that hurt you, others, and myself. I confess them now. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus. I believe Jesus is your Son, that He died and rose again. I receive salvation by faith. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Give me strength to live a changed life. In Jesus’ name, amen."

    Let’s give Him praise tonight. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. We thank You in this place. We give You honor. Amen.

    Greg, were you sincere when you prayed that? If you died today, where would you go? That’s called faith. That man has just expressed his faith in Jesus Christ. And that’s powerful. This is what God can do in your family, your neighborhood, your workplace—if you’re faithful to preach this gospel.

    This message has been the church’s mission for 2,000 years. It’s simple, yet profound. It can transform lives.

    Thank you for the opportunity to pray with you tonight. We appreciate you all. We’re going to be seated again, and I’ll ask the ushers to come forward. I’ve said a lot about this offering already, so I won’t take more time. If you want to participate, but don’t have funds now, we’re doing a two-week pledge. Between now and June 8th, decide an amount God puts on your heart. Whether it’s $10, $50, $100, or more—respond in obedience.

    You can write your pledge on an envelope, or respond to the church’s text message. We’ll keep track. And I believe God will supply seed to the sower. Let’s pray over this. Exercise your faith. Giving is faith in action.

    I’ve seen the blessing of God follow generous gifts. When my wife and I prepared to go to the mission field, we sold our house at the top of the market in 2008, and gave a large portion. I remember dropping a $10,000 check into the offering—one of the most exciting days of my life. That blessing followed that gift.

    So, whether your gift is small or large, it counts. Let’s give generously tonight. Brother Carlos, would you bless the offering? Amen.

    As we pass the baskets, if you want to make a pledge, write it down or respond to the text. We’ll keep it on record. Amen. Glory to God. We thank you all tonight. What a blessing. God is going to help us. Amen.

    I have to go run to the airport—my wife is on her way. So let’s stand together. We’re grateful for all of you. We look forward to our big picnic tomorrow. Let’s close with a word of prayer that God would supply all our needs. Amen.

    Brother Stephen, would you close us in prayer? Amen. Thank God.

Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

 Did you benefit from this message? Support our ministry with a generous donation:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Adam Dragoon
Next

Where Are The Blacksmiths?