Sermon by Pastor Robert Earl Houston, Sr., Assistant Pastor
Westwood Baptist Church, University Center
Nashville, Tennessee - www.westwoodbcuc.org
www.roberthouston.org
2 Corinthians 8:1-2:
”Moreover, brethren, we make know to you the grace of God bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia: that in great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.”
Subject: “THE PARADOX OF GRACE”
There is a doctrine that has appeared and is spreading throughout the Body of Christ. It has been entitled the Doctrine of Prosperity. Ken L. Sarles wrote that this prosperity doctrine is so new that he calls it a movement.
At the core of this movement is the belief that the gospel breeds affluence. That no believer should ever be poor. No believer should ever experience lack. No believer should ever be sick. No believer should ever know of poverty. No believer should ever experience physical pain. One prominent television evangelist has been dared to boldly proclaim, “I’ll never be broke, another day in my life.”
However, the truth of the matter is that every believer is not affluent. Some believers are poor. Some believers experience lack. Some believers are sick. Some believers live at or below the poverty line. Some believers experience mental or physical or emotional pain. And for some believers, they were broke yesterday, they are broke today, and they will be broke tomorrow.
There are those in the Body of Christ who do not roll up to the church house on Sunday morning in luxury cars. Many believers think that 401(k) is the number that comes after 401(j). Even our sanctuaries are not always elaborated graced buildings with the modern conveniences. Some congregations struggle. Some churches struggle. Some pastors struggle.
I have come to suggest that God does not frown on wealth. Conversely, He does not frown on the lack of wealth. Being wealthy is not a sign of spiritual superiority. Being healthy is not a sign of extraordinary empowerment. I must suggest immediately that no matter what your financial portfolio entails – whether you are wealthy or barely making it – the Grace of God makes the difference in your life.
In this pericape, the Apostle Paul is writing to a messed up Church - the Church at Corinth. He writes from a jail cell with a sentence of death hovering over his head. Paul has been the Church’s greatest evangelist and he now writes his pastoral epistle to the Church at Corinth.
The root problem of the Church at Corinth is that of a lack of spiritual direction. They came to church. They crowded the sanctuary. They filled the roles of the organizational charts. However, their actions negated anything that they professed in the sanctuary.
My brothers and sisters, we all need to make sure that our talk and our walk are succinct. Don’t proclaim Him Lord unless He is your Lord. Don’t pray “thou kingdom come” unless you are prepared to leave your own kingdom and are prepared to join His.
Notice that Paul writes lovingly about the Church at Philippi. He writes lovingly about the Church at Thessalonica. He writes lovingly about the Berean Church. However, this church is lack spiritually, fiscally stingy and lovingly deficient.
Paul says that the Grace of God is resting upon a church. But Corinth - it’s not upon your church. The Grace of God is moving within a church. But Corinth - not your church. The Grace of God is doing miraculous things within a church. But Corinth - not your church. The Grace of God is providing signs and wonders. But Corinth - not in your church.
Paul says that the Grace of God has been bestowed. In Greek this word didomi suggests that God has given this Grace. God has assigned this Grace. That Grace didn’t fall out of the sky accidentally, but Grace was given to a church – not to the Church at Corinth, but to the Church at Macedonia.
It’s interesting that Paul says God’s favor is upon the Macedonian Church, especially since the Macedonia Church was a poverty-stricken Church. It was not only a poor church; it was a “sho nuff” poor church. They had rock bottom destitution. This does not sound like a Church that is experiencing the Grace of God.
If the Church was a poor church –
And if the Church had rock bottom destitution.
And the Church was poverty stricken.
Therefore, the Church was comprised of people who were under the same classification. Let me hurry up and suggest that if a church is a cold church, it’s not because the building temperature has done below 32 degrees, but it’s because the spiritual temperature of the lives of believers has grown cold.
If a church is not doing anything. It’s not because the building is inadequate or facilities can’t house new ministries. It’s because the building is filled with folk who are lazy, uncaring and don’t want to go forward.
But if a church is like what my former pastor used to say, “A hot church” – it’s not because somebody left the heat on last night or set a fire in the building this morning – but it’s because the Holy Spirit is in the veins of the people who worship here like fire shut up in their bones.
If a Church is a loving congregation, it’s not because of the warm ambience of a building or the low lights in the sanctuary, but it’s because of the sensitivity of the people who gather to praise His name.
Therefore, if the Church at Macedonia was a poverty-stricken church. It’s because the people who went there and cast their lots with that pastor and congregation, they too were poverty-stricken.
If the Church at Macedonia, was in deep poverty. It’s because the people who called that place their “Church Home” was also found to be individually in deep poverty.
If the Church at Macedonia was suffering Rock Bottom Destitution. It’s because the disciples who attached themselves to that ministry, they too were suffering individually Rock Bottom Destitution.
I need to tell somebody that if the Church is stingy, the people are stingy.
If the Church is lazy, the people are lazy.
If the Church is sorry, the people are sorry.
If the Church is lame, the people are lame.
If the Church is stagnant, the people are stagnant.
If the Church is filled with praise, the people are filled with praise.
If the Church is on one accord, the people are on one accord.
If the Church is on fire, the people are on fire.
The Church at Macedonia was poor. The people of Macedonia were poor. They were suffering on a daily basis. They were troubled on a daily basis. But Paul says the Grace of God is there.
I believe that many of us have seen this principle first hand. My parents hailed from Louisiana and I don’t ever recall the name of our butler – because we didn’t have one. I don’t remember the name of our chauffeur – because we didn’t have one. I can’t recollect the name of our maid – because we didn’t have one. And my parents struggled from paycheck to paycheck. And my grandparents struggled from harvest time to harvest time. They struggled through the turbulent 60s. They struggled in the Jim Crow era of the 40s and 50s. They struggled during the Depression. They struggled through the harsh years of this nation – but the Grace of God was there. Although they had hard times, the Grace of God was in the House. Although they lost children and grandchildren, the Grace of God kept things together.
Paul says that the Grace of God was given to a poor Church – the Church at Macedonia. Although they had great problems.
Somebody here knows that even though you had a bad year in 2001 – the Grace of God was in your house.
Somebody here knows that even though you shed some tears this year – the Grace of God is in your house.
Somebody here knows that even though you lost some friends lately – the Grace of God is upon your life.
Somebody here knows you don’t have a lot of money – but you can feel the Grace of God on your life.
Somebody here knows that you didn’t go as far as you wanted to go but you can feel the Grace of God on your life.
You ought to look at somebody and tell them, I may not have much, but I have the Grace of God in my life.
When you have His grace – your crowded apartment becomes your castle.
When you have His grace – your “hooptie” rides like a Cadillac.
When you have His grace – your old clothes wear like designer clothes.
When you have His grace – your dinner plates look like fine china.
When you have His grace – your t.v. sounds like surround sound.
Paul breaks it down by saying that they had some awesome paradoxes operating in their lives. One writer suggests that grammatically, Paul is saying that when you add these factors up you will come to the same conclusion. We shall examine this as well.
First, Paul says that the Church at Macedonia had Great Affliction and Great Joy. This is a paradox. These two diverse circumstances, which stand at zeniths apart, Paul says that the Church at Macedonia experienced both at the same time.
Yes, they had great afflictions. The believers shared a commonality of suffering. They suffered together as Citizens under the harsh leadership of Rome. They suffered under the social conditions of an oppressive nation seeking to change the philosophical and sociological trends of an entire nation; they suffered because they were Christians and Christians were persecuted on a regular basis.
Paul says that they received the Word in severe suffering. Let me suggest that we as believers will have to do the same. We receive the Word while we personally suffer
Somebody here you have to admit that since you came to Jesus you’ve suffered like you never have. You try to do right, but the more you do right, the more you suffer. You try to live right, but the more you live right, the more you suffer. You try to pray, but the more you pray, the more you suffer.
But let me encourage somebody here today to tell you, as a Man of God, Don’t be weary in well doing, for in due season, ye shall reap, if you faint not.
However, these afflictions, these trials were tempered by the Joy they had. And this joy could only be given by the Holy Ghost. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says they received the Word, but with Joy of the Holy Ghost.
They were poor, but they had Joy.
They were poverty-stricken, but they had Joy.
They were rock bottom destitute, but they had Joy.
My brothers and sisters, the Joy of the Holy Ghost always will rise above your sorrow.
That’s why you can have joy at a funeral.
That’s why you can have joy after hearing bad news.
That’s why you can have joy after going through hell in your house.
That’s why you can have joy after trouble rises.
It just seems to me that the average believer that comes through the portals of this sanctuary doesn’t fit this category, but you act the opposite way.
You ain’t poor, but you don’t have any joy.
You aren’t poverty stricken, but you don’t have any joy.
You aren’t rock bottom destitute, but you don’t have any joy.
But if you can have joy when you’re poor – you ought to have some joy when you make it.
If you can have joy when you’re impoverished, it seems to me that you ought to have joy when you got money in your pocket.
If you have joy when you lose everything, it seems to me that you ought to have joy when you have so much to thank God for.
I need to put a personal word here, Child of God – you ought to be thankful for everything that the Lord has given to you. I am thankful for not only what He has done for me, but for what He hasn’t done to me:
He could have took me out a long time ago.
He could have allowed my enemies access to me a long time ago.
He could have took back His blessings a long time ago.
He could have let my enemies triumph over me.
He could have let me lose my mind, up in here, up in here.
He could have let me fall down and never get up.
But I’m so Glad and I’m thankful. That’s why I praise Him.
I can’t go to sleep in church.
I can’t let my mind wander in church.
I can’t relax in the Lord’s Presence.
I have to lift up Holy Hands.
I have to dance for Joy.
I have to say hallelujah.
I have to leap for joy.
Secondly, they had Poverty while experiencing Liberality.
Their poverty was not perceived or imagined. It was real poverty. It was not abstract. It was abject. It was not fake poverty – it was not like those who always claim to be broke, but have money in the bank. They were “sho nuff” poor.
But the Word says they were “bathos” poor. In Greek it suggests that they were bottom of the sea poor. In other words, everything and everyone else was above their financial stratus. They had to look up at somebody else’s prosperity. They had to look up at somebody else’s financial portfolio.
You’ve had to use food stamps for dinner and someone else used credit cards.
You’ve had to use the free lunch school program and someone else paid for their lunch.
You’ve had to stand in line for a government check and someone else stayed home and got a fat check in the mail.
Somebody here today, you’ve been looking up at someone else’s wealth for a long time. But I want to give you a word of encouragement – Macedonia was poor, but they were known for Liberality.
But before I move on, let me tell you that if you are at the bottom of the sea financially – rejoice! Why rejoice? Because God says if you’re at the bottom, you’ve got no where to go but up.
My brothers and sisters, I praise God that if you’re at the bottom, you don’t have to stay at the bottom.
If you’re the worst preacher in the room, you don’t have to stay at the bottom.
If you’re the worst singer in the choir, you don’t have to stay at the bottom.
If you’re the most struggling worker on your job, you don’t have to stay at the bottom.
If you’re in trouble and feel like you’re on trouble boulevard and living in a trouble colored house, you don’t have to stay at the bottom.
God says He’s getting ready to turn some folk who’ve been hanging out on the bottom of blessings, and turn you not upside down, but right side up!!
Paul says they were liberal. Liberality or hap-lot-ace in Greek, suggests that they were single minded in their determination to be generous to the best of their ability. Matter of fact, in verse four, Paul says that they even begged him to contribute to the giving program that was established. The early Church giving was to meet the needs of Christians vulnerable because of famine. Paul says that even though they didn’t have much, they gave it anyway.
Someone once said that “being poor is a problem, but being rich is not the answer.” No matter what you have – God can use it!!
The Macedonians didn’t have much clothing, but they sent some clothes to Paul via Epaphroditus.
The Macedonians didn’t have much food, but they sent some food to Paul by Epaphroditus.
The Macedonians didn’t have much money, but they sent some money to Paul by Epaphroditus.
Paul understood that the benefit of giving to God is not the gift itself, but Paul understood that there is a spiritual benefit that outweighs the material gain.
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose His soul?
My brothers and sisters, we need to understand that Grace followed the Macedonians because they knew how to trust in the Lord. Note that no computer could analyze this amazing formula:
Great Affliction + Deep Poverty = Abundant Joy + Abounding Liberality.
I’m so glad to report that I may not have much.
I may not have an overabundance.
But I also know that God can take my little bit and He can multiply what I give to Him.
He’ll multiply it financially.
He’ll multiply it spiritually.
He’ll give me GRACE! And you do know what grace is?
Grace acrostically is God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.
Grace is the unmerited favor of God.
Grace is what I need in this life.
Grace helps me to understand that although my life is filled with affliction, I can still have joy!
Grace helps me to understand that although my body is racked with pain, I can still have joy!
Grace helps me to understand that although trouble is in my way, I can still have joy!
Grace helps me to understand that I cried last night, in the morning, I have joy!
Not only that, Grace helps me to understand that when I’m financially weak, I have joy in giving to the Lord.
Grace helps me to understand that when I’m between jobs, I can still give to God with joy.
Grace helps me to understand that when my bills are high and money low, I can still give to God with joy.
Allow me this personal privilege: A long time ago, when my son was about 3 or 4 years of age. I would sit him in my lap and would tell him that as long as I live – he would never be broke. The implication is that as long as daddy lives – he wouldn’t have to eat from a dumpster. As long as daddy lives – he wouldn’t have to prostitute himself. As long as daddy lives – he wouldn’t have to worry about a thing if he got in trouble.
This has been modeled for me. For it was Jesus, who was born in a manger. It was Jesus, who died on a rugged cross. It was Jesus, who rose early on Sunday morning. It was Jesus, who caught a cloud and went to Glory and lives forever more.
And as long as Jesus lives – I’ll have joy in the morning.
As long as Jesus lives – my way gets brighter.
As long as Jesus lives – my hope gets brighter.
As long as Jesus lives – I can walk with dignity.
As long as Jesus lives – I can shout hallelujah.
As long as Jesus lives – I will have somebody on my side.
As long as Jesus lives – it may be rough, but He will make it all right.
As long as Jesus lives – goodness and mercy shall follow me.
As long as Jesus lives –
And I’m glad He’s alpha and omega.
He’s the beginning and the end. And I’m glad that I have grace and He is grace!!!
He’s grace personified…..
He’s grace glorified….
He’s grace de-mystified..
He’s grace glorified….
He’s grace typified…..
He’s grace all by himself………
(CLOSE)
