Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- We have spent several weeks in Chapter 15
- Sublime immortality - we long for perfect bodies
- 'Death where is your sting, death where is your victory'
- We come from high doctrine/sublime heights
- It talks about leadership, relationships and finance
- It talks about church dynamics
- We need to think about real world issues
- It shows where our heart lies
- Looking at v1-12
- Organisation, planning, communicating, explaining, forethought
- You may say the spiritual things are praying, preaching, worship
- These other things are also essential and part of the Christian life
- We cannot assume that things will fall into place
- Looking at leadership, relationships and finance
Leadership
- Paul acts as a good/wise leader
- He has planted many churches - Jewish and Gentiles
- He wants those in other churches to help each other
- Example of famine in Jerusalem
- It is the responsibility of the Gentiles to provide materially to the Jewish believers
- Leaders must make decisions and act upon them
- Paul is ensuring the churches will give - many have already made promises to do so
- Shepherds must care for the flock
- Elders must govern
- Example of Leonardo
- Good leadership means authority with being authoritian
- He urges Apollos to come but cannot force him (v12)
- He gives orders to the churches of Galatia (v1)
- Paul had particular authority as father to many of the churches
- He had a special authority as an apostle - he had received revelation from God
- He always called people to test what he said
- To organise funds to be sent to Judea, particularly Jerusalem (v1)
- The scope is huge - at least 100 miles between some places
- There were churches in Macedonia, Galatia and Achia (Corinth) collecting for Jerusalem
- Paul was concerned there would be unity
- This was planned giving - at least one year
- Paul knew he needed trustworthy and reliable people - carefully selected to take gifts
- He relies on the church to approve those who will bear gifts (v2)
- He is not autocratic
- Leaders lead and guide, the church make decisions
- He requires official letters
- He will go with them if required (v4)
- We often fail in these areas
- We pray that God will help us to improve
- Paul 'remembered Acts 6' - when deacons where set apart to collect funds, so they could be freed up for their ministry
- Personal example - it takes time to sort finances
- As a church we give monthly to missionaries, we give at missionary meetings - it is not just about the local church
- There needs to be money for the local church, but then it needs to go further afield
- Paul assumes the believers will meet on the first day of the week
- They are to give regularly, set something aside, store up finances - he is helping them organise
- This is a fitting response to chapter 15
- Paul is not afraid to exhort the churches
Finance
- Personal giving, planned giving, prepare giving, proportionate giving, private giving
- Personal giving
- Each one should give - whether big or small
- Planned giving
- Prearranged and thoughtful
- We should give regularly (perhaps monthly)
- We should review our giving
- We should consider giving additional offerings
- Prepared giving
- Putting something aside - example
- Proportionate giving
- 2 Cor 9:7 - purpose in your heart
- Give as God has prospered you
- We are not to over give
- Private giving
- Do not give before men - do it in secret
- Do not announce to others your giving
- Tithing - Mal 3:8-10
- Some churches are against tithing - saying it is an Old Testament teaching, not found in the New Testament
- Tithing is a good start
- Jesus teaches the spirit of the law, which is bigger than the letter of the law
- The New Testament teaches sacrificial and generous giving
- Most Christians given a tenth of their income to the Lord
- We must teach the same to newer Christians
- 2 Cor 8:8-13
- Not a command but a test of your love
- Have a willing mind, a desire to give, not to be burdened
- Give generously out of what you have
- An equality - those in abundance give to those who lack
- 2 Cor 9:5-9
- A glad not grudging obligation
- Liberal giving is blessed
- Giving leads to thanksgiving
- Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give"
Relationships
- Good communication is important within the local church
- We can easily misunderstand
- Good communication is important within the wider church
- How does Paul relate to the Church in Corinth?
- He plans to visit (v5)
- Examples of miscommunication
- Personal example
- We need to be clear in our communication (v6)
- Example of Assistant Pastor
- If in the Lord's plan (v7)
- Paul explains why he tarries (v8-9)
- Sometimes we need to explain ourselves
- He is quick to commend good Christians and protect good gospel workers
- Timothy was timid - but he advised he was treated well (v10)
- Timothy was a young man - he should not be despised (v11)
- He explains openly about Apollos (v12)
- Example of essential vs non-essential matters
- Stating facts
- Paul states many facts in his letters - 1 Cor 1:11
Closing Remarks
- Behind leadership, finances and relationships - there are big principles
- Leadership - authority, wisdom, good organisation
- Finance - proportionate giving, generous sacrificial giving, prepared freewill offerings, regular giving, giving to the local and wider church
- Relationships - good communication, clear explanations, above all the principle of love (v14)
- Above all, love Jesus - 1 Cor 16:22