2 CORINTHIANS 8:24-9:7 | PROVE YOUR LOVE
Notes
Transcript
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:24-9:15 | PROVE YOUR LOVE
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:24-9:15 | PROVE YOUR LOVE
INTRO
INTRO
ILLUSTRATION: It was the Christmas break of our Senior year of college and Tressa came to visit me and my family in Indiana.
ILLUSTRATION: It was the Christmas break of our Senior year of college and Tressa came to visit me and my family in Indiana.
But this wasn’t just any normal visit, while she was there I was going to propose.
The day before we were going to go out on a special date, we saw a family friend that had just opened a candy store.
My future bride, believing she knew what was going to happen the next night tried to throw off my plan by inviting ourselves to come and see the new candy store.
But I work well under pressure, and so I swiveled and ordered a giant cookie that would be presented to Tressa at the candy store.
The night came and while we looked over everything in the candy shop finally the owner brought out a giant cookie that asked the question, “Will you marry me, Tressa?”
I got down on one knee, and through her utter shock, I asked her to marry me and she said “yes”
When we walked back out to the car, she asked me, “What about the lights?”
Apparently a week or so before I had pocket dialed her and left a message in which I was talking with my dad about one of the possibilities for how I would propose.
Why do we go through such lengths to make a plan, buy a ring, plan a wedding, and get married?
Because while saying “I love you” is great… eventually you have to prove your love through actions!
EXPLANATION: Paul, as he traveled had seen a need in the church at Jerusalem.
EXPLANATION: Paul, as he traveled had seen a need in the church at Jerusalem.
It was a need that the church at Jerusalem could have only seen met through the help of God’s people in other locations.
And as he traveled he had shared this need with other churches who were far away.
He had shared this need with the church at Corinth and their heart had been touched to try and help meet this need.
In fact, as Paul continued to travel he would often refer back to the Corinthian church and talk of their great heart and desire.
But as time went on, other men who went back to the church in Corinth would report back to Paul that this church wasn’t keeping up with what they said they were going to do.
So Paul was writing them back and telling them, “Hey, you said you would, now it’s time to put some action to your words.”
He was saying, talk is cheap! It’s time to put your money where your mouth is.
And in v.24, Paul tells them this is your opportunity to “prove your love”
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
APPLICATION: Friend, do you love God this morning?
APPLICATION: Friend, do you love God this morning?
Most if not all Christians would claim to love Christ, but I wonder if your actions line up with your words?
In the passage before us this morning, Paul gives a challenge to the church at Corinth and ultimately to us today.
It is a challenge for a way the we can “prove our love” for the Lord.
You see, you can say you love God… but it is your actions that tell the truth.
Today, I want to challenge you from God’s Word, to prove your love!
So for a few moments this morning, let’s see how Paul told the church at Corinth and you here today, how to prove your love for Christ!
V.2, THE PERCEIVED THE NEED
V.2, THE PERCEIVED THE NEED
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
EXPLANATION: They had heard about the need in Jerusalem.
EXPLANATION: They had heard about the need in Jerusalem.
Their hearts had been touched.
They were burdened to help this church continue to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ!
The fields were white and ready to harvest and they had committed to do something about it!
They were so passionate that Paul had traveled around and told other churches about their burden.
APPLICATION: Friend, this morning, do you see the need?
APPLICATION: Friend, this morning, do you see the need?
We spend so much of our life in the bubble of our life, that we can so easily be lulled to sleep and miss the need of the world around us.
ILLUSTRATION: While we were away this past week, I had the opportunity to drive a rental car.
ILLUSTRATION: While we were away this past week, I had the opportunity to drive a rental car.
As is normally the case we were able to drive a pretty new vehicle with far more bells and whistles than I was used to.
At one point we were driving on a particularly long straight stretch of road the car “dinged” and then on then said, “consider taking a coffee break.”
I don’t know if your car normally talks to you or not, but I was not accustomed to this.
First off, I don’t drink coffee.
And second, the surprise notification was all I needed to make sure I was awake!
APPLICATION: Maybe this morning you need the notification bell to ring in your life.
APPLICATION: Maybe this morning you need the notification bell to ring in your life.
But it’s not time to take a coffee break to wake up… it’s time to see the need of our weary world and wake up!
It is estimated that roughly 4 billion people, half of the worlds population have never heard the Gospel before.
Montana has a population of 1.123 million people.
If there were 1000 Gospel preaching churches in our state, each one would need to run 1,123 people to reach Montana.
There is a big need in Montana, in our Nation, and all across our world.
Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
When you get burdened and passionate about something, you find a way to do something about it!
For all of us it should move us to prayer.
For most of us it should move us to give.
For some of us it should motivate us to go!
Do you perceive the need?
V.6, A TIME TESTED TRUTH
V.6, A TIME TESTED TRUTH
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
EXPLANATION: Paul gives an agricultural illustration that we are all familiar with
EXPLANATION: Paul gives an agricultural illustration that we are all familiar with
If you plant one see, you most likely will reap one plant with fruit
If you plant two sees, you will probably reap a couple plants with various amounts of fruit
As you plant more and more seeds, your fruit will increase!
If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully.
APPLICATION: Friend, it doesn’t matter what your occupation is, today if you know Christ, your primary occupation is as a farmer.
APPLICATION: Friend, it doesn’t matter what your occupation is, today if you know Christ, your primary occupation is as a farmer.
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
You must be a seed sower!
And there are various ways that you can plant seeds.
Share the Seed
Share the Seed
Take the seed of the Gospel and give it to people!
Tell people about Jesus… invite them to church!
Sow some seeds!
You may be here thinking, I just don’t have much fruit.
My question to you is, “Are you sowing any seed?”
Many Christians are disappointed in the results they don’t get for the works they don’t do!
If you want to see people come to Christ in your personal life, get busy sowing seed… and do it bountifully!
Give toward the Seed
Give toward the Seed
Do you realize God could have given the Gospel any way He wanted?
He could have written it in the stars at night.
He could have made it a song that the birds sing
But He was so good, that He allows you and me to be involved in getting the Gospel all around the world.
You don’t have to give to missions… YOU GET TO!
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
There’s a problem, the Bible says we are to be witnesses “both”
My problem is I can’t be in two places at once.
I may not be able to physically take my family to another city or state, or another country, and give the Gospel there.
But I can support someone who can!
Paul said over in Philippians that he was looking for people to give there money to him so he could build his wealth.
No it enabled him to take the Gospel to places they couldn’t go.
And the result of him doing that is so cool… Philippians 4:17
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Friend, God doesn’t need your money, but He let’s you and me be a part of the greatest mission on earth!
And as we give sacrificially, we can be more involved and effective in reaching this world for Christ!
The Perceived Need, A Time Tested Truth
V.7, A NECESSARY MOTIVATION
V.7, A NECESSARY MOTIVATION
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
EXPLANATION: Paul says this is something for “Every man”
EXPLANATION: Paul says this is something for “Every man”
This was something everyone could be involved in!
But the key was not a certain amount to be given… the key was where it came from.
God wanted it to come from the heart!
APPLICATION: We have commitment cards that we will turn in on May 19th.
APPLICATION: We have commitment cards that we will turn in on May 19th.
Can I encourage you, don’t approach that commitment flippantly.
The word “purposeth” that Paul uses here is the only time this Greek word is used in the NT.
But it carries with it a premeditated and predetermined plan.
We call this a “Faith Promise” giving… but we could almost better call it a “Faith Purposed” giving.
What should our purpose be?
To mirror the heart of God for reaching the world with the Gospel!
You see friend, God gave everything that you could be saved.
It seems only reasonable to give back sacrificially to Him!
I love what the Bible says about the believers at Macedonia that gave toward missions.
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
They gave sacrificially so the Gospel could go forward
But don’t miss what Paul says in v.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.
You see before they put a penny in the offering plate, the first climbed in themselves!
Friend, can I encourage you, before you fill out a commitment card, let your life be the commitment card!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
It’s only reasonable to give yourself to God!
And if God has your heart… you can be sure that He will have your money.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The Perceived Need, A Time Tested Truth, A Necessary Motivation
V. 8-14, THE REMARKABLE RESULTS
V. 8-14, THE REMARKABLE RESULTS
EXPLANATION: When we are faithful give there are incredible results that follow.
EXPLANATION: When we are faithful give there are incredible results that follow.
God is Able (v.8)
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
You may be thinking, “How can I give to missions, and give a tithe, and still be able to pay the bills and put food on the table?”
The only thing I can tell you is God is Able!
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
You may not always know where it is going to come from, but as you stay faithful to the Lord, you will find He always stays faithful to you.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
ILLUSTRATION: I can’t explain it exactly, but I can tell you there have been many times that I’ve look at the bank account and I’ve looked at the month and there was a lot more month left than money.
ILLUSTRATION: I can’t explain it exactly, but I can tell you there have been many times that I’ve look at the bank account and I’ve looked at the month and there was a lot more month left than money.
But somehow, someway, God has brought us through every time!
He will provide extra unexpected work
Or maybe something comes through we weren’t expecting.
I have discovered in my life that when I can’t do it… God is Able!
And Friend, I would encourage you to trust Him!
We Must Discern (v.10)
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
This is such a cool verse.
“He the ministereth seed” - God
And He gives you two different things
Bread - That’s what is for me.
Seed - That what God gives to me to give to others.
We have to have discernment to know which is which!
We live in such spoiled society.
We don’t have money to give to missions, but we can afford that $10 hamburger every other night, and the $8 coffee every day, and every subscription to every streaming service there is!
Friend, if we are just being honest, the truth is most of us just don’t know how to sacrifice.
ILLUSTRATION: I heard someone say that you should find something to tell yourself “no” about every day.
ILLUSTRATION: I heard someone say that you should find something to tell yourself “no” about every day.
I want it… No
To gain a little self control!
To learn that sacrificing something is ok.
APPLICATION: If we would learn to do that, we would probably find out we have plenty of bread, and some seed left over.
APPLICATION: If we would learn to do that, we would probably find out we have plenty of bread, and some seed left over.
Maybe this week you just need to ask God to help you have the discernment to know what is bread and what is seed.
HE IS PRAISED (v.11-13)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
This is so cool.
Paul says that through our giving of the Gospel and toward the Gospel we can cause others to praise Him.
ILLUSTRATION: If I told you was a great guy, you might be thinking, “I don’t know that is… I don’t think he’s that great.”
ILLUSTRATION: If I told you was a great guy, you might be thinking, “I don’t know that is… I don’t think he’s that great.”
But what if found out you had a need and he gave me $50 to give to you… and I give you the $50 and tell you it’s from him… Now you’re thinking “I love he’s a great guys!”
APPLICATION: We have the opportunity to give the Gospel to this world both personally and through giving to missions.
APPLICATION: We have the opportunity to give the Gospel to this world both personally and through giving to missions.
And when someone hears the message “The God wanted me to give you the greatest message ever given.”
They don’t glorify me… they praise God!
GRACE IS RETURNED (V.14)
And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
The Bible says that when you give to missions, the Gospel is taken to another place and given to someone there, and when they get saved, they will pray and ask the Lord to bless your life for having given.
God returns the blessing upon us… most of the time without us even knowing!
He gives grace in times that we need it.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
APPLICATION: As we come to the end of the chapter, we reach v.15 and it almost seems like it is out of place and doesn’t belong.
APPLICATION: As we come to the end of the chapter, we reach v.15 and it almost seems like it is out of place and doesn’t belong.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
ILLUSTRATION: When I proposed to Tressa on that night, I don’t remember all the words that I said.
ILLUSTRATION: When I proposed to Tressa on that night, I don’t remember all the words that I said.
But there is one thing that I do remember, and I think it was the best part.
She was speechless!
Everything that had just happened had left her without even having any words to say.
Finally she did say “yes”… but she was speechless before.
EXPLANATION: As Paul was thinking about all these things he couldn’t help but bring himself to the foot of the cross.
EXPLANATION: As Paul was thinking about all these things he couldn’t help but bring himself to the foot of the cross.
And as he thought about his Savior that gave everything for him it’s almost as if he says, “I just want to thank you Lord… And I want to put into words all that you did for me… but I can’t… it’s so much… it’s unspeakable.”
APPLICATION: When we truly think about God’s unspeakable gift to us, Jesus Christ, you can’t help but say, “Lord, I want to prove to you how much I love you.”
APPLICATION: When we truly think about God’s unspeakable gift to us, Jesus Christ, you can’t help but say, “Lord, I want to prove to you how much I love you.”
And I hope that is exactly your heart this morning!