The Biblical Reaction to Grace Received

In one paragraph

This sermon, from Second Corinthians 8:1-15, traced what Paul says happens naturally when a person or a community receives God's grace: they extend it to others. The pastor used the Macedonian churches as the main example, and drew the line from their situation then to First Baptist Jackson's situation now. Paul wrote Second Corinthians from Macedonia, after finally meeting back up with Titus, who...

Read together

1. Psalm 105:1 Opening verse read before worship: give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness, let the whole world know what he has done
2. 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 Quoted to show Paul's anxiety at Troas when he did not find Titus there
3. 2 Corinthians 7:5 Quoted to show Paul's affliction when he crossed into Macedonia before finding Titus
4. 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 The main sermon text, covering the Macedonians' generosity and Paul's appeal to the Corinthians
5. Luke 21:1-4 The widow's mite story used to illustrate giving out of poverty with joy
6. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Quoted to show Paul's earlier instructions to the Corinthians to set aside a collection on the first day of every week for the saints in Jerusalem
7. Exodus 16:9-21 Read in full to illustrate the manna principle that whoever gathered much had nothing left over and whoever gathered little had no lack

Talk about it

1. Pastor Chris pointed out that the Macedonian churches were in severe financial hardship yet gave spontaneously and beyond their means. What do you think it was about receiving God's grace that produced that kind of response in them?
2. Pastor Chris said the biblical reaction to grace received from God is grace extended to others, and that he thinks this is true spiritually, financially, materially, and with knowledge. Where in your own life have you seen that connection play out, or where do you find it hardest to make it?
3. Pastor Chris was careful to say several times that this kind of giving is voluntary, not commanded, and that Paul himself said 'I say this not as a command.' How does knowing it is voluntary change the way you think about generosity, compared to giving out of obligation?
4. The manna story from Exodus 16 came up as a picture of God providing exactly what people needed, with nothing left to hoard and nothing lacking. How does that image of daily, sufficient provision shape the way you hold on to or let go of what you have?
5. Pastor Chris mentioned the Modesto Manifesto as an example of people deciding ahead of time what accountability would look like, and he applied that principle to any ministry handling money. Where else in your own life or in the church do you think that kind of proactive accountability structure would be worth building?