DOCTRINE: LORD'S SUPPER

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Cor. 11:26)

CHRISTIAN GIVING (2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-9:15)

2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-9:15

CHRISTIAN GIVING

Introduction: Giving is a very controversial topic in Kenyan churches. Many churches spend too much time and effort to make people give. Indeed many people have stopped going to church because of the pressure that some pastors or deacons have put on them to give money. This situation has caused churches in general have a bad name. A few churches have therefore reacted by having nothing completely to say about money or to look at money and church as strange bed fellows. I have never preached directly on giving in this church before. So why am I preaching about giving today? At the beginning of April, the church met and discussed what to do about the roof of our Marquee (Tent of Meeting) which is torn and need repair after three years of usage. Though we are very few in membership and the majority are unemployed, the members committed themselves to raise the funds however long it would take for the repair. It is preciously at this point of need to raise funds that so many churches have gone wrong in Kenya. As the pastor, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to bring Biblical teaching on this very confused but important issue. So what does the Bible teach on giving? Knowing the level of my congregation, I prepared the following outline for my preaching for the Lord’s Day 27^th May 2012.

1. What is Christian Giving?

Christian giving is “grace” (8:1, 6, 7, 9). Grace is a gift of God which we don’t deserve. God showed us grace by giving us His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Eph.2:8). From this we learn that true (Christian) giving does not come naturally; God gives it hence it is grace. 

2. Who should give?

All who have received God's grace should give. There are two kinds of graces: 

a) general: God's goodness to all mankind expressed in all good things we have around 

b) special: God's saving grace which is enjoyed by all who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. All that we have, we received freely therefore we must give freely (Mt.10:8). What Christians, like Macedonian churches (8:1) or Grace Baptist Church – Eldoret, have they received freely.

Therefore all Christians should give! “Each one” (9:7) would imply everyone. All who expect to reap (9:6, 7 cf. Prov.11:24, 25; 22:9). Thus none should think themselves exempted from giving!

3. Why  and When should I give?

Because God commands it! Because there are always those who are poor or needy among us (Deut.15:11; Mtt.26:11). Paul wrote to the Corinthians to raise funds for the Jerusalem church which was going through a period of famine and therefore suffering. Thus the Jerusalem church was very needy. There are preachers who erroneously teach that if you are saved, you should not be poor, sick or needy. This is plain falsehood which is against God's clear teaching and contrary to common experience. We give because of the poor and needy among us. It is our responsibility to find out areas of need and to readily seek to help.

4. How should I give?

Here are some great principles of giving: 

a) First give yourself to the Lord (8:5). Basically this would mean acknowledge that you and all that you possess belong to God! (cf. 1 Cor.6:19-20). This is a powerful influence!

b) Christ is our pattern (8:9). We learn that the Rich Christ became poor so that poor me can become rich! This is great love! Giving involves love. If you really love the Lord for what He has done for you, you will also love the people of God (who are poor and needy) and the things of God (offerings, mission work, tent etc)! Love will compel and control your giving!

c) We should give according to our ability and freely (8:2, 3), according to our means (8:11c, 12), eagerly or with zeal (9:2), generously and as promised (9:5-7).

5.      5. What will be the result of giving?

There are many results when Christians give Biblically. Some of these are:

a) Equality among God's people (8:13, 14), 

b) Encouragement to others to give (9:2),

c) God is thanked and glorified (9:11, 12, 15).

Application:

a) God has commanded us to look around and notice and care for those how are needy. He has given us the greatest gift, that of His only Son, with all the other blessings. So, God’s gift and Christ example is the motivation factor in giving. Will we not be moved to give generously, willingly and lovingly?  Surely we must!

b) Unsaved, consider God’s love in giving Christ; this is grace; this is good news. So what does this say to you? Don’t try to buy favour with God through giving money! First give yourself to Christ then when you belong to Him, you can serve Him with all you have.

Grace Baptist Church - Eldoret was constituted into a local church in November 2008. However, church plant work began in 2006 through one-to-one evangelism. Meetings began in the Pastor's living room but after one year, the space proved too small. God in His goodness through friends enabled us to put up a marquee which we call 'Tent of meeting.' It can seat up to 100 people. The church is praying for a piece of land upon which it can build a sanctuary as it is using the front of the Pastor's rented house.

We are a church that believes, preaches and teaches the Bible (66 Books) as the whole counsel of God. We adhere to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. We teach and uphold the Reformed Faith or as commonly called 'The Doctrines of Grace.' We pray and labour towards seeing the Reformed Faith spread in our cities and towns and this in turn will have its influence in our villages.

We have 18 in the membership those who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and have been baptized. People are very mobile just like in any fast growing cities and towns around the world. During school days, most of our young people are away in boarding schools. Majority in the congregation are unemployed. The men seek for odd jobs as casual workers in the open air markets called Jua Kali (hot sun)  informal sector.

Our Sunday meetings begin at 9.30am with singing, learning memory verses and learning Shorter Catechism. Sunday schools for children, youth and adults run from 10.00am till 10.45am. Sunday service begins at 11.00am till 12.30pm. There is a 'Tea Fellowship' after service.

Other ministries include:
1. Bible study at the University on Sunday afternoons
2. Mid week Prayer Meeting on Wednesday at 5.00pm
3. Cell group Bible study on Thursday evenings
4. Men's Breakfast on first Saturday of the month
5. Ladies Fellowship first Thursday of the month
6. Preachers Class three Saturdays in a month
7. Children's Club on Saturdays during school holidays
8. Lord's Supper the first Sunday of the month

If you are in or around Eldoret, we warmly welcome you to worship with us. Please pray for us.

By grace,
Naphtally Ogallo.

Prayer Letter April-May 2012

Dear friends,

You will have recently read news from us on our new theological school in Kisumu. We would not like to send too much too frequently your way as we understand something of how busy life is. However, we appreciate your interest in our work and would like to periodically update you on what is going on for your continued prayers.

On the church front, though there is nothing adventurous to report at the moment, we are steadily conscious of the Lord’s faithfulness which is new every morning. I continue to meet with the three young men in the ‘preachers’ class’ once a week. Julius and T. Olenyo are steadily growing in their leadership and teaching ability. Please pray for them.

Last month, a Girl’s Secondary school called me for a thanksgiving service after the school received improved grades in their exam results. I preached from Psalm 124 and Psalm 72. Helida addressed the girls and the teachers then I preached and prayed. More opportunities may come in the future, so please pray about that.

The week I was in Kisumu for the launch of our new theological school, I received an urgent phone call from one of the Colleges back in Eldoret inviting me to preach to the students and staff and to pray for them. So I had to leave for Eldoret shortly before the Kisumu programme was over. I had problems on the road with the car but eventually arrived and together with Helida we went to the College. Two students had died and three others admitted with partial blindness and other complications after a laboratory accident. Though I had previously preached in the College, the attendance was unique with a very large number of students and staff attentively listening. I was reminded of the psalmist’s words: Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep your word...It was good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. Since that day, I am making some contact with a couple of students. Please pray with us that good may come from all this.

The University student ministry which has been silent since December is set to resume with the reopen in May. We have kept good communication with some of the students while they are away. One of them has been living in Kisumu and attending Grace Baptist Church there. Please pray for them.

We acknowledge the power of the gospel and long to see its effect as it changes people’s lives. However, in recent weeks, we have witnessed other powerful phenomenon; that of hailstones and fire. Our marquee (Tent of meeting) has seen its good days. It recently rained with hailstones which left gaping holes on the roof. We are therefore planning to replace the same. It is gratifying that the members have seen the desperate need at hand and are determined to raise whatever funds they can and however long it takes towards the replacement and so make sure that the rains do not interfere with the meetings. The other matter is that fire recently razed down workshops and business shades of an industrial area of Eldoret. One of our members lost literally everything and has to restart from scratch. Please pray for him and the family.

By grace,

Naphtally Ogallo