CCF Sunday Messages

As we cover 2nd Corinthians chapter 9 today, we finish the discussion of Paul’s relief offering for the hurting Jerusalem church. That means one final week talking about generosity. We have a generous God and it is really impossible to appreciate His grace to us and to not express generosity to others.

Paul is going overboard to make sure he doesn’t flex his pastoral muscles by using guilt or manipulation to coerce the Corinthians to give. I appreciate that, and I bet you do too!

In chapter nine, we get two really important principles regarding generosity. Instead of obligated obedience, Paul gives them a spiritual principle—the principle of reaping and sowing. Once they know how things work, they can decide what to do with it. Knowledge is power!

One final cool thing—God is not interested in us merely doing the right thing, or faking it until we make it. How will Paul and the Corinthians know if their generosity has the right motive? Their emotional state as they give will tell the truth. The right activity with the right motive produces the right feeling! How about that!

This is a really cool chapter with some important truths you can live by!

As we cover 2nd Corinthians chapter 9 today, we finish the discussion of Paul’s relief offering for the hurting Jerusalem church. That means one final week talking about generosity. We have a generous God and it is really impossible to appreciate His grace to us and to not express generosity to others.

Paul is going overboard to make sure he doesn’t flex his pastoral muscles by using guilt or manipulation to coerce the Corinthians to give. I appreciate that, and I bet you do too!

In chapter nine, we get two really important principles regarding generosity. Instead of obligated obedience, Paul gives them a spiritual principle—the principle of reaping and sowing. Once they know how things work, they can decide what to do with it. Knowledge is power!

One final cool thing—God is not interested in us merely doing the right thing, or faking it until we make it. How will Paul and the Corinthians know if their generosity has the right motive? Their emotional state as they give will tell the truth. The right activity with the right motive produces the right feeling! How about that!

This is a really cool chapter with some important truths you can live by!

If you have been around the church scene for any length of time, I would imagine you have experienced “pressured giving”. Have you? Have you, or someone you know, been turned off because the church is “just after our money?”

I am so thankful that I don’t have to present to you a “law and rules” based generosity. In other words, it might sound like, “Be generous…or else!” “Or else what,” you ask? Or else…you are disobedient, a bad Christian, God won’t bless you, and so on. That’s what you might have heard! But, Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ! So how do grace and truth work together to create generosity?

In the next part of 2nd Corinthians chapter 8, Paul addresses two things that have really turned people off regarding the topic of church and money. The first is “pressure to give”. For that, Paul responds with love and freedom. As we move into chapter 9, Paul gives an important truth principle that applies as well.

The second thing Paul addresses is the abuse of what is given. Be it the Vatican’s net worth of $10-15 billion, or the lavish lifestyles of some of TV’s most well known televangelists, we all scratch our heads and wonder how they get away with it. In fact, it was Jesus who had a real issue with people getting ripped off at the temple, when God’s house became a den of thieves!

To that, Paul responds with accountability, and lots of it. If you ever hear a pastor say something like, “Well, I am only accountable to God and he knows my heart,” then run! Paul trips over himself to make sure he has a team handling the money and he doesn’t even need to be on it. He keeps a safe distance from temptation and from accusation.

Beyond these applicable truths, this whole passage has love as its bookends–a whole new motivator for generosity. Listen in as we cover these important truths about giving.

If you have been around the church scene for any length of time, I would imagine you have experienced “pressured giving”. Have you? Have you, or someone you know, been turned off because the church is “just after our money?”

I am so thankful that I don’t have to present to you a “law and rules” based generosity. In other words, it might sound like, “Be generous…or else!” “Or else what,” you ask? Or else…you are disobedient, a bad Christian, God won’t bless you, and so on. That’s what you might have heard! But, Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ! So how do grace and truth work together to create generosity?

In the next part of 2nd Corinthians chapter 8, Paul addresses two things that have really turned people off regarding the topic of church and money. The first is “pressure to give”. For that, Paul responds with love and freedom. As we move into chapter 9, Paul gives an important truth principle that applies as well.

The second thing Paul addresses is the abuse of what is given. Be it the Vatican’s net worth of $10-15 billion, or the lavish lifestyles of some of TV’s most well known televangelists, we all scratch our heads and wonder how they get away with it. In fact, it was Jesus who had a real issue with people getting ripped off at the temple, when God’s house became a den of thieves!

To that, Paul responds with accountability, and lots of it. If you ever hear a pastor say something like, “Well, I am only accountable to God and he knows my heart,” then run! Paul trips over himself to make sure he has a team handling the money and he doesn’t even need to be on it. He keeps a safe distance from temptation and from accusation.

Beyond these applicable truths, this whole passage has love as its bookends–a whole new motivator for generosity. Listen in as we cover these important truths about giving.

Have you ever made a financial decision you looked back on regretfully? Sure you have! I think we all have!

When it comes to financial management how we handle money can be emotional. It can be driven by sin, identity issues, discontentment, and fear. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul uses the discussion of Titus’ visit to switch gears. He begins to discuss the giving of a relief offering he is gathering to take to the struggling church in Jerusalem. They said they would help, and now it is time to dig deep and make it happen. Will they own up to their financial commitment? No matter how bad off you are, there is always someone worse off you can help.

As we discuss the passage, I’ll provide a little more about the history and financial condition of Corinth and of Jerusalem; but for now, you might want to know that chapters 8 and 9 give some of the most thorough discussion of New Testament generosity. Although the situation is specific the truths are eternal.

It’s sad that the discussion of being generous with our material goods and having compassion is one that makes people cringe. But I get it! Churches have beat people up about giving for building programs, and have guilted people into pledging for projects and so on. Therefore, I think we need to have a Biblical view and foundation for managing our financial lives. This is part of being a new creation. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater!

This message will largely deal with the overall theme of JOY! You might ask: what’s the connection between joy and generosity? Are poorer people really more generous? Why? It turns out, one of those financial decisions you might regret is failing to be generous with your resources and talents!

Stay tuned as we cover these topics over the next few chapters and hopefully get many of your questions answered!

Have you ever made a financial decision you looked back on regretfully? Sure you have! I think we all have!

When it comes to financial management how we handle money can be emotional. It can be driven by sin, identity issues, discontentment, and fear. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul uses the discussion of Titus’ visit to switch gears. He begins to discuss the giving of a relief offering he is gathering to take to the struggling church in Jerusalem. They said they would help, and now it is time to dig deep and make it happen. Will they own up to their financial commitment? No matter how bad off you are, there is always someone worse off you can help.

As we discuss the passage, I’ll provide a little more about the history and financial condition of Corinth and of Jerusalem; but for now, you might want to know that chapters 8 and 9 give some of the most thorough discussion of New Testament generosity. Although the situation is specific the truths are eternal.

It’s sad that the discussion of being generous with our material goods and having compassion is one that makes people cringe. But I get it! Churches have beat people up about giving for building programs, and have guilted people into pledging for projects and so on. Therefore, I think we need to have a Biblical view and foundation for managing our financial lives. This is part of being a new creation. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater!

This message will largely deal with the overall theme of JOY! You might ask: what’s the connection between joy and generosity? Are poorer people really more generous? Why? It turns out, one of those financial decisions you might regret is failing to be generous with your resources and talents!

Stay tuned as we cover these topics over the next few chapters and hopefully get many of your questions answered!

A few years back Helga and I had an interesting experience on one of our Florida trips! Cruising along, mile after mile, we had to take an exit for a different road near Ocala. The problem was that we weren’t really paying attention, so we took the exit that seemed right without thinking about it and spent about an hour going the wrong direction!

We began to feel a little funny inside—like something was wrong but signage was minimal and we just weren’t sure—but then we saw it! A sign for a city that was NORTH and we were supposed to be going SOUTH! Our hearts sank as we realized we added two full hours to our 16 hour trip! I was sick over it. But what could we do? We had to turn around and start going in the right direction. It may have taken us longer, but at least we got there!

If 1 Corinthians 15 is the Resurrection Chapter, and 1 Corinthians 13 is the Love Chapter, then 2 Corinthians 7 is the Repentance Chapter. I think the word repentance is the most beautiful word we never use in church! John the Baptist used it, and Jesus used it. It signifies a change of mind and direction—like our car ride.

In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul commends the church for their repentance! He had to write a tough letter but was glad when he heard they actually listened and responded. Wow! Today, most people get offended or put a wall up or get vicious if you even suggest they are doing something sinful. But what an example this Corinthian church gives us. Some wonderfully spiritual times in my life have come when I recognized I was going the wrong way and was humble enough to admit it and courageous enough to turn around and go a different way!

A few years back Helga and I had an interesting experience on one of our Florida trips! Cruising along, mile after mile, we had to take an exit for a different road near Ocala. The problem was that we weren’t really paying attention, so we took the exit that seemed right without thinking about it and spent about an hour going the wrong direction!

We began to feel a little funny inside—like something was wrong but signage was minimal and we just weren’t sure—but then we saw it! A sign for a city that was NORTH and we were supposed to be going SOUTH! Our hearts sank as we realized we added two full hours to our 16 hour trip! I was sick over it. But what could we do? We had to turn around and start going in the right direction. It may have taken us longer, but at least we got there!

If 1 Corinthians 15 is the Resurrection Chapter, and 1 Corinthians 13 is the Love Chapter, then 2 Corinthians 7 is the Repentance Chapter. I think the word repentance is the most beautiful word we never use in church! John the Baptist used it, and Jesus used it. It signifies a change of mind and direction—like our car ride.

In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul commends the church for their repentance! He had to write a tough letter but was glad when he heard they actually listened and responded. Wow! Today, most people get offended or put a wall up or get vicious if you even suggest they are doing something sinful. But what an example this Corinthian church gives us. Some wonderfully spiritual times in my life have come when I recognized I was going the wrong way and was humble enough to admit it and courageous enough to turn around and go a different way!

As me move into 2nd Corinthians chapter 6, we find ourselves in a short chapter that we will cover in one message, but as usual, this chapter includes some real gems of wisdom for us.

Paul, desperate to see the Corinthian people’s lives changed by God’s message, is still battling against those that are negative toward him. He pleads with them not to reject him, and therefore not to reject his message of reconciliation! Like a parent desperate for relationship with a rebellious, hard-headed child, Paul begs them to open their hearts to him.

The issue is not that they are just non-relational, rather that they are entering into close fellowship with the wrong people! Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t be unequally yoked?” That statement comes from both Deuteronomy 22 and right here in 2 Corinthians 6. Layering five examples on top of each other, Paul makes a case for the Corinthians to think long and hard about their close partnerships! This is no yoking matter, or is it?

Listen in as we cover this short but important chapter about who we are aligning ourselves with in close partnership and fellowship.

As me move into 2nd Corinthians chapter 6, we find ourselves in a short chapter that we will cover in one message, but as usual, this chapter includes some real gems of wisdom for us.

Paul, desperate to see the Corinthian people’s lives changed by God’s message, is still battling against those that are negative toward him. He pleads with them not to reject him, and therefore not to reject his message of reconciliation! Like a parent desperate for relationship with a rebellious, hard-headed child, Paul begs them to open their hearts to him.

The issue is not that they are just non-relational, rather that they are entering into close fellowship with the wrong people! Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t be unequally yoked?” That statement comes from both Deuteronomy 22 and right here in 2 Corinthians 6. Layering five examples on top of each other, Paul makes a case for the Corinthians to think long and hard about their close partnerships! This is no yoking matter, or is it?

Listen in as we cover this short but important chapter about who we are aligning ourselves with in close partnership and fellowship.