July 19, 2015
Morning Service

II Cor. 8

 

Greg brought us a good study on chapter 7 last Sunday evening.  Some things that stood out:

1.      A cry for Christians to live a holy, and separate life style-----let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2.     This is the chapter that explains why he wrote this second epistle.  The coming of Titus with a good report that they had received his letter of corrections, with a good spirit.

3.      We found out what true repentance looks like:  2Co 7:11  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

4.      This is why earlier in this letter the Apostle told us that if anyone be in Christ he is a new creature, or creation.  When you truly repent their will be changes in your lifestyle.

5.     Paul closed chapter 7 with this thought:  2Co 7:16  I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

 

We will see in chapter 8 how the Apostle encourages the church at Corinth to give of their wealth to help the poor saints in Jerusalem:  Let’s begin.

 

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 intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (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. 

·         Paul is speaking here concerning the liberal giving of the churches in Macedonia.  This is something that Paul had been encouraged to do by Peter, James, and John, and that was to help the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  Hoping that by them seeing this offering of love, it would help them have a better relationship with the Gentiles.

·         Gal 2:10  Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.   ( They meaning the leadership of the church in Jerusalem.)

·         But notice why they gave so liberally:  “but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”   Because they were sold out to God, they willingly shared what God had so blessed them with.  And they were not rich in this worlds goods.

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

·         Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to give liberally to help the poor saints in Jerusalem, just as did the Macedonians.

(8)  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 

·         Paul is saying, by you giving liberally, to help the poor, it will 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.  (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. 

·         1Co 16:1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

(11)  Now therefore perform the doing of 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. 

·         This is the idea of giving to the Lord’s work.  Willing mind, and giving as we have been prospered.  In this area of Scripture Paul is speaking concerning helping the poor in Jerusalem, however, we understand that we are to support all of God’s work.  Christians share their blessings every Lord’s day, so that others less fortunate can be helped, and also, our offerings, support a nice facility, to study, teach, and worship in.

(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. 

·         We give as we have been prospered.  Some have been more prosperous than others, so they can give more.  Giving is one of the gifts Paul mentions in Romans 12:8.

(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: 

·         This good brother is thought to be Luke, Mark, Silas, or Barnabas, we don’t really know.

(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 enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.  (24)  Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

·         Hopefully we can see the importance of having these kind of words said concerning us.

·         Diligent, being considered messengers of the church, the glory of Christ.  Such rewarding words concerning ones character.

Paul will continue on this subject in chapter 9.  We as Christians know we have an obligation to support God’s work, and to help the poor.  I remember when Judy, and I started our walk with God, we couldn’t give like we would have liked too.  Just coming out of the world, satan had us pretty poor, but the longer we served God, He began to prosper us, and we could give more.  That’s the way it works.  You no longer spend your money on worldly things, and it frees up monies you can give to God.  I have never taught, or hounded people for money, it’s not about money, it’s about Jesus, and what He can do for anyone who wants a better life.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO BE SOLD OUT TO YOU, SO THAT AS YOU BLESS US, WE CAN BLESS OTHERS.  AMEN.