Responding to Need - Chapter 16--1-4

How do I respond to significant need?

1. Have a passion and a desire to see needs met. 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 9:1-2

A. Be willing to see people’s needs.

· When you look around, what do you see?

Do you see the hungry?

Do you see the poor?

Do you see the hurting?

Do you see the lost?

Do you see those searching and floundering in life?

· The Corinthians looked at Jerusalem and saw people in desperate need.

B. Be willing to respond to peoples needs.

· Responding to peoples needs in the church is living out the one-another’s of scripture.

· Responding to the worlds needs gives us credibility in the communicating Christ. James 2:15-16

· Recognize that you cannot respond to every need. (Can we foster more children? Not really)

· Responding to peoples needs means that we need to act.

2. Exercise Discipline and Perseverance. 1 Corinthians 16:2

A. Identify what you are able to do.

· First, identify what you are able to do in light of your pre-existing commitments.

· Most of the church will only be able to act by giving money. –

--- OK – what can you afford to give?

--- A little over an extended period of time can grow to be a lot. ($20 x 52 weeks = $1040)

--- Paul’s challenge was a tangible commitment over time that required discipline and perseverance.

· Some will be able to do more than give 1 Corinthians 16:3-4 (EX. Mission Trip To Brazil)

B. Recognize that preparation and giving is action.

3. Finish what you start. 2 Corinthians 9:3-5

A. Choose to be proactive as you respond to the need.
Unfortunately, it seems that the Corinthians had good intentions, but poor follow-through.

B. Choosing to be proactive will help us to do a couple of important things.

· It will help you to achieve your desired objective. (To minister to those with significant need.)

· It will help us keep our attitude positive and joyful, not begrudging, resentful or bitter. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

C. Let the principle of 2 Corinthians 8:12 guide you..