2 Corinthians 9:3-4 KJV
Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
The Apostle had used the Corinthians as an example to provoke others in giving. As many other things that needed correcting, they were this - willing and generous givers.
But "things" had happened since Paul last witnessed their generosity.
• He had written than stern letter.
• They had repented
But who knew what changes may have taken place in the church.
So Paul thought it wise to get them ready so they would not be caught unprepared when Paul arrived to take up their offering.
Being a prepared people is a wise thing.
• Prepared for our church services
• Prepared in our Sunday school classes
• Prepared so far as having the facility ready
• Prepared for missions conferences and revivals
• Prepared in our home life
• Prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us what he did to make them ready. Those same things may be helpful in our own preparedness
Paul gave them some personal encouragement
He did not want them to be ashamed should Paul and his company arrive and they be found unprepared. He encouraged them to be ready
Paul sent them some previous recruitment
Sent ahead "the brethren" I suppose with this letter and also with some instructions to help them get prepared.
Paul showed them some spiritual enlightenment
Paul reminded them of the law of sowing and reaping and pointed out that giving was to be done cheerfully and as God had prospered each person.
Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
The Apostle had used the Corinthians as an example to provoke others in giving. As many other things that needed correcting, they were this - willing and generous givers.
But "things" had happened since Paul last witnessed their generosity.
• He had written than stern letter.
• They had repented
But who knew what changes may have taken place in the church.
So Paul thought it wise to get them ready so they would not be caught unprepared when Paul arrived to take up their offering.
Being a prepared people is a wise thing.
• Prepared for our church services
• Prepared in our Sunday school classes
• Prepared so far as having the facility ready
• Prepared for missions conferences and revivals
• Prepared in our home life
• Prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us what he did to make them ready. Those same things may be helpful in our own preparedness
Paul gave them some personal encouragement
He did not want them to be ashamed should Paul and his company arrive and they be found unprepared. He encouraged them to be ready
Paul sent them some previous recruitment
Sent ahead "the brethren" I suppose with this letter and also with some instructions to help them get prepared.
Paul showed them some spiritual enlightenment
Paul reminded them of the law of sowing and reaping and pointed out that giving was to be done cheerfully and as God had prospered each person.
No comments:
Post a Comment