Complete Faith
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INTRO (7)
INTRO (7)
Now as you excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this act of grace.
I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.
Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have.
INTRO (7)
Now as you excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this act of grace.
2 cor 8.7
The heart compels us (cf. discussion on desire)
Have you ever wanted to do something so badly that it may not have even been appropriate to do?
ILL: Passion of young love
The Corinthians were maturing in many ways
faith—believing in Jesus
speech—telling others about Jesus
knowledge—theological thinking
diligence—repentance
love for us—for the apostles, their teachers
The faith, knowledge, and love that they had was producing…
diligence
and speech
but, not grace
What is grace?
Define
Grace is a natural consequence of believing in Jesus (IOW, receiving God’s grace should result in a projection of grace towards others (especially each other).
BODY
BODY
Authentic love is characterized by grace. (8)
I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.
Not a command (should flow naturally)
‘diligence of others’ refers to the Macedonian gifts given to support the church in Jerusalem.
The idea is, Don’t you want to be like that?
Rather than command them to be gracious, Paul compares them to others as an example of authentic love.
Perfect Illustration of grace. (9)
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
But, not just the Macedonian, more so, Jesus
cf.
Jesus condescended so we can transcend and ascend
Unpack the significance of the mercy of God towards humans.
On these grounds Paul calls us to be gracious, because (although no one out-gives God) it is our new nature to be gracious towards others.
... And to offer the grace of Jesus to others.
The Design: That grace spread, not just from Jesus to the church, but from the church to the world.
The church as agents of change
The church as agents of reconciliation
The church as
The source of grace (the heart) (10)
And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.
again, advice not command
command is obligatory
Paul wants them to want to be graceful
Because to give grace without compulsion or coercion is a reflection of a regenerate heart
ILL: The heart aches for your love vs. the heart aches for the poor, the enslaved, the lost.
EXH: Complete your desire with action (11)
Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have.
Applied Theology—If you believe A, then why don’t you do B?
Paul is calling them to express their authentic faith in authentic expressions of faith:
Look for opportunities
Pray for opportunities
Be bold when you have opportunities
Don’t make excuses
ILL: What if he spends it on drugs?