The Domino Effect of Grace-Giving
2024 Missions • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Over the past few weeks, we have focused on stewardship. We started with tithing and learned that it is the foundation for faithful giving. The tithe is an act of obedience by admitting that God truly owns everything. We then moved to grace-giving. Grace-giving, in contrast to tithing, is voluntary and shows our deep love for Christ. It's not just about giving but about giving with a heart full of gratitude for the grace we have received. He first loved us and demonstrated His great grace by sacrificially offering Himself as payment for our sins. Thus, in turn, we express our love for His grace and mercy that He extended to us. This grace-giving is what fuels our mission work, as we give not out of obligation but out of a heart overflowing with love and gratitude.
Today, we turn our attention to world evangelism. One of the top priorities that Christ gave to us as individuals and as a local body of believers is to be witnesses for Him.
The Biblical Mandate to Evangelize the World
The Biblical Mandate to Evangelize the World
This commission is in some form within all the Gospels and the book of Acts.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This last verse is the most interesting because it comes just before Christ ascends into Heaven. Thus, it is virtually the last command given by Christ before returning to Heaven.
Without a doubt, witnessing or evangelization must be at the top of the list for all believers. This is emphasized once again in 1 Corinthians 15:3
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
The gospel message is the most important message that anyone can receive. What is the gospel message?
Note verse 4 of the same chapter.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The death, burial, and resurrection are the good news or, as Scripture relates, the gospel. We must carry that message home and abroad to as many as will receive it.
How does this relate to stewardship and giving?
As we look around our world today, there is no doubt that most of the world is lost, and their hearts are filled with sin. Murders, rapes, incest, and immoral acts are at an all-time high. People all around us are on a path of destruction. Christ noted this...
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
We must be active participants. Together, we must strive to use all that God has entrusted us to reach the lost for Him. That is the driving force behind this entire month. Each October, we challenge ourselves to do more for the Lord. 2024 has been a good year. God has blessed us incredibly. However, if God allows, we have another year ahead with even greater opportunities.
So, this morning, I want to explain why we support world missions and missionaries, share how this works, and challenge you to be involved. You can be involved in missions through prayer, financial support, or even short-term mission trips. Your involvement, no matter how small it may seem, can significantly impact spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.
HOW DOES MISSIONS WORK AT CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH?
Show graphics explaining the mission program of our church and the mission budget.
Let’s start with this.
Why should I, as a believer, give to Mission?
The Biblical Reason That Relates Grace Giving to World Evangelism
The Biblical Reason That Relates Grace Giving to World Evangelism
There are many different reasons why we should give to Missions. However, I want to share this answer with you this morning: It goes back to God’s extraordinary grace.
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Three times, we see references to God’s grace. It starts with verse 1, with the Holy Spirit drawing attention to God’s grace experienced in the churches of Macedonia. Then, we see in verse 4 the word “gift.” In the Greek, this is the same word as “grace.” And then, in verse 7, we see again the Holy Spirit encouraging us to “abound in this grace also.”
Again, we must revisit the word “grace.” The word itself suggests the outworking of God’s goodwill. Some have suggested that God’s grace is simply His unmerited favor. While I agree with that assessment, I believe it limits the scope of its activity. You see, God’s grace extends much further than just salvation. Too many times, we confine God’s grace to salvation only. This is often a result of Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
In these verses, we learn that salvation comes from God’s grace. Essentially, verse 8 points out that God did everything so that we might be saved. In other words, God is the One Who came to earth, lived among men, and then offered Himself as the perfect Sacrifice for our sins. His death, burial, and resurrection are the only ways a person can be made righteous and holy. We have spent much time studying this over the past couple of weeks. Undoubtedly, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God Himself, is the only way into Heaven. No man comes unto the Father but through Him. The point is this. There is nothing we can do or become of ourselves to work our way into Heaven.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
God knew this.
Thus, His “unmerited favor” (grace) towards us is His willingness to come personally and die for our sins to save us from the awful eternity that awaits us.
Thus, it is through grace that we are saved. The only thing God requires of us is our faith. We must believe all that He has done for us.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
When we believe in God’s unmerited favor with all our hearts, souls, and minds, God extends His grace to us. This is known as saving grace.
Hosea 14:4 expresses God’s grace in a way we often do not think about.
Hosea 14:4 (KJV 1900)
4 ...I will love them freely...
However, in our text today, the Holy Spirit speaks about grace extended to us after salvation. Now that we are saved, God’s grace continues. Yes, we are saved, but unfortunately, we still contend with our old fleshly nature. This body of flesh will not be exchanged for a new body that is glorified until we are with Christ in Heaven. In the meantime, we live daily as believers caught in a battle of wills. We have the will of the flesh, which desires to satisfy its own desires. We also have the will of the Holy Spirit, which prompts us to live for God and His purposes. These two conflict with one another. Our biggest problem is that we always gravitate to doing the will of the flesh over God’s will in our lives. However, the great news is that we have the Holy Spirit in us. We open the door to God’s grace when we obey God's Word. Let me explain it by using a verse in Philippians.
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
If you study this chapter, you will find that the first 11 verses speak about God’s grace. These verses depict all that Christ did for us, even when we were not worthy of His love. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death for our sake. What is interesting is that verse 5 states...
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
In other words, God desires that we be people of love and grace, as Christ demonstrated during His earthly ministry. Thus, the Holy Spirit states in verse 12, “...as ye have always obeyed…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” His instruction to “...work out your own salvation” is not about working our way into heaven. We cannot do that. Remember, there is none righteous. Again, it is only through Christ that we are saved. Instead, the Holy Spirit encourages us to demonstrate our salvation through our works. In other words, if you claim to wholly believe all that Christ did for your salvation and have obeyed by confessing that with your mouth and placing your faith in Him, then continue living a life of obedience that demonstrates your faith in Him. Note that the word “obeyed” is prominent in verse 12 - “as ye have always obeyed.” Now note verse 13.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
According to this verse, who is the One that works in you? It is God. What does God place within you? He places the will and the ability (to do) to accomplish His will. As you live a life of obedience, God’s grace abounds in you, creating a desire and allowing you to enjoy God’s good pleasure. A believer’s life is always about obedience.
The more you obey God, the more you experience God’s grace.
You may note that you have more peace, joy, happiness, and contentment during times of obedience to God's commands. Why is that? It is because God’s grace (the desire and ability to do His will) is greater in you than the flesh’s desire. You are living under God's unmerited favor as He works in your life through your obedience. Unfortunately, we allow the flesh to reign more in our lives than the Holy Spirit through disobedience.
Now, let’s take what we just learned about God’s grace and return to our text. How does God’s grace relate to giving?
The Biblical Example of Macedonian Churches
The Biblical Example of Macedonian Churches
Look again at our text.
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
The Holy Spirit now provides a practical example of how God’s grace works. He uses the example of these believers who made up the local churches of Macedonia. One such church was the local church called “Philippi.” It is the same local church to which the Holy Spirit penned the words in the book of Philippians. The very same book from which we just learned about God’s grace. Now, the Holy Spirit says to the believers in the local church of Corinth, let me show how My grace (God’s grace) is working wonderfully in the believers of Macedonia. He is saying the same thing to us this morning. So, what was happening in these believer’s lives?
Look at verses 2 and 3.
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
For the sake of time, I simply want to point out that God blessed these believers. Obviously, not everything was great in their life. Note that they were experiencing a “great trial of affliction,” and they were people of “deep poverty.” In other words, they were going through things many of us can relate to. However, despite these difficult circumstances, God was working. They also had an “abundance of…joy” and “abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” In other words, these people had a terrific attitude and willingness to serve the Lord and others. They didn’t have much. They were suffering greatly. Yet, if you were to meet them, you would have never known it. Why?
These believers were not sitting around throwing a pity party about their condition and circumstances. No, instead, they were loving the Lord, living for the Lord, and leaning on Him.
Now note verse 4.
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
This is a great verse that depicts the attitude of these believers. They were begging Paul about receiving the “gift.” As I mentioned, “gift” is the same as “grace” in the original language. The believers of Macedonia were so enthralled with God’s grace that they wanted everyone to experience it in the same manner. Thus, as noted in verse 4, they desired that everyone join them in “the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” In other words, they invited other local churches, such as the Corinthians church, to join them as the ministers of God’s grace to others. They told the believers at Corinth to get in on this wonderful program of God’s grace. Oh, by the way, who was doing this in their hearts? God placed the will and the ability to do what they were doing. Verse 5 provides us with some essential information.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
How does this apply to us today? Look at verse 6.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
The Holy Spirit wants to “finish” in us the “same grace also.” That was the whole purpose of penning this chapter. He wanted the believers at Corinth to get in on the same grace program as those in Macedonia. Even today, the Holy Spirit is saying the same thing to us. We must “finish…the same grace.”
The underlying issue was this. An offering was being gathered for the Jerusalem saints suffering through a great famine. Many churches volunteered to give food and/or money for food for these saints in Jerusalem. Corinth was one. The churches of Macedonian also volunteered to give. Wealth was the big difference between the believers in Macedonia and those in Corinth. The believers of Macedonia were destitute. The believers of Corinth were extremely wealthy. Despite their situation, the believers in Macedonia gave way more to the relief offering than those in Corinth. The believers in Corinth were doing very little to fulfill their commitment. Thus, the Holy Spirit uses these Macedonian believers as positive examples to the believers of Corinth.
What was the point?
Their giving to this mission project proved their desire for God’s grace in their lives.
They gave themselves to Him and His will. In turn, God exponentially increased their desire and their ability to give. Note the miracle that took place in the lives of these poor and afflicted believers.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
God enabled them to give “beyond their power.”
God proved Himself to them by enabling them to give more than they could imagine.
In fact, it would seem by the language that even Paul was impressed by how much they gave. How did they do it? God’s grace is the answer.
A Practical Application of Grace-Giving for Today
A Practical Application of Grace-Giving for Today
Here is the application for us. As a church, we have chosen missions and missionaries as the means of helping the world come to Christ. It is a very biblical approach. Christ, without question, commissioned each local church and believer with the task of spreading the gospel message around the world.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Here at home, we accomplish this task utilizing God’s grace. We obey His command to be witnesses ourselves by going and giving. We evangelize. As we do, we seek to reach our Jerusalem. The more we obey, the more God’s grace abounds in us as we reach our families, co-workers, and neighbors.
However, reaching our Judaea (nation), Samaria (neighboring nations), and the uttermost parts of the earth is a more aggressive campaign. It requires manpower and resources we often lack. If we are to accomplish His will, we need God’s grace to abound in us.
One of the great things is that God often raises a man, who is known as a missionary, and his family, who surrender to God’s will and commit to going to another nation to share the gospel. When He does, that man and his family need help getting there and staying there. That is where we come in.
Along with other churches, we support these families (missionaries) financially. Each month, we commit to giving a certain amount of money so they can effectively witness to those in foreign lands without a gospel witness. In doing so, we obey Christ’s command to go and teach all nations. Our obedience leads to God’s grace abounding in our lives. The more we obey, the more God extends our desire and ability to do His will. That is grace. It is how the Macedonian believers could give to their power and beyond it. God will do the same for us. That is His promise. A promise exemplified by the Macedonians. If God can do it in their lives, He can do it still today. He is always the same, and His promises remain the same. Thus, whenever you, as a believer, get in on God’s program and commit to giving to our Mission’s giving, you are saying to God and others that you want more of God’s grace in your life.
Your commitment to give is a testimony that you desire to obey God.
It is that simple. However, it can also testify to your rejection of God’s grace in your life. What do I mean by that? Any believer who refuses to obey God is a believer who limits God’s grace in their life. Remember that obedience is the key. Without any doubt, God commands each believer to love Him and others. We do so by committing to tell others about His great love for them. Whenever we refuse to get involved in evangelism, we say we do not want to obey Him. When we do not follow, we do not experience God’s favor; instead, we experience God’s disfavor.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Therefore, let us commit to obeying God's command to be witnesses to the world. By supporting missionaries and participating in global evangelism, we not only fulfill our spiritual duty but also experience the abundant grace of God in our own lives. Let us embrace the privilege of being a part of God's mission to reach the nations and witness the transformation of lives through the power of the gospel. As we faithfully give and serve, we testify to our love for God and our desire to see His kingdom advance.
