Highland Baptist Church

Generosity Series: II Corinthians 9:10-11 “The Thankful Giver”
Pastor Larry Stephens
May 17th 2026
The reformers had a tenet that is helpful in regard to salvation, or anything pertaining to the Christian life, it is, Sola Deo Gloria, to the “glory of God Alone,” and that the only ambition we have is to bring Glory to God Alone.  I. I. I.Express Open-Handed Giving: The Latin word provideo, from which we get our word providence, means “to see beforehand, a prior seeing, a foresight.” God’s providence is about Him being about the well-being of His people. In Romans 8:31, Paul writes, “What then shall we say to these things?” Paul asks, If God is for us, who can be against us, and who can separate us from the love of Christ? Will it be distress, peril, the sword, persecution, suffering, sickness, or human hostility that will undo you? None of the above. Open-handed generosity displays a heart that’s been touched and transformed by the gospel of Jesus—one that seeks to honor God by loving others just as He loves us. Often, open-handed generosity shows the world the powerful change the Gospel brings to our lives.
II. Will Be Enriched in Every Way (The Gospel Way): ways of enrichment for the generous are in 1Co 1:5  that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge. The redeemed will understand, even if the bank account isn’t overflowing and my possessions are few, the richness comes in knowing Christ as redeemer. That I am rich in that I possess the righteousness of Jesus, and nothing will wash that away. 
 
Our Generosity: Reflects His character to others, showing His love and provision. Serves His purposes in the world, meeting needs and building His kingdom.
Our Blessing: Our reward is not in what we get in return, but in the blessing of being used by God to bless others.
Practical Application: Give from the heart, not out of guilt or obligation, but because you see God’s generosity in your life. Use generosity to reflect Christ’s love to those around you. Trust God’s timing and measure—He will use your giving in ways you may not see at the time.
In short, God uses our generosity to extend His grace, fulfill His purposes, and glorify Himself. It is not about what we give, but about how we give in response to His boundless generosity. The generosity of the cross.

Pastor Larry Stephens brings a message on the importance of families praying together. This message was preached on Mother's Day 2026, and also with a Child Dedication Service.
From Genesis 25:21-24, Pastor Larry makes the points,
I. The Family that Prays Together Stays Together (vss. 21-22)
II. Pray Through The Adversity(vss. 23-24) 
 
Discipleship Reflection: How to Protect and Train Your Children:
Read Scripture daily, teaching them to connect their ideas more closely with God’s Word.
Establish media and social boundaries to restrict exposure to harmful influences.
Promote godly values and foster open, honest conversations about challenging questions.

The Hilarious Giver Will Sow Bountifully
The Hilarious Giver Will Be Fully Supplied, for Every Good Work
Paul is mediating an offering to the Saints in Jerusalem who are experiencing poverty. Historically, poverty was a common condition in Jerusalem. In Acts, it is noted that some individuals had relinquished their property to assist “all those who had need.”
Sowing bountifully implies more than just planting the seed; there must be continual care for the seed planted. For the one who “sows or gives bountifully,” there is a plowing of the field “with hope.” The idea is to “plow in hope.” If Highland plants seeds sparingly and is not generous, do not expect a robust expression of the gospel throughout her outreach. If we sow generously and plow in hope, God will honor our commitment, but our motives must be centered on Him.
Paul describes the kind of giver that brings joy to God as “cheerful.” He sets this cheerfulness as opposed to “reluctantly” or under “compulsion.” That we must foster an attitude of cheerfulness as we give, instead of being full of sadness to see our gift lift from our hands, or that we give it no thought. Charles Spurgeon stated, “The greatest joy of a Christian is to give joy to Christ.” Who we are in Jesus drives our generosity. To be a happy giver is to think more deeply and intently on who Christ is and what He accomplished on the cross. Discipleship Reflection: How can we be examples of a cheerfully giving church?
Trust in God’s Provision
Instead of focusing on how much you do, focus on the impact

Youth Minister Eric Hudson delivers a message from James 1:22-25 on living out your faith. 
Recorded during morning worship, the challenge is to be doers of the Word and not just hearers.
Jas 1:22  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Jas 1:23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. Jas 1:24  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. Jas 1:25  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 

Pastor Larry begins a new sermon series on Generosity, based on II Corinthians chapter nine.
Chapter Nine of II Corinthians discusses a relief offering that has been gathered, appearing as a letter embedded within a letter addressed to Christians in the cities of Achaia. The implication suggests that the church at Corinth has been preparing for the Jerusalem relief offering since the previous year.
I. Let Our Willingness Be Known (vss.1-2):
“Do you want to be a church known for its gospel generosity?”
"Let our willingness be known to others, not for boastful reasons, but so people can know they can count on Highland to obey God."
II. Let Our Integrity Be Known (vss.3-5):
Discipleship Reflection: How do we cultivate a willingness and readiness to give?
1. Strive to be a church above reproach and exhibit gospel integrity in all areas of life.
2. Plan a mission-minded strategy that is bound with faith and reason.
3. Pray fervently that the Lord would shape generosity in your heart and mind.
4. Add the language of generosity to our daily interactions.
5. Emphasize Discipleship Above Financial Gain.
"The goal isn’t just to increase giving – it’s to shape disciples who live generously. Our priority should be making disciples, not just increasing cash flow. We teach generosity as part of following Jesus, not just funding the church.” Therefore, focus on heart transformation, not just financial transactions."

Recorded 1/12/2026
 
Because He lives...…
I. Hold Fast to the Risen Christ
II. The Glorious Gospel is Proclaimed and Defended
III. The Gospel is Obvious
IV. He forgives and empowers us to forgive others
          

Recorded on Easter Sunday, 04/05/2026
Pastor Larry brings the first part of a two-part series on the resurrection.
I. Hold Fast to the Risen Christ
II. The Glorious Gospel is Proclaimed and Defended
 
1. Jesus predicted His resurrection (Matt. 16:21;  Mark 9:9-10; John 2:18-22). Mat 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
2. The Old Testament prophesied it (Psalm 16:10).Psa 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
3. The tomb was empty and the grave clothes vacant. If those who opposed Christ wished to silence His disciples, all they had to do was produce a body, but they could not (John 20:3-9).
4. Many people saw the resurrected Christ. They looked on His face, touched Him, heard His voice, and saw Him eat (Matt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:13-39; John 20:11-29; John 21:1-9; Acts 1:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-8).
5. The lives of the disciples were revolutionized. Though they fled and even denied Christ at the time of His arrest, they later feared no one in their proclamation of the risen Christ (Matt. 26:56, 69-75).
6. The resurrection was the central message of the early church. The church grew with an unwavering conviction that Christ had risen and was the Lord of the church (Acts 4:33; 5:30-32; Rom. 5:21). By the time Luke records the events in Acts 11, there are well over 10,000 people who have been “added to the church daily.
7. Men and women today testify that the power of the risen Christ has transformed their lives.  Ask someone. We know that Jesus is alive not only because of the historical and biblical evidence but also because He has miraculously changed our lives. The staying power of those who truly know Jesus is unmistakable. 

Hebrews 11:1 “By Faith: Diligence, Patience and Promise”
March 22nd 2026
Special Ministry Sunday.
A more refined definition of faith is as follows: “Trust in God: Faith is fundamentally about trust in God and His promises. It is the means by which believers come to God, relying on His character and the assurance of salvation.
“Faith” is Biblically Defined: The term “faith” originates from the Greek word pistis and denotes complete conviction and persuasion. It is occasionally used interchangeably with terms such as trust, belief, and hope. Faith embodies, as a tangible reality, what has not yet been fully manifested to the senses. It is founded upon this solid fact, acts or moves because of it, and is sustained by it even when circumstances appear to oppose it. “Faith is a real seeing.”
Faith constitutes complete conviction and unwavering certainty, rendering it unshakeable. This certainty stems from the firm grasp of belief in unseen realities. “Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for.” Faith is intrinsically connected to the “things hoped for.”
 
Discipleship Reflection: How can we live out our faith in diligence, patience, and promise?
Strive to strengthen your faith diligently, following Jesus as the ultimate example- If you look at the life of Jesus, there are moments when Jesus exemplified an example of faith. Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, being truly man and truly God, said of His coming crucifixion and what would transpire, Mat_26:39
Be Patient and persistently pursue the promises of God- Many here today are working through a difficult time in their lives; hold on to Jesus. Many are struggling in their marriage, or how to balance the family time in a godly, Christ-centered manner, be patient, and cling to Christ. Some here may have been praying for a loved one for a long time to come to know Jesus; keep praying, if it be God’s will, they will come to know Jesus.

Titus 3:1-15 “Do You Best…”
03/15/2026
 Even people whose sins have been forgiven and are living for Christ can sometimes have misplaced anger that boils over from time to time. Just because we are redeemed doesn’t mean that we are perfectly mature in our walk with Jesus. Even though sometimes the political environment might boil your blood, we are reminded to be submissive to those in leadership. Christ followers can disagree and still be civil.
Remember, you were once foolish and made foolish, immature choices in life; your decisions were not bathed in prayer and gospel consideration. Before Christ, you were a rebel or disobedient. Before Christ, you were led astray (deceived) by any whim of teaching, full of idolatry, placing pleasures and passions before God. When you come to know Jesus, He changes your passions and pleasures. We take pleasure in knowing Christ.
Our allegiance is, in this order, God, family, church, then our citizenship. The problem many have is giving our earthly citizenship an equal footing with our allegiance to Christ. This is a dangerous place to be. Therefore, we are called to engage in culture in such a way that we express the clear gospel of Christ and are in a favorable light with all around us. Sometimes this is impossible, but in these United States we live in, we can be civil and share the gospel. We must thank God for that freedom.
 
Remember the Mission- Pray and be submissive to those in authority to give an avenue for good works and then the gospel.
Remember How The Savior Changed Your Life- You were once children of disobedience and rebels towards God and others, but now have been changed by the power of the gospel.
Remember Your Allegiance- Our Allegiance is to Christ first, the gospel first, and we pray with spills over into every other facet of life…Remember.
 

Titus 2: 1-15 “Discipling Men and Women”
03/08/2026
 Application:
There are five areas of discipleship that Paul focuses on. Older men, older women, younger women, young men, and servants. How does Paul instruct on discipling each of these groups? Remember, the object is to equip men and women with the good news to attract a lost world to the treasures of Christ, and that the Christian life must be free of those things that hinder the testimony of Jesus. Embed yourself with teaching that builds your relationship with Jesus and fosters a tough-minded Christianity that moves people to action.
Older Men Must Be Well-Rounded in the Faith- The elder men, or older men, are called those men who have raised families and of their own and add this insight to the body of Christ. Again, the word sober-minded is used, meaning complete clarity of mind which leads to wise judgment.” These are men who are seasoned in their faith and have been walking with Jesus for a while. The church needs your experience and knowledge of the Word. Serve on a mission or ministry team, participate in and promote outreach events, and raise up or join a prayer team. The younger men need to see and hear you pray and, if able, go.
Older Women Must Train in Righteousness- Much like the elder men with the younger men, older women are to disciple and mentor the younger women. These women are to engage in worshipful behavior and activities that bridge life and worship. This means slanderous talk must go.
Young Men Must Model Integrity- The word for “self-controlled” is used once again, and this takes a different nuance, self-controlled instead of being driven by hormones and emotions. Remember, one day you will be leading the younger men in the body of Christ, so commit to being discipled. I find no shame whatsoever in a young man approaching an older Christ-loving follower and asking, “Will you disciple me?”
younger men in the body of Christ, so commit to being discipled. I find no shame whatsoever in a young man approaching an older Christ-loving follower and asking, “Will you disciple me?”
Workers Must Labor To Honor Christ- The word doulous is sometimes translated as " slaves or servants. In this context, we draw the connection between employer and employee. The challenge is upfront, work at your place of employment as unto the Lord, so that there will be a clear pathway for the good news of Jesus. Paul even gives the challenge, " Don’t talk back to your manager,” and certainly don’t embezzle or take things that do not belong to you. Work as if you are expecting someone to ask you about Christ. Remember, all of these challenges are so that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior, and not just for a moral parade, but so people may come to know Jesus Christ as Lord.
 
Prayer Prompts-
Pray for people that you can help to lead in discipleship and disciple-making.
Pray the Lord will enable you to be a person of integrity and to be “above reproach.”
Pray that God will fill you with the expectation that a person can come and ask you about Christ at any time.