I Want Our Church To Finish Right

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-3-2021

2 Corinthians 8:10-11

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, I preached on “I Want To Finish Right.” 

 

1.  That is a very personal decision that I hope and pray that everyone here at Temple will make this New Year. 

 

2.  Don’t give up; don’t quit; don’t give in to either the flesh or the ways of the world. 

 

3.  Stay prayed up; stay paid up; stay pure; stay faithful; STAY PUT!

 

B.  This morning, I want to preach on “I Want Our Church To Finish Right!”  Paul admonishes the Corinthian church to continue in the work.  In this chapter, Paul uses 2 examples.

 

1.  Verses 1-5.  The example of the churches of Macedonia.  “we do you to wit” “Wit” – to certify or to make known something.

 

a)  Their Predicament.  Verse 2.  Their joy in affliction and liberality in poverty – verse 2

 

b)  Their Power.  Verse 3.  “their power” was what they had to give and “beyond their power” was their faith in giving.

 

c)  Their Prayer.  Verse 4.  Their fellowship in both giving and ministering.

 

d)  Their Prospering.  Verse 5.  “And this they did!”

 

2.  Verse 9.  The example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

a)  His Grace.  Our Lord’s willingness to do all that was necessary.

 

b)  His Giving.  Our Lord’s willingness to give up all that He had.

 

c)  His Goal.  Our Lord’s willingness to place our welfare above His.

 

C.  Verses 10-11.  Paul’s advice.  “expedient for you” expedient – to be good or profitable.

 

2 Corinthians 8:10-11  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.  (11)  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

 

D.  One of the best ways to know if the local church is shifting in its position is to allow missionaries who have been on the field for 4-6 years come in and ask them if we have changed. 

 

1.  One of the dangers of both personal and church conviction is the membership “getting used to the dark.”

 

2.  Though we are not going to become apostate, slipping is a problem common to all people.  We never get tired of “the way” but often get tired “in the way.”  Daily battling to maintain our Christian integrity in an ever-changing, wicked world.

 

3.  As Bible believers, we are not in danger of “falling away” from our former position but do tend to decay spiritually if are not watchful. 

 

4.  This morning, we need to realize that we are no better than the churches that have gone liberal or the brethren who have “failed of the grace of God” and sit at home this morning blaming everyone and everything else for doing so!

 

Romans 7:21-24  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  (22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  (23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

 

E.  I am not much on New Year’s Resolutions, but I am big on Remembering, Resolving, and Relying.

 

1.  Remembering the Past.  “as he had begun” – verse 6.

 

a)  We here at Temple Baptist have had an illustrious past.  Our church has been used as an example repeatedly concerning its mission program and old-fashioned stance in the Old Paths of its fathers. 

 

b)  We have had great years and I have little regret concerning them.  Some of the greatest people on earth have graced these hallowed pews that you and I now sit upon. 

 

c)  Most of us got it and everyone got over it – someone said that you can have COVID for a week or so or you can have COVID all year – I am glad that we got it and got over it!

 

d.  Despite COVID, we had a great year and God richly blessed our church: spiritually, physically, and financially.

 

2.  Resolving in the Present.  “be forward” – verse 10.  “readiness to will” – verse 11.

 

a)  Like all churches, there are things that we would change if possible.  We did not do everything right.

 

b)  Some things we can change and some things we learn from and must live with.

 

c)  Resolving to live for Christ in obedience to His Word this year.

 

d)  We have now finished 2020 and begun 2021.  We will now have to get used to putting “21” after the “20” when we write the date. 

 

e)  Last year’s blessings will not suffice us for this year!  We need to resolve to make 2021 our greatest year!

 

3.  Relying on the Person: Jesus Christ.  “beyond their power”

 

a)  God’s Grace.  If anything gets done this year, it will be through His Power.

 

b)  God’s Glory.  If anything gets done this year, it will be to His Praise.

 

c)  Our Good.  God only wants the best for us but we must rely on His power and His way.