Dream Makers

Good Morning, We are in the Generous Life Sermon Series and we have been talking about Divine Grace that flows into our lives… there are inputs and outputs.... God pours into our lives —

It should spill out into generosity towards others… This morning sermons is entitled “Dream makers” — you wont find this term in traditional dictionary but it is in the Urban Dictionary…

Dream Maker.... is a term that can be applied to anyone that will support, assist and promote the personal dreams and desires of another person(s).

UrbanDictionary.com

Dream Makers are generous towards others… often self sacrificing… This is a quality that Paul saw in the Gentile Churches in Macedonia.. and it inspired Him....

Paul uses these stories of inspiration as a Catalyst to inspire generosity. It’s been proven that Stories move us… they engage us… Our brains are wired and connect via story… When we hear stories of other who have gone through a struggle…..accomplished something... made a sacrifice.. achieved a goal.. Give us Hope…Stories are powerful because they move us and motivate us… Sometimes we think that our lives of difficult and then we hear of someone like..

Liz Murray

When Liz became homeless at the age of 15, it was just after her mother died of HIV and her father moved into a homeless shelter.

In such a painful situation, most people would only be able to see their immediate circumstances. But Liz would seek a better reality for herself, despite her intense limitations.

So she attended a local high school and graduated in just two years. She was then awarded a New York Times scholarship for needy students and was accepted into Harvard University, eventually earning her doctorate in clinical psychology.

She has since written a New York Times best-selling memoir “Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard” which was also a made-for-TV movie.

Liz didn’t let her circumstances dictate her future. Instead, she chose her own destiny and manifested it, despite overwhelming obstacles.

(https://www.powtoon.com/blog/23-most-inspiring-people-alive/

That’s inspirational… What happens when we see what other have done… it gives hope… When I was in college there was a mature student.. 65 plus years old finishing her degree… When I made the decision to go to grad school @ 38 I remember that lady… That she went back to school so could I...

We are going to be looking at 2 Corinthians 8 and 9...

Where the Apostle Paul shares the story of incredible Generosity of the Macedonians — these Gentile Christians who have nothing — give out of the depth of poverty… It so amazing that.... the Apostle...

Paul moved by their generosity that he uses it as a Catalyst to motivate the Corinthian Church.

During the First Century — there was a huge need in the church in Jerusalem.. Palestine had been hit with a severe famine… and they were experiencing extreme hardships..

A decade after the famine —still a huge need and Paul was motivated encourage the Gentile churches to meet this great need…

Paul sent his trusted friend Titus to start this fund raising campaign to Corinth and some of the more affluent churches in the South…

But the Giving project go delayed …and after a year it seemed to come to a holt...

This is the reason Paul sends Titus and other reliable leaders ahead of his trip to encourage the Church to fulfill their promise and complete the project..

2 Corinthians 9:3–4 ESV

3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident.

There is Good reason that Paul sends Titus back to Corinth.. because..

Paul had been boasting to the Churches in the North… Philippi, Thessalonica and Berra.. about this gift that was being prepared —and these churches were getting excited…but the gift had not yet been completed..

Paul’s reputation and character was on the line …..

Paul saw danger that all of us faith and that is starting out well and then loosing momentum.

NT Wright tells this story woman crossing the Atlantic Ocean single-handedly in a rowing boat.

At least, she ended up doing it single-handedly; to begin with, her husband had been with her, but he had become exhausted and totally demoralized, and he was flown back home while she battled on all by herself.

The newspapers showed maps of how far they had got at the point where the husband left: about one-third of the way across.

Initial enthusiasm is not enough.

There are many projects which seem exciting, a wonderful challenge, a chance to do something different and worthwhile. We set off eagerly to begin the work. But with almost everything worthwhile there comes a moment when the initial energy has drained away; the novelty of the project has worn off; and you have to make up your mind to go on despite the fact that at the moment it isn’t any fun any more. (Nt. Wright)

Paul reminds the Corinthians to about the Grace of Giving....

Paul is careful to tell the church that he is not commanding giving.. rather he is encouraging them in the grace of giving…

The Corinthian church had a great amount of spiritual gifts—they excelled in faith, gifted speakers, knowledge, and love. Paul placed giving alongside other gifts, asking that the Corinthians excel in the Act of Grace...

2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV

7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Grace is a wonderfully rich word.. and it has different nuances in the way that it is used in Scripture…For example Grace can mean - Unmerited favor.....God’s unconditional benevolence towards us in Salvation. Grace can refer to spiritual Spiritual Gifts that have been poured out.. Grace can mean can mean Acts of kindness and Service.

The word grace is used 10 times in Chapter 8 and means…Grace in the sense of monetary giving.... the Grace of Giving.. Offerings…

There is this substantial part of grace…makes a difference in lives.

When Paul saw the spontaneous generosity in the church - “Grace Giving” (monetary gifts) He credited it towards… “Grace” that is at work within and through his people.

Dahl calls the gift of money to others “a visible sign of an invisible grace.”

Grace has a purpose and that is it leads to place of thanksgiving praise and worship..

When the apostle Paul talks about giving he want to make sure that his hears understood the benefits of living Generous lives.... Both the giver and the receiver share together in the blessings.. whar is fascinating about this section of scripture.., is that you have response of two very different churches… you have an affluent church struggling to complete the task of Giving… and church empoverest church… affected by natural disasters and Roman persecution.,,overflowing with joy and out of poverty giving

Paul is marvel’s at the Generosity that he is witnessing among struggling churches... inMacedonia

T/S What characteristics/attributes do Dream makers posses.

1. Dream Makers have Compassion - They are moved and inspired by the Needs of others.

This past Friday saw that a massive hurricane hit Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The Capital City and major Port City of Baria was 90% wiped out and 100 000 people have been displaced… there have been floods in Nebraska.. last week I mentioned that Jesus quoted Moses in saying that the poor will always be with us… now the point was not to ignore the poor.., there is always going to be an opportunity to be generous… People who seen dream makers are moved with compassion…

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 ESV

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

a. Paul wants the Corinthians to know about the Grace that has been at work in the churches of Macedonia…

Paul is wanting us to connect the dots… in the OT it was about law and sacrificial system… laws but the NT it’s about our relationships that are based on grace… its the fellowship of grace with spirit to the son to the father.... and to the grace that we all stand in..together in one mind… Grace is connected to realionships

Paul had used the zeal of the Corinthians to challenge the Macedonians; but now he was using the Macedonians to challenge the Corinthians!

The Giving of the Macedonian Churches inspired Paul. Why?

a. In the middle of their own sever test they had God’s joy that was now spilling out in Generosity for others..

These are churches that he founded on Paul’s second missionary Journey… he was heading up to Asia Minor when he had the Macedonian call.. The Lord literally stopped him his tracks and he has this vision of man calling him to go Macedonia… It’s where he met Lydia and planted the church in Philippi..( first European church).. Paul him self is arrested shortly after this in Ephesus.. These Christians endured hardship.. This area had also gone through its own fair share of natural disasters.... The region had said to have been hit by earthquake and prone to flooding..

When we have gone through our own affliction we tend to be more compassionate to those who are suffering.

Secondly, They were a gentile Church who were going to give to the Jewish Church… demonstrating to the Gentile churches that they are part of the same family as the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem

c. What inspired Paul was that they gave out of their deep Poverty…

They had nothing in terms of possessions but they possesed abundance of Joy… Out of their extreme poverty they gave from both their means and beyond their means.

Paul had no expectations of these churches to give… It would be like expecting the churches in Africa take offerings for us in California..

But these Churches begged.. to be part of the relief effort for the church in Jerusalem.

Apparently, the Macedonians had calculated how much they could give and then tried to exceed that amount. Their giving was far more than what Paul expected. In fact, Paul had been reluctant to ask for money for the Jerusalem Christians. It was the Macedonians who, of their own free will, had begged to be a part of the privilege of sharing in this gift.

d.Why is Paul sharing this with the Corinthians? The reason is that it was the Corinthians giving that sparked this desire within the Macedonian Church.

T/S What characteristics/attributes do Dream makers posses.

1. Dream Makers have Compassion - They are moved and inspired by the Needs of others.

2. Dream Makers have Faith - They are willing to step out and take Calculated Risks.

Most us have experienced the Armchair Coaches… those Over zealous parents … who make calls and give advice from the sidelines..

Armchair coaches freely expresses opinions and advice to the real coaches and the referees… But when you think about it…there really has been little or no investment in the game… they weren’t with your child during the practices… they are not privy to strategy… yet they have the answers to win the game...

It is easy to take risks from the sidelines… Dream makers are risk takers.. they have real faith..

What does it mean to have real Faith? Faith has to be more than a belief system… its more than orthodoxy… it has to be grounded in practice… Faith has to have action---

Francis Schaeffer

“Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.” — Francis Schaeffer

James deals with the contrast of Faith and works… In James mind Faith and works are not two separate categories…While the Apostle Paul deals with Saving Faith is necessary part of Salvation… justified by faith and it is the basis of Salvation.. James is concerned with genuine faith..

James tells us that works is the proof of genuine faith.

James 2:14–17 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James tells us that Works follow Faith… the order is important… Some religions are works based… What James is talking about the evidence of true faith.. True faith has compassion and then moves to action.. When you become aware of need how do you respond… What good is the kind of faith that sees a brother/sister in need and blesses them… Go in peace and be warm… without action… What good is that kind of Faith..

James tells us that variety of Faith… is useless — in fact its dead..

The principle Generosity is deep within the Judean Christian Ethic… It goes back to Moses and laws of protecting the poor, the widows and the orphans.. It is in the NT where we see the generosity in the early church where needs were taken care of… In acts deacons were chosen to oversee the needs of Greek widows were being negelected..

What I have noticed is that Generosity always begins at Home and moves out....We are to do good especially to the household of faith...

Paul gives the Corinthians two models of Sacrificial Giving…

The Macedonians had stepped out in faith and some gave according to their means and others gave beyond their means…

They gave out of their Deep poverty… they gave joyfully because they knew the benefits of grace giving…

Another example that Paul gives of Grace giving is Jesus himself..

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

John Stott points out ..Paul brings everything back to Christ..

including when he is talking about finances..

The same generosity that was also seen in Christ who through His incarnation --

Jesus left the heavenly realms where He enjoyed equality with God — took on the role of the servant and put on flesh..."in one stroke he became poor so that we might became rich"

The reason Jesus left heaven was to meet a deep need within us… not that we would become Rich..

N.T Wright

Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians Copying the Generosity of the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:8–15)

When Jesus, for the sake of us all, became poor, we became rich; now, when people who follow him are ready to put their resources at his disposal, the world and the church may benefit, not only from the actual money but from the fact that when the Jesus-pattern of dying and rising, of riches-to-poverty-to-riches, is acted out, the power of the gospel is let loose afresh in the world, and the results will be incalculable.

It wasn’t that the Jerusalem church would become Rich and that the Corinthians would become Poor.... Unfortunately this often happens with the prosperity Gospel… Grace giving was never intended to leave anyone poor and destitute.. it is about sharing the load and meeting real needs… during times of need.

2 Corinthians 8:14 ESV

your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.

Paul was not asking them to get into debt or neglect their own needs.… but rather

Through giving the Corinthians would be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Macedonians... With the goal is that needs will be met..

Paul uses Exodus 16:18, where God provided ‘manna’ for Israel in the wilderness..,; and there was enough (but not to spare) for each family and individual.

Paul appealed to the principle of equality. Each church should provide for other churches as the need arose. Each church should help the others out of the resources God had given it. If one church was wealthy, it could meet the others’ needs. When conditions reversed, the formerly poor church might be able to return the favor.

T/S What characteristics/attributes do Dream makers posses.

1. Dream Makers have Compassion - They are moved and inspired by the Needs of others.

2. Dream Makers have Faith - They are willing to step out and take Calculated Risks.

3. Dream Makers have Character - They are above board, well Organized and trustworthy.

One thing that Paul is concerned about is that this offering is handled above board with integrity.. Paul didn’t want any allegations of financial impropriety. This brother would function as a representative for the churches to ensure that the money of the Jerusalem collection would be handled properly. Paul did not want anyone to accuse him of mishandling this gift for the Jerusalem Christians, for that would defeat his entire purpose… Paul gave the responsibility to s

2 Corinthians 8:16–20 ESV

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,

What we have in this passage is the sign that Paul cared deeply about every stage of his own planning, and thought hard about all the people involved and how they would be affected.

Every step of the process is explained and spelled out, so that everyone knows exactly where they are, and nobody can say they’ve had any unpleasant surprises sprung on them.

Paul sends a team to help with the relief effort (financial team)

Accompanying Titus were two other representatives from the churches who contributed to the fund to oversee how the money was handled.

Grace Giving is done Orderly — be arranged in advance.

2 Corinthians 9:5–8 ESV

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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.

Mark twain once said

Paul didn’t want to use urgent appeals or pressure tactics to coerce the Corinthians to give. Even though he was the one appealing for the money, he was careful to give the Corinthians enough time to think and to pray about how much God wanted them to give.

Paul didn’t want anyone giving reluctantly or in response to pressure.

Paul knew that God weighs the heart and not the amount of money; he looks at the giver and not the gift.

One who gives cheerfully out of a sincere gratitude for what God has done, is the type of giver God cherishes. God multiplies those gifts beyond measure (9:11).

T/S What characteristics/attributes do Dream makers posses.

1. Dream Makers have Compassion - They are moved and inspired by the Needs of others.

2. Dream Makers have Faith - They are willing to step out and take Calculated Risks.

3. Dream Makers have Character - They are above board, well Organized and trustworthy.

4. Dream Makers have Good Theology - They understand God's Economy.

Our approach to giving is important… driven by our understanding of who God is… God is Good, God is kind, God is merciful, God is long suffering, God is generous, God is love…God is righteous, God compassionate, God is our provider…

It is the belief that God is Able to supply all the grace (gifts) that are needed,.

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

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.

A few weeks ago we were talking about generous gifts that we had received in our Community Group… It amazing that most of us have experienced unexpected generosity…

Someone surprised us with amazing Generosity… We had some need --- and God came through… I think that these kinds of things happen all the time… Not that we don’t experience difficulties…but each of us have experienced Generosity..

Paul shares the Principle of the Harvest.. sowing and reaping..

2 Corinthians 9:10–12 ESV

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.

The first thing to notice is that it is God who is providing the seed to the sower…

Message Bible says, "This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your means more than extravagant with you.”

When we give we make room for God to place see in our hands.. Moses commanded Israel in Deuternomy 15 not to harden their hearts or close their hands to the poor..

The Heart is connected to your hand… hardened heart means your hand is closed… Generous heart means your hand is open… God says have open hands --- God will give you seed to sower --- not only will give you seed to sow but He will give food for bread… As you sow God will supply for your need...

The law of the harvest simply says that when you give generously of your money, you find that you have everything that you need.

When you give generously of your time, the time you have left becomes even more productive and meaningful. When you open your heart to others, people open their hearts to you.

The more generously you give, the more abundantly you receive.

When you give generously, other people are blessed: their needs are met, their spirits are encouraged, the Kingdom of God advances.

When you place money, time, or talent in God's hands, it always bears fruit. When you are generous, God is praised.

The more generous you are, the more he is praised—that's the law of the harvestHere's the catch: In order for the law of the harvest to work, you have to give first and receive later. The farmer goes out and buys seed and puts it in the ground, anticipating that the rain will fall, the sun will shine, the seed will sprout, and many months from now, the harvest will come. Sowing seed is an act of faith. (Bryan Wilkenson)

Carrying out this social relief is more than helping of the physical needs of the suffering Christians in Jerusalem..

2 Corinthians 9:12–15 ESV

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 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, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

What is Paul thankful for? What is the inexperessible Gift? It is the Gift of God’s grace that is at work in the Church… There is a big difference between administrating the gifting.. and pushing giving… Paul is still at AWE at how God is using the church to provide for the great needs..

There is Cycle.. Grace moves toward Giving… giving leads to needs being met.... needs being met lead to thanksgiving .. to those confessing the Gospel.. leads to Praise…

CONCLUSION:

When Jesus was annointed by Mary --- She took expensive albaster oil and annointed his feet and the disciples were shocked… How many poor could have been helped.. Jesus reminded the disciples of the words of Moses - that the poor would always be with them… He was not being dismissive of the poor.... in that Moment Mary had done the right thing… but there will always be opportunities...

What will happen if we allow God's Generosity to flow through us church... movement of Generosity.