5th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Romans 15v25-29) Message (Scott Woodburn) Although Paul's travel plans included a visit to Rome on his way to Spain, he first had to complete another work. The Apostle was returning to Jerusalem to take aid to the Christians in that great city (v25). We know that a terrible famine had swept throughout the territory of Israel and in response the wider church sought to send relief (Acts 11v27-30). Despite the famine ending in the year 48, it seems that the Jerusalem church continued to struggle for many years after. Paul had urged the Corinthians to follow the example of other fellowships (v26) and to contribute to the need of their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16v1-4 & 2 Corinthians 8-9) and now, with the collection gathered in, Paul sought to travel back to Jerusalem to pass the gift to the struggling church. We should note that Paul had every right as an Apostle to demand such a collection but it was certainly not forced. In 2 Corinthians 8v5 we read that the collection was "not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us." This attitude should always mark our financial giving. We do not give to the local church only when we are happy with the hymns played nor do we withhold our financial giving until a better minister comes. Instead our giving (or lack of giving) is always "first to the Lord". We give cheerfully and generously to the Lord or we withhold our finances from Him - the choice is ours. The Gentile church had contributed generously and although Paul had not forced them to do so, he was aware that such giving was in some way owed (v27a). How so? Because the Gentiles had come to share in the spiritual blessings of the Jews. I've stated several times in these devotions some important things about the Jew/Gentile dynamic but please allow me to state a few things once more. Firstly, the Gospel is the same throughout history, if anyone has ever been saved it is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Secondly, the Jewish people have been blessed in the history of salvation. Paul would say elsewhere "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen." (Romans 9v4-5) Thirdly, the church of the Old Testament was primarily (but not exclusively) from a Jewish background whilst in the New Testament the church grew to be primarily (but not exclusively) from a Gentile background. Finally, despite the differences between Jew and Gentile, Christ has broken down the hostility between us and brought us together in the one church (Romans 11) by His precious blood (Ephesians 2v11-22). Paul's point was that in response to the spiritual blessings which find their origins in God's work among the Jews, Gentile Christians were to seek to share their material blessings with their struggling brothers and sisters in Jerusalem (v27b). When the collection was delivered it was Paul's intention to visit the Romans on his way to Spain (v28), knowing that when he arrived both he and the Romans would know the fullness of Christ's blessing upon them (v29). There is theology behind our financial giving. We don't give in order to be saved and "paying in" to a church will not improve our standing with God. We give because we have been saved and we respond to God with our finances. We give because the church is one and we have a Biblical duty to be concerned about our fellow Christians on the other side of the world. We give because we know that silver and gold will perish but the work of the Gospel is forever. We give because we love Christ and how we spend our money often shows who/what we truly love. Money is a thorny subject in any church and in my years at Ballynahinch I've preached about it only sparingly. Was I right in that approach? I do not know but let us finish today with my imperfect voice falling silent and the Word of God ringing out, He has said "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9v7) Amen. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q7 What are the decrees of God? The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
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Alan
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