Going Beyond Expected Capability Of Giving

ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES

Text: II Corinthians 8:1-3 IBCWPM July 29, 2009

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

Sometimes we push ourselves beyond our limit because of that burning desire to achieve something extra-ordinary in our chosen field of interest. Goals have not only the power to animate our lives, but they are also essential ladders to lead us to a higher level of success. Being hard-pressed in times of difficulties could mould us to be a stronger and well-seasoned person.

Certainly, maturity is not an overnight process; it’s a long and gradual progression of learning and testing. Determination plays a great role in achieving what we really aspire in life. From time to time, failure comes on our way to test our strength of mind whether to continue to pursue our goals or just give up. In such situation, faith in God makes the difference.

Faith in God is what we need in times of discouragement because it gives us a glimpse of good things of the future. Certainly, eyes of faith can see beyond the horizon of obscurity and hopelessness. Well-seasoned Christians usually excel in times of difficulties because of their strong and inspiring faith which has the power to overcome any kind of hindrances.

In the area of giving, many professing Christians are not growing as they ought to because they think that giving a part of their possession will diminish their wealth. For them, giving hurts their hearts and wounds their wallets. On the other hand, matured believers tend to be generous givers because they know that giving makes their heart joyful and pleasing to God. Giving makes them spiritually healthy and richer in the sight of God.

The believers in Macedonia are inspiring examples of Christians who went beyond their capability of giving. Their sacrificial giving had touched many lives and led them to experience God-glorifying grace of giving. In II Corinthians 8:2-3, it is written, 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; (KJV) Behind their unbelievable act of giving are things we need to know and apply so we’ll be able to fully display the power of God in us.

(I) By The Grace Of God

II Corinthians 8:1-3

Paul said in I Corinthians 8:1, Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (KJV) The grace of God is emphasized in this verse and it is only proper for us to make His grace known to everyone.

-Declaring God’s grace through giving

One way of declaring God’s grace is through sacrificial giving. The loving-grace of God was manifested in a wonderful way through Christ’s sacrifice at the Cross. In John 3:16, it is written, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV) May we always declare God’s grace by being faithful in our Biblical giving. Evidently, it takes sacrificial giving to become more beneficial to others. Christ gave His life at Calvary and we cannot deny that countless people in every generation have been well-benefited.

(II) By Giving One’s Self To God

II Corinthians 8:4-6

We are living in a time frame where believers are not so much engaged or interested in the things of God anymore. Few believers truly desire to be in the centre of God’s will; and fewer Christians are surrendering their lives to serve God in the prime of youth and strength. No doubt God’s servants are also taken for granted because of indifferent attitude toward giving one’s self to God.

-Submitting to the Lord

The Macedonian believers astounded the Apostle Paul because of their sacrificial giving that was beyond expectation. In II Corinthians 8:5, it is written, And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. (KJV) Behind their unquestionable submission to the Lord was their acknowledgement of the sovereignty and pre-eminence of God over all things.

In Colossians 1:16-18, the Bible says, 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)

· Following His will

Following the blessed will of God for our lives will lead us to an abundant and fruitful life. On the other hand, following the lusts of the eyes and the flesh while living in the pride of life will surely usher us to unproductiveness, and worst of all, to a tragic life. May we follow the will of God willingly and faithfully and surely He will be delighted. He will use us beyond expectation and in a miraculous way. A fully-surrendered life to God will be a well-used life for His glory.

(III) By Showing One’s Sincerity Of Love

II Corinthians 8:7-8

Pure love is transparent and has no fraction of guile in it. True love cannot be hid because it is expressive and unhindered. They that walk in love will be surely known by their notable generosity.

-Love is well-expressed through sacrificial giving

Love without giving is inconsistent. As the saying goes on, we can give without love, but we cannot love without giving. True and deep love requires sacrificial giving. It is emphasized in II Corinthians 8:7-8, 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (KJV) These passages clearly teach us that giving is a part of growing spiritually and should not be left neglected as we abound in Christian virtues.

As we grow spiritually, we should not be afraid to take more strides of faith in the Christian course of life. If we are led by the Holy Ghost to go beyond our capability to give, we should not feel pressured but do it willingly because God will be the One to accomplish it for us. Keep in mind that the power of God is beyond the boundaries of human limitation. Showing the sincerity of our love to the Lord and to others will surely pave our way to a more powerful spreading of the Gospel of Christ.

Giving beyond our capability in times of deep poverty and in great trial of affliction is truly a miraculous working of God through His Spirit-controlled people. Be controlled by the Holy Ghost and be a part of God’s miracle.

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