THE GRACE OF GOD TO THE MACEDONIAN CHURCHES Text: II Corinthians 8:1-15 Intro: What are you thinking when it’s Christmas? He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack-v 15 Aim: For us to abound in giving as we abound in everything (faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and love) v 7

I. The grace of God to the churches of Macedonia-v 1 1.They had a great trial of affliction-v 2 2.Things that abound in their giving a. The abundance of their joy-v 2 b. Their deep poverty abound “that a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality”. c. Proverbs 11:24 “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than what is right, but it leads to poverty.”

3. Their giving was not just according to their ability but even beyond-v 3, 12 a. God is only expecting you to give according to your ability. As He blessed you-Prov 3:27-28 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbour, Go and come back and tomorrow I will give it, when you have it with you.” b. But when you give beyond your ability, that is a grace-Deut 16:17 “Each man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God has given you.”

4. Remember that this is a grace of God. You cannot do it on your own. They were freely willing.-v 3, II Cor 9:7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 5. They were imploring them with much urgency-v 4 a. That their gift would be received b. They could have fellowship of the ministering to the saints

II. What motivated them for the grace of giving? A.Not because others were hoping for it-v 5 B.But first they gave themselves to the Lord C.They gave themselves to them by the will of God. D.They’ve been taught, encouraged, equipped with the Word of God-v 6 E.This was the result of their abounding in: 1.Everything 2.Faith 3.Speech 4.Knowledge-Acts 20:35 5.Diligence 6.Love F.The sincerity of their love-v 8

G. Their desire-v 10 H. Willing mind-v 12 I. Their joy in it-v 2

III. Their pattern of giving (Jesus)-v 9 A.Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor B.That you through His poverty might become rich. C.I John 3:16 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”.

IV. THE ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS OF GIVING-V 10 A. If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully-II Cor 9:6 B. God is able to make all grace abound toward you-II Cor 9:7 -That you, always having sufficiency in all things -Have abundance for every good work C. He will supply and multiply the seed you have sown-v 10 D. He will increase the fruit of your righteousness-v 10 E. You are enriched in everything for all liberality (giving)- v 11 F. It causes thanksgiving through us-v 11 H. The needs of the saints has been supplied-v 12 I. They glorify God for your giving with them and all men- v 13 J. Those who receive help will pray for you-v 14

V. The goal of giving or sharing-v A.Not meant for others to be eased and you burdened-v 13 B.That there might be equality-v 14 C.That your abundance may supply their need-v 14 D.That their abundance may supply your lack-v 14

VI. THE ESSENCE OF GIVING OR BOTTOM LINE-V 15 A.He who gathered much had nothing left over B.He who gathered little had no lack. Challenge: Do you have the readiness to desire to give? Are you completing your desire? Are growing in this particular grace? Would there be somebody thanking and glorifying God because of your sharing? Have you experience the joy of giving? Is giving part of your life?

Conclusion: II Corinthians 8:7 “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.” Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn Of all the gifts and toys we knew we’d find But we never realized a baby born one blessed night Gave us the greatest gift of our lives *We were the reason that He gave His life We were the reason that He suffered and died To a world that was lost He gave all He could give To show us the reason to live As the years went by we learned more about gifts The giving of ourselves and what that means On a dark and cloudy day a man hung crying in the rain All because of love All because of love

*Chorus I finally found the reason for living It’s in giving every part of my heart to Him (every part to Him) And all that I do every word that I say (you know I’ll be saying) I’ll be giving my all just for Him, for Him (every thing for Him) We are the reason that He gave His life We are the reason that He suffered and died To a world that was lost He gave all He could give (all that he could give all) To show us the reason to live