Sermons

December 1, 2019

2 Corinthians 8:6-8

So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.  I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

Giving is a natural response of love.  Paul did not order the Corinthians to give, but he encouraged them to prove that their love was real.  When you love someone, you want to give them your time and attention and to provide for their needs.  Jesus became poor by giving up his rights as God and becoming human.  As a man, Jesus was subject to place, time and all other human attributes.  He did not give up his eternal power to become human, but he did set aside his glory and his rights.  In response to the Father’s will, he limited his power and knowledge.  What made Jesus’ humanity unique was his freedom from sin.  In his full humanity, we can see everything about God’s character which can be conveyed in human terms.