Today is a special day in the life of our church. Many of you have spent the last few weeks praying about this morning. You have been asking God to guide your family as you consider a three year, over and above pledge, to our Every One Counts stewardship campaign.
The total amount pledged will be announced tonight at "Kicks". If you haven’t reserved a place tonight, you will want to talk to Shirley Copeland who is at the table in the lobby.Our leadership teams have already stepped out in faith and pledged $527,000 to the future expansion of Lakeside. These funds will be used for an expanded children’s area and eventually a sanctuary.
Next week we are going to conclude our Sin City: Corinth series by digging into 1 Corinthians 15. But this morning because of the special occasion, we are skipping ahead to 1 Corinthians 16.
Paul ended the book of 1 Corinthians by talking about generosity.
I find it interesting, in light of everything we have said aboutCorinth, or Sin City, thatPaul ends 1 Corinthians by talking about generosity. Do you remember what we said about Corinth in past sermons?
Corinth was:
•A place with a revolving door, whose streetswere filled with sailors, soldiers, businessmen, and thrill seekers who never stayed very long, but who only came to fulfill their base desires.
•A place of perpetual vanity, where every imaginable sin and vice was not only indulged, but celebrated openly.
•A place where menwere robbed of purpose and where young women and teenagers were exploited for their sexuality.
•A place where the well-to-do came to squander their prosperity. Where commercialized gambling, debauchery, drinking, and prostitution failed to raise a single eyebrow.
•A place where sex was practically considered a religion and was flaunted ad nauseam. Corinth was a city without limits, where all inhibition was cast aside. It wasa place unshackled by morality or God’s laws. A place where people chased their freedoms while slipping deeper in slavery to sin and death.
And so in 1 Corinthians 16 Paul speaks of generosity. I cannot imagine many things more scandalous to a self-centered city like Corinth than generosity. Can you? In Corinth you could lie and no one would care. You could cheat, steal, gamble, drink, fornicate, commit adultery, commit assault, and raise few eyebrows.
But being generous is a different matter. You'd better be careful about being generous. There are few things that are more offensive to a Christ-less culture than being generous. The lifestyle of generosity and self-centeredness are at war with one another. Generosity is the polar opposite of sin. To be generous is to launch a full frontal assault on self-centeredness.To be self-centered is to launch a full front assault on generosity. To be generous is to shake the very foundations of Sin City!
Why is generosity so uncomfortable?
But why is generosity so uncomfortable? Generosity exposes. It pricks the conscience of self-centeredness. Think of a time when you were being selfish, and you knew you were being selfish,and everyone around you knew you were being selfish. But then in that dark moment, someone demonstrated generosity. You were grabbing and grasping, but someone gave. You were demanding and hoarding, but someone let go. How did that make you feel? It either inspired you or it really made you angry,perhaps the latter.
Generosity exposes the utter depravity of sin, and the utter depravity of Sin City. Generosity reveals the extent of our corruption—that we cannot give, that we cannot let go, that we cannot put others first, that our heart is divided, that we are ruled by fear and worry, that we don’t love as much as we think, and that we cannot trust God!
It’s a troubling thing to contemplate our own lack of generosity. But for those courageous enough to do so, there is tremendous blessing. Generosity is divine. It's of God. It’s the thing for which we were created. It's the essence of love. It's the thing that most glorifies God.
When you give, it demonstrates your faith in something greater than yourself. Selfish people don’t give because they only believe in themselves. They hold back. But the Christian gives. In 1 Corinthians 16 Paul challenges the Corinthianswith several examples of generosity.
The Church at Galatia was extremely generous.
In 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (NIV) Paul tells us,"Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me."
Notice that the Galatiansgave on a regular basis, on thefirst day of the week. The whole church gave, each one. They gave proportionately in keeping withtheir income. They didn’t give on impulse or emotion. They saved up and they set aside. Their giving was administrated with integrity by faithful men. But is generosity only about money?
The apostle Paul gave his life to the work of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 16: 5-9 (NIV) says, "After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost,because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."
Timothy faced his fears of rejection andpersecution.
1 Corinthians 16:10-11 (NIV) tells us of Timothy's generosity."If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers."
Apollos was generous with his time.
Apollos served Christ with his eloquence and superior reasoning. His ministry was in high demand everywhere. 1 Corinthians 16:12-14 (NIV) tells us,"Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage (literally,act like men); be strong. Do everything in love."
Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus served the saints.
1 Corinthians 16:15-18 (NIV) tells us about their service."You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers,to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it.I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition."
Aquilaand Priscilla opened their home in order to serve Christ.
1 Corinthians 16:19-24 (NIV) says of them,"The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen."
During this campaign we have three mega-opportunities.
Opportunity # 1: Experiencing generosity (grace in Christ).
Opportunity # 2: Practicing the art of generosity (loving in all its divine dimensions).
Opportunity # 3: Celebrating generosity (to spur one another on toward love and good deeds).