Beginning of Worship – Introductory Remarks

Beginning of Worship – Introductory Remarks

Characteristics of Christian giving
Text : 2 Corinthians 8:1-8

2 Corinthians 8:1-8 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

Introduction Malachi 3: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Luke 6:38 38 Give, and it will be given to you
Luke 6: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 2 Corinthians 9:6 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over . . .
Ruth 3:15 15 And he said, "Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out." So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her.

Their giving is motivated or initiated by God's grace 2 Corinthians 8:1 "And now brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God had given the Macedonian churches.”

Transforming Grace of God causes us to:
Seek first the kingdom Set our affections on things above. Love God and not the world. Hunger and thirst after righteousness and godliness. Long for the Word of God and obedience, and to follow the leading of the Spirit.

2. Their giving came in spite of a great deal of affliction 2 Corinthians 8:2: "Out of the most severe trial, (KJV: in a great trial of affliction) their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ”

Neglecting God’s house
Haggai 1:2-7 2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.'" 3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" 5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.

Neglecting God’s house
Haggai 1:2-7 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." 7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.

3. Their giving is with joy 2 Corinthians 8:2 "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion because the Lord loves a cheerful giver."

4. Their giving was not hindered by poverty 2 Corinthians 8:2 "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” Philippians 4:19 "For my God will supply all your needs, "

1 Kings 17:10-16 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" 11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." 12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." 13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.

14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

5. Their giving was generous 2 Corinthians 8:2 "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” Psalms 24:1 1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

5. Their giving was generous Haggai 2:8 8 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. ”

Everything we have is from God。
King David’s prayer at the offering for the temple: 1 Chronicles 29:9-18 (9) Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (10) Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

Everything we have is from God。
(11) Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. (12) Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name
And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. (14) "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (15) For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. (16) O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. (18) O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

Jim Elliott: "He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

6. Their giving was proportionate 2 Corinthians 8:3 “ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify. ”

7. Their giving was sacrificial 2 Corinthians 8:3 “3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ” Philippians 4:19 "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. "

Acts 2: And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

8. Their giving was voluntary 2 Corinthians 8:3 “Entirely on their own, ” 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

9. Their giving was viewed as privilege not obligation 2 Corinthians 8:4 “they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. ”

10. Their giving was an act of worship 2 Corinthians 8:5 “And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.”

Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 1

11. Their giving was in submission to their pastors. 2 Corinthians 8:5 “And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. ”

12. Their giving was in concert with other Christian virtues 2 Corinthians 8:7 “But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ”

13. Their giving was a proof of love 2 Corinthians 8:8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

• Initiated by grace • Transcend difficult circumstances • With joy • Not hindered by poverty • Generous • Proportionate • Sacrificial

• Voluntary • Viewed as a privilege • Worship • In submission • In harmony with other Christian virtues Proof of love

Action • PRAY and LISTEN Give as God moves Weekly offering Needy people • Missions Others

Beginning of Worship – Introductory Remarks

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