Inspire

Living an Infectious Christian Life

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Introduction

Who inspires you?

What is it about them that inspires you?

Passion, perseverance, faithfulness, love, skill

We all need people to inspire us

Why do we need to be inspired?

Desire to be better, to grow

Hope of change

We see great things are possible

Our e.g. this morning is Church of Corinth

A church that had their fair share of problems

Might not be your 1st choice as role models

Their problems were only part of their history

2 Cor. 9:2 - Paul praises them

1 Corinthians 3:1 “1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”

Shows grace & power of God

Shows power of repentance

READ 2 Cor. 9:1-15

Paul knew what kind of people they were

Zealous, generous, loving

Look what happens when Godly zeal gets hold in your life

It stirs up/inspires/encourages many

Their passion was world renown

Lies of false teachers had dampened their zeal

Paul reminding them of what their passion had done

We need to be inspiring people

Inspiring people need to be inspired & encouraged too

Living as an example of godliness is hard

To live Infectious Christian Lives

I don’t mean you have to be extraordinary, world changer, positioned in power, outgoing or a leader

I don’t mean that you need to be inspirational in every aspect of life at every moment

Simply, that the way you live your life and the passion of your life can have encouraging and strengthening effects on those around you

Corinth was a diverse church like every church is

They inspired others because they acted on belief & heart

Inspiring people show us reason to reach for more

To be person we can be, should be

Zeal is expressed & felt in many ways

Inspire = to stimulate to activity or creativity; to arouse an emotion or a reaction

Inspire is to LIFT people up

How can we be inspiring people?

Don’t start by wanting to inspire the world

Desire to inspire those closest to you: family, church, friends, neighbours

Remember sometimes you will inspire and sometimes you will need to be inspired

Live for God

2 Cor. 9:7-11

Zeal is a Praiseworthy Trait (2 Cor. 9:2)

What makes you zealous/passionate about something?

Usually, it’s when something becomes personal your motivated to action

Paul praised their zeal

Told others of their zeal

Passion, esp. for God (& Gospel) is praise worthy

Gal. 4:18 – But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

Paul encourages zeal in a good thing

Must be vigilant in keeping passion pure

Revelation 2:4 “4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

Part of reason Paul encourages them - false teachers were trying to influence them

God redeemed us so we could be passion about good works for Him

Titus 2:14 – who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Passion/zeal is praiseworthy because God is zealous about His work/purpose

Isa. 9:7 – Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Godly passion is badly missing today

Zeal is a Product of Godliness (2 Cor. 9:7)

Love from God

This type of zeal isn’t of our own doing

Prov. 29:18 – Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint (or are discouraged); But happy is he who keeps the law.

Word of God is our source of life & inspiration

When we think of ‘inspire’ we usually think outwardly

How my life will influence others

We can’t start there – for outward influence we need inward life

We must be living for God if we are going to inspire others to live for God

Seems logical but we so often get it wrong

Inspiring zeal comes from God’s work in you then through you

Paul not saying earn His love but God is pleased by passion for His ways

We are precious objects of God’s love

True zeal comes from the heart – a heart filled with love of God

Generosity from God (2 Cor. 9:8-11a)

God does generously bless those that live in passion for Him

That’s not a promise of material blessing

Inspiring life takes faith to live

2 Cor. 8:1-5

Inspiring because people see its worth the sacrifice

Zeal is Propelled by God

Glory to God (2 Cor. 9:11b-13)

Noblest goal of any human endeavour is the glory of God

1 of the greatest goals of life is that others are led to give glory to God because of your example

God was already getting glory as Jerusalem praised God for provision

When done for God everything is a spiritual service

Friends from God (2 Cor. 9:14)

As we inspire each other in zeal we grow closer together in Christ

We’re experiencing God’s power & blessing together

We’re learning to support each other

In a way that only God can do, it binds us together with people we’ve never met

Likeness to God (2 Cor. 9:15)

God is often called zealous

Sometimes jealous - passionate about His name

God’s gift is the greatest inspiration of all

Phil. 2 Paul uses it as an example of humility for us to follow

That is, God’s zeal for us motivates us to be zealous for Him

2 Corinthians 5:14 “14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;”

1 Jn. 4:19 – We love Him because He first loved us.

God’s love has been poured into our hearts (Rom. 5:5)

In this we become more Christ-like

Infectious Attitude

Zeal Produces Action (2 Cor. 9:2b)

When someone inspires you they drive you to make necessary changes to reach goal

Motivates to work harder

Anything less is only interest, not investment

Corinthians zeal for God inspired them to give to God’s people

True passion will expose itself in action not empty emotion

Zeal Propels Others to Action

Christ calls us all to be examples to follow

1 Corinthians 11:1 “1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

Even the young are to be an e.g to older of godliness

1 Timothy 4:12 “12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Matthew 19:14 “14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.””

Cf. 2 Cor. 8:1 with 2 Cor. 9:2 – Macedonians (Thess, Berea, Philippi) encourage Corinth & vice versa

1 Thess. 1:7-8 – 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

E.g. Famous NY diamond dealer Harry Winston (Swindoll p.299)

Dutchman looking for certain diamond

Told him to come & examine it

Winston assigned salesman to show diamond

Pointed out fine technical features

Merchant, “Fine diamond but not exactly what I want”

Winston, “Do you mind if I show it to you once more.”

Winston spoke of his genuine admiration & beauty of diamond

Customer changed mind

Customer, “Why did I buy if from you & not other salesman”

Winston, “Salesman is one of best and knows more about diamonds than I do. I pay him good money for what he knows. But I would gladly pay him twice as much if I could put in him something that I have that he lacks. You see, he knows diamonds, but I love them.”

That’s to be our influence on others

Our passion for God displayed in action should inspire others to action

Focus on the Basics

Be People of Devotion (Matt. 22:34-40)

Worship

To love God

Give ample opportunity to worship God

Things we do are to cultivate love of God in people & stimulate the worship of God

Serve

To love & serve others

Meet the needs of others

Cultivating atmosphere of humility & compassion

Includes saved & unsaved

Be people with expanding hearts

Our purpose is to minister

Jesus told us to serve others often

Galatians 5:13–14 “13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

Be People of Dedication (Matt. 28:19)

Evangelism

To make disciples

Fellowship

Baptism symbolises fellowship

Rom. 6:3-5

Baptised into…(v.3)

Buried with him…(v.4)

Planted together…(v.5)

Baptism shows our union with Christ

No lone ranger Christians

Purpose of church is to provide fellowship

Eph. 2:19 – fellowship/household of God

Encourage, strengthen, rebuke, etc.

Be People of Discipline (Matt. 28:20)

Live in obedience

Must teach people how to live for Christ

Col. 1:28 – Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

We all need to learn & grow

Part of why you’ll see Ben & Oon & others here more often – Job of church to teach & train in every area

Tackle Your Character

Be Prepared to Repent

What will you be like as a Christian ten years from now? Many will be walking with Christ and serving Him in various capacities around the world, but for others there will be a tragedy because ten years from now they will have lost their burning zeal and love or Christ. Not necessarily because they want to or because they set their heart in rebellion against God’s will, but because they set their life by the world’s agenda. Then Christ and His Great Commission gradually dims. – Billy Graham (Swindoll p. 631)

Zeal is prevented by sin

Many things can dampen zeal

Nothing kills it like sin

That’s issue Paul had here (9:2)

Passion they had for gift disappeared

Same in Church of Laodicea – Rev. 3:14-22

Let other things come before God, distract them from God

Zeal is restored by repentance (2 Cor. 7:11)

What happened when they repented? Zeal

Titus inspired by new found zeal (2 Cor. 7:13)

What does Jesus ask of Laodicea? Repent

Zeal doesn’t mean on constant emotional high

Means motivated to action by your belief

There’s a reason to press on even when it’s hard

We are sinful people, our zeal will fade at times but God can restore it

Ps. 51:12 – Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Be Prepared to Enlarge

1 Cor. 11:1 – Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

To inspire others we must be following the right leader

Just because you want to inspire doesn’t mean you’re ready for it

Often work on ourselves is necessary first

Often it can be that process which is inspiring

Need not only to desire to enlarge others but to enlarge ourselves

Prepared to Reproduce

You can teach what you know, you reproduce what you are

Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can.—Willis R. Whitney

Conclusion

This year let’s LIFT

Live for God

Infectious Attitudes

Focus on the Basics

Tackle our Character

If your passion is starting to dim

Reflect on God’s gift to you

Remind yourself of His promises

Examine your heart

Trust God to honour faithfulness

Feed your soul with God’s Word, surrounded by God’s people and let God fan the flames

Inspire others to godliness