Discover
Yorkminster Park Speaks - Week Two
Monday | The Right Kind of Fruit
Submitted by: Rev. Sam Lee
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
- Galatians 5:22-23, NRSV
When I think of the fruit of the Spirit, I am always reminded that the fruit is indicative of the tree. The kind of fruit produced depends on what kind of tree it is. An apple tree will produce apples, a banana tree will produce bananas. An apple tree will never produce bananas regardless of how hard it tries. In the same way, in order for us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, we need to examine ourselves to see whether or not we are part of the right tree. Since Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, it is when we are connected to Jesus that we can produce the right kind of fruit. When we become a Christian, our inner essence is transformed so that our actions become a byproduct of who we are. We become His children, His people, part of His branches and what we produce does not come from ourselves but from Jesus Himself.
I encourage my youth to be conscientious about who they allow in their circle of influence. The more time you spend with someone, the more that person has an influence on you and vice versa. In the same way, we need to examine the time we spend with God. Do we take the time in our busy schedules to abide in Him? Instead of seeking after the "fruits" of the Spirit, as these are the characteristics of God, we are to seek after Him and to walk with the Spirit and then we will inevitably be influenced, pruned and shaped by the one in whom these qualities are embodied.
Let us be moved to walk with the Spirit, to be in step with the Spirit and to be led by the Spirit. By doing so, we will become people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Questions to Ponder:
How does the idea of being "born again" fit in with this lesson? Refer to John 3:1-21
In light of this lesson, how can you engender the character of generosity in your life?
Final Prayer Thought:
C.S. Lewis writes that, "If I am a grassfield, all the cutting will keep the grass less but won't produce wheat. If I want wheat... I must be plowed up and re-sown." Jesus, root out the grass and plant the seed of Your Spirit that my life may reflect your character and your generosity. Amen.
Tuesday | Excel in Giving
Submitted by: Miriam Little
"But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
- 2 Corinthians 8:7, NIV
There are a few people in my life who seem to ooze generosity out of their very pores! They don't even think about it, but spontaneously give. No request need be made. Rebekah, though only four, is one of those people. She is often seen making something for each person in her world. No one asks or expects her to give anything but she wants to share.
Paul is asking for a similar generosity in this passage. In earlier verses (II Corinthians 8: 1-2) he reminds the Corinthians of the generosity of the Macedonians. "We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches." Their dedication was exemplary. They didn't give because they wanted to look good but because they had a deep yearning to share that seemed to naturally well up with no external persuasion. They gave of their own initiative from hearts shaped by the Spirit of God's love.
Paul challenges the Corinthian church to a friendly competition with the Macedonians in generosity. He urges the Corinthians that, just as they excel in much - in faith, speech and knowledge as demonstrated in their worship experiences, they should excel in giving. They are earnest and sincere and their love for Paul and his coworkers is rich and full, so Paul asks them to be even more like the Macedonians and excel in giving, too. Follow the example of the Macedonians! See who can out give the other!
We too have been richly blessed. Yorkminster Park is a church of many, many gifts, including great knowledge, faithful and committed members, good sermons, and beautiful music! I believe that we too, are being challenged to follow the example of the Macedonians. Let's seek to give and give and give.
May our hearts be filled with generosity out of gratefulness for God's rich blessing!
Questions to Ponder:
What are some things that you are grateful for in your personal and your church life?
Inspired by that gratefulness, what do you sense God asking you to do?
Final Prayer Thought:
Lord, though you don't want us to compare ourselves to others, following the example of godly and generous people can help us better understand your way for us. Fill our hearts anew with gratitude for your rich blessings so that it overflows in generosity into your world. Amen.
Wednesday | Blessing in Generosity
Submitted by: Rev. Dale Rose
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
- Norman MacEwan
When my children were young, one of the favourite books we would read together was called The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It's a wonderful little book about a relationship between a young boy and a tree. The tree provides the boy with many things: branches to climb and swing on; apples to eat; shade from the sun. The tree loves the boy, so much so that when the boy grows up the tree performs the ultimate act of sacrifice - he lets the boy cut it down so he can build a boat. The tree asks nothing in return from the boy. It simply revels in the joy of giving.
The apostle Paul also knew about the joy of giving. In his missionary journeys, Paul established and pastored a number of churches. But the Philippian church was very special to him. You can see it in his letter. He refers to a gift he received from the people of that church. Paul's main concern was not for himself, but for the Philippians. He wanted them to know the joy of giving. He writes:
"I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity." (Philippians 4:15, The Message)
There is an old saying that "no gift given away has ever made anyone the poorer." Generosity produces many blessings in our lives. Generosity enriches the giver by opening ourselves up to others and getting our eyes off ourselves. It elevates our level of
inner happiness, knowing that we are making a difference. And perhaps most of all, it is a vital part of being a disciple of Jesus.
A few years ago I spent part of a day with Dave Toycen, the CEO of World Vision Canada. Dave is wonderful, compassionate man whom God has used in relief and development work around the world. He believes that generosity has the power to change our world. He maintains that we are all on a generosity journey. And there are unexpected blessings that come to the compassionate.
Questions to Ponder:
How have you experienced God's blessing in giving?
What is one lesson God has taught you through generosity?
Final Prayer Thought:
O God, thank you for the privilege of giving. Help us to find the blessings of abundant life through the spirit of generosity. We pray in the generous name of Jesus. Amen.
Thursday | The Big Picture
Submitted by: Rev. Dr. J. Peter Holmes
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of God."
- Hebrews 12:2, NIV
This text reminds us that Jesus never lost sight of the big picture. He kept his eye on the goal, faced the cross and willingly laid down his life because he could see beyond the cross to the victory of forgiveness, love and life eternal. The call in Hebrews to fix our eyes on Jesus is meant to keep us from being distracted by lesser things. A broken camera started me on a quest for a new one that led me through countless flyers, websites and display cases. I talked to the experts to help me find the right camera and the best deal. For a while it was as if nothing else mattered. While in search mode I gave little thought to giving - I wanted to get something first.
Do we hold back on our gifts to God because lesser things become more important? Jesus said, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in an steal. For where your heart is there your treasure is also." (Matt. 6:20-21)
Though everything took a back seat to my quest for a camera, my purchase sat in a box for a long time after I bought it. The quest to meet my wants caused me to lose sight of the big picture. Hebrews 12 calls us to focus on Jesus who set his sights and invested his life on things eternal. We can reconnect to the big picture by reading Jesus' stories and teachings for 15 minutes a day.
Final Prayer Thought:
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the gift of your Son who endured the cross to take upon himself our sin and death. Keep our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus that in all we do and say we might reflect your eternal glory. Amen.
Friday | Practice Loving
Submitted by: Kim Aikenhead
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.
- 1 John 3: 17-19
I encourage you then, friends, not to hide your love for Christ under a bushel - let it shine. As you spend moments with God in the morning, prayerfully ask Him to help you to see who needs your listening ear, your kind touch or your practical help in some way that day. Then, as you make your way through the day, you will become aware and see the person or people with whom you have a divine appointment. For indeed God does direct our steps right to where we need to be. Then, in faith, we need to act and trust God that the results of our actions will work out as they should because our desire is to be obedient and to exercise love wherever we are.
After all, we can write about doing good and we can speak about doing good, but until we push ourselves outside our comfort zone, physically to do an act of kindness for someone who needs it, we are not being true to Christ's command to LOVE.
The apostle John has reminded us a number of times about the importance of living a life of love. In John 15:12, he puts it very simply and directly: "My command is this; Love each other as I have loved you."
Live in God's reality, have a broken heart for the hurts of those you encounter and recognize that you actually do have the ability
to help.
May your prayers and your generous giving of yourself be like a sacrificial offering to God.
"He needs them all - the open hand, the willing feet, the praying heart, to work together and to weave a threefold cord that
shall not part."
- Annie John Flint
Question to Ponder:
Do we put invisible blinders on our eyes as we go on our way each day so we don't have to look at the pain of others and then perhaps have to do something about it?
Final Prayer Thought:
Lord take our blinders off and free our hearts and spirits to act out your love. Amen.
Saturday | All Good Gifts
Submitted by: John Speller
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning"
- James 1:17, NIV
As Christmas approached, the long standing tradition of giving and receiving gifts brought both joy and trepidation. We can all remember a Christmas when we received the gift we longed for and others when gifts were best forgotten. Relatives and friends cannot be relied upon to give the best gifts but we are not talking about "Chia Pets" here.
This verse reminds us that God is not like that. He is the giver of good gifts and He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God's love is not conditional; we have not earned it but every perfect gift is from Him and He loves to give these gifts to those He loves.
All the really good things we receive in life come from God: our lives, our families, love, joy and peace.But the most important gift, the greatest gift, is the gift of God's son, Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:8 says "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
YORKMINSTER PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
1585 Yonge Street (2 blocks north of St. Clair Avenue N/E corner of Yonge and Heath)
Toronto, ON, M4T 1Z9 Canada Tel: (416) 922-1167
Home | Contact Us |
Copyright © 2025 Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.