Trending Words: Give

Today we are continuing a sermon series titled “Trending Words.” I want you to think for a moment about the words that we use on an everyday basis. Phrases that we use in everyday life change and evolve as time goes on. The phrases that were popular when I was a kid are certainly not the same as the ones that are popular today. Phrases like "Cowabunga", "Righteous" and "Gnarly" from the 80’s and 90's were replaced things we have all heard Evan say a lot. What makes some words cool or catchy, and some not or no longer is as much a study of society than anything else. When we think about things that are trending currently, when I looked last night, the top things last night were centered around college football, the Lakers, and the Joker movie. Millions of people around the country were talking about these things, maybe not many from here, but nonetheless... 

I want you to then consider the words that we find in Scripture. The words found inside are timeless, in fact one of the rules for a book to be considered to be canonized in Scripture is that it would need to be applicable across generations and people groups. Every single word that is in this translation of Scripture has been scrutinized and reflected on, making sure that the translation is correct by dozens of experts. Even then, amongst the hundreds of thousands of words there are certain words that are used repeatedly. These words that are consistently used not only need to be examined in greater detail, but we should take time to consider the variances or subtle ways that the words themselves can mean different things when considered in context. Over the course of this sermon series, we will delve deep into the meanings of words that not only shape Scripture, but when we understand them correctly, can shape our lives and relationship with Christ.

The word "give" is something that is routinely used in our society and history. We can use it both in love "I give myself to you" and in anger, "Can you give me a minute!" in fact if we look at how it is used, it is one of the most flexible verbs we have in the English language. In fact, the dictionary lists 16 PRIMARY definitions for the word give, and an additional 11 secondary definitions.

It is used 1,133 times in the Bible. With 882 of those times coming in the Old Testament. Of the remaining 251 times it was used in the New Testament, a little more than half of those were spoken by Jesus, and most of the rest by the Apostle Paul.

In all, there are over 75 unique ways that the word is used throughout Scripture with the word "give" slightly changing with each use. 

With all of these uses, and all of the connotations that the word has, what’s incredible is that there are 3 that are used significantly more than all of the others, with more than half of these uses coming down to the meaning of these three ancient words. We are going to spend our time today looking at the two from the Old Testament first, and then the third is from the New Testament. Two of our terms today will be in the Hebrew tongue, with the third in Greek. After looking at the overwhelming amount of data available, and praying through what God is wanting us to learn today from this very simple word, I will do my utter best to present to you the word "Give".

Miswa- To GIVE a command

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 7:11

Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.

Deuteronomy 8:1

Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors.

Nataan (NTN)- To GIVE or Hand Down

Genesis 1:29

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Psalms 24:1

The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.

Didomi- To Surrender, Submit, or Provide

Mark 6:37

Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
But he answered, “You give them something to eat." They said to him, “That would take more than half a year's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"

John 6:32

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven."