and we get into the word. Really looking forward to what the Lord has for us today.

On Sunday mornings, we're going through 2nd Corinthians, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.

And today we're in chapter 8. And we're actually going to pick it up in verse 1.

And Lord willing make it all the way through to verse 9 by faith.

So once you find your way in your Bibles to

2 Corinthians chapter 8, if you would please stand if you're able, and you can follow along

as I read, the Apostle Paul is by the Holy Spirit writing to the church in Corinth and says

verse 1, and now, brothers and sisters,

we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst

of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy, and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability,

entirely on their own. They urge, urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this

service to the Lord's people. And verse five, they exceeded our expectations. They gave themselves,

first of all, to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

But since you excel in everything, verse 7, in faith, in speech,

in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we have kindled in you, see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it

with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for

your sake he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Let's pray if you would join with me and we'll ask God's blessing on our understanding.

Loving Heavenly Father, we desperately need for you at this time by your spirit to speak to your people through this your word in this your church. That's why we're here. We want to not only hear you speak into our lives, but we want to be doers of that which you do speak into our lives.

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