Faith Promise Missions 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:8
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 10 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Talk about missions emphasis month and all that is upcoming. We have several of our missions' partners who will be joining us as well. Feb 11- Jim Bitner from OTAN who oversees our partnerships in Vietnam, Feb 18- TJ Kimmell who is the director of C.O.R.E Missions (who we are taking our missions trip with in July). Then Feb 25- Brad Russell who is the head IMB liaison for the SBCV.
Just as Christians partner with missionaries in prayer, they also share in the fruit of their labors through sacrificial, financial giving. It is a source of great joy to know that our gifts enable missionaries to stand in our stead, preaching the Gospel, and winning precious souls to Christ.
The financial cost of taking the Gospel to foreign lands and even local town USA is a formidable barrier to modern missions. While money alone can’t convert a single soul, missionaries are sent and sustained only by the consistent, sacrificial, financial commitment of God’s people.
Lack of funds has a detrimental effect upon those who are called to take the Gospel to the world. It can significantly delay the departure of new missionaries. Everyone with a heart for missions is asking, “How can we better finance missions so that we can send and equip all whom God calls?”
Personal experience: When we surrendered to plant the financial burden was immense and in fact, most of the financing in those early days, came out of our own pockets.
Here at Heritage, we use a method of supporting missions called “Faith Promise” and it is that method that i want us to spotlight today in our time together. As we kick off our missions month.
I. A BIBLICAL METHOD
I. A BIBLICAL METHOD
Most people credit the Canadian preacher A. B. Simpson (1843-1919) for developing the faith promise program. He claimed he got it from the Bible, and we agree. The program is built upon solid biblical principles.
Practicing faith in finances is as necessary as practicing faith in all other areas of life. No great work for God can be accomplished without faith.
There are at least 8 biblical principles in 2 Corinthians chapter eight and into ch.9which define faith promise mission giving.
A.) We first give ourselves to the Lord.
In 2 Corinthians 8 Paul is addressing an offering for the struggling church in Jerusalem that he is collecting and that the Corinthian church has pledged to give to but hadn't yet. He opens by telling them of the Macedonian churches that had already given even though they themselves were incredibly poor and persecuted. They gave so much that Paul had to actually tell them to stop giving. In contrast, the very rich Corinthian church hadn't given anything.
5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
The Macedonian people contributed so much because they had already dedicated their lives over to Christ.
If Christ has all of you, it will include your finances.
B.) Our willingness to give demonstrates our desire to further the work of God.
3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
C.) Our giving demonstrates our debt of gratitude for all that Christ has done for us.
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
9 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.
24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
D.) God promises the power to abound in giving just as He promises the power to abound in other Christian graces.
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.
E.) Faith giving allows believers to give “beyond their power” to the cause of world missions.
2 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.
3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,
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.
F.) We are to give out of our need rather than out of our excess. This is how God’s Word defines sacrificial giving.
2 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.
G.) No one is exempt from participation in faith promise giving. God’s plan is all inclusive. attitude of our giving must be cheerful.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
H.) Theattitude of our giving must be cheerful.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Paul commended the impoverished Macedonian believers for exemplifying these eight principles of giving, demonstrating that financing missions does not depend so much on deep pocketbooks, but on willing hearts.
II. A FAITH COMMITMENT
II. A FAITH COMMITMENT
As its name suggests, faith promise mission giving is based on a faith commitment.
In addition to regular offerings, each church member is challenged to exercise faith in making a one-year, weekly commitment to the church’s missions’ program.
The church increases its missionary commitments for the next year based on these anonymous commitments.
This is not a pledge to the church, but a commitment to Christ and world missions.
III. A WELL-PLACED FAITH
III. A WELL-PLACED FAITH
The challenge of faith promise is not, “How much can I trust God to give me for a faith promise commitment each week?”
Rather, the question is, “How much can I give to faith promise each week and still trust God to meet my own needs?”
The first question does not really involve faith, except on the missionary’s part. The latter question exercises real faith because I accept my commitment as a firm obligation and determine to trust God to help me live within His provision.
Churches also exercise faith that members will not use their tithes and offerings to pay their faith promise commitment.
The fact is that tithes, offerings, and ministry involvement usually increase when faith promise is biblically implemented, because the exercise of this faith produces greater faithfulness in other areas as well.
IV. A SIMPLE IMPLEMENTATION
IV. A SIMPLE IMPLEMENTATION
Take the next two weeks to pray for your commitment.
The sacrifices of the missionaries serve as examples of selfless commitment to the Great Commission.
Pass Out Mission Commitment Cards.
V. AN ADVANTAGEOUS APPROACH
V. AN ADVANTAGEOUS APPROACH
There are several advantages to the faith promise plan for financing missions.
As a Bible-based program, it not only provides funds for missions, but also advances every objective of the local church’s missions program.
Faith promise offers two great advantages.
A. It elevates the church’s mission program to the place of prominence the Great Commission deserves.
B. It fosters a more direct and personal connection between church members and missions, resulting in a more mission-minded church.
You as a church member will be more eager to participate in mission-related activities such as correspondence, housing, and even mission trips.
Young people are more apt to respond to the call of missionary service.
Giving directly to missions through faith promise promotes a strong sense of personal connection with God’s plan for world outreach.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Invite the church to spend time in prayer over their commitment.