Anthony Gammage ~ 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15
Sermon Quotes
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:8-9
8 I say this not as a command… 9 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 by his poverty might become rich.
Ephesians 2:4–7
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
“…the eternal Son of God might obtain a spouse, towards whom he might fully exercise the infinite benevolence of his nature, and to whom he might, as it were, open and pour fourth all that immense fountain of condescension, love, and grace that was in his heart, and that in this way God might be glorified.”
-Jonathan Edwards
2 Corinthians 8:8
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
2 Corinthians 8:24
24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
2 Corinthians 9:3
3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
2 Corinthians 8:4
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints
2 Corinthians 9:6, 10
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully…10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:8, 11, 15
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work…11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God…15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
2 Corinthians 8:5
…and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
2 Corinthians 8:19
And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.
2 Corinthians 9:11-12
which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corinthians 8:3
For they gave according to their means,
2 Corinthians 8:12
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:3
…and beyond their means…
2 Corinthians 8:3
…of their own accord
2 Corinthians 8:10
…this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it
2 Corinthians 9:5
…so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction…
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.