Laughing All The Way
Acts & the Pauline Epistles • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Christmas is just a few weeks away. 15 days to be exact. Okay, now about two-thirds of you just checked out, because you haven’t gotten your Christmas shopping done.
Trust me, you will get it all done! I know you will, because you always do!
Last week, Paul told the church at Corinth that he wanted them to finish what they had started.
They started the giving to the Church at Jerusalem. They did so with eagerness, and excitement.
But it seems that their excitement had begun to fade.
QUESTION: Have you ever begun something only to lose interest in the idea?
QUESTION: Have you ever begun something only to lose interest in the idea?
We saw last week that the churches in Macedonia had followed their example and were now giving. They were giving out of their extreme poverty, while overflowing with joy.
You might remember that Paul wanted the Corinthians to show how much they loved Jesus by completing what they began.
In our passage today, Paul says that Titus had the same concern, and was planning to come to Corinth with some special people and for a reason!
If you have your Bibles turn with me to , and we’ll begin reading with verse 16.
2 Corinthians 8:16-21
16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.
17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.
21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
Titus’ Coming
Titus’ Coming
Titus is not coming alone. He’s got a couple of people coming with him.
Unnamed Man #1
Unnamed Man #1
He was praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
He was praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
He was chosen to accompany Paul when he carried the offering to Jerusalem.
He was chosen to accompany Paul when he carried the offering to Jerusalem.
He was going to help Paul administer the gift so it was done right!
He was going to help Paul administer the gift so it was done right!
2 Corinthians 8:22-24
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.
24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
Unnamed Man #2
Unnamed Man #2
Sending a second brother along.
Sending a second brother along.
Proved to Paul to be zealous.
Proved to Paul to be zealous.
A brother who had great confidence in the church at Corinth.
A brother who had great confidence in the church at Corinth.
Titus
Titus
Partner of Paul.
Partner of Paul.
Fellow worker with Paul.
Fellow worker with Paul.
Three men looking for proof of the Corinthians’ love!
Three men looking for proof of the Corinthians’ love!
No Doubts!
No Doubts!
Paul had no doubts about their eagerness.
Paul had no doubts about their eagerness.
He had been boasting about it to the Macedonians.
He had been boasting about it to the Macedonians.
He wants the three brothers to see the Corinthians’ enthusiasm.
He wants the three brothers to see the Corinthians’ enthusiasm.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:6-
Sow Sparingly—Reap Sparingly
Sow Sparingly—Reap Sparingly
Paul pulls out a farming picture. If you only plant a little seed, you will reap a small crop.
Each man should give what he decided in his heart to give.
Each man should give what he decided in his heart to give.
The verb “should give” is not in the original text. The absence of the verb, makes the command that much more forceful! By omitting the imperative verb Paul softens the tone but still gives a punch.
Don’t give reluctantly.
Don’t give reluctantly.
In the Old Testament, God called for people to give to Him with a sense of spontaneity. Not cautiously, or reservedly.
Don’t give under compulsion.
Don’t give under compulsion.
Likewise in the Old Testament, God did not want people to give because the “had” to give. He loved the gifts of people who “wanted” to give. Those who wanted to give because they loved God.
God loves a cheerful giver.
God loves a cheerful giver.
The Greek word translated “cheerful” is hilaron from which we get the word “hilarious.” It does not be out of control—but with great joy.
God loves a connected giver!
God loves a connected giver!
Cautious giving demonstrates a lack of trust in God. It causes us to miss opportunities to be connected to those around us, and it causes us to miss our connection with God.
The phrase, “having all you need” in the Greek had the meaning of self-sufficiency and contentment. Paul always encouraged those who were self-sufficient to care for those who were unable to be self-sufficient.
The Cynics and Stoics of Paul’s day taught that people needed to be free and independent. They found self-sufficiency to mean carrying only for themselves. Thus, they were self-centered.
QUESTION: How many people today could be considered “self-sufficient by the Cynic/Stoic definition?
QUESTION: How many people today could be considered “self-sufficient by the Cynic/Stoic definition?
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians
God’s principle—You give to others, God gives to you!
God’s principle—You give to others, God gives to you!
Look at verse 11—You will be made rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion. So many people think God gives to us so we can store things up, or so we can have all the fun toys in life.
The reality is God gives to us so we can give to others!
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
SO WHAT?
SO WHAT?
We need to complete what God lays on our hearts.
We need to give generously
Not giving reluctantly
Not giving under compulsion
Giving cheerfully
Give because we’re connected to people
Remember—God gives to us, so we can give to others!
Never Forget—Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son . . .”