My sermon notes for Sunday, July 21st as we continue our study through 2 Corinthians. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
2 Corinthians 9-6-15“God’s Grace and Our Giving” part 3
Intro thoughts:
- It has been said “TRUE CONVERSION TRANSFORMS the MIND, the HEART, and the WALLET”
- THERE IS A PROBLEM. – The financial crisis in our society. Debt, student loans, the struggle in balancing our wants and our needs, lack of savings, no retirement.
- THERE IS A PROBLEM. – We do not understand the concept of EARNING (hard work), SPENDING, SAVING, & GIVING. All 4 are crucial.
- THERE IS A PROBLEM – The absence of Biblical teaching on the subject.
- Matthew 25:14-30 – The Parable of the Talents
- WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE. KEY IS FAITHFULNESS
- Giving is not just about giving. It is about being a good steward in all areas of our $$$$ life.
- BALANCE – EARNING, SPENDING, SAVING & GIVING
- WE JUST settle for misery. Keep doing the same things… Get same results. (RAMSEY OVERVIEW)
- Matt. 16:24 – Deny Self. This a foreign concept. TODAY IT SI ALL ABOUT SELF! We think we need, but we really want.
- When you grasp this perspective… it changes everything.
1 Corinthians 16:2
[1] Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. [2] On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (ESV)
GIVING IS
- Systematic – first day of the week, planned.
- Sacrificial – let each one give. (not equal giving by equal sacrifice).
- Proportionate – as he may prosper, as we give, He blesses.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
GIVING IS
Investing – v. 6
[6] The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
- Sowing
- Reaping
- If we give to bless others. We will be blessed in return.
- The blessing of obedience
- The blessing of trusting
- The blessing of HIS PRESENCE
- The blessing of investing in the Kingdom
Deciding – v. 7
[7] Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver
- As he has decided – heart issue. (PRAY, SEEK, ASK the Lord to give you a giving heart.)
- Not reluctantly
- Do not want to let go. OR I do not have to give
- I GET TO!
- You either understand or you do not.
- Cheerful – hilaron – hilarious
Worshiping – vv. 8-15
[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! (ESV)
- God is able – v. 8
- Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
- All sufficiency in all things – v. 8
- 2 Peter 1:3–4 [3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (ESV)
- He supplies – v. 10
- He multiplies – v. 10
- Enriched in every way – v. 11
- Generous in every way – v. 11
- Thanksgiving to God – v. 12
- Submission/Confession to the Gospel – v. 13
- Generosity – v. 13
- God’s grace upon you – v. 14
- Inexpressible gift – v. 15
Scripture References:
Matthew 25:14–30 – [14] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. [15] To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. [16] He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. [17] So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. [18] But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. [19] Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. [20] And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ [21] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ [22] And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ [23] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ [24] He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, [25] so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ [26] But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? [27] Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. [28] So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. [29] For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. [30] And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (ESV)