Our Turning Point

Background to passage: The Corinthian church had been corrected for disunity, pride, immorality, suing each other, their understanding of marriage, their understanding of love, their understanding of spiritual gifts, and their understanding of the resurrection. There was also a “severe letter” that Paul referenced. Now the church, more pure and sound, was very poor by worldly standards, but rich in their relationship to Christ. Therefore their generosity was affected for a needed ministry.

Remind them of the three focuses of our new year: 1) for God’s glory, 2) through the gospel, 3) by his church, which we see in this passage in 9:13.

2 Corinthians 9:13 (ESV)

13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

Opening illustration: The Battle of Kursk, “never had a problem asking people to do what God asks them to do,” individual resolutions, team or group ones, or large group resolutions

Main thought: We must determine what our commitment will be financially in a time of scarcity in view of the ministry we seek to have. Guests, we rarely discuss church business like this, or drive the point of giving, but Jesus spoke clearly about it very often. His main theme was to hold loosely to things, but to focus on the kingdom. Biblical principles apply to you too.

1) Where We Are (v. 2-3)

2 Corinthians 8:2–3 ESV

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

1) Where We Are (v. 2-3)

Explanation: This is somewhat discouraging, but we must take stock. We approved a budget that started last week at $20K more than we took in this year. We are believing God for his provision. God has gifted us with certain resources: financial assets, people power, and the gospel. We have been on a slow decline in members, attendance, and giving since 2004 due to recessions, death, people moving, ministry changing, church division, and people changing churches.

Therefore, we have cut funding to ministries, reduced staff, and become internally focused. There are fixed costs. The building is a ministry, but it costs a lot! Electricity is $42K/year, ins is $18K/year, maintenance and repairs are $17K/year. With the other costs related to building, just for the use of it and the ministry through it (emphasize this), we have to allocate $89K. Fixed staffing costs exceed that for Dianne and I, Blair and the contract laborers. With the economy what it is now with inflation, things cost more. You feel that in your own budgets. If you have the same income as last year, you have to cut spending because it is just not there.

Argumentation:

Illustration: “Forced obedience,” the exception of reasons is COVID,

Application: I believe in the absolute sovereignty of God. Nothing happens apart from his watchful eye. I also know that he is good and wise. I do not pretend to know what God is doing, but I do know that his purpose includes further conforming us to the image of his Son, sanctifying us in every aspect of our lives.

I know that God is beginning to bless in obvious ways - from Mission Serve to the Methodists, from Little Lions to little children in VBS, from hundreds in line at the food ministry to dozens of kids in worship at Camp Viola, from new members to new believers, God is moving. We continue to give either financially or through the building or through volunteer hours to the Cooperative Program, OCC, Gideons, Truth in Nature, PCC, Wellroot Family Services, Circles of Troup Co, Red Cross, LA or LCS. I believe that we are on the cusp of a turn around. I believe we are coming through Kursk advancing on the position of the enemy.

Where we are not only includes poverty, but like the churches of Macedonia includes an abundance of joy and generosity. Jesus became poor so we can be rich. Let our poverty display the richness Jesus has given this year.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

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 by his poverty might become rich.

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2) Biblical Principles (v. 2-4, 9:7)

2 Corinthians 8:2–4 ESV

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,