100 likes | 272 Views
HOW TO KEEP RESOLUTIONS. 2 CORINTHIANS 8-9. Resolutions. Lose weight Get out of debt Save money Finish school Stop my bad habit Pray & read the Bible every day Acts 17:11 Attend all the services of the church Hebrews 10:24-35 Give as prospered 1 Cor. 16:2. Resolutions.
E N D
HOW TO KEEP RESOLUTIONS 2 CORINTHIANS 8-9
Resolutions • Lose weight • Get out of debt • Save money • Finish school • Stop my bad habit • Pray & read the Bible every day Acts 17:11 • Attend all the services of the church Hebrews 10:24-35 • Give as prospered 1 Cor. 16:2
Resolutions • Lose weight • Get out of debt • Save money • Finish school • Stop my bad habit • Pray & read the Bible every day Acts 17:11 • Attend all the services of the church Hebrews 10:24-35 • Give as prospered 1 Cor. 16:2, 2 Cor. 8-9
Keeping a Year-old Resolution 2 Cor. 8-9 • Corinthians made a commitment a year ago 8:10 • Paul is writing them to make sure that they follow through on their commitment • In 2 Cor. 8-9, Paul equips the saints with motivation to keep their commitment • The key to motivation is Motive • We can apply the same biblical principles to keep our resolutions for the year 2013
Follow a Positive Example 2 Cor. 8:1-9 • Examples are powerful Matthew 5:13-16 • Examples instill confidence 8:8 • “the diligence of others” Macedonians8:1-5 • First gave themselves to the Lord 8:5 • Understood the spiritual significance 8:4 • We are commanded to follow the apostles’ example 1 Cor. 4:16-17 • We should be examples 1 Timothy 4:12 • Christ is the greatest example 8:9
Follow an Effective Plan 2 Cor. 8:10-15 • A good example often uses an effective plan • God’s word contains God’s wisdom • God’s commands had been given 1 Cor. 16:1-2 • We must respect God’s plan 1 Cor. 4:6 • They made a good start 8:10-12 • Build on good will • Based on ability 8:12 • Planwill work forreceiverandgiver 8:13-15
Believe in The Plan 2 Cor. 8:16-24 • For the plan to work, you must work the plan • Must believein the plan to work the plan • Trust in Titus and the other trusted brother 8:18 • 8:21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. • A congregational messenger of congregational activity 8:23 • Faith in fairness; in integrity; in effectiveness
Enlist The Help of Others 2 Cor. 9:1-5 • Paul used the Corinthians’ willingness to stir up the Macedonians 9:2 • Now Paul uses the Macedonians to stir up the Corinthians 9:4-5 • Macedonians will come to Corinth with Titus and Paul. What will they think of Corinth? • Accountability is powerful motivation to keep resolutions • Fear of shame also very powerful 9:4
Look to The Reward 2 Cor. 9:6-15 • Sow bountifully -> reap bountifully 9:6 • Not sow financially -> reap financially • Sow righteously8:4->reaprighteousness9:10 • Whyattitudeisimportant9:7 • Godisglorifiedthroughthanks 9:11-15 • For those who love God,this is the greatest reward! • Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord