THE MODEL MACEDONIANS

2 Corinthians 8:5

These Christians gave themselves to the Lord, and we should follow their example today.

I. No one could do it for them.

A. Neither Paul nor anyone else could give the Macedonian

Christians to the Lord!

B. Paul earnestly desired for souls to be saved (Rom. 10:1, 2).

C. At times, this apostle could even wish (desire) harm upon

himself to affect the salvation of souls (Rom. 9:3), but Paul

knew that such a wish would do no good because the

decision to serve the Lord must be made by the individual.

D. Albert Barnes’ comments on this verse

II. They exceeded Paul’s hope.

A. Paul was clearly talking about financial contributions for

the needy.

B. The Macedonians had given Paul more than he had hoped

for by giving themselves to the Lord.

C. Commentaries by Adam Clarke, John Wesley, Jamieson,

Fausset, and Brown, and B.W. Johnson contain the thought

that Paul’s original hope (for money) had been met and

exceeded by the Christian sacrifice of the Macedonians.

D. A converted life will often exceed expectations (see

Exodus 36:3-7).

1. We set limitations upon ourselves that stifle our work.

2. In Philippians 4:13, Paul tells us what he thinks about

limitations.

III. They gave themselves to the Lord first.

A. This is the beginning of our relationship with the Lord.

B. Until the Lord has our heart, nothing else that we may give

Him matters (1 Sam. 15:22).

March 16, 2003 (a.m.)