viernes, 18 de enero de 2013

LEARNING TO SERVE AS JESUS

Lerma, Wednesday, January 16, 2013
LEARNING TO SERVE AS JESUS
(2 Corinthians 8:1-15) "1 Moreover, brethren, we make known the grace of God that has been bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they have welcomed to their power, and even beyond his strength, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God; 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, also finished among you this work grace. 7 Therefore, as you abound in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to us, abound in this grace. 8 I speak not by commandment, but to test, through the diligence of others the sincerity of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor, being rich, so that you through his poverty might be rich, 15 as it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over, and the little had no lack. "
When we share generously what OUR with others, we are showing gratitude and appreciation for God's gifts.
(2 Corinthians 9:6) "He who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap."
LEARN IN THIS STUDY REGARDING Christian generosity:1. Evaluate every Christian stewardship should play on all that God has given: their time, talents and money.2. Note that to give as God must be pleasing himself first to the Lord in a genuine and total consecration.3. Discerning the fact that being "rich in Christ" does not necessarily mean being rich in material.
We'll play just three of the most important in this issue according to biblical support and teaching of Christ, because the health of the Doctrine of Christ, just so we can have a real balance in our way of life in Christ Jesus, and and imitate the generosity of Jesus Christ through his teachings.I. A CALL TO CHRISTIAN GENEROSITYA. The generosity of the MacedoniansB. A challenge to the CorinthiansII. Demonstrating a genuine loveA. The test of loveB. A volunteer spiritIII. God loves a cheerful giverA. The law of sowing and reapingB. The exceeding grace of God
INTRODUCTIONChristian giving has always been a special badge of the believer. The love of Christ and the impulse of the Holy Spirit are elements that facilitate the believer's attitude in giving. Certainly one of the most outstanding results of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was this new spirit of generosity volunteer help that characterized the early Church. During Christ's earthly ministry, crowds were following Jesus Christ watching what they could get. Now, thousands of believers who were more interested in what they could give. This generous attitude manifested itself with the same intensity toward God and other believers and needy. The poor among them did not need to suffer the calamities of life. At the same time the work of God had all the necessary human and material resources to carry on.Of course, in the New Testament not only promotes the contribution of money or material things. It also requires the proper administration of our time and talents that we have been entrusted. In our Christian life we ​​are expected to make use of what we have, what we are and what we can become. God is the true and original giver of all good things because He is the only good thing to put in the hearts being generous. We are only stewards or guardians of all that Jesus Christ has placed in our hands.
A Call to Christian generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)When Paul and Barnabas met with the apostles in Jerusalem, and they presented details were preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, those gave their approval and they extended the right hand of fellowship. But they also asked for one thing in particular: that Paul and Barnabas will forever remember the needy. (Galatians 2:10) "Only they would that we should remember the poor, which also was eager to do."Paul showed his concern for meeting this recommendation when he and Barnabas brought the part of the Church of Antioch in Syria, an offering for the needy of Jerusalem, after it was revealed by a prophecy that there would be a famine in the land strong (Acts 11:28-30) "28 And one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. "
Why did Paul write to the Corinthians about how sacrificial in giving the believers in Macedonia?It is likely that the petition presented in (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2) "1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, do ye even so that I directed the churches of Galatia. 2 On the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him, as God hath prospered him, that when I come no collections will offerings. " And what were overlooking by the Corinthians. On that occasion Paul had instructed them away something every day of the week for this purpose, according as God had prospered. But it is clear that with such a problem that began to emerge within and outside the church, stopped practicing the Corinthians the Apostle such recommendations. Instead, the churches of the north, including Thessaloniki, Philippi and Berea, had taken the lead on this and they were prepared to send a good collection for the saints in Jerusalem and this makes us think about what we depart from pantry the need, for the same problems we are telling ourselves that we do not have for ourselves, how can we have for others?.
Were the Macedonians more generous in their offerings to the saints because they enjoyed greater prosperity to the Corinthians?NO WAY. According to the information we have from Paul, the believers in Macedonia had a hard enough time in the midst of trials and persecution. But there was plenty of love in them, so that the deep poverty in which they were given abundant wealth to help others who were in greatest need. Furthermore, Paul did not even have to ask them anything. Spontaneously they gave according to the extent that God had helped, and even beyond its limitations this puts us to think that we too what we need is love, because if we had really deep love of our poverty aportaríamos for even more needy than us.Apparently, Paul hesitated to accept an offering that big of a part of a people that was going through a difficult period financially. But they begged him not only to receive this offering but also made partaker with them in this grace of giving, taking donations and distributing them to the best among the needy brethren in Jerusalem.
What was even more important thing that the offering in money they had given?The love with which the Macedonians had pledged was only the result of the fact that first had surrendered themselves to the Lord and God's work that Paul and his colleagues administered. What happened was that God had used Paul in a very special way to bring spiritual revival to the churches of Macedonia. The reaction of believers to the preaching and teaching of the apostle was a personal consecration to God. From the abundance of their love for the Lord did this generosity that motivated them to give generously despite the poverty in which they found themselves.Moreover we can be sure that there was no shadow of selfishness in his attitude to giving. Because first they had given themselves to the Lord, were now willing to surrender that had to bless others, without expecting anything in return for his attitude. The believers of those churches were overflowing with joy in Christ and could not help but overflow also wish to give to the needy.
Chapters 35 and 36 of the Book of Exodus gives us a great example of liberality in giving this gift to God and to his work. In (Exodus 35:5) "Take from among you an offering to the LORD, all willing heart bring the Lord, gold, silver, bronze," Moses appealed to hearts of the Israelites to give a freewill offering. The response was so great and spontaneous verse (Exodus 35:29) "And of the children of Israel, both men and women, all whose heart willing to bring for all the work, which the LORD had commanded through Moses they did, brought a freewill offering to the Lord. " They soon came to Moses a report in which he said that the people had brought more than necessary. So abundant was the offering of the people that Moses had to tell them that enough was enough and it did not bring anything else (Exodus 36:5-7) "5 and spoke to Moses, saying, The people bring much more than what is needed to the work that the Lord has commanded us to do. 6 And Moses sent proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. This prevented the town offer more, 7 because they had plenty of material to do all the work, and too much ". What pastor today would not solve the economic problems of the church in the way that happened to Moses in the desert?
The village gave himself for us an example of love for our Lord God (both talents as skills) so that they build a place to worship God. It is no wonder, then, that when the construction ended, the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:33-38) "33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging at the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled. 36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. "
A challenge to the Corinthians but mostly for us who are living in the last days where we abound in love with each other going back to the old way of first love that Jehovah God demands of us (Revelation 2:4) "But I have this against you: You have forsaken your first love. "Do you express words of the apostle Paul rebuke or condemnation against Corinthian for being careless about the offering that they had requested?
On the contrary, his words contain expressions of praise for all the good things that these believers had done. His words recorded in (2 Corinthians 8:7) are eloquent: "Therefore, as you abound in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge and in your love to us, abound in this grace." The virtues that are mentioned here are gifts of God's grace in this church which had always abounded. Now he uses everything positive to invite them to extend their sphere of action and show their love not only for him being who had ministered the gospel, but also to other believers who were experiencing at that time needs.Note that the result gave the Macedonians as is considered here as a grace from the Lord, and I'm sure these same virtues are gifts of God's grace in each of us who belong to small remnant, in love Christ prove that we really are those chosen by God. (Galatians 6:7) "Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Demonstrating a genuine love (2 Corinthians 8:8-15)With this proof of love of the apostle here is touched to see the generosity and love of the believers in Macedonia. He wanted the Corinthians also react in the same way, and Jesus expects His Church react similarly.
What virtue expected to see Paul as the main motivation in the offerings of the Corinthians? What virtue expect to see Jesus in you and me?Jesus Christ speaking through the Apostle Paul does not want us as believers demos only because he is making us see our responsibilities. Neither want to be motivated to give only because others are giving. What Christ is speaking through Paul is the desire to see that just as the Corinthians also fellow Christians feel compelled to give a deep current of sincere and genuine Christian love. This collection drive offerings for the saints in Jerusalem would be used by him as a test instrument, as a demonstration of love that was in their hearts, and now follows the same proof of our Lord Jesus Christ because He wants to see if this There is love in our hearts.
Could be considered the love and concern of the Macedonians as the greatest example of goodness that can be used to encourage a church to give to the Lord?No. The greatest example of love the world has ever known is the one observed in the fait accompli by Jesus Christ when he was taken to the cross to die for us. This love of Christ came out of pure grace, an undeserved kindness and granted without regard to the merits of the sinner (Romans 5:6-8) "6 For Christ, while we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly .7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man, someone might possibly dare to die for the good. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. " Although Christ was rich and enjoyed for eternity all the glories of heaven, He emptied it all and became extremely poor to take our place. (Philippians 2:5-8) "5 Let the same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross ".
To understand that kind of love, just notice the huge contrast between the eternal glories of heaven with the terrible poverty and misery in which Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. But all I did for you through their extreme poverty we might become extremely wealthy. To bring this teaching into practice we need the call to the Corinthians to demonstrate Christian love we take it very personal because the reality is that Christ is the one who is calling us to demonstrate this love, the apostle Paul made use of several arguments that are directly to each of us.
FIRST, as already noted, he made mention of the generosity of the Macedonian churches. These believers were very poor and were going through times of trial, and yet gave with all liberality. Secondly he made mention of the wonderful example of Jesus Christ. The goodness of Jesus began to appear in the sky when stripped of all the glory that was coated. But their love did not fail to show up when he gave his life to save us, because to this day continues to give us plenty from the right hand of the Father.Third, the apostle made mention of the virtues that already had the Corinthians and the things they already abounded. All I had done was worthy of praise, only lacked implement the spirit of generosity that is the result of the dedication and spirituality of believers.
Do you agree with this explanation? Than most Bible commentaries take for granted the fact that this passage teaches that Jesus Christ became poor for us spiritual riches.
The word "rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9) is the same as found in (1 Corinthians 1:5) "That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance and in all knowledge." Thus we see clearly that Christ gives the believer abundant wealth in all things. But I noticed the emphasis on spiritual things, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the other virtues that Christ gives us. The possession of these things is the result of the Christian communion has with his Lord.
This relationship, of course, is based on faith. This also reminds us that the riches of Christ are not necessarily limited to the field material and can be measured by analyzing the degree of temporal prosperity. In fact, the opposite may be the truth in this. The Bible records the example of Moses who said to suffer scorn and reproach by the king of Egypt was heavenly treasures more valuable than all the treasures and untold riches of Egypt (Hebrews 11:26) "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. "That is, Moses caught a glimpse of plans and promises of God to his people. He could understand that through faith, the true seed of Abraham, all the families of the earth would receive abundant blessing. The promises of God were for him more meaning and value to all the things he had in Egypt. This is a great example for us.
In a spirit of volunteerism: What can we think when Christ is speaking through Paul reminded the Corinthians where the example of Jesus who became poor that we might become rich?Jesus and Paul believe will be very beneficial to both the Corinthians and the Church in Jesus Christ not only participate in the offerings that were being collected for the poor but also awaken in them the same provision that had shown a year before or when we were in first love. The first time that the apostle told them about this offering them expressed great joy and seemed willing to cooperate. Now Jesus calls us to actually do what we wanted to do before. In other words, you want to see in all those good dispositions and willingness to give some of the things God had given them. When there is a will to give, it is important to give what you have, not what you do not. This means that God does not put much attention on the amount of what you give, but the attitude with which it is given.
As much as the apostle Paul did not intend to force the Corinthians to remain low as long as meet the needs of the poor of Jerusalem, also our Lord Jesus Christ does not want us to stay without food and clothing by giving it to others. Just want to secure equality. Now it was appropriate that the Corinthians opened his heart to meet the most urgent needs of the brethren in Judea, and the time would come when believers of those regions could show love and give it the same way.God met the needs of the Israelites in the desert giving them manna from heaven. But in his divine providence Lord gave them food in such a way that those who had not accounted much excess, and those who gathered little did not lack anything to eat. (Exodus 16:18) "and measured it with an omer, and nothing over that had gathered much had no lack in little, each gathered according to what he had to eat." We do not know how this happened in the days of Moses. But we clearly see that the apostle expected to occur both among Christians all over the world in their way of giving. That is, if God had allowed the Corinthians had more was to give them the opportunity to share it with those who lacked Jerusalem. Perhaps when the time came, if they lacked something, God used others to them were his.
God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)The law of sowing and reaping, affect us all, always reap what we sow, and Paul commanded the Corinthian believers to give a certain amount. On the contrary, he expected the Christian liberality was an expression of the grace of Jesus Christ in them and the development of Christian character. Also, give the gift that had to be an expression of gratitude consecrated them to God for all the blessings dispensed. As an added incentive he reminded them of God's law of sowing and reaping. Compare this with (Proverbs 11:24, 25.) Christian giving is blessed by God when you give a little more, when the neighbor goes the second mile.
What other characteristics should be in Christian giving?We give what we have proposed in our heart. That means that instead of responding emotionally to a request in the church or in a campaign, we must carefully analyze the purpose of the gift that we give and the needs that the offering will meet. We must also consider well our ability to give. The Bible also teaches that the man who does not bother to provide for the welfare of his family is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).
When a believer gives, after careful consideration of what has to give, never have to regret or be saddened by what he has done. Parents help their children not reluctantly or in pain. They recognize the needs of your child and do their best to meet them without complaining about it. Similarly, the believer who is aware of the needs of the work of the Lord gives to it without complaining.This means that our offerings may not result from pressure or force of necessity. Some ofrendan only because they see others do it and think it would look bad if they do not do the same. Others give because they consider it a duty from which they can not escape, or something like paying taxes. But God wants our offerings are voluntary and spontaneous. (Exodus 25:2, for example.)
Indeed, God loves a cheerful giver. No one experiences the grace of Christian generosity until it reaches the point of rejoicing to give. God likes to see happy when believers make offerings. Look to the Lord in us is our offering is given in a spirit of worship, full of joy. (Romans 12:6, 8.)We all know believers who are consecrated to God with everything you have, the less your wallet. When these brothers do give his offering because of pressure hanging over them, and give as little as possible.Our attitude toward the financial support of the Lord's work says a lot about our Christian character and devotion to God. The exceeding grace of God.
In what sense is a privilege to give and why we should rejoice in it?First give the ministry gives us the opportunity to trust God. By giving we have to trust that the Lord will supply our needs and so we learn from experience that the grace and blessings of the Lord are unlimited. He can make you abound in everything to us that we may abound in every good work. That is, if we really want to serve God and satisfy the needs of the suffering, the Lord gives us abundant grace and power to do so.On the other hand we see that Christian generosity will benefit those who are praising God for it. In this way the world will realize that Christians are subject to the teachings of the gospel of Christ. At the same time our generous heart is a testimony of our gratitude to God for his blessings.
Finally, Christian generosity that meets the needs of other believers is a right way to express our gratitude to God for his unspeakable gift. What is the "unspeakable gift" of God? The unexplainable gift of God is presented in John 8:16, the gift of the only begotten Son of our God. If He loved us so much, to the point of giving His only Son, what else can we do but give all that we are and what we have for God and for the development of his work? (1 John 4:19.) The best way to show our love for a God who loved us first is giving in a systematic, deliberate, voluntary and full of joy. (Matthew 25:34-40.)
One of the definitions are given for "stewardship" is that "it is the responsibility that each individual has to manage their lives and their own properties with regard to the rights of others." After studying this lesson we can emphasize our responsibility before God.The true Christian generosity is the result of a faithful Christian life. This attitude comes from the mathematical or personal philosophy, but the love of God that flows from within the heart. When completely consecrated to God this way of giving is spontaneous.

STUDY in Lerma by:Victor R. Pr Preciado Balderramahttp://viclaly5757.blogspot.com/?spref=fbviclaly5757.blogspot.comsanadoctrinavictor@gmail.com

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