Sermon20130707

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (NASB)
1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
9 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 through His poverty might become rich.
10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality —
14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
15 as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”

Introduction:

Five Reasons God Grants a Surplus
1. To save up for times when we have a lack – Emergency Fund
2. To enjoy life – gifts, vacations, hobbies, etc. – Discretionary Spending
3. To give to the Lord’s work through church, missions and ministries – Tithes and Offerings
4. To generously give to other believers in need – Charity
5. To increase wealth so you can do the other four more generously – Investing

Theme: Five habits of a grace giving church and the reasons we should emulate them

I. They Did It: Five habits displayed in a grace giving church
1. They gave in the midst of their affliction vs 2a.
2. They gave joyfully and generously vv 2b-3a
3. They gave willingly and eagerly 3b-4
4. They gave themselves to the Lord first.
vs 5a.
5. They gave themselves to the ministry. 5b

II. Now you Do It: Five reasons why we should emulate those grace giving churches

1. Grace Giving is a gracious work to share in vv.6-7
2. Grace Giving proves our love for others vs. 8
3. Grace Giving is patterned after the generous gift of Christ for us vs.9
4. Grace Giving is done out of your desire and ability to do so vv. 10-12

Are you ready and willing ?
Are you able?

5. Grace Giving provides for equality among believers vv. 13-15 Acts 4:34-35

Do you understand God’s reason for granting you wealth ?

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Sermon20130616

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (NASB)
1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
9 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 through His poverty might become rich.
10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality —
14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
15 as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”

Introduction:

Five Reasons God Grants a Surplus
1. To save up for times when we have a lack – Emergency Fund
2. To enjoy life – gifts, vacations, hobbies, etc. – Discretionary Spending
3. To give to the Lord’s work through church, missions and ministries – Tithes and Offerings
4. To generously give to other believers in need – Charity
5. To increase wealth so you can do the other four more generously – Investing

Theme: Five habits of a grace giving church and the reasons we should emulate them

I. They Did It: Five habits displayed in a grace giving church
1. They gave in the midst of their affliction vs 2a.
2. They gave joyfully and generously vv 2b-3a
3. They gave willingly and eagerly 3b-4
4. They gave themselves to the Lord first.
vs 5a.
5. They gave themselves to the ministry. 5b

II Now you Do It: Five reasons why we should emulate those grace giving churches

1. Grace Giving is a gracious work to share in vv.6-7
2. Grace Giving proves our love for others vs. 8
3. Grace Giving is patterned after the generous gift of Christ for us vs.9

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Sermon20130609

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (NASB)
1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
9 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 through His poverty might become rich.
10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality —
14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
15 as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”

Introduction:

Five Reasons God Grants a Surplus
1. To save up for times when we have a lack – Emergency Fund
2. To enjoy life – gifts, vacations, hobbies, etc. – Discretionary Spending
3. To give to the Lord’s work through church, missions and ministries – Tithes and Offerings
4. To generously give to other believers in need – Charity
5. To increase wealth so you can do the other four more generously – Investing

Theme: Five habits of a grace giving church and the reasons we should emulate them

I. They Did It: Five habits displayed in a grace giving church
1. They gave in the midst of their affliction vs 2a.
2. They gave joyfully and generously vv 2b-3a
3. They gave willingly and eagerly 3b-4
4. They gave themselves to the Lord first.
vs 5a.
5. They gave themselves to the ministry. 5b

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Sermon20130602

2 Corinthians 7:8-16 (NASB)
8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it — for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while —
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you:what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.
13 For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.
15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you

Introduction:

Theme: Four joyful effects of godly sorrow so you will understand the characteristics of true repentance.

The Sorrowful Letter vs. 8
I. Godly sorrow results in genuine repentance vv. 9-10
A. Godly Sorrow
B. Worldly Sorrow
II. Godly sorrow responds rightly against personal wrongdoings vs.11
III. Godly sorrow reveals our earnestness before God vs. 12
IV. Godly sorrow redounds in comfort and joy vv. 13-16 (cf. vs. 9)

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Sermon20130526

2 Corinthians 7:8-16 (NASB)
8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it — for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while —
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you:what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.
13 For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.
15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you

Introduction:

Theme: Four joyful effects of godly sorrow so you will understand the characteristics of true repentance.

The Sorrowful Letter vs. 8
I. Godly sorrow results in genuine repentance vv. 9-10
A. Godly Sorrow
B. Worldly Sorrow
II. Godly sorrow responds rightly against personal wrongdoings vs.11
III. Godly sorrow reveals our earnestness before God vs. 12
IV. Godly sorrow redounds in comfort and joy vv. 13-16 (cf. vs. 9)

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Sermon20130519

2 Corinthians 7:2-7 (NASB)

2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.
4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side:conflicts without, fears within.
6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

Introduction:

Theme: Six expressions of love a minister demonstrates toward those he ministers to, so they might experience mutual joy and comfort.

• 1. The minister’s appeal. vs.2A
• 2. The minister’s vindication. vs.2B
• 3. The minister’s loyalty. vs.3
• 4. The minister’s perspective. vs.4A
• 5. The minister’s affliction. vs.4-5
• 6. The minister’s comfort. vs.6-7

Ultimate source of comfort is God.
Notice the means of comfort. Titus’s return
Vicarious Comforter
Proof that provided comfort

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Sermon20130505

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 (NASB)
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17″ Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE, “says the Lord.” AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Introduction:

Theme: Three explicit commands for relating to unbelievers so you won’t be polluted by their sinful influence.

Command #1: Do not be yoked
together with unbelievers vs. 14a

Rhetorical basis for the command – Five Questions vv. 14b-16a

Question 1: What partnership righteousness and lawlessness? NONE

Question 2: What fellowship light with darkness? NONE

Question 3: What harmony Christ with Belial? NONE

Question 4: What part a believer with an unbeliever? NONE

Question 5: What agreement the temple of God with idols? NONE

Certain declaration: Christians are the temple of the Living God vs.16b
Scriptural basis for the declaration: Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekial 37:27 vv 16c

Command #2: Come out from their midst and be separate vs.17a

Command #3: Do not touch what is unclean vs.17b

Two promises to those who obey these commands vv 17d-18
1. God welcomes them into His presence
2. God accepts them as His children

Concluding Exhortation:

Cleanse yourself from all of and vs. 18a
Perfect in the of God vs. 18b

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Sermon20130428

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 (NASB)
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17” Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE, “says the Lord.” AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Introduction:

Theme: Three explicit commands for relating to unbelievers so you won’t be polluted by their sinful influence.

Command #1: Do not be yoked
together with unbelievers vs. 14a

Rhetorical basis for the command – Five Questions vv. 14b-16a

Question 1: What partnership righteousness and lawlessness? NONE

Question 2: What fellowship light with darkness? NONE

Question 3: What harmony Christ with Belial? NONE

Question 4: What part a believer with an unbeliever? NONE

Question 5: What agreement the temple of God with idols? NONE

Certain declaration: Christians are the temple of the Living God vs.16b
Scriptural basis for the declaration: Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekial 37:27 vv 16c

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Sermon20130421

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NASB)
1And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain —
2 for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” —
3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well- known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange — I speak as to children — open wide to us also.

Introduction:

Theme: Five characteristics of effective gospel ministry so you will understand the devotion required of its servants

I. Gospel ministry requires that we work together with God for reconciliation vs.1a

II. Gospel ministry warns against receiving God’s grace in vain vs. 1b

III. Gospel ministry is conducted with a sense of urgency vs. 2

“The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this.– ‘There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.’ — By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God’s mere will and in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment.”
Johnathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an Angry God

IV. Gospel ministry demands the utmost integrity and devotion from its servants vv3-10

A. God’s servants must not give offense vs.3
Offensive by our choices.
Offensive in poor habits.
Offensive by convictions to do right.

B. God’s servants must be fully devoted to the ministry vv.4-10
Triads of suffering:
Afflictions-Hardships-Distresses
Beatings-Imprisonments-Tumults
Labors-Sleeplessness-Hungers

Spiritual Qualities:
purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, Holy Spirit, genuine love, word of truth,

1. Three triads vv.4-5
a. General suffering
b. Opposition brought on by those hostile to his ministry
c. Voluntary toil and denial.

2. Two tetrads vv.6-7
a. Four basic Christian virtues, character traits
b. Two references to God and two central Christian principals

3. Nine experiences he underwent vv. 8-10
a. glory and dishonor
b. evil report and good report
c. Regarded as a deceiver , yet true
d. Unknown yet well known
e. Dying yet behold alive
f. Punished yet not yet put to death
g. Sorrowful yet always rejoicing
h. Poor yet making many rich
i. Having nothing yet possessing all things

V. Gospel ministry opens itself up in love vv. 11-13

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Sermon20130407

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NASB)
1And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain —
2 for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” —
3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well- known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange — I speak as to children — open wide to us also.

Introduction:

Theme: Five characteristics of effective gospel ministry so you will understand the devotion required of its servants

I. Gospel ministry requires that we work together with God for reconciliation vs.1a

II. Gospel ministry warns against receiving God’s grace in vain vs. 1b

III. Gospel ministry is conducted with a sense of urgency vs. 2

“The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this.– ‘There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.’ — By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God’s mere will and in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment.”
Johnathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an Angry God

IV. Gospel ministry demands the utmost integrity and devotion from its servants vv3-10
A. God’s servants must not give offense vs.3
Offensive by our choices.
Offensive in poor habits.
Offensive by convictions to do right.

B. God’s servants must be fully devoted to the ministry vv.4-10
Triads of suffering:
Afflictions-Hardships-Distresses
Beatings-Imprisonments-Tumults
Labors-Sleeplessness-Hungers

Spiritual Qualities:
purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, Holy Spirit, genuine love, word of truth,

V. Gospel ministry opens itself up in love vv. 11-13

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