Abounding In Grace II Corinthians 8:1-12 The Church at Mesquite

Recap: Christian Stewardship Stewardship: the managing of something we don’t own. We are stewards of our time, our talents and our treasure (God owns them all and gives them to us) The parable of the talents teaches us: 1. God has entrusted us with His property 2. God expects us to multiply what He has given us through effort, risk and action. 3. God is not pleased with those who misuse their talents because of fear, laziness or excuses. 4. Those who don’t manage God’s possessions the way He expects will be punished. The Church at Mesquite

Scriptural Text – II Cor. 8:1-12 1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving.  8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.  10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.  The Church at Mesquite

Scriptural Text – II Cor. 8:7 7But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.  (NKJ) The Church at Mesquite

Scriptural Background Paul is writing his second letter to the Corinthian church around 55-56 AD. II Cor. Is divided into 3 parts: 1. Paul's self-defense in relation to his conduct and ministry 2. The offering collected for the poor saints of Judea 3. A message of condemnation to the detractors who remain in the church Paul is urging the Corinthians to be generous and to give joyfully so that GOD can bless them in each moment. The Church at Mesquite

Abounding in grace? Grace: a disposition created by the Spirit: a type of extreme kindness The Church at Mesquite

Abounding in grace? Abounding in grace: Abundantly exercising acts of goodness by giving in a free generous way to saints in distress; which as it is here called, "the grace of God", so in some following verses, "the gift, the same grace, and this grace", (2 Corinthians 8:4,6,7) “performing kind and bountiful actions": which are done freely, and for which a person expects no return from the person to whom he does them The Church at Mesquite

Abounding in Grace Simply put: we are to abound (excel, be cheerfully excessive) in our giving to those in need. The Church at Mesquite

Abounding in Grace Old Testament Giving: The Law the law imposed giving as a divine requirement Three tithes (tenth) required of the Jews: Rishon (1st tithe): Lev. 27:30-33, Num. 18:24-28 Sheni (2nd tithe): Deut. 14:22-27 Ani (3rd tithe): Deut. 14:28-29 The Church at Mesquite

Abounding in Grace Old Testament Giving: The Law They were required to give 20% each year Year 1: 1,2 Year 2: 1,2 Year 3: 1,3 Year 4: 1,2 Year 5: 1,2 Year 6: 1,3 Year 7: Sabbatical year (no giving) The Church at Mesquite

Abounding In Grace, Not In The Law New Testament Giving: Grace In contrast with the Old Testament, New Testament giving is voluntary, and a test of sincerity and love 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8And 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. The Church at Mesquite

Abounding In Grace, Not In The Law Individuals who displayed this behavior Macedonian Churches Gave with overflowing joy (v. 2) Gave in the midst of their extreme poverty (v. 2) Gave more than they were able (v. 3) Gave themselves to the Lord first (v. 4) The Church at Mesquite

Abounding In Grace, Not In The Law Individuals who displayed this behavior Widow who gave 2 mites 1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."  She gave all her means to live in the midst of her poverty In doing so, she gave with a larger measure of faith than all the others, and thus she gave more The Church at Mesquite

Abounding in grace, not the law Individuals who displayed this behavior God’s Grace is displayed through His actions Giving freely to all 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Giving His Son on the cross (Matt. 5:44-45) 16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) The Church at Mesquite

Freedom Under Grace It is through God’s grace that we are freed from sin. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. (Rom. 3:20-25) The Church at Mesquite

Freedom Under Grace - Conclusion If God’s grace (that is displayed through actions) gives us the freedom from sin and bring us back into a relationship with Him, what does this freedom mean in terms of our giving? The Church at Mesquite

Freedom Under Grace - Conclusion Freedom to give It is not an option to not give. Whether we give a little or whether we give a lot, we are expected to give. The Church at Mesquite

Freedom Under Grace - Conclusion Freedom to give abundantly God gives abundantly, the Macedonian churches were praised for giving abundantly, as was the widow by Jesus The Church at Mesquite

Freedom Under Grace - Conclusion Freedom to embrace what is really important about giving (giving with the right attitude) Must give because You really want to give You have enough faith to know that it already belongs to God anyway, and that God will sustain you no matter what you have left The Church at Mesquite

Conclusion God freed us from sin by His abundant grace He gave all for us so that we would be free to follow His example and give all for each other. We are to give: freely, in abundance, and with the right attitude (remembering what God has done for us already that we can’t repay), remembering that how you give is more important than what you give! The Church at Mesquite

Abounding In Grace II Corinthians 8:1-12 The Church at Mesquite