Excel in Grace
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Excel in Grace
Excel in Grace
2 Corinthians 9:6–15 (ESV)
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Intro: Do you have a gift that you cherish? I mean one that you never want to lose or if it broke, you might break too. Our material possessions we value are often important enough to us that we would hate to lose them or be destroyed. Many times we go to great lengths to protect them. Some of us like for people to know the value of things we may cherish. We brag about the cost. We show people the its worth and feel good about it.
Question: At what length do you go to express the value of God’s gift of Grace? When do you say thank you?
This text before us today challenges us to do just that, Value the Gift God has given you.
The gift that Paul speaks, in the text, is Grace. God has given each of us grace. The text comes on the heels of Paul’s encouragement to this Church in Corinth to give as they had promised to the Churches in Jerusalem. Paul explains to them the blessings they would receive because of their generosity. But most of all he wants them to understand that their giving ought be based on their own gratitude for the Grace, God has extended. Mind you, that Paul’s theology would not allow him to separate Grace from the Cross. So, when he spoke of the grace of God, Paul was always thinking about the salvation of the Lord.
Romans 3:23–24 (ESV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Transition: Valuing the gift of Grace means we recognize the essence of His Gift of Grace toward us, well, what does that mean? Well, verse 6 teaches that we Express Grace Abundantly
Express Grace Abundantly (v.6)
“6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Paul explains to the Corinthian church that their gifts and contributions are an example of the Grace of God. See what Paul is showing them is that the motivation for giving ought be the grace of God and that they are to demonstrate God’s grace by giving.
Illustration: A well-known philanthropist was asked, “How is it that you give away so much, and yet have so much left?”
“I suppose it’s like this,” he replied. “I shovel out, and God shovels in, and he has a bigger shovel than I do!
Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 163.
Application: do not hold back from God. The song is true, the more you give to God the more he gives to you. It is true, absolutely true when you are abundant in your giving you have opened the door to abundant blessings in your life. Think about how you give now and think about how much more abundant your blessings would be if you decided to give more.
Transition: Secondly, Paul challenges that the Corinthian church would Express Grace Cheerfully
Express Grace Cheerfully (vv.7-11)
“7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
Paul explains that our giving begins in the heart. It begins with a deep focus upon how gracious God is toward us. He says to the church that there should not be any reluctance or stinginess in giving. The one who gives does it cheerfully!
This word cheerful in our text comes from a word from which we get the word “Hilarious”. Did you get that. Paul is explaining that the expression of this cheer is not containable. It is expressed outwardly.
Here are motivations Paul says the believer has for expressing grace cheerfully:
a. God sustains us (v.8)
“8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
b. God supplies all our needs (v.10)
“10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
c. God enriches us to do more for other (v.11)
“11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
Illustration:
Application: Stretch yourself in your giving. Give with excitement and a heart filled with joy! Give knowing that God is able to keep you and will provide.
Transition: Lastly, Paul explains that We are to express Grace Thankfully.
Express Grace Thankfully (v.15)
2 Corinthians 9:15 “15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
Paul says, Be thankful for the opportunity to give . . .
Jesus’ work on the cross is the Epitome of God’s Grace!
The death of Christ epitomizes God’s Grace!
The Resurrection of Jesus resoundingly proclaims God’s Grace to the world!