BOUNCE
Luke 6:38 CEV
It’s graduation Sunday … how about another round of applause for our graduates!
I want to talk to you today about something powerful from Luke 6:38 where Jesus says, “If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap.”
Now, growing up in Metro Detroit, we had this saying – “Let’s bounce.” It just meant it was time to get moving! And graduates, that’s exactly where you are right now. It’s your time to bounce into what God has for you!
But let me tell you something, bouncing isn’t just about leaving, it’s about what comes back to you! It’s like this ball. When you throw it against the wall, what happens? It comes right back! That’s how life works!
The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:7, “A man reaps what he sows.” Some folks wake up in the morning just slinging attitude all over the place. Guess what comes back? More attitude! More attitude! And it’s not just coming back normal, it’s coming back packed down, shaken together, and running over!
I’ve got a better idea – why don’t we try throwing out some positivity instead? Some grace? Maybe even a smile? It doesn’t cost you anything to be nice, people!
There was this guy in the Bible named Haman. Now, this man had a serious problem with hatred. He absolutely despised a Jewish man named Mordecai, and his hatred was so bad that he built a gallows to hang him on!
But here’s what happened … everything Haman threw out came bouncing right back to him. He ended up being hung on the very gallows he built for somebody else! That’s what I call a boomerang effect! Whatever you throw out there is going to come back to you. If you’re throwing out kindness, you’ll get kindness back. If you’re throwing out mercy, you’ll get mercy back.
That’s why I’ve titled this message “BOUNCE” – because it’s a powerful reminder that everything we do has a way of coming back to us. And I’m going to share some principles with you that’ll help you make sure what comes back is something good!
B – BELIEVE
Let me tell you something about faith … Faith will get you somewhere!
Psalm 37:5 “Commit your future to the Lord. Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.”
Let me show you what belief looks like:
- Abraham’s faith didn’t just give him a family – it birthed NATIONS! When biology says “impossible,” faith said “watch this!”
- Joseph’s faith turned a pit into a palace! While everybody else saw prison walls, faith saw a throne room!
- Esther’s faith flipped genocide into deliverance! When death was scheduled, faith rewrote the calendar!
- Peter? His faith had him walking on water! While others were boat-watching, he was wave-walking!
Andy Stanley said “Faith leads us beyond our own abilities and into God’s possibilities.” Your faith activates God’s supernatural! You’re not just believing FOR something, you’re believing FROM something! From God’s promise! From His power! From His purpose!
Faith will take you somewhere … Somewhere beyond your imagination! Somewhere beyond your qualifications! Somewhere beyond your limitation!
O – OVERCOME ADVERSITY
Adversity is an inevitable part of life, and you will fall from time to time. When you fall … GET BACK UP! Falling does not define you! It’s how you rise from the bottom that truly defines you. When life knocks you down, your response is what shapes your character. Your response will, in many ways, determine your destiny.
Nelson Mandela said, “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
- Life will knock you down…but rise again like David before Goliath.
- Storms will rage against you…but stand firm like Noah through the flood.
- Disappointment will come…but press on like Paul through shipwrecks.
- Hardship will test you…but endure like Job through the trials.
- Failure will tempt you…but overcome like Peter after denial.
- Challenges will surround you…but break through like Joshua at Jericho.
- Setbacks will delay you…but persist like Moses in the wilderness.
- Obstacles will block you…but advance like the Israelites at the Red Sea.
- Trials will refine you…but emerge stronger like gold through fire.
- Doubts will whisper…but silence them with faith like Abraham.
Because the One who lifts you is greater than what knocks you down!
In your toughest seasons, claim Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Lean into His strength and let your faith be the anchor that holds you steady in storms. Trust in His promises and Pray! Let His presence empower you to overcome any adversity. When you fall … Get back up! No challenge is insurmountable.
U – USE YOUR GIFTS
God has blessed each of you with unique talents and abilities. Don’t let them go to waste because your gifts will make room for you! One of the beautiful promises of Scripture is found in Proverbs 18:16:
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”
Your God-given gifts create opportunities and open doors. They carve out spaces. This doesn’t mean the path will always be easy, but it does mean that your gifts have a way of creating opportunities for growth, influence, and impact.
1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
When you faithfully steward your gifts, you position yourself for divine appointments. There will be connections that align with God’s purpose for your life. It might be an unexpected job offer, a chance to share your talents on a larger stage, or the opportunity to impact someone’s life profoundly. Use them to serve others and glorify God.
Your gifts are not just for you; they are for the world around you. As Rick Warren reminds us, “What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.”
N – NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES
Compromising core beliefs might offer short-term gains but often leads to long-term regret and loss of self-respect.
A life of resolve positions you for divine favor! In the book of Daniel, we see a young man who embodies unwavering faith and integrity.
Daniel 1:8 – “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
The Hebrew word translated as “resolved” or “purposed” in this context implies a firm, inner determination. He made a conscientious and steadfast decision to honor God above all else.
The payoff? Favor! God’s favor. God shut the mouth of the lions and Daniel became a ruler in the king’s palace!
The bottom line here is that there’s never a right way to do the wrong thing and there’s never a wrong way to do the right thing! Like Daniel, your resolve will be tested. Do the right thing!
Like Daniel, for doing the right thing you’ll face persecution. Do the right thing anyway! The payoff is Divine favor!
We all value different things, but there are certain values that should be at the core of all of us.
- Value your faith! Refuse unethical practices that go against your faith.
- Value other people! Treat EVERYONE with respect and honor.
- Value the gift of life! Learn to appreciate the gift of each day.
By valuing life, you commit to living with purpose, passion, and gratitude. As it says in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This verse underscores the importance of protecting your core values, as they influence every aspect of your life. By holding fast to your values, you not only navigate life with integrity but also inspire others to do the same.
C – CHASE AFTER SOMETHING
I want you to experience the fruit of pursuit. Chase after something worthy of your pursuit.
When you stop chasing, you’ve tapped your potential. Don’t stop chasing! Don’t stop chasing! Keep moving forward, keep striving, and keep believing that God has more for you.
Chase after a dream, or a career, or a passion, or a hobby, or a calling. Keep chasing until you catch it. Avoid dead-end streets.
Your journey of pursuit is not just about reaching a destination, but about becoming who you were meant to be along the way. So, chase after what sets your soul on fire, and trust that God will guide you to places beyond your imagination.
A.W. Tozer wrote, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible—what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.”
In all your pursuit, make certain you go after wisdom! Proverbs 4:7 states, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
Never stop learning. Wisdom and knowledge are keys to making informed and impactful decisions. Commit to growing intellectually and spiritually throughout your life.
E – ENJOY THE JOURNEY
Trust me on this, life is short … so enjoy it!
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Look to the future with hope and faith. Stay sane! Trust that God is always doing something new and wonderful in your lives. Embrace change with an open heart, knowing that God is guiding every step of the way.
Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
