Sermons by J.H. Blackman, Jr.

Abound In This Grace Also

INTRODUCTION:
1. SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 8:1-7 = "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
2. CHRISTIAN SERVICE IS NOT TO BE RESTRICTED.
  1. The development of a Christian should be in every way.
  2. This development should be neglected or omitted.
  3. The carrying out of Christian service should not be neglected or omitted either.
  4. The training of Christians should be all around development for a life of service to the Lord.
    Rom 12:1-2 = "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
    2 Tim 3:16-17 = "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
3. THERE ARE ABNORMALITIES:
  1. In some physical bodies.
    1. A withered arm on a strong body.
    2. A small head on a large body.
    3. Many people have abnormalities in one way or another.
      1. In some characters of men:
        
        Some Christians are highly developed in some points.
        
        Some Christians are woefully undeveloped.
        (1) The Ephesians.
        Rev. 2:2-5 = "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."
        (2) The Hebrews:
        Heb 5:12 = "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."
        (3) The Corinthians:
        2 Cor 8:7 = "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
4. IN OUR TEXT WE FIND:
DISCUSSION:
1. A COMMENDATION: 2 Cor 8:7 = "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
  1. Faith.
    1. Belief and trust in God and His Word.
    2. The Greek word here is pistis, pronounced (pis'-tis); Meaning persuasion, moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself; Translated: belief, believe, faith and fidelity.
  2. Utterance.
    1. Something uttered an oral statement.
    2. The Greek word here is logos, pronounced (log'-os); Meaning something that is said. Translated: Communication, doctrine, preaching, speech, and talk.
  3. Knowledge.
    1. Understanding gained through study or experience.
    2. The Greek word is gnosis, pronounced (gno'-sis); Meaning knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge gained. Translated knowledge or science.
  4. Earnestness.
    1. An intensely serious state of mind.
    2. The Greek word is spoude, pronounced (spoo-day'); Meaning (by implication with "speed") despatch, eagerness, earnestness; Translated: Earnestness, carefulness, diligence, forwardness, haste.
  5. Love to Paul and those serving with him.
    1. They saw to their needs with loving care.
    2. The Greek word here is agape, pronounced (ag-ah'-pay); Meaning love, affection or benevolence, love feast; Translated: Love (feast of charity), dear, love.
2. AN ADMONITION: 2 Cor 8:7 = "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
  1. They were to be as dedicated in the grace of giving as in the other graces.
  2. Christian character is to be proportionate, this grace of giving must be developed along with the other graces.
    
    Comment: Notice with how Paul said this grace of giving was to be done:
    1. Systematically. 1 Cor 16:1-2 = "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
    2. According to ability. 1 Cor 16:1-2 = "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
    3. According to purpose. 2 Cor 9:7 = "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
    4. Giving cheerfully. 2 Cor 9:7 = "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
CONCLUSION:
1. HAVE YOU ABOUNDED IN THIS GRACE ALSO?
2. DOES GOD LOVE YOU? "for God loveth a cheerful giver." (II Cor. 9:7)
3. THE ABOUNDING IN THIS GRACE ALSO DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION OF YOUR HEART.
  Prov 4:23 = "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

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