2 CORINTHIANS 8:5-15

I. Sacrificial Giving is Motivated by God’s Grace Vs 1-2

II. SACRIFICAL GIVING IS NOT STIFLED BY CIRCUMSTANCES Vs 2

III. SACRIFICAL GIVING IS NOT STALLED BY POVERTY VS 2A

IV SACRIFICAL GIVING IS DIFFERENT FROM PERSON TO PERSON vs 3-4

V. SACRIFICAL GIVING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP VS 5

“THEY GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD”

-First - sometimes refers to time.

-like coming first in a race.

-BUt not here...

-Here it refers to first in priority

-Having the wrong priorities will certainly effect your giving.

-Putting everything in the world first, before Christ means that the world gets everything and HE gets the leftovers.

ILLUST: MAMA JEAN AND MONEY IN HER BIBLE.

-”That’s God’s money”

-Giving sacrifically is not the supreme act of worship, but the giving of yourself to God is

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

-

It is the giving of sacrificial giving of oneself that proceeds the giving of funds sacrificially.

VI. Sacrificial Giving is Linked to Spiritual Maturity.Vs 5-8

Paul links SG to spirital maturity in two areas.

Submission

Virtues

SUBMISSION Vs 506

…They submitted to the Lord first....he was first in priority

..However, they also submitted to their pastoral leadership.

“”GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD AND THEN BY THE WILL OF GOD TO US”

US there is a reference to their pastoral leadership.

In particular Paul, Titus, and Timothy.

REMEMBER WHEN I TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK…ABOUT WHY I PREACH VERSE BY VERSE THROUGH BOOKS...

-GOD SETS THE AGENDA…AND IT MAKES ME PREACH ON THINGS I MIGHT OTHERWISE AVOID BECUASE IT CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE.

-LIKE GIVING....BUT ALSO THIS TOPIC....SUBMISSION TO PASTORAL AUTHORITY.

-I want you to notice that the Text clearly explains that it is by God’s will that the church submits to its leadership.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 ESV

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–15 ESV

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

If I were to summerize your duties as a beleiver toward those who are over you in the Lord

1. Your duty is to obey godly church leaders.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

A. YOU SHOULD OBEY GODLY LEADERS BECAUSE THEY KEEP WATCH OVER YOUR SOULS AS THOSE WHO ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD.

B. YOU SHOULD OBEY GODLY LEADERS BECAUSE IF YOU CAUSE THEM GRIEF, YOU CAUSE YOURSELF GRIEF.

C. YOU SHOULD OBEY GODLY LEADERS BY OBEYING THEIR EXHORTATIONS FROM GOD’S WORD

2. IT IS YOUR DUTY TO TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT AND HONOR

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 ESV

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:7 ESV

Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.

3. Your duty is to pray for godly church leaders.

Paul exhorted the recepiants of his letters to pray for him and his gospel labor....that exhortation does not change....still valid today..

A. PRAY FOR LEADERS IN THE BATTLE TO MAINTAIN A GOOD CONSCIENCE IN ALL THINGS.

B. PRAY FOR LEADERS TO BE DELIVERED FROM CIRCUMSTANCES OR DIFFICULTIES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL.

BUT NOT JUST IN SUBMISSION…ALSO IN CHRISTIAN VURTUE

CHRISTIAN VURUTE VS 7-8

SACRIFICIAL GIVING IS LINKED TO CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND CHRISTIAN LIVING..

Excel in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and in love...

PAUL EXHORTATION IS THAT THE CORINTHINA CHURCH TO MODEL THEMSELVES AFTER THE CHURCHES IN MASADONIA.