II Corinthians 8:1-21, 9:1-8

 

 

We have a COMMAND in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15 to "take the GOSPEL to EVERY CREATURE."

 

1.  Personally, our generation is responsible to evangelize our generation.

 

2.  Personally, it is not a question of waiting on a "call," we have a "COMMAND."

 

3.  Personally, it is not a question of waiting on a "voice," we have a "VERSE."

 

4.  Personally, it is a matter of being obedient to GOD with our time and our money.

 

5.  Personally, in the New Testament pattern, each of us can find the answer called "FAITH PROMISE MISSION'S GIVING."

 

WHAT IS A FAITH PROMISE OFFERING?

 

Paul, because of the suffering and persecution of the believers in Jerusalem, had several churches to promise a certain amount of help. Then after a year, to raise the amount, he sent Titus to assist the churches so they would not be ashamed upon his arrival.  At the end of a year, he came and took the offering to Jerusalem.

 

 

(We want every practice to be according to the Scriptures.)

 

   A. It requires FAITH.  (Hebrews 11:6)  "But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

 

      1. A cash offering does not require faith, for it is giving whatever cash you might have,

 

No prayer!  No faith!  Just giving what you have.

 

      2.   Giving by FAITH is to PROMISE something you do not have:

 

         a. You must pray for it.

 

         b. You must ask God how much.

 

         c.  You must trust Him for it.

 

         d.  You must then watch how God provides it.

 

   B.  It is not a pledge.

 

      1.  A pledge is between an individual and the church.  The individual is responsible to fulfill it.  The church has the right to collect (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).

 

      2. A FAITH OFFERING is between an individual and GOD.  It is a promise based on faith, and if an individual is unable to give because GOD did not supply it, it is between that person and GOD.  (Of course, we must have our eyes and hearts open to recognize it when GOD supplies).

 

 

(We are to inspire and encourage one another).

 

II Corinthians 8:6 "…same grace also…"

 

Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."

 

Actually, it is the example of the Macedonean churches; the pattern followed by the Corinthians.  (Philippians 4:15-19).

 

   A.  They gave out of poverty.  (II Corinthians 8:1-4)

 

      1. We are never too poor to give God what is His.

 

      2.  Those who want to give find a way.

 

      3.  Those who do not want to give can also find a suitable excuse.

 

   B.  They gave themselves first.  (II Corinthians 8:5)

 

      1.   The root of liberality is a consecrated heart.

 

   C.   They gave in genuine love.  (II Corinthians 8:6-8)

 

   D.  They gave with grace.  (II Corinthians 8:6)

 

      1.   We abound in many things:

 

         a.    FAITH ? We believe the Bible and are fundamental.

 

         b.   UTTERANCE ? We witness, visit, win souls.

 

         c.    KNOWLEDGE ? We know what the Bible teaches.

 

         d.    LOVE ? We love one another, the church, the pastor.

 

         e.     DILIGENCE ? We are faithful, dependable.

 

         f.     THEN ALSO IN GIVING, ABOUND THERE TOO!

 

      2.   There are many ways to give:

 

         a.  Carelessly, to every cause.

 

         b.  Impulsively, with a whim.

 

         c.  Systematically, as a tithe.

 

         d.  Fifty-fifty, half to God.

 

         e.  Heroically, limit small amount to self and the rest to God.

 

      3.  How do we give?

 

         a.  If nothing; then we favor closing the church.

 

         b.  To the local church only; then call the missionaries home.

 

         c.  To everything but the local church; then we are unscriptural.

 

         d.  Grudgingly; then we have no joy.

 

         e.  If less than a tithe; then we are disobedient. *(The poorest Jew gave a tithe).

 

         f.  Sacrificially; then we have a love for lost souls.  (YOU CANNOT OUT GIVE GOD)!

 

III.  WE HAVE THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST!  (II Corinthians 8:9-15) (Let this encourage us to follow Him).

 

   A.  He became poor for us, thought He was rich (verse 9).

 

   B.  A willing mind, a ready will, now do it (verses 11-12).

 

   C.  Equality ? those who have the GOSPEL to give to those who have not.  (See also:  Philippians 2:5-11).

 

 

God gave us a "Great Commission" that He intends for us to fulfill. (Matthew 28:18-20).

 

It pleases God when we seek to obey His commission, which involves the giving of money to get the GOSPEL out through soul winning missionaries!

 

God would not tell us to do something that He would not enable us to do.

 

   A. Trusting God to supply for His own program of getting sinners saved is trusting God to supply for the thing dearest to His heart!

 

II Peter 3:9 "The Lord…not willing that any should perish…"

 

I Timothy 2:4 "Who will (wills to have) have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

 

   B. Because we love the Lord and love His program, we can ask Him in faith to provide money for us to give THROUGH FAITH PROMISE GIVING.

 

   C. Giving by "FAITH PROMISE" enables God to give to our church, because we have given to others.

 

Philippians 4:19 "But My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

 

The Philippians gave to the Apostle Paul for his missionary work, and they could rightfully claim this promise!

 

      1.   God will fulfill His promise to us as we fulfill the conditions that are linked to the promise.

 

(God does all things by His Word.)

 

   D. SOULS ARE ETERNAL!

 

      1. When you invest in souls, you are making a lasting investment that will be rewarded both now and later.

 

      2.  God wants the world evangelized!

 

      3.  This generation of saints is responsible for this generation of sinners!

 

      4.   When you give towards world missions you bring the approval and blessing of God upon yourself and your church.

 

 

You will be faced with a decision of both personal and worldwide importance.  What you decide will greatly affect your personal relationship with God, and will have much to do with the eternal destiny of precious souls for whom Jesus died.

 

FAITH PROMISE is trusting God to give through you for the cause of world evangelism what He would not otherwise give to you for your own selfish purpose.

 

WILL YOU PRAY AND ASK GOD WHAT YOU CAN TRUST HIM TO GIVE THROUGH YOU?

 

REMEMBERING OF COURSE:

 

To give through FAITH PROMISE and not to be obedient already to God's command to TITHE (10% of gross income) is to be hypocritical. *ASK YOURSELF ? Am I an obedient tither? If not, will you decide to start tithing?

 

To give through FAITH PROMISE to see souls saved through missionaries and not to be an active personal soul winner already yourself, is also hypocritical.