“Now as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you — so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking” (2 Cor. 8:7).
Last week, we saw how God’s power for us accompanies salvation through faith in Christ. We were confronted afresh with the words of our Lord that we would receive power through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We recognized that God’s power which created and sustains the world also empowered men and women of God in Bible times. And we realized that God’s power to accomplish His purpose in our lives is available to us.
In fact, that’s the theme of this year’s stewardship emphasis: “Empowered by God — Responding by Grace.” That’s sort of a catchy title, isn’t it? Empowered by God? Absolutely. But responding by grace? Just how do we do that? Today, I want to suggest the first step in our response which has to do with the Macedonian Christians.
Perhaps you’ve heard about this group of believers. On the one hand, we would not seek to emulate them since they were very poor. Dirt poor. Poor as church mice. I just can’t imagine that any of us would make that kind of poverty our life’s goal. On the other hand, though, they were commended by the Apostle Paul in Second Corinthians chapter eight because they gave beyond their ability. In other words, they gave much more than they should have been able to give. How did they do that? Here’s the answer: “. . . they gave themselves first to the Lord.”
That’s the key for rich and poor alike. That’s the key for us, regardless of our economic status. To first give ourselves to the Lord. To say, in effect, “Lord, I’m yours to use as You wish. Any time. Any place. Any thing. Any cost.” In fact, that should be a goal for every person here at @@: To first give ourselves to the Lord. Totally. Completely. No strings attached.
A pastor was being shown through a large plant where diesel locomotives were built. The guide described a large locomotive under construction as the state-of-the-art in engine building that could pull hundreds of freight cars if three things were present. First, it had to have power generated by the internal combustion of diesel fuel. Second, it must be on the rails since its power would be useless if it were derailed. And third, it had to have a skilled engineer handling its throttle and other controls. The pastor observed, “That’s just like a Christian. We are powerful and useful only when we are filled with the fullness of God, walking in His way, and utterly under the control of the Holy Spirit.”