P2 - It's a joy to g.i.v.e

2 Corinthians 8:10-11 "I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability."

Review
In yesterday's post we began considering the fact that it is a joy to give from 2 Corinthians 8. In our study yesterday we employed the acrostic g.i.v.e to aid in our navigation through the text.  So far here is what we have discovered:

Grace reveals the joy to give. 
2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Imitating Jesus explains the joy to give 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

In today's post we continue on in our exploration of 2 Corinthians 8 to discover why it is a joy to g.i.v.e.

Variety of blessings flow in the joy to give. 2 Corinthians 8:10-15
We read these words in Acts 20:35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Throughout the pages of scripture, God uses the promise of blessing to motivate believers to exercise the joy of giving.  In this text of 2 Corinthians 8, and by extension chapter 9, we can note the following blessings that represent what typically occurs when we give to the Lord's work:

1. The grace is there to finish what you begin to give.  2 Corinthians 8:11-12

2. You will have more if you give. 2 Corinthians 8:15; 9:6

3. Your every need will be supplied. 2 Corinthians 9:8

4. Other people will benefit and the Gospel will go out to more people, bring glory to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12-13

Throughout 2 Corinthians 8-9 we see this tone of joy running like a mighty stream through the verses.  As authors Bobby Eklund and Terry Austin note: "Grace giving should be an enjoyable experience.  Giving is pleasurable because it is an experience of grace. There is nothing painful about grace."1

Energizing outcomes of joyful giving. 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
As we have consider the joy of giving in stewardship, we have noted that grace supplies the joy to give, imitating Christ explains the joy to give and a variety of benefits flow in the joy to give.  But as you travel through 2 Corinthians 8-9, you can note how giving to the Lord's work energizes the faith walk:

1. 2 Corinthians 8:2; 9:7,11,15 = Abundant joy to give

2. 2 Corinthians 8:7,24 = Abundant love to give

3. 2 Corinthians 8:8-12,16; 9:2 = Abundant eagerness to give

We know that the giving of the churches energized the work of God. The Corinthians, along with the churches in Macedonia had joyfully completed their task.  How do we know? Paul's comment in Romans 15:26-27, written a few years after 2 Corinthians, testifies: "For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things."

Conclusion
So is it a joy to give? That is the question we have endeavored to answer in these past couple of blogs.  Having explored 2 Corinthians 8, here is what we concluded:

Grace reveals the joy to give. 
2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Imitating Jesus explains the joy to give 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Variety of blessings flow in the joy to give. 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

Energizing outcomes of joyful giving. 2 Corinthians 8:16-24



Endnotes:
1. Bobby Ecklund and Terry Austin. Partners with God - Bible Truths about Giving. Convention Press. 1994. Page 96

P1 - It's a joy to g.i.v.e

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 "Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God."1

Introduction

Let me begin today's post with this question: have you ever thought of giving to the Lord's work as being a joyful affair? When we typically think about the subject of giving, tithing or stewardship in the Bible, most people tend to conclude that we're only talking about money. Undoubtedly many of the verses in the Bible that speak about stewardship often include discussion about finances, however that is truly on the tip of stewardship's iceberg.  Submerged are matters of the heart that we often don't think about. Stewardship's attitudes and lifestyle is worked out in the heart of the Christian.  

When we turn our attention to 2 Corinthians 8, we see Paul using the Macedonian Christians as examples of those who were excited to give to the Lord's work.  In today's post we want to consider the characteristics of Biblical stewardship as spelled out here in 2 Corinthians 8, and why it is a joy to g.i.v.e. To walk through 2 Corinthians 8, we will use the acrostic g.i.v.e.  Note the following exciting traits of Biblical stewardship:

Grace reveals the joy of giving.  2 Corinthians 8:1-6
Christian leader Paul W. Powell writes these insightful comments concerning God's grace as the basis of stewardship:
"The Bible teaches there are different kinds of grace. There is saving grace (Eph. 2:8-9); there is strengthening grace (Heb. 4:16) and there is sharing grace.  This sharing grace is the motivating force for Christian stewardship. Some people give out of guilt. Some give grudgingly-as a grim duty. Others give out of greed, for what they can gain in return. But we should give out of grace." Powell then later adds: When grace touches our hearts: hard times will not be a hindrance in giving. Low expectations will not be an excuse for not giving. Money will not be a substitute for self-giving."2

Paul states in 2 Corinthians 8:1 "Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia." The term "grace of God" could be translated "grace from God". When we speak of "grace" as used here in 2 Corinthians 8, it speaks of, in the words of W.E Vine: "that which bestows or occassions pleasure, delight, or causes favourable regard."3 Grace also speaks "of exceptional efforts produced by divine grace, above and beyond those usually experienced by Christians."4 Quite literally, God's grace makes the idea of giving a beautiful, attractive and exciting adventure! 

Grace persuades and demonstrates God's favor and power to do what is otherwise impossible or perhaps undesirable. Grace is God doing for me what I otherwise could never do for myself. We know that giving and stewardship is based in God's grace by what we read in 2 Corinthians 8:6 - "So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well."

Lets illustrate how such grace can work in the realm of giving.  Lets say I was trying to get you to run to the grocery store to pick up a loaf of bread for me.  What would you say? Would it seem exciting to you? You may weigh it in your mind, or you may say: "well, not right now" or "I'm too busy, can you ask someone else".  But now what if I told you: "Would you please pick up a loaf of bread in a brand new Corvette out in the driveway (lets pretend I own one).  Its sunny outside, and if you wouldn't mind, could you try out the brand new 1000 watt sound system on the open stretch of highway that is not too far from here?" How would your attitude toward getting the loaf of bread change? I'm sure the prospect of getting bread has become attractive (and exciting).  You have an incredible offer and a vehicle that will get you from where you're at to where you need to be.  All you have to do is take the shiny set of keys from my hand.  

You know, God has given us such a vehicle (stewardship) that can transform our view of ordinary things into extraordinary opportunities to do his bidding.  Paul was using the Macedonian Christians as examples to these Corinthians, telling them in a sense that they had taken God at His word, and the ride as been enjoyable ever since. People who truly give as God intends never have regrets.  Why? They know they have their Father's favor, and they view such an activity as a beautiful, attractive offer that they would never want to refuse. So it's a joy to give because grace is the basis of stewardship.  However lets consider a second reason why it is a joy to give...

Imitation of Jesus explains the joy of giving.  2 Corinthians 8:7-9

2 Corinthians 8:9 tells us - "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 through His poverty might become rich."  Why does Paul mention what Christ underwent for sinner's sake in driving home his encouragements for people to participate in the joy of giving? John MacArthur in a sermon said this about 2 Corinthians 8:9 - "And beloved, you can never forget that it was by His self-imposed and willing poverty that Jesus made us rich. This self-emptying, this self-sacrificing love by which we are so blessed and for which we are so thankful is exactly, Paul says, the reason why we need to give to others. As He stooped to be poor to make others rich, so must we. What a standard....what a standard. MacArthur later adds: The Lord has created a community of people who share their life and their resources, who are willing to become poor to make someone richer."5

The accomplished work of Jesus Christ in all that He did is used by Paul to demonstrate the joy of giving.  How do we know that Jesus approached the giving of Himself as a work of joy? Consider Hebrews 12:2 "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 

There are many things that we're told to do in scripture that don't make sense - lest of course we consider the cross.  Forgiving our enemies for instance doesn't sit well with us sometimes, because in our world, vengence is the preferable option.  Yet when we consider Colossians 3:13 "forgive as the Lord forgave you", suddenly forgiveness is the only sensible thing to do, being that as Christians we have been forgiven by God through faith in Jesus Christ.  When it comes to stewardship, and the idea of it "being better to give than receive", such a thought makes no sense to the world.  However when we think of what Jesus did in giving of Himself in the incarnation, humiliation at the hands of his critics and utter impoverishment the led to His crucifixion, why not give?  

More tomorrow...........

Endnotes:
1. Back in 1 Corinthians 16:1-5 the Apostle instructed the Corinthians church on what they needed to do to prepare for this love offering for the church in Jerusalem.  In 2 Corinthians 8-9 he was coming to collect what was given to complete the relief effort.  

2. Paul W. Powell. Taking the Stew out of Stewardship. The Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. 1996. Page 29

3. W.E Vine. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Fleming and Revell. 17th Printing. 1966. Page 170

4. William F. Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament. University of Chicago Press. 1979. Page 878

5. John MacArthur. Sermon: The Poverty that made us rich. GTY.org

How much Jesus loves you - a Lord's supper meditation

Luke 22:15 "And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."

John 13:1-5 "Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 During supper,the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus,knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4  got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. 5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."

Introduction:
I am always struck by how Jesus demonstrated His love on the eve of His crucifixion.  The main event of that night was the final Passover meal he had with them. That meal was transformed by Jesus into one of the prescribed ordinances for His church - the Lord's Supper.  In today's post I want us to consider how Jesus expressed His love in that meal.  Jesus Christ is ever present by His Spirit with His people when the church gathers together to celebrate His covenant meal. The Holy Spirit's ministry in the celebration of the Lord's supper is two fold: to bring to us the Person and presence of Jesus Christ and to aid the people of God in reflecting, remembering and rejoicing in Jesus' achievement of salvation and His soon return.  

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 states: "Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread."  The symbols of the bread and fruit of the vine are signs conveying the invisible presence of Christ who is, by His Spirit, in and with His people. The love He expresses in a concentrated way to the believer's heart in the Lord's supper is the love He ministers always by His word.   Being that Christ is pleased to still minister by His Spirit to His people, the love we see expressed in this final scene with his disciples has meaning for us. Note how Jesus loved his disciples and how He loves you as a Christian living in this present day:

1. Personal love of Jesus for you. Lk 22:14-15
Luke 22:14-15 states: "When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer". The underlined phrase "earnestly desired" is the strongest way one can express one's personal desire for something in the original language. Jesus was expressing not only His intense desire to be with His disciples, but also His willingness to go to the cross on their behalf. Quite literally in the original text of Luke Jesus would had said: "I have desired, desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer!" The love Jesus has for His people is intensely personal.  Unrelenting and unyielding is the Savior's love for those whom He purchased and redeemed with His blood. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:22-25) 

Those words he spoke to his disciples on that night still ring true every time we gather as Christians to celebrate the ordinance of the Lord's table.  Jesus by His Spirit meets with His church as the Word is preached, and in our hearts, by His Spirit, every time we celebrate the Lord's supper in conjunction with the preaching of the Word. Hebrews 2:13b-14 communicates the reality of Christ's personal love as pictured in the Lord's supper and in those times when God's people gather to hear His voice, by the Spirit in the scriptures. So the Lord's supper points to the fact of Jesus' Personal love, but notice what else is communicated about Jesus love for you as a Christian....

2. Prevailing love of Jesus for you. Jn 13:1
John 13:1 states - "Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." The NASB renders the fact that Jesus loved His disciples to the very end.  Jesus communicates this love, by His Spirit, to the heart of every Christian by His Word. Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20 is true for us: "teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Hebrews 13:5 promises that Jesus will never leave nor forsake the Christian.  Truly in the Lord's supper, the Spirit reminds you and me of Jesus' personal and prevailing love, but notice thirdly...


3. Proven love of Jesus for you. Jn 13:2-5
Jesus demonstrated His love for his disciples by doing what He did in light of the knowledge He had about what was about to take place. Jesus knew that the hour had come (John 13:1); knew that He would depart and go to the Father forty days after His resurrection (John 13:1; Acts 1:11); had knowledge of Judas' plot and Satan's possession of him (John 13:1,21) and knew that the hours following this first Lord's supper were in the Father's hands (John 13:4).  

Let me ask you a question dear reader: if you knew that someone was going to betray you and that you were going to die for people who otherwise did not love you, how would that impact your love? Jesus' love not only was stated to his disciples, but demonstrated.  His act of washing their feet was a profound expression of proving his undying commitment to them. Such undying commitment of love would lead to His dying in commitment to love.  

Whenever we partake of the bread and fruit of the vine, the Spirit brings to our hearts and minds the proven love of Jesus.  His cross, His empty tomb and the reality of His present reign are all ministered to our memories by the Spirit of God.  There have been times in celebrating the Lord's supper where the Spirit of God, by the scriptures being read, has affirmed to me that Jesus is with me, no matter what.   Again in keeping with 1 Corinthians 10:17 "Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread." 

Conclusion:
Today we considered how much Jesus loves you as a true believer in Him as communicated by the bread and fruit of the vine in the Lord's supper.  By that wonderful ordinance the Spirit points us to the fact that Jesus ever loves us with personal, prevailing and proven love. 

The angels: God's highlighters of Grace

1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

Introduction:
The first chapter of the book of 1 Peter is a wondrous chapter that speaks about the nature and strength of God's grace in our salvation. The whole theme of 1 Peter has to do with standing firm in the grace of God, with such grace being viewed as the starting point in 1 Peter 1.1  As we consider some of these opening thoughts, our interest in today's post has to do with that curious little phrase tucked in at the end of 1 Peter 1:12 - "....things into which angels long to look."  Have you ever thought about the angels marveling and wondering about your salvation? Why does Peter tie together angels, God's Word and our salvation? Scripture reveals the relationship angels have to God's revelation of Himself in His words both spoken and written.  Additionally, angels aid us in appreciating God's might, majesty and marvelous grace. (Hebrews 1:14) The angelic realm in scripture functions like a set of highlighter markers to bring into sharp relief features pertaining to God's might, majesty and marvelous grace.  

1. The Angels communicated God's might at creation.
Like rays are to the sun or like torches are in lighting the path to a king's throne room, angels are created lights that point and communicate the glory of God. (Psalm 104:3,4) As you begin to explore the scriptures, you discover in general that angels are integrally connected to Word of God.  Billy Graham comments about angels in the episode of God appearing to Moses in the burning bush: "This again shows that God used angels (or appeared as an angel) to make His will known and communicate His decisions to men."2 As you consider both the Hebrew and Greek meanings of the word translated angel, at the heart lies the meaning of "messenger". 

So when the angels were created along with the visible creation, what was their first recorded message? God created the angels to be a sort of "welcoming committee" for his bringing about of the main features of planet earth.  Job 38:6-7 comments - “On what were its bases sunk?Or who laid its cornerstone,
7 When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"  The angel's first recorded message issued forth in music over the Might of God.  Why were the angels shouting for joy? They were thrilled over the Might and power of God in bringing to bear His desire for an inhabited earth that would be populated by people - beginning with his original king and queen: Adam and Eve. (Isaiah 45:18)  

God's Word brought worlds into being and through His decree, both visible and invisible realms came about. (John 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17) The angel's message then was a joyful one about God's revelation of His might.  This is why theologian Michael Horton notes: "It is interesting how frequently their (angels) work is defined in relation to the Word of God." 3 So the angels communicate God's might by virtue of their own creation, and it is His might and power that was featured in their first thoughts and communication.  However there is a second thing angels aid us in appreciating and understanding....

2. The Angels communicated God's majestic holiness by way of His law
God created the angels at the near beginning of creation, and they beheld and celebrated His might.  We know that angels were present in the revelation of God's law at Sinai to communicate a second emphasis - God's majestic holiness. Deuteronomy 33:2 states - He said, “The Lord came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them." The Divine court of heaven came down on top of that mountain.  

So why did God include the angels in the revelation of Himself and His law? one word: highlighters.  In my Bible I frequently highlight words or phrases to help me fix my attention on key features of God's words. The highlighting does not add to the content nor to the value of the words - for they are God's Word.  Rather the highlighter serves to point out to me a key word or phrase.  Angels are God's highlighters.  His Majesty cannot be added to or improved, since He is perfect in majestic Holiness.  However in our frailty and flesh, we need the aid of His grace to explain and to appreciate His majestic holiness.  

Other passages shed light upon how the holy angels were in attendance in highlighting God's holiness during His revelation of His law.  Psalm 68:17 reveals the angels communicating by their presence the key attribute of God and the main purpose of the law: God's holiness and man's sinfulness in light of such holiness. Galatians 3:19 explains: "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made."

As theologian Charles Hodge notes: "Under the Old Testament they repeatedly appeared as servants of God to reveal His will. They smote the Egyptians; were employed in the giving of the law at Sinai; attended the Israelites during their journey; destroyed their enemies; and encamped around the people of God as their defense in hours of danger."4 So angels throughout scripture are linked to God's Word at creation to communicate His might and to God's word in the Law to highlight the majesty of His holiness.  

Peter's remarks in 1 Peter 1:12 undoubtedly would include these connections between God's Word-->Angels-->People. However there is one more truth to note about the relationship between the angels and God's revelation of Himself in His Word, namely....

3. Angels communicated, then marvel at God's marvelous grace as centered on Jesus Christ, our salvation
Those angelic hosts beheld God's might in finishing our planet and celebrated.  Likewise when God was revealing His Law on Sinai and speaking His word of Covenant over the people, the angels communicated God's majestic holiness by their presence.  However as the marvelous grace of salvation was being revealed, the angels more and more realized that this was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.  When Peter writes what he does in 1 Peter 1:12, he is no doubt thinking in his mind about truths such as the ones we have discovered.  However his main point is to show how these angels' curiosity about our salvation points to God's marvelous grace.  Exodus 25:20 gives us this insight: "The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned toward the mercy seat."  

If Peter was indeed thinking of the cherubim, the figures of God's heavenly angels who are the guardians of his throne, then what we have then is reference to the angels beholding God's law in the ark of the covenant.  Yet atop that ark these golden representations of angels are mute witnesses to the sprinkling of blood that Israel's High Priest would had sprinkled once a year.  The name of the lid of the ark of which they were a part is called by the scriptures: "The Mercy Seat" or "the ark of testimony". (Numbers 7:89) 

Angels are are knowledgeable beings.  As Baptist theologian Augustus Strong notes: "They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power, yet an intelligence and power that has fixed limits."5  They in many ways exceed our own.  However when it comes to God's grace in salvation, the angelic response is one of awe and wonder. They sing and exhibit joy at the announcement of the virgin birth of Christ.  Luke 2:10-14 states -
"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Such reaction by the angels prompts the shepherds to broadcast aloud: "Christ the Savior is born." Their curiosity and wonder is explained further in 1 Timothy 3:16, which in describing Christ's incarnation states simply that He was "seen by angels". 

Conclusion The more God unfolds the wonder of His salvation, especially in the New Testament, the more awe and curiosity the angels exhibit. Ephesians 3:10 states concerning their response to Christians in the church:  "so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places." Christians are God's trophies of grace, put on display. God was so pleased to exhibit the might of His power and majesty of holiness through the angelic hosts, however it is through redeemed, believing humanity, in connection with Jesus Christ's work and Person that God puts on display His marvelous grace. Thus when we come to Peter's text, we see those beings who were created to communicate God's excellencies of might and majesty being in a position of awe over all He has done in Jesus Christ.  



End notes:
1. If we were to outline 1 Peter 1:1-12 for example, here is what we would find:

I. Four Great Truths of Salvation.  1 Peter 1:1-9
a. Basis of salvation is election.  1:1-2
b. Beginning of salvation is the New Birth. 1:3
c. Building of salvation is sanctification. 1:4
d. Blessing of salvation is security. 1:4-9

II. The Gospel revealed in Scripture. 1 Peter 1:10-12
a. Revealed in Progression. 1:10-11a
b. Revolves around the Son. 1:11b
c. Remains to be preached.  1:12

2. Billy Graham. Angels - God's Secret Agents. Bethany House. 1995. Page 78  

3. Michael Horton. The Christian Faith - A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. Zondervan. 2011. Page 406

4. Charles Hodge. Systematic Theology - Volume 1. W.M B. Eerdmans. 1965 lithograph copy. Page 638

5. Augustus Hopkins Strong. Systematic Theology. The Judson Press. 19th priniting. 1956. Page 445.