2 Corinthians 8:1-7
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.
Giving, Leading and Relying
2 Corinthians 8-13
The last half of Paul’s letter deals
with several themes:
Giving generously
What it means to be a good
Christian leader
The importance of relying on God
in our weaknesses
Generosity
Paul tells how the churches in
Macedonia are giving to the church in
Jerusalem…
Not out of their wealth, but out of
their poverty.
Paul wants the Corinthians to also be
blessed by learning to be generous.
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.
8I
am not commanding you, but I
want to test the sincerity of your love
by comparing it with the earnestness
of others. 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.
2 churches in Beloit
Giving to Pateros community
2 Corinthians 9
6 Remember
this: Whoever sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and
whoever sows generously will also
reap generously.
Leadership Qualifications
He struggled to defend his ministry
because he had a sketchy resume.
He wasn’t one of the 12 disciples,
he had persecuted Christians,
and he wasn’t an skilled orator,
not trained in Greek school.
He was always defending his authority
and ministry (Ch. 10, 11):
He wasn’t a disciple,
but he was called by Christ.
He suffered one hardship after another
for the sake of the gospel.
May not have been a great orator, but his
knowledge made him a great debater.
Evidently, there were criticisms
that Paul wasn’t a good speaker --he didn’t have a fee!
Paul cautioned about false apostles
who may have sounded good
but were deceitful.
Chapter 11
4 For if someone comes to you and preaches
a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or
if you receive a different spirit from the one
you received, or a different gospel from the
one you accepted, you put up with it easily
enough. 5 But I do not think I am in the least
inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 I may not
be a trained speaker, but I do have
knowledge. We have made this perfectly
clear to you in every way.
He cautions the people to
check what the eloquent
speakers are saying.
Is it the truth?
Is it from the Lord?
Chapter 11
13 For such men are false apostles,
deceitful workmen, masquerading as
apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder,
for Satan himself masquerades as an
angel of light. 15 It is not surprising,
then, if his servants masquerade as
servants of righteousness.
Strength in Weakness
In chapters 11-13, Paul talks a lot
about his weaknesses.
His hardships & sufferings
The “thorn in his flesh”
Chapter 12
7 To keep me from becoming conceited
because of these surpassingly great
revelations, there was given me a thorn
in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to
torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with
the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But
he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s
power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for
Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in
insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I
am strong.
Weaknesses are not something to desire,
but when they come, we can choose how
to deal with them.
We can wallow in them,
We can be stubborn,
Or we can learn to rely on God’s provision.
Strength from God/Help from others.
Visiting people in the hospital/rehab;
being blessed by their attitude.
Holocaust survivors were those who
remained strong in their hope.
Man trapped in storm.
Many times God’s help comes
through human hands.
Unexpected help from church and
community have blessed people here.
Mutual blessings!
Weaknesses allow God’s power
to shine through.
Chapter 13
4 For to be sure, he was crucified in
weakness, yet he lives by God’s
power. Likewise, we are weak in him,
yet by God’s power we will live with
him to serve you.
Putting it all together
Be generous.
Time, talent, money, resources,
anything that we can share.
Giving of ourselves is not just a blessing
to the person in need;
It is a blessing to the giver as well!
Putting it all together
How do we know a leader is a
leader in Christ?
It is not always the one who is
most impressive.
It is the one who is truthful
and faithful to Christ.
Putting it all together
Don’t get stuck in your weaknesses.
Let them spur you on.
Often our weakness becomes our strength,
because we know we need help.
Our strengths can becomes downfalls,
because we think we can do it on our own.
Rely on God’s provision: God’s power and
the helping hands that are provided.