The Christian Life's Paradox - Pr. Antonio Nasser - April 26th, 09

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God 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 the riches of their liberality.
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

Affliction Times: Lack of confidence in the future, lack of Christian Ethic, Desperation, Financial problems, etc.
8:2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
Affiction from the Greek: thlipsis:
pressure (literal or figurative): -afflicted (-tion), anguish, -burdened, persecution, -tribulation, trouble

We can find this same greek work in these texts below:
a) The parable of the seeds/soil
Matthew 13:21 (NKJV) 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

b) The persecution and suffering of the disciples at the end
Matthew 24:9 (NIV) 9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

c) The mother’s suffering before delivering a baby
John 16:21 (NIV) 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

d) The suffering of Jesus’ followers
John 16:33 (NIV) 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

THE PARADOX :
Great Trial of Affliction + Deep Poverty = Joy + Generosity
- Where did this paradox come from?

1.GOD gave grace to the Church.
8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of GOD bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:

Grace from Greek charis
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) :- acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thanks.

2. They FIRST gave themselves to the LORD
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, …
Total Commitment to the LORD = To Fear the LORD

3. They gave themselves to the Church
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
Total Commitment to the Church = True Love in Practice

What do we need today?
1. A true life depending on God's grace
2. An obedient life under the fear of the Lord
3. A life that loves like Jesus