KEEPING PROMISES (2 OF 7)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: II CORINTHIANS 8:8-15
This content is part of a series.
Keeping Promises (2 of 7)
Series: A Capital Campaign Series
Steve Jones
II Corinthians 8:8-15
Introduction: A sickly man received a surprise inheritance of a million dollars. His family members were concerned that if he got the news, he might pass out, or even die. Knowing that ministers specialize in breaking the news to people, his family members asked the local preacher to tell him of his great fortune. The minister came to his sick-bed and, trying to approach the subject delicately, said, "What would you do if you inherited a million dollars?" The man said, "Why, I'd give half to your church." The MINISTER passed out.
Promises can have significant consequences! In his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Stephen Covey writes "The power to make and keep commitments to ourselves is the essence of developing the basic habits of effectiveness...private victories precede public victories." In Psalm 76:11 David said "Make vows to the Lord and keep them." Jesus said "Let your yes be yes and your no be no." In Philippians 3:16 Paul wrote "Let us live up to what we have already attained." If we would believe that idea and embrace it, we would become unstoppable.
The Corinthian church had made a 12 month financial commitment to the Jerusalem church (II Corinthians 9:5). It was a pledge, or a promise, or a commitment...all of those terms fit. In II Corinthians 8 Paul explores the significance of that promise...what it really stood for.
This passage is especially relevant to our congregation because of our capital campaign. Let's think about that this morning as we explore with Paul what a financial promise really represents.
I. A LOVE PROMISE 8-9
Paul writes that in fulfilling their financial promise the Corinthians would demonstrate the sincerity of their love. Did they truly care about the plight of their famine-stricken brothers in Jerusalem? Would ...
Series: A Capital Campaign Series
Steve Jones
II Corinthians 8:8-15
Introduction: A sickly man received a surprise inheritance of a million dollars. His family members were concerned that if he got the news, he might pass out, or even die. Knowing that ministers specialize in breaking the news to people, his family members asked the local preacher to tell him of his great fortune. The minister came to his sick-bed and, trying to approach the subject delicately, said, "What would you do if you inherited a million dollars?" The man said, "Why, I'd give half to your church." The MINISTER passed out.
Promises can have significant consequences! In his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Stephen Covey writes "The power to make and keep commitments to ourselves is the essence of developing the basic habits of effectiveness...private victories precede public victories." In Psalm 76:11 David said "Make vows to the Lord and keep them." Jesus said "Let your yes be yes and your no be no." In Philippians 3:16 Paul wrote "Let us live up to what we have already attained." If we would believe that idea and embrace it, we would become unstoppable.
The Corinthian church had made a 12 month financial commitment to the Jerusalem church (II Corinthians 9:5). It was a pledge, or a promise, or a commitment...all of those terms fit. In II Corinthians 8 Paul explores the significance of that promise...what it really stood for.
This passage is especially relevant to our congregation because of our capital campaign. Let's think about that this morning as we explore with Paul what a financial promise really represents.
I. A LOVE PROMISE 8-9
Paul writes that in fulfilling their financial promise the Corinthians would demonstrate the sincerity of their love. Did they truly care about the plight of their famine-stricken brothers in Jerusalem? Would ...
There are 22868 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
