Notes for Singles/Peotone
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How to Have a Rich Christmas 2 Cor 8:9
How to Have a Rich Christmas 2 Cor 8:9
KNOW the Grace of Jesus
a) Riches to Rags (Him)
“for your sake”
b) Rags to Riches (Us)
“by his poverty”
So What?
a) Claim Your Fortune/Inheritance
1) Thank God for Your Inheritance in Christ (1 Cor 15:57?) **2 Cor 9:15
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2) Consider Every Spiritual Blessing Given You in Christ (Eph 1:3, 1 Cor 3:21-22, **2 Cor 9:8-11)
3) Walk in Faith, Pleading All His Promises
All He has said, ASK Him to realize in your life.
2 Cor 9:8, 10, 11, 6
Give generously…reflecting his grace!
For Singles, include personal testimony?
My season of despair, poverty… when God restored my fortunes. Focus on the OBJECTIVE day when God restored our fortunes in Christ—AND the subjective experience of this restoration of fortunes: Such JOY, laughter, shouts… release from fear, depression, anxiety. Oh what a glorious day.
Self-righteousness… Fake piety. Did not trust the imputed righteousness of Jesus… nor rest in his finished work…
++++++
Saints are RICH! Saints are not slaves, nor paupers.
S: Why should we be hilariously generous people?// //How Can You Have A Rich Christmas?
C: B/c of Jesus’ GRACE toward us in the incarnation//KNOW the Grace of Jesus
Titles: The Grace of Christmas
True Riches
His Poverty, Our Fortune
THE GRACE of Christ’s Condescension. Self-emptying. Humbling. Humiliation.
(Our holiness in generosity… )
At Singles:
Scrip Reading: Gospel Narrative or OT prophecy
Isa 53?
At Peotone: 2 Cor 8:1-15
S: What is grace?
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
One Word MI: GRACE!
Goal: My desire this Christmas season is for the people of God at Peotone, and for the Singles, to KNOW the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ.
to KNOW, experience, live in the GRACE of God…
the ENRICHING grace of God… To Walk in the FULLNESS of their INHERITANCE in GRACE!
ST:
Incarnation/Christology!
Soteriology!
Great Theme:
The GRACE of Jesus Christ, RICHES of Jesus, the POVERTY of Jesus, our ENRICHMENT, our FORTUNE in Jesus!!! INCARNATION.
—> the GRACE of Jesus Christ, SHOWN in His self-emptying of heavenly riches in the incarnation and crucifixion, by which He makes us RICH!!!
THE GRACE of Christ’s Condescension. Self-emptying. Humbling. Humiliation.
our spiritual RICHES, fortune!!! (See Ps 136 sermon?)
Fallen Condition/Problem:
the concern it addressed in Corinth: the possibility of failing to follow through on their charity to other churches, finishing what they started
the possibility of letting their mouth/vow go before their actions — expressing great confidence and zeal and confession of READINESS to give, yet NOT being ready to actually follow through on this, backing out, flaking…
our POVERTY (spiritually!); we are BANKRUPT spiritually.
as Christians, we may lack “graces”, gifts, virtues…
We may lack Christ-likeness...
We are by nature GREEDY homeless paupers… unwilling to give our hearts or ANYTHING to others…
We LACK: lack GRACE! lack VIRTUE! lack FAVOR with God! lack GOODNESS!
the first step to becoming rich is to acknowledge your spiritual bankruptcy; to realize your true poverty without God...
poverty of spirit...
What does text say?
How does text say it?
What did text mean to original hearers?
What does the text mean to the church today?
Mean to me?
I am like Christ, to lay down my life and pride to LOVE my wife…
Mean to the congregation?
Singles:
physical riches? NO! hope in the midst of pain, loneliness, depression, weakness… discouragement… disconnectness… ADMONISH the idle, ENCOURAGE the fainthearted, HELP the weak...
Peotone:???
How can I make text meaningful to my hearers?
Christmas can be hard for many with lost family members
Its also wondrous and special and magical to others! to kids! You want to capture the WONDER of Christmas for the kids who will be there…
KIDS WILL BE THERE.
The wonder of the Christmas story… you’re not preaching the Christmas message, but the Sunday before!!!!
Illustrations:
(snipped from MediaVictory online)
Charles Spurgeon, a renowned minister in the 1800s, was called to the home of an elderly woman dying of malnutrition. • He saw a framed document on the wall and asked her about it. • It was given to her at the death of an English nobleman, whom she had served for 50 years. • She couldn’t read or write – the document had hung there for 10 years unexamined. • She reluctantly let him take it and get it examined. • It was a notification of her inclusion in the will of the nobleman. He had left her a home, money, and servants, yet she died in poverty and of malnutrition. • An inheritance unclaimed is the same as not having one at all!
Exegesis:
a) For…
Paul is ENCOURAGING the Corinthian church to FULFILL their pledge to GIVE to the relief of the saints, to complete the “act of grace”, and “excel” in this donation to the needy saints. “Finish doing it” (v.11)
Paul clarifies that he’s NOT commanding them — but rather seeking to PROVE the genuineness of their love, their sincerity, comparing them with the Macedonian churches
Trying to encourage free and willing generosity, giving various motivations, the CHIEF of which is the GOSPEL (others include their own benefit, their own enrichment, provision, abundance, and harvest of righteousness); ultimately the praise and glory of God! (This should motivate true Christians, who DESIRE to glorify their Father.)
He’s telling them to finish their act of grace NOT by giving an apostolic authoritative command, but by the GRACE of the Gospel!!!
that which stirs up genuine love and the desire to DO GOOD and by HOLY! [generous in this context]
He’s saying, “Corinthians, I’m not issuing an apostolic command here. But, given the earnestness of the Macedonian churches in giving, I want to see and prove that YOUR love is also genuine: GENUINE LOVE GIVES, ACTS, REFLECTS THE GRACE OF JESUS!!!!!
b) For you KNOW...
- Corinthian saints, you KNOW of this grace of our Lord Jesus Christ;
this isn’t news to you…
you KNOW this very well, how Jesus impoverished himself by taking on human flesh in order to redeem and enrich us.
You KNOW the Gospel
(SO LIVE according to it! LIVE according to Christ’s example!!! FOLLOW him, IMITATE Him in his radical, hilarious giving and generosity, and sacrifice for the sake of others, even those undeserving)
Jesus is OUR Lord—your Lord and my Lord, your Messiah and my messiah. You KNOW Him and you KNOW His GRACE — how much more should you then ACT accordingly!!!
“He who is forgiven much, loves much!” Paul is applying this principle here! REMEMBER how much you have been forgiven AND given — NOW LOVE genuinely and generously in return!!!
The GOSPEL is the CHIEF, the GREATEST and MOST IMPORTANT motivation for HOLINESS!
b) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Paul REMINDS the Cor. saints of the gospel — you KNOW the GRACE of OUR Lord Jesus Christ — the GOSPEL of the GRACE of God
You have experienced his grace — not just heard about it, but BELIEVED and received his saving grace and his sanctifying grace. You’ve seen him work, you’ve seen his kindness, his mercy in restoring sinners,
You KNOW what he did on the cross to redeem and ransom you. You know the POWER of his resurrection, and of the HS that He has sent upon us!
You know the GRACE of His incarnating for US, becoming one of us, taking on flesh and blood…!!! GRACE was His life!
He came FULL of grace and truth… He came to SAVE and not condemn!
He came with healing and mercy and grace for sinners—the woman caught in adultery. The thief on the cross. for sufferers- the woman with discharge, blind, lepers, lame… sick.
He was FULL of grace.
THE GRACE of Christ’s Condescension. Self-emptying. Humbling. Humiliation.
and PAID all our DEBTS!!! with heaven’s riches… Heaven’s Son!!!
And gave us INFINITE CREDIT!!!!*** His spotless righteousness!!!
c) THAT though he was RICH, for your sake he became poor
the condescension of Jesus.
the MYSTERY of this
illustration: Father Damien…
The impoverishment of the LORD Jesus Christ!!! FOR OUR SAKE.
What Christ did—for OUR SAKE...
See Athanasius/Ryle/Puritan riff on the mystery and majesty of the infinite becoming finite, beautiful...
Jesus became POOR for our sake.
REALLY poor…
from a throne of glory to a manger in the dirt… WHAT condescension, what HUMILITY… what a sacrifice! what a GIFT! WHAT A MARVEL! what a breath-taking act, a KING putting on the rags of the homeless… and walking among them.
Gave up his rights
He emptied himself of his divine privileges
humbled himself as a man, (my experience holding baby Zeril… so FRAGILE!!! vulnerable!!!)
Gave up His riches and throne and perfect bliss… to enter into our realm of suffering and death and temptation… subject to weakness!!!
FOR US!!!
for the CHURCH!!! Jesus did this out of LOVE!!!
HIS LOVE motivated His sacrifice!
the SELFLESS, OTHERS-ORIENTED heart of Jesus — he came not to be served but to SERVE!!!
He came as a ransom for us!!!
He poured out his blood for our SAKE!!!
He died for OUR SAKE!!!
WHY WOULD GOD the SON do this?!? Why would a KING do this?
image of a man on the way to work, in his finest suit, jumping into pool of mud to save a drowning girl… how much more his own daughter!… LOVE!
d)grace: “ that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, [WHY?!]
so that YOU by his poverty”
it is through the poverty of Jesus: through his human weakness, his exposure to temptation, his experience of every kind of suffering, anguish, distress, and sorrow, his vulnerability, his dependence… his full humanity!!! his ultimate death on the cross…
through this incarnation…
e) “so that you by his poverty might become rich”
“He became man so that we might become “god”” - share in divine nature!”
through his incarnation, we are ransomed, and reconciled to God, brought to God through his body, united to him in his death, burial, and resurrection, and participate in the divine life of the Triune God! we are brought into the LOVE of God, we escape the corruption of the world b.c of sinful desire and instead become partakers of the divine nature, and the riches of heaven and glory.
The title of Jesus inheritance and glory becomes ours to share! in him, we become royalty, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, heirs and sons and daughters, princes and princesses...
We were utterly poor — no righteousness of our own, our good deeds filthy rags, and in Christ we are clothed with his holiness and perfect righteousness, we are filled with the Spirit of adoption, and of power and wisdom, so that we may have knowledge of God, peace amid suffering and trial and anxiety, power over sin and its joy-robbing, life-stealing consequences, and NEW desires that yearn for God and His Word and GLORY!!!
the RICHES of grace in Jesus, that make us RICH in GRACE
rich in GOOD WORKS (Titus 2, 1 Tim 6)
harvest of righteousness 2 Cor 9:10-12
our inheritance, abundance of life now, fruit of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit himself, the riches of grace lavished on us, in all wisdom and insight, KNOWLEDGE of Christ, knowledge our identity…
KEY: 2 Cor 6:10, 1 Cor 3:21-22
So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
======================
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Intro:
We all love rags to Riches stories...
from the world…
Joseph from Bible
Richmond from Compassion International…
or the guy with Operation Christmas Child Ukraine...
CFs:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Our Riches?
generosity
good deeds…
virtue, purity
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Here the SUPPLY is SEED for sowing (anything, money or word or any investment for the kingdom) and multiply your harvest of RIGHTEOUSNESS — this is what you will reap: RIGHTEOUSNESS. Not physical wealth, necessarily.
The GRACE, abundant, the riches, are that of righteousness.. a harvest of fruit, godliness, holiness, SAINTLINESS… holiness...
But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
GRACE 2 Cor 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (ESV)
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
In a “Severe test of affliction”
the churches’
ABUNDANCE of JOY!!!
and EXTREME poverty
OVERFLOWED in a WEALTH of generosity
(Macedonian churches reflected Christ here!!! in the SEVERE test of affliction, there is JOY and generosity… out of poverty there is generosity!)
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
GENEROSITY toward other Christians/churches PROVES the genuineness of your love!
How does Paul MOTIVATE the church in Corinth to EXCEL in this act of grace, of taking part in the relief of the saints, giving generously to other churches?
He ROOTS the motivation in the GOSPEL!!!
the GOSPEL should motivate your GENEROSITY this Christmas!
The Macedonian churches were BEGGING for the “FAVOR” the “GRACE” charis — of taking part in the relief of the saints.
it would be a FAVOR to them!
It would bring grace and blessing to them!
Giving is an “act of grace” or favor.
1 Corinthians 4:8–13 (ESV)
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
evidence our riches aren’t PHYSICAL/material!!!
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
++++++
WS:
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition Chapter 8
χάριν
C: The GRACE and FAVOR of God given to the churches, leading to their generosity; the context is in financial GIVING, generoisty, charity, tithing, donations, alms for needy saints— “act of GRACE” is GIVING to this cause.
“grace of God given among the churches of Mac, FOR… overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part… begging us earnestly for the FAVOR [charis] of taking part in the relief of the saints.”
a GRACE given, seen in generosity of Christians
GRACE/FAVOR of partaking in relief of saints—something you can CHOOSE to partake in. You can take part in this GRACE!
complte among you this act of grace. Charity is an “act of Grace” to be completed by the church — an act of CHARIS… of ???
E:
NLT: generous grace
Amp: [astonishing kindness, generosity, gracious favor]… rich [abundantly blessed]
NRSV: generous act!
MSG: generosity
A: 1 Cor 1:4-9 1) GRACE given at conversion and early discipleship: spiritual gifts!!!
1 Corinthians 1:4–9 (ESV)
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him 1) in all speech and 2) all knowledge—3) even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you [FAITH?] — so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
GIFT here is “Charisma”
used of Paul in 1 Cor 7:7 referring to marriage OR singleness...
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
spiritual gifts!!! 1 Cor 12:9, 28-31
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way.
2) GRACE that saves and SANCTIFIES us, and with which we cooperate until perfection… fulfilling our work and ministry and calling!!!
1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
3) RECEIVING the GRACE of God IN VAIN!!! *** 2 Corinthians 6:1“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”
Their RICHES described in 2 Cor 8:7
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
these are the RICHES of God’s grace at work in them!
spiritual gifts… as well as FRUIT of the Spirit and good deeds, we can see elsewhere!
4) GRACE that GIVES total sufficiency for abounding in good works and enduring all affliction! 2 Cor 9:8, 12:9
L: BDAG: graciousness, attractiveness, charm, winsomeness, favor, gracious care/help; goodwill; gracious deed/gift; benefaction, thanks
LN: favor, good will
a beneficent disposition toward someone, favor, grace, gracious care/help, goodwill
that which one grants to another, the action of one who volunteers to do someth. not otherwise obligatory
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (χάρις)
The beneficence or favor of Christ
- His total goodness, kindness, favor toward the undeserving!
- UNDESERVED, UNEARNED, NON-OBLIGATORY favor, kindness, love…
σωθῆναι Ac 15:11. Cp. Ro 5:15b; 2 Cor 8:9; 1 Ti 1:14; IPhld 8:1. On Ac 2:47
But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
POVERTY/poor: ἐπτώχευσεν … πτωχείᾳ
C: Speaking of financial means, giving, the Macedonians giving BEYOND their means… people’s financial state, financial support and giving…
Jesus making himself POOR — he was physically poor, materially poor, homeless, simple…
But what type of poverty did Jesus undergo that makes us RICH?
Ultim his incarnation unto death!
“according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” v.12
E: SAME
A: poverty : 2 Co 8:2 Macedonians extreme poverty - amazing… this brought about an overflow of generosity. SO much like Jesus!!!
L: ptocheia BDAG state of being deficient in means of support,
William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 896.
ptochuo become poor
to be or become poor as a beggar, be (extremely) poor
O: Rev 2:9
Revelation 2:9 (ESV)
“ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
they were POOR physically, but RICH spiritually!
Poverty in spirit is compatible with RICHNESS spiritually...
- 2 types of poverty of spirit, that which we should always maintain as dependent children of God, needy, humble;
-and that which precedes conversion, recognizing we have no righteousness of our own and falling in desperation on God alone and Christ’s mercy for salvation.
S: for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich
his poverty is an extreme poverty, the word can mean poverty like that of a beggar… he emptied himself, humbled himself not as we sometimes do by limiting our comforts or conveniences to go on a week mission trip where we have cold showers and only one pillow… no he became as poor as can be…
this poverty is a status of lack, of need, of deficiency,
Jesus came SO LOW… who would’ve Jesus been like today?
who would’ve he spent time with?
the homeless!
mental institutions… special needs
the sick, cancer patients… those with shameful conditions
he would’ve brought mercy to the prostitutes, those streets where women pick up jobs—he would’ve gone to rescue them?
among gangs?
Rich
E: SAMe
A: Eph 2:4
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
L: rich, wealthy, abound (in), well-to-do
pert. to being plentifully supplied with someth., abound (in), rich (in
O:
having an abundance of earthly possessions that exceeds normal experience, rich, wealthy
The RICH man in Jesus’ parables/teaching; Joseph of Arimathea
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
Jas 2:5//to 1 Tim 6:18 - rich in good works!
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
RICHNESS toward GOD— total generosity to him; the rich man who built bigger barns Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions Lk 12:15.
Luke 12:21 (ESV)
So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
PRIDE and LUXURY of Corinthian Christians...
1 Corinthians 4:8 (ESV)
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!
PHYSICAL RICHES DANGER!!!
1 Timothy 6:9 (ESV)
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
Those who FALSELY think they are RICH, prospered… perhaps financially, while they are spiritually POOR and NAKED!!! the TURN from physical to SPIRITUAL Riches!!!!
Revelation 3:17–19 (ESV)
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Summary of word Studies:
the GRACE of Jesus Christ—the LORD of Glory— he was RICH: full of heaven’s glory, aLL things at his disposable, all the omni’s of deity, all the privileges of perfect fellowship and glory with the F and the S, no limits, no pain, no temptation, no lack — He was the RICHEST, most ABUNDANTLY satisfied being there was… and yet out of GRACE: that which He did NOT HAVE TO DO, but willingly, graciously, KINDLY, overwhelmingly generously did, was to LEAVE his throne of glroy to be born as a poor Jewish baby boy!!!! To subject himself to suffering and death—that through his suffering and death---as well as perfeclty righteous, law-fulfilling life—ENRICH us with his grace, with HIs righteousness, His faithfulness…
GRACE: God’s RICHES at Christ’s Expense
undeserved FAVOR, unearned merit, lavish BLESSING to the evil, cursed… voluntarily given out of an immensely loving and RICH in mercy God!
PARDON and POWER!!!
Comms:
ESV helping the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem!!
the Corinthian church is under Titus’ leadership concerning the collection that they began earlier (Rom 15:25-32! 1 Cor 16:1-4
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Generous giving manifests the grace of God in Corinthian’s lives, to the glory of God in the world (2233)
“Collection an “act of grace” b.c contributing to the needs of others is made possible by God’s undeserved gifts in their lives”
Macedonians gave 1) themselves first to the Lord [recommitment of their lives]; then offered not just money but other personal help to Paul 8:2-5
Cf Jn 1:1-3, Gal 4:4, Phil 2:6
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
RICH: “salvation and all the benefits that flow from it”
“inexpressible gift” is CHRIST! - and the gift of the Corinthians reflects this.
MH:
“the apostle uses several cogent arguments to stir up the Corinthians to this good work of charity.
from their eminent gifts, and exhortation to excel in charity too
now to teh grace of Jesus.
from their good purposes, and their forwardness to begin this good work
from the discrimination which the divine Providence makes in the distribution of the things of this world, and the mutability of human affairs
Quotes:
Annie Johnson Flint - He Giveth More Grace
Ironside: “Grace is the very opposite of merit… Not only undeserved favor, but it is favor shown to the one who has deserved the very opposite.”
Dan Allender “The cost for the recipient of God’s grace is nothing—and no price could be higher for arrogant people to pay.”
Spurgeon: “One thing is past all question: we shall bring our Lord most glory if we get form him much grace.”
John Newton: “I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be. But I thank God that I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, “By the grace of God, I am what I am.”
“He drank of cup of wrath without mercy so that we might drink a cup of mercy without wrath” Oswald Sanders
Thomas Brooks “Saving grace makes a man as willing to leave his lusts as a slave is willing to leave his galley, or a prisoner his dungeon, or a thief his [shackles]; or a beggar his rags.”
“The grace that saves the sinner is the power that must supply the sinner” [I would add, must supply the SAINT]! Jerry Bridges
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the NEED of God’s grace.”
Piper: “Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God NOT to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.”
“If you and sin are friends, you and God are not yet reconciled.” Ryle
“It is a sure mark of grace to desire more.” McCheyne
‘Hell is full of ppl who think they deserve heaven; Heaven is full of people who know they deserve hell.” Trevin Wax