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Macedonian Model
2 Corinthians 8:1-5

2Corinthians 8:1-5
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their
joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their
liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their
power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift,
and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the
saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own
selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Alexander’s Macedonian Empire, 323 BC

The
Churches
of
Macedonia
Philippi
Thessalonica
Berea
Possibly many
rural assemblies
in the hinterland
as well
(Romans 15:19)

What are their
Unique Characteristics?

UNIQUE TRAITS
of
MACEDONIAN
CHURCHES
A great trial
of affliction
The
abundance
of their joy
Their deep
poverty
Riches of
their
liberality.
To their
power,
Beyond their
power
Willing of
themselves;
The
fellowship
of the
ministering to
the saints.
Praying us
with much
intreaty
Not as we
hoped
first gave
their own selves
to the Lord
AND unto us
by the will of God

Phil 1:5
For your fellowship in the
gospel from the first day
until now;
κοινωνία
G2842
(Mickelson's Dictionary)
1. partnership,
2. (literally) participation,
3. (social) fellowship,
4. (financial) contribution
KJV: communication,
communion, contribution,
fellowship, distribution
A Few Examples from the Scriptures
Phil 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to
abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to
be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did
communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know
also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as
concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in
Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may
abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am
full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were
sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply
all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

A Few Examples from the Scriptures
Acts 16:12 - 15
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of
Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer
was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which
resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of
the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord
opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying,
If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and
abide there. And she constrained us.
G3849 παραβιάζομαι to force contrary to (nature), i.e. compel (by entreaty).

What is MINE that can be given?
1. Time Prime of Youth, Ecc. 12:1
2. Money Philippians 1:5, 4:14-16
3. Energy Paul; 2 Cor 11:24-28
4. Possessions Lydia; Acts 16:15
5. The Entire ME Priscilla and Aquila; Rom 16:3,4

Self Centric Life
not I
Mark 14:29

Mark 14:29
But Peter said
unto HIM,
Although
ALL
shall be
offended,
yet NOT I.

NOT
I
1 Cor 10:12-13, Gal 6:1; Luke 22:31

FAME
SIMPLE
PLEASURE
POWER
PROUD
MAN
FULL OF
HIMSELF
SELF
PROMOTING
MONEY
BLESSINGS
CENTRIC

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified
with Christ:
nevertheless I live;
yet NOT I,
but CHRIST
liveth in me:

BROKEN
MAN
EMPTIES
HIMSELF
DENIES
HIMSELF
CARRIES
HIS
CROSS

Luke 9:23
And he said to them all,
If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross
daily,
and follow me.

Romans 12:1
…present
your bodies
a living
sacrifice, holy,
acceptable
unto God,
which is your
reasonable
service.

hurch Centric Lif
and unto us
2 Corinthians 8:5

Jeremy Giesbrecht (www.rbclondon.ca)
I found out that I was an oddity within my group of friends,
and even within the school.
The overwhelming percentage of people in the school, for the
duration of their degree, never invested in the local
church.
Sure, a ton of them were on different teams around the
school and volunteered there, and we had chapels, but I’ve
always had this question nagging me:
Why did so few of my friends invest in a local church in the
four years we were there?
The local church is incredibly important to God, which is
why God made Christ the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-
23).

1.The local church grows when we love one another (Eph 4:15-16).
2.The local church is where we use our gifts to God's glory (1 Cor 12).
3.The local church is where we regularly worship (Hebrews 10:25).
4.The local church helps to restore us when we are broken (Gal 6:1-3).

Don’t church hop.
Invest everything you have into the local Assembly.
Give financially.
Serve in at least one ministry, if not more.
Love the people – all of them, not just the ones in your inner
circle.
Pray for the Elders.
We have a lot of transient people.
That means it’s really easy for you to come and go and never
invest.
This is not God’s plan for the church.

Christian ministries at universities and colleges are
amazing.
They provide great fellowship and support.
But they are not the local church.
They are not designed to fill the role of the local
Assembly.
This is one of the tragedies at a lot of Bible
colleges and seminaries.
Chapels, para-church ministries, and Christian groups
on campus are often treated as the local church.

When you invest in the local church, you will feel that you
belong.
A lot of people come through and never get involved, and leave
feeling defeated, alone, and lost in the crowd.
The local church is primarily how Holy Spirit will accomplish
His goals of
Edification of the saints,
Preaching the Word,
Growing His body,
And glorifying God the Father.
Invest in the local church with all that you have
– your time, treasure, and talents.
Why? For His glory.
I can’t wait until this local church meets again.

Galatians 2:20a
I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live;
yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me:
Galatians 2:20b
and the life
which I now live
in the flesh
I live by the faith
of the Son of God,
who loved me,
and gave Himself for me.

2Corinthians 8:1-5
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to
wit of the grace of God bestowed on
the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction
the abundance of their joy and their
deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record,
yea, and beyond their power they
were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that
we would receive the gift, and take
upon us the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped,
but first gave
their own selves
to the Lord,
and unto us
by the will of God.

Thank you
God bless you
D Ravikumar, Vellore, India

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