!1 2 Corinthians 8 6/10/2020 Wednesday Night Review: 1. Paul had written a letter scolding the Corinthians a. He had worried that he might have hurt their feelings b/c that wasn’t what he was after 2. He was thrilled when Titus came back from delivering that letter to find that they repented 3. We looked at what real repentance looks like 4. Paul was thrilled w/ their response 5. Now he goes back to a topic from first letter 2 Corinthians 8:1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, V.2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. V.3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, V.4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, V.1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 1. “the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia” a. It is interesting that we are supposed to be talking about giving by God’s standards & what leaps off the page first, is about racism i. Today the news is full of ideas about how to fix racism ii. The Church is talking about it now iii.Sadly the Church doesn’t seem to know much more than the world b. If we are not careful – we will lose the debate simply by not applying the right principles c. There is only one answer to racism – Christ’s love in the heart! d. Society will never fix social injustice – oppression has been going on for thousands of years i. The stronger will always overpower the weaker – could you reason w/ Nebuchadnezzar, Attila the Hun, Adolf Hitler, Mussolini, Mao Tse Tung, Robert Mugabe, Idi Amin, Ho Chi Minh !2 e. Only sheltered people in a sheltered setting sit & debate oppression as though there is a cure i. They aren’t sitting around debating this in North Korea f. It is a trap for a believer to get caught in a conversation about inequity & social justice unless you control “your” narrative g. God doesn't want us in those kind of conversations i. How do I know that? 2 Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 1. “avoid worldly and empty chatter” a. “Worldly” – This doesn’t mean coarse, crude language (although that would apply) b. The same word & same thought is used is used in 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 4:7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"— c. The fact is humanity is broken beyond repair d. How much debate about social injustice is in Bible? i. The Christ & the apostles lived w/ horrible injustice ii. Herod the Tetrarch, Pontius Pilate, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero (cut Paul’s head off) e. What do you hear the apostles saying about social injustice? i. Nothing ! – b/c that isn't going to change the world ii. Even if a society could settled down – they are still dead eternally !3 2 Tim.2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 1. “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness” a. This is the answer for racism b. When someone wants to debate – Go to Scripture – racism sin, along w/ many other things men do wrong! c. Don’t expect this racism to be worked out – it takes a change of the heart i. Until you love God you can’t love mankind h. We have the perfect example in front of us i. The churches of Macedonia were Gentile churches i. Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea ii. Philippi didn’t even have a large enough Jewish population to have a synagogue (it only required 10 Jewish men) iii.We know this b/c Paul always went to the synagogue first before talking to Gentiles about Christ 1.But not in Philippi Acts 16:12-13 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled. j. Jews & Gentiles hated each other in that day k. The Jews were hated by everyone i. They were run out of Rome Acts 18:1-2 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, !4 l. So here we see the Macedonians (Gentiles) wanting to give money to the Jewish believers - 2 Corinthians 8:1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, V. 2 t h a t in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 1. “in a great ordeal of affliction” a. When a person belonged to a trade union they had a god they paid homage to i. Believers could no longer do that & were persecuted 2. “their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” a. They gave w/ a heart of joy b/c saved b. They were giving to the ones who sent the good news to the world i. The mission church was receiving aid from the mission field c. Principle #1 – circumstances don’t dictate whether you give or not (how much you give but not whether you give) d. This is a picture of the triumph of the spirit over the circumstances e. They not only gave to the poor in Jerusalem but to Paul’s ministry also Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. f. !5 V.3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, V. 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 1. “according to their ability, and beyond their ability” (V.3) a. They gave what they could give & then gave more! 2. “begging us with much urging for the favor of participation” a. Principle #2 – Giving is a privilege i. Scripture states the same Acts 20:35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" ii. They were so poor that Paul was hesitant to receive from them & they begged to give? b. Wanting to give comes from a grateful heart c. We see the same thing in O.T. Exodus 25:1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. 36:3 They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, 5 and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform." 6 So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, "Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the !6 contributions of the sanctuary." Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more.