THE HELPING CHRISTIAN
FEBRUARY 25, 2020 (1 Tim. 2:1-6)
Reading to the hearer: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
PAUL’S CONFIDENCE IN THE GENEROSITY OF THE CHURCH
9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
SOLICITORS FOR BENEVOLENCES
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
THE LAW OF SPIRITUAL ACTION AND REACTION
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
THE BLESSING OF BENEVOLENCE
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
PAUL’S CONFIDENCE IN THE GENEROSITY OF THE CHURCH
- THE PREPARATION—vv. 1–5
- Praise—vv. 1–2. Paul praises the people for their giving. This caused others to give.
SOLICITORS FOR BENEVOLENCES
- Plan—v. 3. Paul was sending the men to get the money, the people had promised to give.
- Problem—v. 4. If not living right and following God, it would bring shame to Paul.
THE LAW OF SPIRITUAL ACTION AND REACTION
- Promise—v. 5. Paul didn’t want people to think that Paul was preaching for the sake of money.
- THE PLAN—vv. 6–12
- Planting—v. 6. If we give to God, He will give back to us. Many did not have God’s blessings, because they have not given to God liberally.
- Plan—v. 7. Everyone should give cheerfully. If give because of duty, we are giving in the wrong spirit.
- Provision—v. 8. If we give faithfully, God will be fauthful in meeting all our needs! Not only meet our needs, but give us extra.
- Permament—v. 9. Not only blessed in this life, but have eternal blessings from God.
- Preparation—vv. 10–11. God helps those, who help others. He gives us blessings, to help others.
THE BLESSING OF BENEVOLENCE
- Profit—v. 12. Those you help are filled with thanks and praise to God.
III. THE PRAISE—vv. 13–15
- Praise—v. 13. Through your giving, people will praise the Lord. Praise Him in a two-fold way: In deeds, and in doctrine.
- Prayer—v. 14. When you help others, they will remember to pray for you.
- Person—v. 15. Thank God for His gift to man—Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
IV. Three Amen from Romans chapter 16:
16:20 – Paul predicts victory for believers when the God of peace soon will crush Satan.
16:24 – Paul makes a prayerful pronouncement. He summons “the grace of our Lord Jesus to be with you.
16:27 – Glory in God’s ability.
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