November 9, 2008
Evening Service

II Cor. 8

 

Review:

1.      II Cor. Is a follow up letter to the first letter where Paul corrected, instructed, and encouraged the Corinthians in their walk with God.  In this second letter, Paul is refreshed, and encouraged by the report that came with Titus from them.  It has some great memorable verses, such as:

• 2Co 3:3  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
• 2Co 4:16-18  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  (17)  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (18)  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
• 2Co 5:10-11  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  (11)  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
• 2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• 2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
• 2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.  2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
• Because of these promises Paul says, 2Co 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Also in this 7^th chapter Paul tells us what true repentance is all about.  It produces change in one’s life.

 

Brother Steve shared with us this morning how that Pergamos was a church of “compromise”.  The election, was said to be lost, because of compromise.  For Christians, where it is “thus saith the Lord” there is no compromise.      Let’s see what chapter 8 holds in store for us this evening.

 

2Co 8:1-24  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 

• We are talking about giving to the poor in Jerusalem.   Notice.
• They had affliction, yet joy, and were poor, but gave freely.  They gave beyond their ability.  And they begged us to receive the gifts, and minister this to the poor in Jerusalem.

(5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 

• Did you catch that?  They first gave themselves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
• This is why you should never have to preach money to the church.  The church should be made up of people that have given themselves to Christ, and when this is true, we know we have the responsibility of being good stewards with what God has allowed us to use on this earth.

(6)  Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 

• We have encouraged Titus to help you also in this same work of grace, that is, sharing with the poor.

(7)  Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.  (8)  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 

• You have proven yourselves to be a very spiritual, and sincere church, so see that you abound in this area also.  This will also prove the sincerity of your love.

(9)  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 

• Jesus left the Throne of Glory, to be cursed, and hanged on a tree, so you and I might be joint heirs with Him, and have all the riches of glory one day.
• We should actually feel that way right now.  For having Jesus in your life is worth all the riches in this world.  Treasure that will not fade away, nor can be made worthless. 

(10)  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 

• This is something they had planned on doing a year ago!

(11)  Now therefore perform the doing of it;

• You started this a year ago, now finish it.

that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.  (12)  For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 

• Steve brought us some good thoughts this morning.  One of them is how that Jesus knows our works.  He knows everything about us.  He knows if we give willingly, and a fair amount back to Him, that He has blessed us with in the first place.   He knows. 
• And when it is said, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.  I would encourage you, that if you want to be pleasing to God, don’t wait till you have made a boat payment, car payment, camper payment, bought new clothes,  ate out all week, and then tell God, “Now I will give to You, God, out of what abundance I have left.”   The proper way to give to God, is first, then the necessities of life, housing, food, transportation, etc.   You will have enough, and you will be blessed.
• We will find out in the next chapter a principle for giving, which brings untold blessings to us.

(13)  For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  (14)  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:  (15)  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 

• Don’t get me wrong, we are not talking slackers here.  Paul said, “if you don’t work, you don’t eat.”   This proved to be a problem in the early days of the church, free loaders, wanting a handout, but not willing to work for it.

(16)  But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.  (17)  For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.  (18)  And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;  (19)  And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 

• Titus accepted this challenge from Paul, and took with him another brother who was well thought of in the church.  We are not given the brother’s name at this point.

(20)  Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:  (21)  Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.  (22)  And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.  (23)  Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.  (24)  Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

• Fulfill your promises of giving to the poor, and this will prove of your love, and my boasting of you.