Power of God's Grace
Notes
Transcript
God’s Grace Brings Joy In Affliction and Generosity in Poverty
God’s Grace Brings Joy In Affliction and Generosity in Poverty
Joy in Affliction
Joy in Affliction
Paul is writing to Corinth about the Macedonian Churches. They are in northern Greece and are war stricken and scattered. These were the churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. These were churches that were oppressed by the Roman empire and persecuted by the Jews. They were not comfortable in their faith for Jesus Christ. Life was very difficult as a Christian in these churches.
Philippi was the church that Paul healed the demon possessed girl that told the future. The city revolted against Paul, beat him, and threw him in prison. Thessalonica and Berea were the churches where the Jews created a riot to get rid of Paul. These were hostile places to live as a Christian.
The Christians did not leave there, but endured with joy the persecution of the people. We must ask the question why? I believe the answer is found in the book of James.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various [c]trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [d]endurance. 4 And let [e]endurance have its perfect [f]result, so that you may be [g]perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Knowing that you are suffering for a worthy purpose brings about joy in the midst of trials. They knew that their faith was being tested. For they could have caved to the people and rejected their faith in Christ and life would have been a whole lot easier. They chose to remain faithful. As long as they remained faithful they would have to continue to endure persecution. As they endured their persecution they were made stronger in the faith. As they became stronger in the faith, their faith was perfected.
So why were they so dedicated to Christ? Because of the grace that he gave. Grace is the power God gives to people in order for them to accomplish His will. God had given the Macedonian churches the power to endure so that their faith would be perfected. It was not a cheap faith but a perfected faith. Their faith cost them tremendously.
Generosity in poverty
Generosity in poverty
The churches in Macedonia were not like the church at Corinth. They were not a rich port city that had tremendous wealth. Paul describes them as people of poverty. They did not have much. Yet he says that they gave beyond their ability. This means they sacrificed for the cause of Christ. We must ask the question why? Why did they give when they didn’t have enough for themselves?
I believe Jesus answers the question.
38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”
41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting [u]money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two [v]small copper coins, which amount to a [w]cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all [x]the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their [y]surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, [z]all she had to live on.” Mark 12:38-44
Generosity in poverty joy in giving out of her poverty than the rich did than giving out of their abundance. Jesus paid attention to the two cents more than he did the large sums. He payed attention because she gave with joy.
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 2 Cor. 9:7-8
God’s grace can take whatever amount you give and make it be sufficient for you to accomplish good deeds.
Grace Illustration
Grace Illustration
I read this week about a baseball game that one day took place. It seems that the Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was zero to zero, and it was in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. The Coach and the Lord stood by observing the game. As they watched, a batter stepped up the plate whose name was LOVE. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because “love never fails.” The next batter was named FAITH, who also got a single because faith works with love. The next batter was named GODLY WISDOM. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass….ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at what Satan throws. The bases were loaded. The Lord then turned to Coach and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped GRACE. Coach said, "He sure doesn’t look like much." Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried, as his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground. Then it continued over the fence for a home run! The Lord’s team won. The Lord then asked Coach if he knew why LOVE, FAITH, and GODLY WISDOM could get on base but could not win the game. Coach answered that he didn’t know why. The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it n yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My GRACE can get you home."
Macedonian Church Gave Themselves To the Lord
Macedonian Church Gave Themselves To the Lord
Though the Macedonian church was in constant persecution and poverty, they found themselves having everything they desired in the grace of God. All they wanted was to be a part of the work of God. Even if it meant giving more than they had to give. They were willing to give everything for the work of the Lord.
They had learned how to apply Romans 12:1-2.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect. Rom. 12:1-2
This passage of scripture instructs us to give our bodies and mind to the Lord. In essence the entirety of our being belongs to the Lord. We are to dedicate ourselves to the Lord and His will. We are not to be conformed to the ways of the world. The world is like the thorny soil Jesus talked about in Luke 8
14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
When we worry more about our own comfort and convenience over the will of God, our ability to fulfill the will of God is choked out. We will bear no fruit. We must first give ourselves wholly to the Lord.
Recipients Of God’s Grace Are To Give To the Work Of The Lord
Recipients Of God’s Grace Are To Give To the Work Of The Lord
Paul urges the Corinthians to do their part in contributing to the saints back at Jerusalem. Paul reminds them that they have received faith, knowledge, and love from the Lord. The way that they could express their gratitude is by supporting the saints in Jerusalem for the furtherance of the gospel.
Paul was not commanding them to contribute to the saints at Jerusalem, but encouraged them out of a heart of gratitude and a desire to see the gospel spread all over the world.
Today people have an opportunity to express their gratitude for what the Lord has done for them and give to the furtherance of the gospel by giving to their local church, contributing to Lottie Moon, and supporting ministries that spread the gospel.
I urge you if you are a recipient of God’s grace to give generously. How much is generous? I believe CS Lewis puts it well when he says:
“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc, is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our giving excludes them.” - CS Lewis