MATURITY #6/7

#1 · March 25, 2009, 2:47 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on March 25, 2009, 2:47 pm
Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>
MATURITY #6/7

GROWING BY GIVING

March 22, 2009

TEXT: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

This is the sixth sermon in my series about the marks of Christian maturity. I believe that the most important mark of Christian maturity is the one I taught last Sunday: humility. Jesus was quite plain on this point as he instructed his disciples: Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28) As we progress in this journey of spiritual maturity moving from milk to solid food we learn that the serious follower of Christ seeks to become more like Christ. Jesus came to serve.

Even though I consider humility to be the most significant mark of spiritual maturity, it is not the only mark. In fact, out of humility flows many other ways in which spiritual maturity is exhibited. Another mark of Christian maturity is giving. Christians grow by giving.

I dont know that Paul ever claimed to be much of an agriculturist, but he certainly hits the nail on the head here. As any farmer and gardener can tell us, no one gets a harvest without planting. Well, except for weeds, I suppose. Seems like theres always a harvest of weeds even though we dont plant them. Still, they are planted; they just do a good job of planting themselves. Im not talking about weeds this morning, though. Im talking about harvesting. Or, as Paul puts it: sowing and reaping. We cant have a harvest without planting; we cant reap unless we sow.

Sow what? The Bible teaches that we are to grow in spiritual maturity and into Christ-likeness. Jesus sowed many spiritual and physical things: kindness, mercy, peace, patience, love. Therefore, we are to sow these attitudes as well. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul teaches about the use and giving of financial resources. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul writes and reminds the church in Corinth of the promise they made a year or so earlier to send financial support to the impoverished church in Jerusalem. Persecutions have taken their toll. Many of the faithful have fled. Many of the original leaders are now dead. What once was a thriving fellowship has fallen on hard times. Paul began to write to churches throughout the empire, soliciting funds on behalf of these Christians. The congregation in Corinth responded to the appeal and promised to generously participate in the offering.

Paul had even gone so far as to have boasted to a group of churches in northern Greece about the Corinthians promise to give sacrificially to the Lords work. Motivated by the Corinthians example, the Macedonian Christians opened their pockets and piggy banks to also help their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. In verses 1-3, Paul has written, There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.

Like Paul said, and as farmers and gardeners know, we must sow in order to reap. To have a harvest, Christians must sow generosity. Paul calls upon the Corinthians to rekindle their spark and spirit of generosity. In verse 6, he not only quotes from a familiar Jewish proverb, he also echoes the words of Jesus: Remember this. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

From verse 6 to verse 15, Paul uses forms of the word generous six times. This is significant. Sometimes modern writers warn against overusing a word. Paul wasnt worried about such things. As far as he is concerned, when Christians are given the opportunity to express love through the tangible act of giving, they are to be generous. The way we give is a reflection on the one whose name we carry - Christ. Christ generously gave to undeserving individuals like us, so those of us who are called little Christs - Christians - are called to do the same. Sow generosity and grow by giving.

To have a harvest, Christians must sow joy. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Giving by definition is voluntary, and that is what helps make it joyful. Most of us are not joyful when we pay our taxes. No wonder. They are not voluntary gifts; they are paid under compulsion. No wonder that tax collectors in Jesus and Pauls day were so despised. Not only could they collect the required taxes, they could collect additional amounts for themselves with the same backing of the Roman government behind them. The people then, like us today, had to pay their taxes.

Small wonder, then, that Paul is able to connect joy with giving gifts. Gift giving is a voluntary, delightful response to Gods love for His people us. The joy of giving comes when you determine what the object of your giving is, and you are at peace with that decision. There is genuine joy in giving when you are not held hostage by others expectations or demands but are free to act on the desire to extend tangible kindness to one another. The church Lois and I attended during my days in Seminary held a financial enlistment and pledge campaign, during which they had testimonies on the Sundays of the campaign. One testimony came from a young man named Hugh. He had been married only a short time and had begun a career as an emergency responder. In just a brief amount of time, his career had some ups and downs, and he had to make some tough decisions. But one activity that he remained true to throughout that time was his pledge to give. "There was a time," he said, "when I used to put my tithe into the plate and then say 'bye-bye' as the plate and my check was passed from hand to hand." But by being a faithful giver, by learning to lean upon God's promises in faith and trust, this young man learned to give cheerfully and to feel a sense of purpose when he put his tithe into the collection plate. That is one example of spiritual growth and maturity. Sow joy and grow by giving.

To have a harvest, Christians must sow faith. Paul encourages the Corinthians to be Christlike in their response to the needs of the Jerusalem church by remembering Gods proven track record in providing for those who desire to meet the needs of others. And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. Simply put, God involves himself in our giving by providing us the resources, both material and spiritual, to give lovingly to others. Sow faith and grow by giving.

To have a harvest, Christians must sow longevity. That sounds strange, I realize, and may not be the best word to use. What I mean is that the gift we willingly and generously give others ends up being a gift that keeps on giving. Paying it forward is a modern term for sowing and doing good, but Christians have beaten our modern calls for good deeds to the punch a long time ago. Gifts that are given thoughtfully and that are mindful of the recipients unique situation will obviously fill a functional need. But thats not all. Those who receive our gifts will be inclined to think of the God to whom we belong and serve. Paul puts it this way: This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of Gods people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you.

One example of such giving comes from Edward Kimball, a Sunday school teacher in Boston over a hundred years ago. One day, a young man joined his class - a young man who didnt know the ways of the church. When he first came to Kimballs class, the teacher handed him a Bible. Then Mr. Kimball told his class to turn to the Gospel of John. The boy did not know how to find the Gospel of John. Recognizing the young mans confusion, he helped him find the appropriate book of the Bible. When Kimball asked the teens to read, this young man fumbled over the words. Still, Edward Kimball saw potential in this teenager. He worked with him and, after a while, led the boy to make a commitment to Christ. That was the beginning. From there, this awkward young man, Dwight L. Moody, became one of the greatest evangelists of the nineteenth century - all because of the gifts of mercy and compassion given by a man few have ever heard of. (Seasoning the Season Advent Implementation Manual, Wheaton: Mainstay Church Resources, 2000, p. B96) Now there was a gift that had some staying power and long-term results. Sow longevity and grow by giving.

Like other Christian traditions, the discipleship of giving can become rather routine. In fact, it can become downright unpleasant if we approach it as a burdensome obligation. But that should never stop us from our spiritual growth. Part of being a disciple of anyone or anything is to learn and to grow. When we talk about being Christs disciples, it means that we are learning and growing in Christs ways. It means that we are doing those things that he wants us to do. The book of James challenges us in many ways. Turn to 2:18. Some try to make James out to say that we are to have a works-based faith. Not so. James is merely emphasizing that our faith, the faith that God has given us, should show certain results. We know them as good works or works of righteousness. So here, James writes, But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

No one is saying that working toward Christian maturity should just be a chore. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that Christian growth is a duty. There is nothing wrong with fulfilling a duty. As many a Christian has learned, we discover genuine joy by working to become mature in the Christian faith.

Jesus is the reason for our joy, our peace, our love. He is the reason for our giving as well. The harvest we are sowing is a reflection of our love for Him. As we sow generosity, joy, faith, and longevity, we will grow by giving. As we grow, we will reap a harvest and exclaim alongside Paul, Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Rev. Charles A. Layne

First Baptist Church

PO Box 515

179 W. Broadway

Bunker Hill, IN 46914

765-689-7987

[email protected]

www.bhfirstbaptist.com
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]   

Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>

MATURITY #6/7

GROWING BY GIVING

March 22, 2009

TEXT: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

This is the sixth sermon in my series about the marks of Christian maturity. I believe that the most important mark of Christian maturity is the one I taught last Sunday: humility. Jesus was quite plain on this point as he instructed his disciples: Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28) As we progress in this journey of spiritual maturity moving from milk to solid food we learn that the serious follower of Christ seeks to become more like Christ. Jesus came to serve.

Even though I consider humility to be the most significant mark of spiritual maturity, it is not the only mark. In fact, out of humility flows many other ways in which spiritual maturity is exhibited. Another mark of Christian maturity is giving. Christians grow by giving.

I dont know that Paul ever claimed to be much of an agriculturist, but he certainly hits the nail on the head here. As any farmer and gardener can tell us, no one gets a harvest without planting. Well, except for weeds, I suppose. Seems like theres always a harvest of weeds even though we dont plant them. Still, they are planted; they just do a good job of planting themselves. Im not talking about weeds this morning, though. Im talking about harvesting. Or, as Paul puts it: sowing and reaping. We cant have a harvest without planting; we cant reap unless we sow.

Sow what? The Bible teaches that we are to grow in spiritual maturity and into Christ-likeness. Jesus sowed many spiritual and physical things: kindness, mercy, peace, patience, love. Therefore, we are to sow these attitudes as well. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul teaches about the use and giving of financial resources. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul writes and reminds the church in Corinth of the promise they made a year or so earlier to send financial support to the impoverished church in Jerusalem. Persecutions have taken their toll. Many of the faithful have fled. Many of the original leaders are now dead. What once was a thriving fellowship has fallen on hard times. Paul began to write to churches throughout the empire, soliciting funds on behalf of these Christians. The congregation in Corinth responded to the appeal and promised to generously participate in the offering.

Paul had even gone so far as to have boasted to a group of churches in northern Greece about the Corinthians promise to give sacrificially to the Lords work. Motivated by the Corinthians example, the Macedonian Christians opened their pockets and piggy banks to also help their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. In verses 1-3, Paul has written, There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.

Like Paul said, and as farmers and gardeners know, we must sow in order to reap. To have a harvest, Christians must sow generosity. Paul calls upon the Corinthians to rekindle their spark and spirit of generosity. In verse 6, he not only quotes from a familiar Jewish proverb, he also echoes the words of Jesus: Remember this. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

From verse 6 to verse 15, Paul uses forms of the word generous six times. This is significant. Sometimes modern writers warn against overusing a word. Paul wasnt worried about such things. As far as he is concerned, when Christians are given the opportunity to express love through the tangible act of giving, they are to be generous. The way we give is a reflection on the one whose name we carry - Christ. Christ generously gave to undeserving individuals like us, so those of us who are called little Christs - Christians - are called to do the same. Sow generosity and grow by giving.

To have a harvest, Christians must sow joy. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Giving by definition is voluntary, and that is what helps make it joyful. Most of us are not joyful when we pay our taxes. No wonder. They are not voluntary gifts; they are paid under compulsion. No wonder that tax collectors in Jesus and Pauls day were so despised. Not only could they collect the required taxes, they could collect additional amounts for themselves with the same backing of the Roman government behind them. The people then, like us today, had to pay their taxes.

Small wonder, then, that Paul is able to connect joy with giving gifts. Gift giving is a voluntary, delightful response to Gods love for His people us. The joy of giving comes when you determine what the object of your giving is, and you are at peace with that decision. There is genuine joy in giving when you are not held hostage by others expectations or demands but are free to act on the desire to extend tangible kindness to one another. The church Lois and I attended during my days in Seminary held a financial enlistment and pledge campaign, during which they had testimonies on the Sundays of the campaign. One testimony came from a young man named Hugh. He had been married only a short time and had begun a career as an emergency responder. In just a brief amount of time, his career had some ups and downs, and he had to make some tough decisions. But one activity that he remained true to throughout that time was his pledge to give. "There was a time," he said, "when I used to put my tithe into the plate and then say 'bye-bye' as the plate and my check was passed from hand to hand." But by being a faithful giver, by learning to lean upon God's promises in faith and trust, this young man learned to give cheerfully and to feel a sense of purpose when he put his tithe into the collection plate. That is one example of spiritual growth and maturity. Sow joy and grow by giving.

To have a harvest, Christians must sow faith. Paul encourages the Corinthians to be Christlike in their response to the needs of the Jerusalem church by remembering Gods proven track record in providing for those who desire to meet the needs of others. And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. Simply put, God involves himself in our giving by providing us the resources, both material and spiritual, to give lovingly to others. Sow faith and grow by giving.

To have a harvest, Christians must sow longevity. That sounds strange, I realize, and may not be the best word to use. What I mean is that the gift we willingly and generously give others ends up being a gift that keeps on giving. Paying it forward is a modern term for sowing and doing good, but Christians have beaten our modern calls for good deeds to the punch a long time ago. Gifts that are given thoughtfully and that are mindful of the recipients unique situation will obviously fill a functional need. But thats not all. Those who receive our gifts will be inclined to think of the God to whom we belong and serve. Paul puts it this way: This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of Gods people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you.

One example of such giving comes from Edward Kimball, a Sunday school teacher in Boston over a hundred years ago. One day, a young man joined his class - a young man who didnt know the ways of the church. When he first came to Kimballs class, the teacher handed him a Bible. Then Mr. Kimball told his class to turn to the Gospel of John. The boy did not know how to find the Gospel of John. Recognizing the young mans confusion, he helped him find the appropriate book of the Bible. When Kimball asked the teens to read, this young man fumbled over the words. Still, Edward Kimball saw potential in this teenager. He worked with him and, after a while, led the boy to make a commitment to Christ. That was the beginning. From there, this awkward young man, Dwight L. Moody, became one of the greatest evangelists of the nineteenth century - all because of the gifts of mercy and compassion given by a man few have ever heard of. (Seasoning the Season Advent Implementation Manual, Wheaton: Mainstay Church Resources, 2000, p. B96) Now there was a gift that had some staying power and long-term results. Sow longevity and grow by giving.

Like other Christian traditions, the discipleship of giving can become rather routine. In fact, it can become downright unpleasant if we approach it as a burdensome obligation. But that should never stop us from our spiritual growth. Part of being a disciple of anyone or anything is to learn and to grow. When we talk about being Christs disciples, it means that we are learning and growing in Christs ways. It means that we are doing those things that he wants us to do. The book of James challenges us in many ways. Turn to 2:18. Some try to make James out to say that we are to have a works-based faith. Not so. James is merely emphasizing that our faith, the faith that God has given us, should show certain results. We know them as good works or works of righteousness. So here, James writes, But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

No one is saying that working toward Christian maturity should just be a chore. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that Christian growth is a duty. There is nothing wrong with fulfilling a duty. As many a Christian has learned, we discover genuine joy by working to become mature in the Christian faith.

Jesus is the reason for our joy, our peace, our love. He is the reason for our giving as well. The harvest we are sowing is a reflection of our love for Him. As we sow generosity, joy, faith, and longevity, we will grow by giving. As we grow, we will reap a harvest and exclaim alongside Paul, Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Rev. Charles A. Layne

First Baptist Church

PO Box 515

179 W. Broadway

Bunker Hill, IN 46914

765-689-7987

[email protected]

http://www.bhfirstbaptist.com

-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]