Missions Paul

We move into section of what has to be one of the most profound teachings on giving. Paul presents the whole subject not as some guilt-burden to carry but a grace to embrace into our lives. Paul directs the thoughts of the Corinthian Church to the Macedonian Church. Over the next few days we will dig into what he says.

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. ⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ 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. ⁸ I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 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 through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Today people give but they want to direct their giving.
Today people give but they want to control their giving.
Today people give but they want to have some commission for giving.
Today people give but they want a moving story on a classy film to give.
Today people give but it’s more about them than the ones receiving the gift.

The only way we will enter into the grace of giving is if we first see the gift of Jesus.
These are the 2 key chapters in the NT on giving. Each of them point to Jesus.
He became poor for others like you and me.
He gave for the sake of others.
He gave till it hurt.
He gave with no strings attached.
He gave so that we can give, like Him.

This is the grace of giving.

This chapter holds beautiful language of a leader expressing why he was firm to his church and how their response encouraged him in his own faith. We have seen how people hurt people and the damage that is caused from the wounds that take time to heal. Paul and the Corinthian Church help us see what we can also do as Paul worked out their relationship together. So with these final thoughts in chapter 7 we see how we can make relationships work.

“In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. ¹⁴ I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶ I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.” (2 Corinthians 7 v 13-16)

Last evening I spoke with a leader who at the start of the day had told me he had some ‘tricky’ meetings ahead. The relief in his voice as he shared how those meetings had gone really well was palpable. There is always a real sense of renewed hope and joy that comes through navigating successfully relational tension.

Paul had sent a severe letter to the Church which addressed serious issues within their community. Now through Titus he hears that those necessary words had brought about changes of heart and produced good results.

• We need people who can carry difficult messages with love and faithfulness. We need good people in the room addressing conflict issues, whether that is offering correction or bringing encouragement.
• We need people who are brave enough to receive difficult truths. Spiritual growth often comes through difficult conversations that have been given and received with grace.
• We need people who have a desire to build up, never to destroy a person, especially when bringing correction.

The Church always has an opportunity to demonstrate to a world divided and broken, that there is the possibility of reconciliation and restoration because of Jesus Christ.

We need people like that. We need to be those people.

“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.” (2 Corinthians 7 v 8-13)

So this ‘letter’ – it seems a bit awkward in v8 that Paul says he doesn’t regret writing such a letter that caused sorrow.

The truth is we need people in our lives who, without any form of abuse, speak into our lives, words that may wound us but not for wounding sake. The intention is not to damage but to lead to healing and change.

The truth is we need to respond so much more with godly sorrow, which knows how to acknowledge wrongdoing and truly repents from it. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, regret, hurt and importantly not moving to change anything.

The truth is we need people who can spur us on with:

Earnestness – a commitment to change for the better.

Eagerness – not excuses, but an eagerness to be changed.

Indignation – If we are going to be angry then be angry with our own sin.

Alarm – Be aware of what a lack of repentance produces.

Longing – Have a desire to be restored.

Concern – Be bothered with those that have been hurt by us.

Readiness – Be willing to accept the consequences of our actions.

The truth is we need people to correct us but with their own humility, grace and love, above leading us into joy and encouragement.

These are the keys to making relationships work.

People fall out don’t they? People hurt people. Mature Christians and even Pastors can damage friendships that were once beautiful and people in the pew can make it very difficult to be a person in the pulpit.

How do we make relationships work?

Paul and the Corinthian Church help us see what we can also do as Paul worked out their relationship together.

“Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. ⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” (2 Corinthians 7 v 2-4)

Division is generally created not only because of information received but the heart of a person becomes closed to the other. Trust leaves. The door of the heart shuts and a decision is made that closeness has finished. That person will never come near again.

You will know as many people as I do whose hearts are closed off to others. I know Christians of long-standing, people of influence, whose hearts are closed to one another.

• Paul had reached out to them with an open heart. Remember this, “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open?” (2 Corinthians 6 v 11) If you want someone to be warm to you then you must be the first to reach out to them. It is easier to ask for open hearts when yours is already demonstrating it.
• Paul is confident in his conduct. He hasn’t wronged, corrupted or cheated anyone. He isn’t an abuser of his position. He hasn’t harmed anyone. Rather his love for them meant he would die for them. Examine your actions. If you’re confident of your behaviour then say so.
• Paul never minimised his approach to the church. When he spoke to them regarding the influence of the world by being unequally yoked, he realised this was with great frankness. When he spoke to others about them it was with great pride and all of it led to him being greatly encouraged. Such language makes the other feel important.

It all paves the way for the request to make room in their hearts, to trust him, to open their hearts and be positive towards him. Keys to any relationship.

So here are the 3 promises Paul reminds us of if we resist the threat of worldly influence:

God will walk with you. God will receive you. God will be a father and we will be His children.

So what will you do about these amazing promises?

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2 Corinthians 7 v 1)

So …

1. We remember these promises. Receive them, ‘have them’, own them and claim them as your own. Let these promises motivate you.
2. Have a greater self-awareness. Not just the outward behaviours but the inward thoughts and even asking the Spirit to reveal your blind spots.
3. Sign up for a lifetime of battling contamination. This isn’t something we just switch on in our lives. This is for life.
4. Make good choices until you perfect your character. Forgive and ask for forgiveness quickly. Love and show grace and mercy. Give and give again.
5. Focus on improving yourself. We can all improve other people. We can all see their faults. But no, we focus on ourselves.

3 promises.

God will walk with you.

God will receive you.

This now is the 3^rd promise for not being influenced by the world. God will be a father and we will be His children.

“And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6 v 18)

If we resist the influences of this world and if we remain in the presence of God as followers of Him then this third promise guarantees us our identity.

We are not merely forgiven nor are we simply followers, we are His children.

We are not following some rules and regulations, we have direct access and can call Him Father.

There is one final and absolute truth.

Can you see how Paul quotes using ‘the Lord Almighty’? Another translation uses the title, the Lord of Hosts. This title emphasizes God’s sovereignty over everything that comes against you. This all-powerful ruler of the entire universe is your Father who protects and provides for His children. Now that is a wonderful promise.

God wants you all for Himself (The Message). He doesn’t want to share you with anyone. In that way He is a jealous God.

Corinth was a city known for its moral corruption and false religious worship. Paul in addressing the need to stay away from the influences of the world uses the text from Isaiah 52 v11.

“Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6 v 17)

As in Corinth, the Israelites were in exile, away from their home, living among people whose culture was completely different to theirs. Isaiah calls for them to depart from the cultural practices and influences.

Paul (or Isaiah) isn’t thinking that God’s people should withdraw from the world but he does call for:-

1. Distinction. There has to be difference in character between the Christian and the non-Christian.
2. Separation. There has to be difference in participation in behaviours.
3. Preservation. There has to be difference in knowing who we are even when surrounded by influential voices.

The end goal is not some holiness badge. It is about the presence of God.

This call to ‘come out from them’ is an invitation to draw near to Him.

He has promised to do so. Whatever path you are on today, He is walking with you, for He is your God who promised you He would walk with you. There is no place that you tread that God doesn’t go with you. If you are entering into a new job, a new season of opportunity and even if you are walking into uncertainty and challenge, He is walking with you. Amen!

““I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6 v 16)

Paul is thinking back to the ancient messages from God and he uses a quotation taking from Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Leviticus, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” (Leviticus 26:12)

This blessing was a call to not be influenced by the world His people were living in. They have had an Exodus not to become trapped under evil influence again.

God promises them rain and success as they worked the fields; He promises to protect them and give them victory over their enemies; He told them He would multiply their children; and above all He would walk with them. In fact God says He would enable them to walk with heads held high.

Several years ago I began a Youth leadership training ministry. One of the first young people aged 15 years would never look anyone in the eye. Such was his inferiority complex his head fell to the floor every time. But over the course of time we saw him lift his head and converse eye to eye and today you would never know he had previously had that problem. Today he preaches to several hundred people and is a Pastor.

To the crushed, humiliated, dominated, the broken, the sinful, our message is that we have had an exodus!! Jesus has set us free!! Lift up your head! He wants to walk with you.

Here is the invitation today.

Yes, we once betrayed him, wounded him, pierced him with our sin. But today he says to us, “I have forgiven you. Let us walk together. Have confidence in my love. Lift up that head, walk tall and walk with me.”

^“ Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” ¹⁸ And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6 v 14-18)

So what was Paul meaning? How is this message about not being yoked together with unbelievers to be viewed? Is it marriage? Is it business partnerships? Friendships? The list can continue. However, I wonder if it is simply easier to understand that we must be careful not to come under the influence of wickedness, of evil and ultimately of Belial (name for Satan). We are people of righteousness and Paul backs this up with Scriptures which we will look at tomorrow.

So what can we do to protect ourselves from sinful influence? This is what we must focus on.

• Not everything you hear can be trusted and believed blindly.
• Not everything that is inspirational is from Him even though it might make you feel good.
• Not everything that is false looks false at first.
• Everything must be filtered through this one test: Jesus is the Christ.
• Every religious experience must come under the submission of the orthodox teaching of and about Jesus Christ.
• Everything the Spirit of God does points to Jesus and if it doesn’t then it is the spirit of the antichrist.

Let us all make sure we are under the influence of what is good!