Lectionary Readings — Sixth Sunday after Pentecost — June 30, 2024
2 Samuel 1:1;17-27; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43
Call to Worship (based on 2 Corinthians 8:7-15)
Leader: As we gather today, let us excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for one another.
People: We seek to excel also in the grace of giving, just as Christ showed us.
Leader: "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)
People: We are called to reflect Christ's sacrificial love and generosity in our lives.
Leader: Let us bring our gifts and offerings with joy, seeking a fair balance between our abundance and the needs of others.
People: We commit to give not out of obligation, but from a genuine love and eagerness to serve.
Leader: As it is written, "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:15)
All: Let us worship God with grateful hearts, ready to share His blessings with the world. Amen.
Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 130)
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father,
We come to You from the depths of our struggles, seeking Your help and guidance. Hear our prayers, Lord, and listen to our cries for mercy.
We acknowledge that we fall short, but we are grateful for Your forgiveness and grace that allow us to stand before You with hope.
We wait for You, Lord, trusting in Your promises and looking forward to Your presence in our lives. Our hearts long for You, more than anything else.
Lord, we place our hope in You because Your love is steadfast, and You have the power to redeem us. We trust in Your ability to rescue us from our troubles and transform our lives.
As we gather here, fill us with Your peace and wisdom. Help us to live in Your grace, offering forgiveness and love to those around us just as You have shown us.
We pray for those who are struggling today, those feeling lost or in despair. May they find comfort in Your presence and hope in Your word. Use us, Lord, to bring Your peace and love to those in need.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].
[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]
Sermon Outline: The Grace of Giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)
Introduction
Share a personal or contemporary story of unexpected and inspiring generosity.
Introduce the context of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, highlighting the model of the Macedonian churches.
I. GRACE RECEIVED
Description of God's Grace: Explain how the grace of God enabled the Macedonian churches to give generously despite their circumstances.
Scripture Reference: "We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia" (v. 1).
Application: Encourage the congregation to recognize the grace they have received and how it can inspire their actions.
II. GENEROSITY IN POVERTY
Abundant Giving Amidst Lack: Highlight the Macedonian churches’ abundant joy and generosity despite their severe poverty and affliction.
Scripture Reference: "For during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part" (v. 2).
Application: Challenge the congregation to give generously regardless of their own circumstances.
III. GENUINE LOVE AND EAGERNESS
Proving Love Through Actions: Paul tests the genuineness of the Corinthians’ love by comparing it to the earnestness of the Macedonians.
Scripture Reference: "I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others" (v. 8).
Completion of Commitment: Paul urges the Corinthians to complete their initial commitment with eagerness.
Scripture Reference: "Now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means" (v. 11).
Application: Encourage the congregation to show their love for others through tangible acts of generosity and to follow through on their commitments.
IV. GODLY EXAMPLE AND GRACIOUS EQUITY
Christ's Sacrificial Giving: Emphasize the ultimate example of generosity in Jesus Christ, who became poor for our sake.
Scripture Reference: "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich" (v. 9).
Fair Balance in Giving: Paul calls for a fair balance between those who have much and those who have little.
Scripture Reference: "I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance..." (vv. 13-14).
Application: Call the congregation to follow Christ's example of sacrificial love and generosity and encourage them to seek fairness and balance in their giving, ensuring that the needs of all are met.
Conclusion
Reflect on the Journey: Summarize the key points of the sermon, reiterating the importance of grace, generosity, genuine love, and Christ's example.
Personal Application: Challenge the congregation to apply these principles of generosity in their lives, reflecting on how they can give sacrificially and lovingly.
Closing Prayer: Offer a prayer for increased grace, generosity, and love, inspired by Christ’s ultimate example of giving.
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