First Fruits

For more information on first fruits, consider watching this message from Pastor Jeff.

For several weeks, Pastor Jeff shared on the Biblical significance and value of first fruits. On Sunday, March 17, we had the opportunity to offer the Lord our own first fruits during both services. We believe it was a marked day as we offered the Lord our first and best with faith-filled expectation of His goodness to come!

If you missed First Fruits Sunday but would still like to give, the fund will remain open through Sunday, March 31 (Easter). You may fill out a First Fruits envelope in service on Sunday or simply give online by selecting the “First Fruits” fund.

  1.  It sanctifies the whole.

    “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:16

  2. It’s a pattern, not legalism.

    "The best of all firstfuits of any kind,, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifies, shall be the priest’s; also you shall give to the priest the first of your ground meal, to cause a blessing to rest on your house.” Ezekiel 44:30

  3. Generosity comes from the wellspring of the heart.

    “But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I’m not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.” II Corinthians 8:7,8

    Generosity is evidence of grace and love at work in our lives. (Matt. 6:21)

  4. We give according to what we have.

    “So [Elijah] arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.’ And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.’ And she said, ‘As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.’ And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth."‘“ And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that He spoke to Elijah.” I Kings 17:10-16

    Our offering can take us beyond our present circumstances.

  5. We plant seeds of blessing when we give.

    “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’” II Corinthians 9:6,7

    Every offering contains a future reality in an immature form.

    Types of Seeds:
    • Children - Genesis 3:15
    • Words - Proverbs 18:12, James 3:6
    • Offerings - II Corinthians 9:6-7

  6. Generosity releases a reciprocal and proportionate response.

    “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

    This is the benefit not the motive.

  7. It releases an overflow of God’s creative ability.

    “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8

  1.  It is cyclical.

    First fruits happens on an annual basis.

  2. It is sown in faith.

    Faith is to stretch beyond our own ability. (This isn’t the same as presumption or attempting to manipulate God. It is offering with our hands what we believe in our hearts: that He is good and His love endures forever.)

  3. It’s sacrificial.

    If your gift doesn’t move your own heart, it is unlikely to move God’s.

  4. It is focused.

    As you prepare to give, prioritize a list for breakthrough.

  1. Pray.

    Pray for God’s direction on what to give and for a hearing heart.

  2. Set a target.

    Ask the Lord what you are believing for as you give your first fruits. Consider these questions:

    • What is the harvest of breakthrough I am believing for as I bring my offering? (This could be health, destiny or promises of God, relational restoration, etc.)

    • Where are there gates held by the enemy in my life and my family? (There is a blessing for you and your family line promised with first fruits. Genesis 22:15-18, Ezekiel 44:30)

  3. Set an amount or ask for one.

    Determine your first fruits offering that you will bring.

  4. Prepare your gift.

    Decide whether you will give by cash, check, or online.

  5. Bring your first fruits on Sunday, March 17!

    There will be a designated time during each service on Sunday, March 17. For those who are unable to attend, you are welcome to give online or mail your gift (memo: First Fruits) up to two weeks afterward.

  • Nehemiah 10:35-37 distinguishes first fruits and the tithe:

    “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there. Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.”

    First fruits is given at the beginning of harvest (or beginning of the year); it is given in faith-filled anticipation for the harvest to come. The tithe is given after the harvest; it is a tenth of all that is harvested.

  • Bring your offering on Sunday, March 17, to either service. Offering envelopes will be handed out at the start of service, and there will be a designated time in service to bring your offering forward.

    You will be able to give online during service OR bring cash or check.

    Every person will be able to fill out their envelope with what they are believing for and bring it forward to give and receive a blessing.

    If you are unable to attend a service, you are still welcome to give your first fruits offering online for two weeks afterward.

  • Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” .” Genesis 22:15-18

    After Abraham freely offered his son Isaac—the first fruits of his offspring—to the Lord, He responded with the above blessing.

    The “gate of their enemies” refers to a place of access or authority possessed by an opposing army. Consider asking the Lord, “Is there any place where the enemy has access to my life or my family life?” (For example: lack, debt, addiction, health, anger or rage, etc.) Identify this is a target for breakthrough as you bring your first fruits to the Lord. You can also believe for your own children to overtake the enemy at these gates of occupation.

  • Yes! Our First Fruits fund will remain open through Sunday, March 31. You may give one of two ways:

    1) ONLINE. Visit gracecenter.us/give and select a way to give. Select the “First Fruits” fund.

    2) CHECK/CASH. Drop your envelopes at church on Sunday or mail checks to 2420 Bethlehem Loop, Franklin, TN 37069.

The Principles and Keys of First Fruits listed above were adapted from teaching by friend and pastor Charles Stock of Life Center in Harrisburg, PA.

Recurring Events

Sundays

  • Pre-service Prayer: 8:15-8:45 AM (Prayer Room)

  • Prophetic Ministry: 10-11 AM (Prayer Room)
    Sign-ups open at 8:30 AM

  • Prayer + Worship: 6-7:30 PM (Prayer Room)

mondays

  • Prayer Room: 10 AM-2 PM

  • Prayer for Israel: 11 AM-Noon (Prayer Room)

  • Prayer for America: Noon-1 PM (Prayer Room)

tuesdays

  • Prayer Room: 10 AM-2 PM

 

wednesdays

  • Prayer Room: 10 AM-2 PM

  • Youth: 7-8:30 PM (Firehouse)
    Grades 6-12

thursdays

  • Prayer Room: 10 AM-2 PM