Grace Driven Giving – Part 1
Historical Background
The Gospel had spread from Jerusalem to many Gentile cities.
Paul planted the church at Corinth in his 2nd missionary journey. (Acts 18:1-18)
After Paul had left Corinth he heard of immorality in the church.
He wrote a letter to them (now lost 1 Corinthians 5:9) confronting that sin.
In Ephesus he heard of divisions(1 Corinthians 1:11) in the church.
The church had written a letter to Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1) asking him to clarify on various matters. Paul’s response was to write 1 Corinthians.
Paul then sent Timothy to Corinth. (1 Corinthians 4:17, 16:10,11)
Timothy reported back about disturbing news of the arrival of self-styled false apostles, who began assaulting the character of Paul.
Paul immediately left for Corinth, which was called the painful visit(2 Corinthians 2:1)
Paul then returned to Ephesus writing another letter called the severe letter (1 Corinthians 2:4) and he sent Titus to Corinth. (2 Corinthians 7:5-16)
Paul Goes to Macedonia
Paul was impatient to hear the news from Titus and so he traveled to Macedonia where he met Titus. (2 Corinthians 2:12-13,7:5-16)
Titus reported back that the majority of the Corinthians had repented of their rebellion against Paul.
Paul then wrote 2 Corinthians expressing his relief over their repentance but also defended his apostleship and he encouraged the Corinthians to resume preparing for the collection for the poor at Jerusalem.
Paul then visited Corinth again and the Bible reveals that they had given towards the needs of the Jerusalem church. (Romans 15:26)
What’s amazing is how the gospel had rung out from the Jews to the Gentile churches and now the Gentiles churches were financially contributing to suffering believers in Jerusalem who were mainly Jewish. This depicts the transforming power of the gospel. The Jews and the Gentiles used to hate each other. They wouldn’t even eat together in secular society. Yet God brought them together into one body (the church), changed their hearts to the point where they abundantly and sacrificially gave to the needs of those who had been previously their enemies.
Macedonian/Corinthians
As Paul wrote, he used Macedonians churches as an example of giving. They were a persecuted, suffering and poor church and yet they gave generously and freely to the church at Jerusalem.
Let us study this passage looking at principles we discover.
This will be a two-part sermon as we dive into vs 1-3 This week and vs 4-9 next week.
9 Principles for Gracious Abundant Giving That Unveils the Grace of the Gospel:
- Gracious abundant giving comes from God – vs 1
- Gracious abundant giving happens despite trials – vs 2
- Gracious abundant giving flows from abundant joy – vs 2
- Gracious abundant giving is unhindered by poverty – vs 2
- Gracious abundant giving comes from proportionate giving and sacrificial giving – vs 3
- Gracious abundant giving comes from the desire for participation in ministry – vs 4
- Gracious abundant giving comes from worshiping God and submitting to the elders – vs 5-6
- Gracious abundant giving grows you in God’s grace – vs 7
- Gracious abundant giving proves genuine love – vs 8-9
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