Love Offering

January 18, 2009

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Church at Corinth

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Church at Corinth

Acts 18:1-18 1/17/2009 3

Church at Corinth (writing of 1 Corinthians)

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1 Corinthians

A few years after leaving the church, the Apostle Paul heard some disturbing reports about the Corinthians church. The church was full of pride the church was excusing sexual immorality spiritual gifts were being used improperly there was rampant misunderstanding of key

Christian doctrines. The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in

an attempt to restore the Corinthian church to its foundation – Jesus Christ.

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Church at Corinth

Acts 18:1-18 1/17/2009 6

2 Corinthians

Paul returns to many of the same themes covered in his early letter. These include: Continued immorality between a brother and

his step mother (1 Corinthians 5:1-6; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11)

Paul's plans for a future visit (2 Corinthians 1:15--2:4)

The giving of the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 8:1-6)

Divisions in the church created by Judaizers who attacked Paul’s authority (2 Corinthians 10:10-12).

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The Situation (2 Cor 8,9)

•Jerusalem had financial needs – 1 Cor. 16:1-4•Macedonian churches were already giving – 2Cor. 8:1-5•Corinthian church was not yet involved – 2Cor. 9:3-5

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Macedonian Churches

Northern Greece

Cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea

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Corinthian Church

Southern Greece

Called Achaia

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Love Offering: Why Give?

1. Corinthian Churches needed to make special offering for their own better development as Christians (8:7)

2. The offering was not an obligation but a proof of love (8:8)

3. The offering is a pattern of the Lord’s gift (8:9)

4. Macedonian Christians were giving sacrificially and heroically (8:2)

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1. It makes us “matured” Christians 8:7 “But as you abound in everything;

in faith, in utterance, and knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to us; see that you abound in this grace also. “

“Charis”

Ability to give is from God

Not expecting return

Financial giving

Matured Christians1/17/2009 12


2. It is a proof of Love rather than obligation8:8 “… and to prove the sincerity of your love”

Questions Why do we work? Why do we need to earn money? For whom do you spend money? Can you love without giving?

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3. It is a pattern of the Lord’s gift. (2 Cor. 8:9)

How does His poverty benefit us? It shows us the giving heart of God. It shows us the relative importance of

material things. It makes Jesus open and accessible to all. It rebukes the pride that might refuse to

come to a poor Savior. It gave others the privilege of giving to

Jesus. It fulfilled the heart and will and plan of God,

making our salvation possible.1/17/2009 14


4. We have NO reason why not to give (2 Cor. 8:2)

The Romans put the Macedonians in great financial distress they conquered them.

The MC gave their gifts during a great “trial of affliction”

Inspite of this, they gave with abounding joy

MC were in “deep poverty” when they gave to this special cause

Being rich is not a prerequisite to generosity

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4. cont… (We have NO reason why not to give (2 Cor. 8:2-5)

MC begged for the privilege of joining in this movement and doing their share

MC made their offering only after a new and deep experience of consecration to Christ

MC gave: According to their ability not much More, in proportion to the little that the

have beyond their ability1/17/2009 16


Rich Man Poor widow

Luke 21:1-4

Total ability = 100 mites

Total ability = 2 mites

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Last Questions:

In this time of “world-wide financial crisis”;Who can give love offering?Who should give the love offering?Why should we give the love offering?

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Spiritual

Love Offering