From This Day On: Unlocking the Floodgates of God's Favor in 2024
(Haggai 2:19, Malachi 3:10)
Introduction:
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you are all excited and hopeful for what God has in store for us in 2024. As we enter this new year, I want to share with you a message that God has placed in my heart. It is based on two verses from the Old Testament prophets, Haggai and Malachi. Let me read them to you:
Haggai 2:19 (NIV): "Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. 'From this day on I will bless you.'"
Malachi 3:10 (NIV): "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'"
These two verses reveal to us a powerful promise from God: He wants to bless us abundantly in this new year. He wants to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out His favor on us. He wants to make us fruitful and prosperous in every area of our lives. But how can we experience this promise? How can we unlock the floodgates of God's favor in 2024?
The answer is simple, but not easy. It requires faith, obedience, and action. It requires us to do four things that I want to share with you today. These are the four subtitles of my sermon:
1. Tithing as an Act of Faith: Opening the Windows of Heaven (Malachi 3:10-12)
2. Generosity that Triggers Abundance: Sharing Blessings to Multiply Blessings (Proverbs 11:24-25)
3. Seeking First the Kingdom: Aligning Our Priorities with God's Flow of Blessings (Matthew 6:33)
4. Stepping Through the Open Door: Embracing the New Year with Faith and Courage (Joshua 1:9)
Let us look at each of these points in detail.
1. Tithing as an Act of Faith: Opening the Windows of Heaven (Malachi 3:10-12)
The first thing we need to do to unlock the floodgates of God's favor is to tithe faithfully. Tithing is giving the first 10% of our income to God through His church. It is an act of worship, gratitude, and trust. It is a way of honoring God as the source and owner of everything we have. It is also a way of testing God's faithfulness and generosity.
In Malachi 3:10-12, God challenges His people to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, and promises to bless them beyond measure. He says, "Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,' says the Lord Almighty. 'Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,' says the Lord Almighty."
What a wonderful promise! God is saying that if we tithe faithfully, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out His blessing on us. He will protect us from harm, make us fruitful, and make us a blessing to others. He will make us a delightful land, a land of favor and joy.
But we have to take the first step. We have to test God in this. We have to give Him the first 10% of our income, not the last, not the leftovers, not the spare change. We have to give Him the best, not the worst, not the least, not the grudgingly. We have to give Him with faith, not with fear, not with doubt, not with reluctance.
Tithing is not a matter of money, but a matter of the heart. It is not a matter of law, but a matter of love. It is not a matter of obligation, but a matter of opportunity. It is an opportunity to show God how much we love Him, how much we trust Him, how much we depend on Him. It is an opportunity to open the windows of heaven and receive His favor in our lives.
Let me share with you a story of a man who experienced this in his life. His name is John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men in history. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was also a devout Christian who tithed faithfully from his childhood. He once said, "I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week."
Rockefeller attributed his success and wealth to God's blessing and his obedience to tithing. He said, "God gave me my money. I believe the power to make money is a gift from God, to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind. Having been endowed with the gift I possess, I believe it is my duty to make money and still more money and to use the money I make for the good of my fellow man according to the dictates of my conscience."
Rockefeller was not only a tither, but also a generous giver. He supported many causes, such as education, health, and missions. He gave away more than half of his fortune, estimated at $550 million, which is equivalent to $11 billion today. He said, "I never put a philanthropic nickel in a slot that I did not get a personal satisfaction out of. I had to experiment and learn by doing. It has been a great blessing in my life to be entrusted with the stewardship of wealth."
Rockefeller's story shows us that tithing is not a hindrance, but a catalyst to God's favor and abundance. He shows us that tithing is not a burden, but a joy and a privilege. He shows us that tithing is not a loss, but a gain and an investment.
My friends, I challenge you today to follow Rockefeller's example and tithe faithfully to God. Test God in this and see if He will not open the windows of heaven and pour out His favor on you. Trust God with your finances and honor Him with your first fruits. He will not disappoint you. He will bless you beyond your expectations.
2. Generosity that Triggers Abundance: Sharing Blessings to Multiply Blessings (Proverbs 11:24-25)
The second thing we need to do to unlock the floodgates of God's favor is to be generous with what we have. Generosity is giving more than what is expected or required. It is giving freely, willingly, and cheerfully. It is giving not only to God, but also to others, especially to those in need. It is giving not only of our money, but also of our time, talents, and resources. It is giving not only when we have plenty, but also when we have little.
Generosity is a powerful principle that triggers abundance in our lives. It is a principle that God Himself follows and teaches us to follow. In Proverbs 11:24-25, we read, "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
These verses tell us that generosity is the key to prosperity. When we give freely, we gain even more. When we withhold unduly, we come to poverty. When we refresh others, we are refreshed. When we share our blessings, we multiply our blessings.
This is because generosity activates the law of sowing and reaping. Whatever we sow, we reap. Whatever we give, we receive. Whatever we plant, we harvest. Galatians 6:7-9 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
God is not mocked. He sees what we do with what He gives us. He sees our motives and our attitudes. He sees our generosity and our stinginess. He sees our faithfulness and our unfaithfulness. He sees our obedience and our disobedience. He rewards us accordingly. He blesses us when we bless others. He multiplies what we give for His glory and for the good of others.
Let me share with you a story of a woman who experienced this in her life. Her name is Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who helped many Jews escape the Nazi persecution during World War II. She and her family were arrested and sent to concentration camps, where her father and sister died. She survived and became a famous speaker and author, sharing her story of faith and forgiveness.
One of her books is called The Hiding Place, which tells how her family hid Jews in their home in Haarlem, Netherlands. In one chapter, she describes how God miraculously provided for them during the war. She writes, "The food shortages grew worse. The bread ration was cut to one piece a day, then one piece every other day. The vegetable ration was cut to a quarter pound per person per week. We ate tulip bulbs and sugar beets. But always, every morning, Betsie and I each received a cup of precious powdered milk from the elderly couple who lived next door. They were childless, and they said that we reminded them of their nieces. We tried to refuse their gift, but they insisted. They said that God had blessed them with enough to share, and that they wanted to be a blessing to us.
We thanked them profusely, and we prayed for God to bless them in return. We also shared our milk with others who were in need, especially the children and the elderly. We knew that God would multiply our milk as He multiplied the loaves and fishes in the Bible. And He did. Every day, we had enough milk for ourselves and for others. We never ran out of milk, even when the war ended and the liberation came. We later learned that our neighbors were the only ones in the whole city who had received a large supply of powdered milk from a relief organization. They could have kept it for themselves, but they chose to be generous. And God blessed them and us and many others through their generosity."
Corrie ten Boom's story shows us that generosity is not a sacrifice, but a joy and a privilege. She shows us that generosity is not a waste, but a seed and an investment. She shows us that generosity is not a loss, but a gain and a harvest.
My friends, I challenge you today to follow Corrie ten Boom's example and be generous with what you have. Share your blessings with others, especially with those in need. Give freely, willingly, and cheerfully. Give not only of your money, but also of your time, talents, and resources. Give not only when you have plenty, but also when you have little. Give not only to God, but also to others. Give not only to please God, but also to love others. Give not only to receive, but also to bless. God will multiply what you give for His glory and for the good of others.
3. Seeking First the Kingdom: Aligning Our Priorities with God's Flow of Blessings (Matthew 6:33)
The third thing we need to do to unlock the floodgates of God's favor is to seek first the kingdom of God. Seeking first the kingdom of God means putting God and His will above everything else in our lives. It means making God our highest priority, our greatest treasure, our ultimate goal. It means living for His glory, His purpose, His plan. It means obeying His commands, following His guidance, fulfilling His calling. It means loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Seeking first the kingdom of God is a powerful principle that aligns us with God's flow of blessings. It is a principle that God Himself follows and teaches us to follow. In Matthew 6:33, we read, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
These words are part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches His disciples how to live as citizens of His kingdom. He tells them not to worry about their basic needs, such as food, drink, and clothing. He tells them that God knows what they need and will provide for them. He tells them to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to them.
What does this mean? It means that when we seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, we align ourselves with His will and His ways. We align ourselves with His values and His vision. We align ourselves with His agenda and His action. We align ourselves with His grace and His power. We align ourselves with His favor and His provision.
When we seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, we position ourselves to receive His blessings. We position ourselves to receive His peace and His joy. We position ourselves to receive His wisdom and His direction. We position ourselves to receive His protection and His deliverance. We position ourselves to receive His abundance and His overflow.
Let me share with you a story of a man who experienced this in his life. His name is Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker and evangelist who was born without arms and legs. He faced many challenges and struggles in his life, such as bullying, depression, and suicide attempts. He felt hopeless and worthless. He wondered why God allowed him to be born this way. He wondered what purpose he had in life.
But God had a plan for him. God showed him His love and His grace. God showed him His kingdom and His righteousness. God showed him His calling and His mission. God showed him that He can use him to inspire and impact millions of people around the world. God showed him that He can use his weakness to display His strength. God showed him that He can use his disability to demonstrate His ability.
Nick Vujicic surrendered his life to God and sought first His kingdom and His righteousness. He became a follower of Jesus and a preacher of the gospel. He founded a ministry called Life Without Limbs, which reaches out to people with disabilities and shares with them the hope and love of Christ. He travels around the world and speaks to various audiences, such as schools, churches, prisons, and stadiums. He has written several books and produced several videos. He has appeared on many media platforms, such as Oprah, 60 Minutes, and CNN. He has touched and transformed countless lives with his message of faith and courage.
Nick Vujicic's story shows us that seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness is not a burden, but a blessing and a privilege. He shows us that seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness is not a distraction, but a focus and a direction. He shows us that seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness is not a loss, but a gain and a fulfillment.
My friends, I challenge you today to follow Nick Vujicic's example and seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness. Put God and His will above everything else in your life. Make God your highest priority, your greatest treasure, your ultimate goal. Live for His glory, His purpose, His plan. Obey His commands, follow His guidance, fulfill His calling. Love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. God will add to you all the things you need and more.
4. Stepping Through the Open Door: Embracing the New Year with Faith and Courage (Joshua 1:9)
The fourth and final thing we need to do to unlock the floodgates of God's favor is to step through the open door that God has set before us. Stepping through the open door means embracing the new year with faith and courage. It means seizing the opportunities and challenges that God has prepared for us. It means moving forward and upward in our journey with God. It means leaving behind the past and entering into the future. It means crossing over from the old to the new.
Stepping through the open door is a powerful principle that releases us into God's destiny for our lives. It is a principle that God Himself follows and teaches us to follow. In Joshua 1:9, we read, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
These words are spoken by God to Joshua, the successor of Moses, who was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God had promised to give them this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, a land of rest and inheritance, a land of favor and abundance. But they had to enter it by faith and courage. They had to face many enemies and obstacles. They had to fight many battles and wars. They had to conquer many cities and territories. They had to step through the open door that God had set before them.
God encouraged Joshua and the Israelites to be strong and courageous. He commanded them not to be afraid or discouraged. He promised them that He would be with them wherever they go. He promised them that He would give them victory and success. He promised them that He would fulfill His promise and His purpose for them.
Let me share with you a story of a woman who experienced this in her life. Her name is Esther, a Jewish orphan who became the queen of Persia. She lived in a time when the Jews were under the threat of genocide by a wicked official named Haman. He had plotted to kill all the Jews in the empire, and had obtained the king's approval to do so. He had set a date for the massacre, and had prepared a gallows for Mordecai, Esther's cousin and guardian, who had refused to bow down to him.
But God had a plan for Esther. God had placed her in the palace for such a time as this. God had given her favor and influence with the king. God had given her an opportunity and a challenge to save her people. God had set an open door before her.
Esther had to make a decision. She had to risk her life and approach the king without being summoned, which was punishable by death. She had to expose her identity as a Jew and plead for her people's deliverance. She had to confront Haman and expose his evil scheme. She had to step through the open door that God had set before her.
Esther did not shrink back in fear or doubt. She did not run away in cowardice or compromise. She did not give up in despair or defeat. She rose up in faith and courage. She fasted and prayed. She sought God's wisdom and direction. She said, "If I perish, I perish She went to the king and found favor in his sight. She invited him and Haman to a banquet, where she revealed her request and her identity. She exposed Haman's plot and accused him of trying to destroy her and her people. The king was enraged and ordered Haman to be hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. He also issued a new decree that allowed the Jews to defend themselves and to destroy their enemies. He also promoted Mordecai to a high position and gave him Haman's estate. He also honored Esther and gave her authority and respect. The Jews celebrated and rejoiced. They were saved and delivered. They were favored and blessed.
Esther's story shows us that stepping through the open door is not a risk, but a reward and a privilege. She shows us that stepping through the open door is not a problem, but a solution and a breakthrough. She shows us that stepping through the open door is not a death, but a life and a destiny.
My friends, I challenge you today to follow Esther's example and step through the open door that God has set before you. Embrace the new year with faith and courage. Seize the opportunities and challenges that God has prepared for you. Move forward and upward in your journey with God. Leave behind the past and enter into the future. Cross over from the old to the new. God will be with you wherever you go. He will give you victory and success. He will fulfill His promise and His purpose for you.
Conclusion:
As we conclude this sermon, let us remember the four things we need to do to unlock the floodgates of God's favor in 2024:
1. Tithing as an Act of Faith: Opening the Windows of Heaven (Malachi 3:10-12)
2. Generosity that Triggers Abundance: Sharing Blessings to Multiply Blessings (Proverbs 11:24-25)
3. Seeking First the Kingdom: Aligning Our Priorities with God's Flow of Blessings (Matthew 6:33)
4. Stepping Through the Open Door: Embracing the New Year with Faith and Courage (Joshua 1:9)
Let us do these things with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us do these things with love, joy, peace, and gratitude. Let us do these things with faith, hope, and courage. Let us do these things for God's glory, God's purpose, God's plan. Let us do these things and see God's favor, God's provision, God's abundance. Let us do these things and experience God's blessing, God's grace, God's power. Let us do these things and unlock the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Let us pray.
