Sermon Tone Analysis

Life Together

In our series living together we have seen the importance of fellowship together as shown in the early church.

We have also look at the intimacy together we should have and our being one body and living and acting as one body being comprised of many parts.

Now as a body we come together to worship and we will look some at the elements of worship as the body.

Tonight giving together.

Whereas some may consider this item as noted in the scripture as the least of the spiritual acts of worship it should not be negated or discounted.

Some feel it is totally personal and not an act of fellowship or living together, but it is.

In our life together we give together, but why, is it about money?

Let’s look at some scriptures tonight.

Is our giving an act of worship?

Is my giving an act of my devotion to God?

Before moving on some view bible study, singing, praying, Lord’s supper and the preaching acts of worship and when it comes to the plate they think of it as 2ndary form of worship if they consider it a form of worship at all.

Others may view it is private that is personal as purposed in heart, to give back a portion of what was given to person, and yes we hear that said often and it is scriptural even.

This act of worship has nothing to do with fellowship at all.

So what is right?

How about we turn to the Word?

(2Cor9:6-15)

2Cor9:6-7

2COr9:10-11

I.New Testament giving (church)

Direct giving to the church for the church (Act2:44-45; 4:32-35, 5:1-4)

In when we see the Spirit of giving because what was given

From the giver to the one who was in need, so no one was in need

Other proofs were the giving, offering, collection, was given to the Apostles for distribution

Act4:34-45

the collection distributed again to the the needed so no one had need.

It was a freewill gift, no under obligation as noted in (Act5:1-4)

Individual Christians giving freely to the need of others.

How about for relief?

(Act11:27-30)

The prophesy of Agabus which spoke of the famine that was coming that lead to a relief effort for the church at Jerusalem from the church at Antioch.

Act11:27-28

Notice that they gave

According to ability (v.29)

Why they gave - for relief (v.29)

Sent the relief (v.30)

Here is the example of churches helping other churches.

Makes you think of Churches of Christ Disaster Relief, or direct giving to help meet a need (i.e.

CoC- West, etc.)

In Paul’s work and ministry

Remember the poor (Gal2:9-10)

Gal2:9

Helping the poor was proven in his ministry work (1Cor16:1-4)

I will just cover a couple of those verses now.

He also encouraged them to give, and to give liberally and to imitate others who did (2Cor9:1-2)

1Cor16:1-2

Word spread and the motivation was used in Achaia too at the liberality of the Macadonians (2Cor8:1-7)

It was said must be given willingly (2Cor8:12) and according what to what you has been prospered (1Cor8:13-14)

Giving must be purposed, and cheerfully not grudgingly (2Cor9:7)

Paul was a conduit to help carry the message and the gift, He was going to carry the contribution back to the church in Jerusalem (ROm15:25-26) and did (Act21:17), we too can be a conduit to help carry the message, right here in Vernon and surrounding areas like we do with the children’s homes we help too.

Now, we are only 1/2 through here there is more to look at the Biblical view of the collection.A

II.

Living Together, Giving together, Biblically

Yes, a way and mean to meet needs (2Cor9:12)

And yes, to supply for the needs of the preachers (Php1:5, 4:15-16; 2Cor11:8-9)

2cor9:12

so you may still wonder how does giving together have anything to do with fellowship, or our living together as one body, intimately in fellowship with one another.?

(below not on a slide, keep it that way)

In passages just read Paul considered it

participation in the gospel (v.5)

sharing the responsibility for the preaching of gospel (vv.15-16)

These are ways of strengthening the fellowship, our living together, a longing to help one another, we already looked at the passage of (2Cor9:12-15) and the intent and heart there.

Our giving is proof of our being of one heart and soul (Act4:32)

Our giving is proof of our love for one another (1Jn3:16-18)

(Conclusion)

giving is one of the ways/means of promoting fellowship with the body, the family of God.

Giving helps to meet the needs of the body here and afar when possible

Giving helps promote the fellowship of the preaching the gospel

It is a spiritual act of worship

May we be a giving fellowship!

(lead to invitation)

Next week will continue in fellowship acts of worship with Lords Supper