Solid Rock • Grace
Teaching Notes
Two Goals with Solid Rock:
100% Engagement
Mission Advancement
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
Three Things we learn about the Macedonians generosity:
They gave themselves first to the Lord.
And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
2 Corinthians 8:5
2. They understood giving as a spiritual discipline.
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
2 Corinthians 8:2-3
Three questions:
Next Level Surrender: What steps do I need to take to move away from the pursuit of my own comfort and to move toward deeper dependence upon Jesus?
Next Level Faith: How can I joyfully and gratefully honor God with 100% of what Jesus has given to me?
Next Level Generosity: What new level of generosity can begin to express my gratitude for what Jesus has does for each of us?
3. They understood grace-based giving.
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches….So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:1,6-7
What made the Macedonians' generosity so amazing is that it was rooted in Christ’s generosity. This is Amazing Grace. This is unfailing love. That you would take my place. That you would bear my cross!
It was Jesus’ Amazing Grace that inspired their next level.
It is not some warm feeling that you get. It is an ACT of God that is unexpected or undeserved.
“While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” That is grace.
And what Paul is saying here is that when this grace really does a work IN you, then it leads to God doing stuff THROUGH you.
In other words, the Macedonians didn’t just have a spiritual experience. It overflowed from their lives to others.
It meant that under the impulse that came from God, they gave money with almost reckless generosity. They were desperately poor and had suffered serious persecution. But such was their devotion to God and to the work of the gospel and to church unity. They found it in their hearts to give not only according to their means but way beyond. This, Paul declares, can only be a work of grace.
N.T. Wright, Paul for Everyone
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
I Got Hope- Citizen Way, Mitch Langley and Jasmine Murray
In Christ Alone- Passion City feat./Kristian Stanfill
Firm Foundation- Cody Carnes
Great Are You Lord- All Sons and Daughters
WFC Speedway
Beautiful Surrender- Jonathan David & Melissa Helser
Firm Foundation- Cody Carnes
Worthy Of It All- Cece Winans
Goodness of God- Bethel Music
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