Come to Worship: Part 2 - "Bring Your Gifts" with Craig Groeschel - LifeChurch.tv

Overjoyed Worship: Bringing Our Gifts to Jesus

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 2

Other references

• Proverbs 3
• John 3:16
• Romans 5:8

Overview

True worship overflows with joy and generosity. Using the Magi of Matthew 2 as a model, the message shows that followers of Jesus travel any distance, bow low, and gladly open their treasures to Him. Because God first loved and gave, we respond by honoring Him with the “first and best” of our resources—ultimately with our whole lives.

Main Points

1. The Wise Men’s Exceeding Joy

• The journey: from ancient Persia (modern Iran) to Bethlehem—about 900 miles—without modern travel.
• Four Greek words pile up to describe their emotion; the English “overjoyed” barely captures it.
• Illustration: Christians today sometimes worship with “sour-puss” faces; if we are truly overjoyed, our faces should know it.
• Their response upon arrival: bow down, worship, and present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

2. Love Naturally Gives

• Gold signified Jesus’ kingship, frankincense His priestly role, myrrh His sacrificial death.
• Personal story: Pastor’s daughter Joy spent hours crafting a birthday gift—no reluctance, only delight.
• “Love gives” seen in God Himself:

  “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16)

• Romans 5:8 – God demonstrated love while we were still sinners. He didn’t shout love from heaven; He showed it on earth.

3. Honoring the Lord With Our Wealth (Proverbs 3)

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t lean on your own understanding.
• Within that context Solomon says, “Honor (worship) the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
• Firstfruits = the tithe (maaser, “a tenth”) taught in Malachi and affirmed by Jesus.
• Key principle: “We bring our first and our best and trust God to bless the rest.”

4. The Tithe in Real Life

• Pastor’s first true tithe at age 20: wrote the “largest check of his life,” sensed joy and faith.
  • Story: That same day his grandmother unexpectedly offered to buy him a car—a Honda “Accord.” The blessing traced forward into rental properties that later supported church planting.
• Tithers in the congregation nodded because they’ve experienced 90 % with God’s blessing outdo 100 % without it.
• God is the only one who says, “Test Me in this.”

5. Generosity Beyond the Tithe

• Offerings: Relief & Restoration, Spaces & Places, Digital Missions.
• Illustration: The YouVersion Bible App—160 million+ completely free downloads, funded by generous giving.
• Life.Church resources (sermon videos, kids curriculum) provided free to 160,000 churches worldwide.
• “We will lead the way with irrational generosity; it’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

6. Giving Our Whole Lives

• Romans 12: In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices—this is true and proper worship.
• Wealth is one indicator, but the ultimate gift is ourselves.

Key Truths

• Overjoyed worship is visible, tangible, and generous.
• Love always expresses itself by giving; God set the pattern.
• Trusting God with the first tenth declares His ownership and invites His blessing.
• Generosity fuels ministry that reaches far beyond one local church.
• True worship culminates in offering our entire lives to God.

Response

• Celebrate God’s salvation with visible joy.
• Plan to bring the first and best portion of every increase to the Lord.
• Test God’s faithfulness by tithing consistently.
• Look for ways to give beyond the tithe to meet needs and spread the gospel.
• Offer your daily life—time, talents, relationships—as a living sacrifice.

Closing

The Magi’s 900-mile trek ends at Jesus’ feet, treasures open and hearts bursting with indescribable joy. God still seeks worshipers who, in view of His mercy, respond the same way—bowing low, giving freely, and trusting fully. As we return the firstfruits and surrender our very lives, we discover the paradox Jesus promised: it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

“We bring our first and our best and trust God to bless the rest.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins.
Make me brand new.
I believe Jesus died so I could live for Him.
Holy Spirit, fill me that I could follow You.
My life is not my own—today I give it to You.
Thank You for new life; now You have mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.