EXCELLENT IN FAITH

Introduction

As a church family, we have set our hearts on being excellent—not just in our skills and abilities, but especially in our faith and ministry. Today, we face practical challenges: our building is under renovation, we need more financial support, and we deeply desire more people involved actively in serving according to their God-given gifts. How can we, as followers of Christ who face real economic challenges, practice excellence in faith?

The Apostle Paul faced a similar situation. He addressed the church at Corinth—comfortable yet hesitant in generosity. He encouraged them using the example of the Macedonians, who, despite their poverty, overflowed in generosity. Today, God’s word teaches us how we too can excel in faith by practicing generosity rooted in grace.

Bible Passage 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

Exposition (Main Points):

I. Excellence in Faith is Rooted in God’s Grace (v.7-9)

Paul encourages the Corinthians to be excellent not just in spiritual gifts and knowledge, but also in generosity.

Our giving reflects our experience of Christ’s grace: He became poor so we might become rich in spiritual blessings.

Practical Application: Recognize that excellence in faith is empowered by grace. Generosity is not about our financial status, but our heart status influenced by Christ's sacrifice.

II. Excellence in Faith is Proven by Action (v.10-12)

The Corinthians had good intentions but needed to follow through with actions.

Genuine faith manifests in tangible action, not just intentions or words.

Practical Application: Reflect on how our actions align with our declared faith. It’s not enough to have good intentions; we must practically contribute according to our means.

III. Excellence in Faith Results in Mutual Support (v.13-15)

Paul emphasizes the concept of equality and mutual support.

True generosity balances giving and receiving among believers.

Practical Application: Understand generosity as mutual responsibility. The church's strength lies in each member contributing what they have to support and strengthen one another.

Illustration:

Share testimonies from within the congregation or historical accounts of sacrificial giving, similar to the Macedonian churches. Highlight examples from your congregation’s past generosity to inspire continued faithfulness and excellence.

Personal & Church Application (Aligning with Church Vision & Core Values):

Led by the Holy Spirit: Pray for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to lead us in generosity. Live in the Words: Commit to obey the teaching of generosity according to our ability. Family: View generosity as part of our family responsibility in Christ, supporting one another’s burdens. Excellence: Pursue excellence in our personal and collective faith by faithfully applying biblical principles of giving and service.

Conclusion:

As believers, we’re called to excel in faith by practicing generosity based on grace, confirmed by action, and resulting in mutual support. Let us embrace this call today, actively contributing according to what God has given us, believing that our collective generosity will meet our church's needs and glorify God.

Call to Action:

This week, prayerfully consider: ✅ How can I practically contribute financially to our building renovation? ✅ How can I actively use my gifts to serve in our church ministry? ✅ How can I encourage others towards excellence in faith through generosity?