WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.679
 So, 2 Corinthians chapter 9.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.060
 Sorry, I'm just waiting on some water, so I'll just wait for them to get that, and then we'll read together.

00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:52.879
 So why don't you say hello to your neighbour while you're waiting, and say hello.

00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980
 Thank you.

00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:44.739
 Remember this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

00:01:44.739 --> 00:01:57.159
 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:09.019
 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:19.060
 As it is written, they have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures for ever.

00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:32.879
 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:40.579
 You will be enriched in every way, so that you can be generous on every occasion.

00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:45.879
 And through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:59.299
 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:11.460
 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ,

00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:16.860
 and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:27.040
 And in their prayers for you, their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:33.919
 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.

00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:37.620
 Well, let's pray together.

00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:47.099
 Father, thank you for your love to us.

00:03:47.959 --> 00:03:50.479
 Thank you for giving to us your word.

00:03:50.479 --> 00:04:01.060
 A word which speaks to us in our time and in our generation and to this local church.

00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:11.060
 We pray for your Holy Spirit, not just to understand these words, but how they apply to us.

00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:22.540
 And that by your Spirit, we would live them out for your glory and for all praise and thanksgiving to you.

00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.280
 So help us now, we ask.

00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:26.360
 Amen.

00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:39.780
 Well, over the last few weeks, we've been looking at this whole subject of giving financially.

00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:45.600
 How we give our hard-earned, precious money.

00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:51.540
 Now, before we get into the text, I want to just highlight a disclaimer.

00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:57.980
 As we think about money and you're maybe thinking, oh, he's after my hard-earned cash.

00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:07.620
 I want you to know that I don't, said this last week, I don't have any access personally to the church's funds or bank account.

00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:14.220
 And I don't set how much the church gives to me in support of the work that I do.

00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:25.120
 That is something that the members decide, and the members decide how the finances are used in support of the ministries of this church.

00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:33.020
 In fact, if you want to know more about how the church gives and where it goes to, there's this little flyer,

00:05:33.140 --> 00:05:35.220
 Carigoline Baptist Church Money Matters.

00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:41.340
 It's slightly out of date, but you can get a copy of that on your way out.

00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:43.579
 Just so you know, we want to be transparent.

00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:56.479
 Now, with that disclaimer out the way, in chapters 8 and 9, we've been thinking about how giving flows out of grace.

00:05:57.199 --> 00:05:59.419
 Giving flows out of grace.

00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:09.339
 In other words, the only way that we will become generous givers is by first experiencing God's generous grace.

00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:20.359
 Which also means that if we're not generous givers, then we have not yet been changed by God's grace.

00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:24.319
 We say, yes, God has entered into my life.

00:06:24.659 --> 00:06:26.939
 His grace is at work in my life.

00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:34.419
 But if we're not generous, then it's because we put barriers around our wallets.

00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:38.560
 And we have not allowed grace to touch our bank accounts.

00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:44.280
 Let's look at how giving flows out of grace.

00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:46.040
 Look at how the text starts.

00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:49.240
 Let's go back to chapter 8, verse 1.

00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:52.280
 Chapter 8, verse 1.

00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:56.580
 Follow the thread the whole way through these two chapters.

00:06:56.579 --> 00:07:06.899
 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given to the Macedonian churches.

00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:11.579
 Well, what did the grace of God do in their lives?

00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:12.639
 Verse 2.

00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:23.599
 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:32.340
 Grace enables those with extreme poverty to be rich generously.

00:07:33.340 --> 00:07:36.660
 Therefore, look at the end of verse 7.

00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:44.300
 See that you also excel in this grace of giving.

00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:49.259
 Because, verse 9.

00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:58.600
 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,

00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:03.639
 so that you through his poverty might become rich.

00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:09.699
 But more than that, chapter 9, verse 8.

00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:17.699
 And God is able to bless you abundantly.

00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:24.939
 Literally, God is able to make all grace abound to you.

00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:28.779
 We are so blessed.

00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:29.419
 Why?

00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:32.340
 Well, look at the end of verse 14.

00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:40.600
 Because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:45.200
 Do you see the thread all the way through these two chapters?

00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:51.160
 Grace, or sorry, giving flows out of grace.

00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:54.700
 And grace simply means gift.

00:08:54.879 --> 00:09:01.040
 It's God's overflowing kindness and goodness to undeserving people like us.

00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:06.599
 Grace is the gift that keeps on giving.

00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:13.139
 You may remember the old story about the magic porridge pot.

00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:13.980
 You remember that?

00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:17.120
 You old enough to remember the magic porridge pot?

00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:21.599
 There was a special little pot, and all you had to say was,

00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.379
 Cook, little pot.

00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:24.419
 Cook.

00:09:25.219 --> 00:09:28.559
 And the porridge would begin to make.

00:09:29.179 --> 00:09:30.639
 But you had to tell it to stop.

00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:35.039
 If you didn't tell it to stop with the right words, it would just keep overflowing.

00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:38.000
 And so the little boy or girl, I can't remember, said,

00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:39.500
 Cook, little pot, cook.

00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:42.879
 And the pot just kept overflowing with porridge.

00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:46.139
 And it flowed out of the house and down into the streets.

00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:49.819
 And people were being drowned practically in porridge.

00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:55.000
 Well, here is the abundance of God's grace.

00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:59.060
 It just keeps on giving.

00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:01.860
 It doesn't stop.

00:10:02.560 --> 00:10:03.960
 Verse 15.

00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:11.860
 Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift.

00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:19.680
 There are no words to describe God's amazing goodness to us.

00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:27.559
 Well, we want to delve a little bit deeper into thinking of this amazing grace that has been given to us.

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:29.579
 Two things we're going to see this morning.

00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:35.099
 First, the abundant grace that we have received.

00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:38.519
 Chapter 9, verse 8.

00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:44.460
 And God is able to bless you abundantly.

00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:49.919
 Literally, God is able to make all grace abound to you.

00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:54.240
 God's generosity has no boundaries.

00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:56.340
 There's no limits.

00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:58.899
 There is no use by date.

00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:01.919
 There is no end to the supply of grace.

00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:03.620
 It never runs out.

00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:05.219
 And it never dries up.

00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:07.479
 It's like the Niagara Falls.

00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:11.639
 It just continually cascades over us.

00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:15.399
 You see, God is the source of all grace.

00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.159
 Abundant grace.

00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:20.759
 And it is available 24-7.

00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.599
 Do you see there, verse 8?

00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:27.019
 God's grace is able to abound to you.

00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:39.779
 So that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:45.220
 That is the abundance of God's grace.

00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:49.819
 We're given three examples of that grace.

00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.879
 First, sowing.

00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:54.740
 Look at verse 6.

00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:57.840
 Remember this.

00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:03.960
 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.

00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:09.539
 And whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:13.139
 It's the principle from the farmer, isn't it?

00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:19.759
 The more you sow, the more you get your seed out, the more you're going to reap.

00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:23.060
 And the same is true when it comes to giving.

00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:28.699
 The more we give, the more we gain.

00:12:29.859 --> 00:12:31.179
 But let's be careful here.

00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:33.259
 This isn't about prosperity.

00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.139
 It's all about generosity.

00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:43.279
 It's not like the exuberant pastor in his white suit and his gold rings telling the people,

00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:49.980
 well, the more money you give in the collection today, the greater your salary is going to become.

00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:53.100
 No, those are lies.

00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:56.060
 The application is this.

00:12:56.060 --> 00:13:04.279
 The more money you give, the more you will find you are able to give.

00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:13.120
 It's not promising greater wealth in our pockets, but a heart that wells up with greater generosity.

00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:22.419
 So the more that we participate in giving, the more we will want to be able to give.

00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:30.579
 And the more that we want to be able to give, the more you will have from God to be able to give.

00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:40.519
 Literally, God will bless us in a way that we are able to release more, not to keep it in our pockets.

00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:45.799
 This is the abundant grace of God.

00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.899
 Then there's scattering.

00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:53.919
 Do you see it there in verse 9?

00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:59.379
 Having talked about the abundant grace of God, verse 9,

00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:18.340
 It's talking about out of their righteousness, they freely scatter their gifts.

00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:27.480
 Well, because of God's abundant grace to us, we have received a righteousness from God.

00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:29.500
 Remember it?

00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:31.820
 Back in chapter 5, verse 21.

00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:34.340
 Let's remind ourselves of those words.

00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.659
 Chapter 5, verse 21.

00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:55.080
 God made Christ, who had no sin, to be sin for us,

00:14:55.080 --> 00:15:02.220
 so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God.

00:15:03.540 --> 00:15:05.580
 Let's go back to chapter 9.

00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:12.820
 So because of this righteousness, because of what we have received from Christ,

00:15:13.520 --> 00:15:17.820
 we, out of the overflow of God's blessings and goodness to us,

00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:23.500
 we scatter our gifts to the poor, the needy, and the helpless.

00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:28.419
 Again, we might picture the farmer of ancient times.

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:31.460
 There he is with his basket out in front of him.

00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:35.220
 He doesn't just take a pinch of one or two grains and drop them.

00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:40.580
 No, he takes a fistful of grain and spreads and scatters liberally,

00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:42.120
 one after the other.

00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:46.500
 So in response, we have received abundantly,

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:53.940
 and as we receive, we scatter the grace, the gift that God has given to us.

00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:57.659
 Now again, we have to be careful.

00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:02.080
 We're not giving to earn our righteousness, to earn our acceptance.

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:05.860
 We don't scatter the gifts to earn grace.

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:14.440
 No, we give graciously and generously because we have received graciously and generously.

00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:19.100
 This is the abundant grace of God.

00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:22.360
 So there's the sowing, there's the scattering,

00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:26.000
 and there's the supplying.

00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:28.899
 I hope you can see these words all come from the text.

00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:32.539
 I'm not just going for alliteration just for the sake of it.

00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:35.000
 They just happen to fall nicely today.

00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:36.639
 Verse 10.

00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:43.039
 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food

00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:47.860
 will also supply and increase your store of seed

00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:52.159
 and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:57.620
 Who owns what you have?

00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:02.379
 The money in your account, your possessions.

00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.639
 Who owns them?

00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:07.119
 Well, God owns them.

00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:09.779
 Because they all come from him.

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:13.480
 He is the supplier of all things.

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:18.039
 Suppose I were to invite you to lunch after the service,

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:21.700
 and on the table was an assortment of breads.

00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:28.400
 Krusty bread, sourdough bread, French bread, seeded bread, any kind of bread.

00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:32.320
 And there we are, we're eating till we're full.

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:37.740
 Well, I could take credit for it all, but I am not the supplier.

00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:39.779
 Verse 10.

00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:49.359
 Now he, God who supplies seed to the sower and God who provides bread for food,

00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:56.339
 will also supply and increase your store of seed

00:17:56.339 --> 00:18:00.539
 and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:05.420
 In other words, just as God supplies physical food,

00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:11.799
 so he will supply all that is needed to grow our righteousness.

00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:16.859
 A kind of righteous life that is generous,

00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:20.759
 a life that is gracious in all that we do.

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:27.539
 Because God not only supplies grace that we might be treated as righteous in God's sight,

00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:31.099
 but he also continues to pour out his grace in our life

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:35.539
 to supply all that we need so that we become righteous,

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:38.839
 that we live out a righteous kind of life

00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:41.160
 in generosity and in giving.

00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:46.519
 You see, this is the abundant grace of God.

00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:50.060
 It's like the magic porridge pot.

00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:53.279
 Cook, little pot, cook.

00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:59.480
 Grace, keep going, keep giving, keep overflowing.

00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:01.080
 And it does.

00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:04.640
 The sowing, the scattering, the supplying

00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:08.759
 is all down to God's rich generosity.

00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:13.200
 When we were young,

00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:19.320
 when we were young,

00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:22.240
 my parents had a vegetable garden out the back

00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:26.040
 and one of the things they grew was sprouting broccoli.

00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:28.140
 I don't know if you like broccoli.

00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:30.800
 Well, we had to like broccoli.

00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.440
 That was just the way that it was.

00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:35.320
 Now, the thing about sprouting broccoli is

00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:38.420
 the more you pick it, the more you harvest it,

00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:41.800
 the more the broccoli begins to sprout.

00:19:42.800 --> 00:19:45.120
 So if you leave it alone and don't pick it,

00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:46.620
 you won't get any broccoli.

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.320
 And parents didn't believe in not picking.

00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.720
 They just kept harvesting it.

00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:54.539
 And the more they picked, the more we had.

00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:56.759
 For three months of the year,

00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:59.160
 every day we had broccoli.

00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:03.380
 Now, that's the point of abundant grace.

00:20:04.800 --> 00:20:06.040
 The more we receive,

00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.720
 the more we harvest it,

00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:09.640
 the more we take it in,

00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:11.820
 the more we give,

00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:14.779
 the more we are able to have to give.

00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:18.220
 As we experience his goodness,

00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:22.080
 it just keeps on growing.

00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:25.039
 As one writer put it,

00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:28.039
 we will always be rich enough

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:31.399
 to be generously rich.

00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:35.779
 So the abundant grace.

00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:40.439
 But there's another kind of grace,

00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:42.279
 a surpassing grace.

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.379
 Look at verse 14.

00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:46.919
 We had a look at it there just a moment ago.

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:48.220
 Let's read verse 14.

00:20:48.339 --> 00:20:49.759
 And in their prayers for you,

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:52.299
 their hearts will go out to you

00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:55.460
 because of the surpassing grace

00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:58.119
 God has given you.

00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.660
 Grace is immense.

00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:03.599
 His favour to us is incredible.

00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:06.720
 When you think you have reached your limit,

00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.980
 there's more.

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:13.960
 It goes above and beyond our needs.

00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:16.279
 It's like we're dropped into the middle

00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.619
 of the Atlantic Ocean.

00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.980
 If we're Christians,

00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.940
 we are in a sea.

00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.500
 We are in an ocean.

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:26.880
 We swim in surpassing grace.

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:31.420
 But why does he give this grace to us?

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:35.360
 Well, there are three clear reasons

00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:36.860
 from these few verses.

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.839
 First,

00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.099
 God gives grace

00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:43.680
 so that glory

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:45.440
 goes to God.

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:47.500
 God gives grace

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:50.039
 so that glory goes to God.

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.420
 Look at verse 11.

00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.660
 You will be enriched in every way

00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:57.779
 so that you can be generous

00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:59.240
 on every occasion

00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:00.660
 and through us,

00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:01.840
 your generosity

00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:03.460
 will result in

00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:06.019
 thanksgiving to God.

00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.880
 Verse 12.

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.740
 This service,

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.400
 this grace of giving

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.340
 that you perform

00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:13.140
 is not only supplying the needs

00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:14.180
 of the Lord's people,

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:17.080
 but it is also overflowing

00:22:17.080 --> 00:22:18.480
 in many expressions

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:20.880
 of thanks to God.

00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:24.360
 Do you see the flow of thought?

00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.860
 We have grace,

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.320
 giving,

00:22:28.100 --> 00:22:29.080
 and glory.

00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:32.320
 We receive the grace of God.

00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:35.039
 We in turn give generously

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.980
 to others,

00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.799
 which leads to

00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.000
 all giving

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.480
 thanks and praise

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.379
 and glory

00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.519
 to God.

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.659
 You see,

00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.179
 giving

00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:48.019
 is the mark

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.740
 or the sign

00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.000
 that we are Christians.

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.779
 Verse 13.

00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:54.720
 Because of this service,

00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:56.059
 this grace of giving

00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.779
 by which you have

00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.059
 proved yourselves,

00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.619
 others will praise God,

00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:04.259
 they will glorify God

00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.939
 for the obedience

00:23:05.939 --> 00:23:07.319
 that accompanies

00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.279
 your confession

00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.699
 of the gospel

00:23:09.699 --> 00:23:11.299
 of Christ.

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.459
 In other words,

00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:15.079
 the gospel of Christ

00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:17.399
 is so powerful,

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.159
 it can change

00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:20.679
 the most tight-fisted

00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:21.559
 of someone,

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.959
 all of us,

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.699
 to be the most generous

00:23:24.699 --> 00:23:25.939
 of all.

00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.339
 And as a result,

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.439
 people give praise

00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.740
 and thanks for God

00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.420
 for what he has done

00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.799
 in their life.

00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:36.539
 You see,

00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:37.820
 it's not about me

00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:39.620
 in what I give

00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:40.779
 or what you give.

00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.940
 It's all about God

00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.600
 who has given

00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:45.279
 all that I need

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.920
 and all that I have

00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:48.299
 and has changed

00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.100
 and transformed

00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:49.980
 my life

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.860
 so that I will want

00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:53.100
 to be able

00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:53.740
 to give.

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:56.160
 all the glory

00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.920
 and all the honour

00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:59.680
 goes to God

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.839
 who has given us

00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.920
 grace

00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:03.819
 all sufficient.

00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.440
 So not only glory

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.120
 to God

00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:10.519
 from our receiving,

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.640
 but needs

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.480
 are met.

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.839
 That's the second reason

00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:16.579
 we have surpassing grace.

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.460
 Verse 12,

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:19.660
 this service

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.519
 that you perform

00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:22.120
 is not only supplying

00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:22.799
 the needs

00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.819
 of the Lord's people,

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.140
 but is also

00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:26.019
 overflowing

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.299
 in thanks to God.

00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:27.960
 Yes,

00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.460
 God gets the glory,

00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:32.039
 but our giving

00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.000
 also meets

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.640
 the needs

00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.340
 of others.

00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.120
 That's the case

00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.840
 for the church

00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.400
 in Corinth.

00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.840
 They had much

00:24:38.840 --> 00:24:39.480
 to give

00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.420
 and they had

00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.299
 the opportunity

00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.180
 to give

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.620
 to help the needs

00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.299
 of the church

00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.039
 in Jerusalem

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.920
 who are in

00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.460
 a desperate

00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.279
 situation.

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.519
 And this is how

00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.420
 God works.

00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:51.079
 He supplies us

00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:52.180
 with our needs

00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.980
 and we can give

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.759
 to others.

00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.640
 God has given

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.539
 to you

00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:59.160
 so that you can

00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.740
 help

00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.700
 someone

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.700
 in need.

00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:03.340
 We're a conduit,

00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.539
 a means of

00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.620
 God's grace

00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:07.440
 to one another.

00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.319
 Needs are met.

00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.600
 And then the third

00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:14.539
 reason why we have

00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.779
 surpassing grace

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:17.480
 is that we will

00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.480
 be encouraged

00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.500
 by others.

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.119
 Verse 14.

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.819
 And in their

00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.980
 prayers for you,

00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.139
 their hearts

00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:27.200
 will go out

00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.960
 to you

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.420
 because of the

00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:30.440
 surpassing grace

00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.240
 God has

00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.539
 given you.

00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.079
 You see,

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.500
 when we give,

00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.079
 we bless

00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.160
 those in need.

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.759
 And in return,

00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.740
 as they receive,

00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.899
 it doesn't just

00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:43.359
 mean thanksgiving

00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.219
 and praise to

00:25:44.219 --> 00:25:44.599
 God,

00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.719
 it doesn't just

00:25:45.719 --> 00:25:46.879
 mean needs

00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:47.579
 are met.

00:25:48.479 --> 00:25:49.359
 It means that

00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.839
 they will overflow

00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:52.019
 in their praise

00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:53.079
 to God

00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.039
 for you.

00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:55.119
 They will thank

00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:55.939
 God for you.

00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:57.379
 They will pray

00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.799
 for you.

00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.559
 Their hearts

00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.399
 will go out

00:25:59.399 --> 00:25:59.899
 to you.

00:26:00.959 --> 00:26:01.559
 This is the

00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.479
 results of

00:26:02.479 --> 00:26:03.319
 giving.

00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.500
 It encourages

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:06.319
 gospel relationships

00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.259
 and gospel

00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.179
 partnerships.

00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.279
 Their prayers

00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.139
 for you

00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:13.019
 and their

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.659
 hearts

00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:15.059
 will go out

00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.559
 to you.

00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.579
 So as we

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.779
 experience the

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.759
 surpassing grace

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.279
 of God,

00:26:20.439 --> 00:26:21.539
 it will lead to

00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.500
 encouragements

00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.259
 through prayer,

00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:25.159
 needs being met,

00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.799
 and ultimately

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.539
 thanks

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.939
 and praise

00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:29.899
 to God.

00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.839
 So the

00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.819
 abundant grace

00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.399
 of God

00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.360
 and the

00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:35.180
 surpassing

00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:35.560
 grace

00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:36.120
 of God.

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.900
 How do

00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.900
 we respond

00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:40.320
 to these

00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:40.740
 two

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.700
 magnificent

00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:42.440
 works

00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.360
 in our

00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.800
 life?

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.180
 Well,

00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.400
 we're going

00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:45.820
 to be very

00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:46.820
 practical here,

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.880
 I hope.

00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.560
 There we

00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:51.800
 go.

00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.660
 We've got

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.200
 four

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.340
 practical

00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:55.320
 applications

00:26:55.320 --> 00:26:56.500
 for how

00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.940
 we should

00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.800
 think about

00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.840
 our own

00:26:58.840 --> 00:26:59.160
 giving.

00:26:59.300 --> 00:26:59.440
 Now,

00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.000
 our own

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.740
 giving is

00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.220
 between

00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:02.019
 ourselves

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.019
 and God,

00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:03.460
 it's not

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.240
 me to

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.680
 say how

00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.139
 much you

00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.019
 give or

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.500
 you to

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:06.920
 tell me

00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.379
 how much

00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.000
 I give.

00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.960
 That is

00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.900
 between you

00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:11.000
 and the

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.359
 Lord.

00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.759
 But nonetheless,

00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.000
 scripture does

00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.639
 give us

00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:16.039
 some practical

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.639
 application.

00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.240
 So first,

00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.079
 intentionally,

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.619
 not haphazardly,

00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.839
 go back to

00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.859
 1 Corinthians.

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.400
 1 Corinthians

00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.759
 chapter 16.

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:27.759


00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:42.940
 1 Corinthians

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.920
 chapter 16

00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.660
 verse 1.

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.400
 So Paul

00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:50.920
 again is

00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.700
 writing to

00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.400
 the church

00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.640
 about a

00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.420
 collection that

00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.960
 needs to be

00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.480
 made to

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.119
 help the

00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.799
 church in

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.379
 Jerusalem.

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.660
 Now,

00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.200
 about the

00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.900
 collection for

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.480
 the Lord's

00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:01.799
 people,

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.519
 do what I

00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.099
 told the

00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:03.640
 Galatian

00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.400
 churches to

00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:04.660
 do.

00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:06.119
 On the

00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.900
 first day

00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.579
 of every

00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.000
 week,

00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.819
 each one

00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.460
 of you

00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:12.220
 should set

00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.980
 aside a

00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.500
 sum of

00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:15.220
 money in

00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.039
 keeping with

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.019
 your income,

00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.859
 saving it

00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:20.400
 up, so

00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:21.019
 that when I

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.680
 come, no

00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.559
 collections will

00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.200
 have to be

00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.660
 made.

00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:25.539
 You see,

00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.200
 he's telling

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.819
 them to be

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.460
 prepared,

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.779
 to give,

00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:31.319
 plan to

00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.740
 give,

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:34.200
 budget to

00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.599
 give.

00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.160
 And if

00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.559
 you're like

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.180
 me, unless

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.539
 we're

00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.579
 intentional,

00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.579
 unless we

00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.339
 plan and

00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:40.819
 prepare,

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.819
 it's not

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.379
 going to

00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:42.740
 happen.

00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.680
 I can have

00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.099
 all the

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.440
 will in

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:44.819
 the world,

00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.299
 but if I

00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.220
 don't prepare

00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.920
 and plan,

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.339
 nothing's

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.619
 going to

00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.160
 change.

00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:51.300
 for us

00:28:51.300 --> 00:28:51.620
 as a

00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.180
 church, we

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.880
 have direct

00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.279
 debit,

00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:53.980
 there's a

00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:55.080
 QR code on

00:28:55.080 --> 00:28:55.600
 the box,

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.340
 you can

00:28:56.340 --> 00:28:56.840
 click on

00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.920
 that, and

00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.259
 you can

00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.140
 plan and

00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.640
 prepare.

00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:00.640
 But that's

00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.420
 between you

00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:01.800
 and the

00:29:01.800 --> 00:29:02.300
 Lord as

00:29:02.300 --> 00:29:02.640
 to how

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.279
 much and

00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:03.660
 when,

00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.160
 intentionally,

00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.480
 not

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.420
 haphazardly.

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.500
 Second,

00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.500
 proportionately,

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.339
 not

00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:13.960
 carelessly.

00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:14.539
 Let's go

00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.039
 back to

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.759
 2 Corinthians

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.759
 chapter 8.

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:20.240
 2 Corinthians

00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.240
 chapter 8,

00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.599
 verse 11.

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.119
 So the

00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.940
 context is

00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:27.400
 still the

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.920
 same, it's

00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.519
 about this

00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:30.119
 collection for

00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.819
 the church

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.960
 in Jerusalem,

00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.660
 and as we

00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.579
 apply it to

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:35.319
 ourselves, we

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.759
 say proportionately,

00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.880
 not carelessly.

00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:39.920
 Verse 11.

00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.460
 Now finish

00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.339
 the work so

00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:42.899
 that your

00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.379
 eager

00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.220
 willingness to

00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.779
 do it may

00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.439
 be matched

00:29:45.439 --> 00:29:45.980
 by your

00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.980
 completion of

00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.599
 it according

00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.359
 to your

00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:50.079
 means.

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.740
 For if the

00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.539
 willingness is

00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.740
 there, the

00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.519
 gift is

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.179
 acceptable

00:29:55.179 --> 00:29:56.099
 according to

00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:56.699
 what one

00:29:56.699 --> 00:29:58.579
 has, not

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.319
 according to

00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.879
 what one

00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.699
 does not

00:30:00.699 --> 00:30:01.319
 have.

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:02.939
 So we

00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:03.659
 can't give

00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:04.079
 what we

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:05.000
 don't have.

00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.220
 Every one

00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.740
 of us is

00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.119
 different.

00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.220
 Some of us

00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:08.579
 will have

00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.359
 more, some

00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.779
 will have

00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.220
 less.

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.399
 We give

00:30:11.399 --> 00:30:12.220
 as we are

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.960
 able to

00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.380
 give.

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.819
 We aren't

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.380
 giving to

00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:15.740
 please

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.779
 others, but

00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.920
 to glorify

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.900
 God.

00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.759
 And that

00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.100
 will be

00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.940
 different for

00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.500
 each one

00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:21.839
 of us.

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.220
 It must

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:23.440
 be proportionate

00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.480
 to what

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.440
 we receive.

00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:28.339
 So second,

00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.680
 proportionately,

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.460
 not carelessly.

00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.759
 Third,

00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.319
 generously,

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:36.279
 not grudgingly.

00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:38.039
 chapter 9,

00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:39.639
 verse 5.

00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.299
 Look at

00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:42.099
 chapter 9,

00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.940
 verse 5.

00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.399
 So I

00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:47.799
 thought it

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.879
 necessary to

00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.619
 urge the

00:30:49.619 --> 00:30:50.319
 brothers to

00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.160
 visit you in

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:51.980
 advance and

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.639
 finish the

00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.500
 arrangements for

00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.200
 the generous

00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.299
 gift you

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.220
 had promised.

00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:57.920
 Then it

00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:58.339
 will be

00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.420
 ready as a

00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.619
 generous gift,

00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.359
 not as one

00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.479
 grudgingly

00:31:03.479 --> 00:31:04.179
 given.

00:31:06.479 --> 00:31:07.459
 Now, often

00:31:07.459 --> 00:31:08.119
 when we think

00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.119
 about generosity

00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:09.839
 and about

00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.459
 giving, we

00:31:10.459 --> 00:31:11.119
 think in

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:11.740
 terms of

00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.479
 tithing.

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.919
 In the

00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.619
 Old Testament

00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.479
 and under the

00:31:16.479 --> 00:31:17.119
 Old Covenant,

00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:17.859
 there was a

00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.659
 tithe of

00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:19.699
 10%.

00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.579
 Well, actually,

00:31:20.699 --> 00:31:21.119
 if you were to

00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.859
 read through the

00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.419
 Old Testament,

00:31:22.939 --> 00:31:23.519
 you'll know there

00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.139
 are three

00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:25.079
 different types

00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:26.059
 of tithes.

00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.099
 And I

00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.759
 added up to

00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:29.279
 23.5%

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.639
 of all that

00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.220
 you had in

00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:31.879
 your possessions

00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.539
 and what you

00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:33.139
 grew and

00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:34.220
 everything else

00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.859
 was all

00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.200
 given.

00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:37.059
 23.5%.

00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:39.259
 And then if

00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.879
 you happen to

00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:40.359
 live under

00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:41.220
 Roman rule,

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.460
 well, they

00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.619
 wanted 50%

00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.399
 of all that

00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:45.899
 you had.

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.399
 You think

00:31:47.399 --> 00:31:48.099
 your taxes

00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.740
 are bad.

00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.399
 50%.

00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:52.039
 And 23%

00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:53.139
 on top of

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:53.519
 that.

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.220
 They knew

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.899
 what it was

00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:56.680
 to give.

00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.539
 But we're

00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.079
 not living

00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.700
 under the

00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.920
 Old Covenant,

00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.639
 we're living

00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.200
 under the

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.920
 New Covenant.

00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.680
 And the

00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.500
 only command

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.879
 in the

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.440
 New Testament,

00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:05.920
 it doesn't

00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.460
 say anything

00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.720
 about tithing,

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.240
 but it

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.960
 does say

00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:11.159
 generosity.

00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:12.920
 That is

00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.500
 the only

00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.299
 command when

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:14.899
 it comes to

00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:15.180
 giving.

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.399
 Be generous.

00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.099
 And it's

00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.839
 up to you

00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.920
 what that

00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:21.099
 percentage is.

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.740
 Have a look

00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.299
 with me if

00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.000
 you can just

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.659
 jump forward

00:32:24.659 --> 00:32:25.720
 to 1 Timothy.

00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.500
 If you don't

00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:29.879
 know where

00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:30.240
 it is,

00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:30.559
 that's

00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:30.839
 right,

00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.339
 I'll read

00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:31.680
 it to

00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:31.899
 you.

00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.659
 1 Timothy

00:32:32.659 --> 00:32:33.299
 6,

00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:36.059
 17 and

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.639
 18.

00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.359
 1 Timothy

00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:39.899
 6,

00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.819
 verse 17

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.539
 and 18.

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.399
 So here's

00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:49.039
 what the

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.379
 New Testament

00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:51.159
 says to

00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:51.559
 us.

00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.159
 6,

00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:53.940
 verse 17,

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.559
 command

00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.400
 those who

00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.360
 are rich.

00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.340
 Well,

00:32:58.380 --> 00:32:58.799
 what is he

00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.360
 to command

00:32:59.360 --> 00:32:59.600
 them?

00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.559
 Verse 18.

00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:01.860
 Command

00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.400
 them to

00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:03.100
 do good,

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.019
 to be

00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:05.080
 rich in

00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:05.920
 good deeds

00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.519
 and to

00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.480
 be generous

00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.440
 and willing

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.779
 to share.

00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:10.940
 Nothing

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.320
 about

00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:11.980
 tithing,

00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.320
 simply

00:33:13.320 --> 00:33:14.700
 generosity.

00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.860
 And not

00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.680
 grudgingly.

00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:18.960
 We're not

00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:19.360
 to be

00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:20.259
 stingy.

00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:21.759
 It means

00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.140
 to be

00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:22.740
 generous.

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.000
 And then

00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.599
 fourth and

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.140
 last,

00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.720
 cheerfully.

00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:28.819
 Isn't it

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.380
 a great

00:33:29.380 --> 00:33:29.960
 thing to

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.380
 give?

00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:31.519
 Yes,

00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:31.940
 it is.

00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.539
 Cheerfully,

00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:32.880
 not

00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.579
 reluctantly.

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.880
 2 Corinthians

00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:35.500
 9,

00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.339
 verse 7.

00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.420
 Let me

00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:37.859
 read it.

00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.380
 Each of

00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:38.799
 you should

00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.839
 give what

00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.220
 you have

00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.240
 decided in

00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.880
 your heart

00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:42.420
 to give,

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.200
 not

00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.220
 reluctantly

00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:44.779
 or under

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.480
 compulsion,

00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:47.799
 for God

00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.579
 loves a

00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:49.400
 cheerful

00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.519
 giver.

00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:51.859
 Giving

00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.379
 is a

00:33:52.379 --> 00:33:52.959
 gift from

00:33:52.959 --> 00:33:53.959
 God and

00:33:53.959 --> 00:33:54.559
 it is a

00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.339
 joy to

00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:56.019
 receive.

00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:56.859
 How much

00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.500
 our face

00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.099
 lights up

00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:58.500
 when we

00:33:58.500 --> 00:34:00.679
 receive and

00:34:00.679 --> 00:34:01.279
 how much

00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:02.039
 that joy

00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.859
 is reflected

00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:03.419
 as we

00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:03.859
 give.

00:34:04.179 --> 00:34:04.659
 It's a

00:34:04.659 --> 00:34:05.119
 pleasure.

00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:06.559
 God has

00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.179
 given us

00:34:07.179 --> 00:34:07.699
 wonderful

00:34:07.699 --> 00:34:08.679
 gifts that

00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.259
 we might

00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.059
 share them

00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.199
 with those

00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:12.659
 in need.

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:14.940
 so giving

00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:17.059
 flows out

00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:18.199
 of the

00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.420
 grace of

00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.899
 God

00:34:19.899 --> 00:34:21.579
 and God's

00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.379
 grace is

00:34:22.379 --> 00:34:23.019
 abundant

00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:25.079
 and surpassing.

00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.579
 Like the

00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.420
 magic porridge

00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:27.859
 pot,

00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:29.539
 like the

00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.259
 broccoli that

00:34:30.259 --> 00:34:31.259
 kept sprouting,

00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:33.440
 God's grace

00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:34.679
 will flow

00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.559
 continually

00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:37.039
 so that we

00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.859
 can give

00:34:37.859 --> 00:34:39.259
 continuously.

00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:41.119
 Let's pray.

00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:46.599
 our

00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.299
 Father God,

00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.179
 we can

00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:49.239
 say thank

00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.199
 you for

00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.579
 this

00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:52.139
 indescribable

00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:52.679
 gift,

00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:54.239
 for your

00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:55.000
 grace to

00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.480
 us in

00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.500
 saving us,

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:58.159
 your grace

00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.859
 to us in

00:34:58.859 --> 00:34:59.679
 providing us

00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:00.139
 with all

00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:00.460
 that we

00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:02.059
 have and

00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.619
 more than

00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.279
 we need.

00:35:04.339 --> 00:35:05.420
 Father God,

00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:07.019
 help us

00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.259
 that we

00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:08.679
 would be

00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:09.219
 generous

00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:09.759
 people.

00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.519
 We thank

00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:11.899
 you for

00:35:11.899 --> 00:35:12.359
 all that

00:35:12.359 --> 00:35:12.639
 you have

00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.099
 done and

00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:13.459
 all that

00:35:13.459 --> 00:35:13.759
 you have

00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.599
 provided for

00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:15.019
 in this

00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.519
 church,

00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:16.839
 for the

00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.879
 kindness of

00:35:17.879 --> 00:35:18.699
 each person.

00:35:19.899 --> 00:35:20.500
 We praise

00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.779
 you for

00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.639
 such giving.

00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.519
 To you be

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.059
 all the

00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.480
 glory.

00:35:26.299 --> 00:35:26.719
 Amen.

00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:29.119
 as we

00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.119


00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.119


00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:30.659
 surrender,

00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:32.539
 as we

00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:35.139
 surrender,

00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.980
 as we

00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:36.980


00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:38.679
 give.

00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:39.599
 In

00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.519
 response to

00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:40.939
 God's

00:35:40.939 --> 00:35:41.379
 grace,

00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:42.579
 we offer

00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:43.419
 our life

00:35:43.419 --> 00:35:44.239
 in service

00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:44.719
 to him.

00:35:44.819 --> 00:35:45.099
 Let's

00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.159
 stand as

00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:46.619
 we sing

00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:47.079
 together.

00:35:47.079 --> 00:36:17.059
 Thank you.

00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:47.059
 Thank you.

00:36:47.079 --> 00:37:17.059
 Thank you.

00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:47.059
 Thank you.

00:37:47.079 --> 00:38:17.059
 Thank you.

00:38:17.079 --> 00:38:47.059
 Thank you.

00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:49.079
 Thank you.

00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:19.079
 Thank you.

00:39:47.079 --> 00:39:49.079
 Thank you.

00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:51.079
 Thank you.

00:39:51.079 --> 00:39:53.079
 Thank you.

00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:23.079
 Thank you.

00:40:23.079 --> 00:40:25.079
 Thank you.

00:40:25.079 --> 00:40:27.079
 Thank you.

00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:29.079
 Thank you.

00:40:29.079 --> 00:40:31.079
 Thank you.

00:40:31.079 --> 00:40:33.079
 Thank you.

00:40:33.079 --> 00:40:35.079
 Thank you.

00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:37.079
 Thank you.

00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:39.079
 Amen.

00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:41.079
 Amen.

00:40:41.079 --> 00:41:11.079


00:41:11.079 --> 00:41:13.079
 Thank you.

00:41:13.079 --> 00:41:15.079
 Thank you.

00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:15.079


00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:17.079
 Thank you.

00:41:17.079 --> 00:41:19.079
 Thank you.

00:41:19.079 --> 00:41:22.819
 And also, people had asked about giving towards CUI.

00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:25.900
 There is a box on the table for that.

00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:26.719
 Thank you.

00:41:26.719 --> 00:41:26.719