In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he covers a variety of topics. He shares some of the ways that he has suffered for Christ, reviews some of his travel plans and encourages the Church to be bold in their faith and love for Christ through their actions.
Paul reminds us that when we are faced with struggles while serving Christ, it’s not the suffering that is worthwhile but the comfort we receive from Christ during our struggles. God wraps us in His arms and holds us when we are struggling. When we rely on His comfort we are allowing our weakness to be enveloped in His strength.
Our goal as Christians is to live as representatives of Christ, living a life that celebrates God’s love for us, seeks forgiveness when we do wrong, comforts others when they are struggling, and living in harmony with members of the Church and the world.
Passage:
2 Corinthians
Discovered:
- Second letter by Paul to the Corinth church
- We suffer much with Christ, but shame in His comfort
- They (Paul and crew) were persecuted in Asia and they expected to die but were delivered by God.
- Paul did not visit after Macedonia but just as you trust Jesus, you can trust in me-God is consistent
- Paul did not visit and wrote a letter because he did not want to discipline and rebuke, making the visit painful
- Forgive and comfort those who have done wrong- so they are not swallowed by grief
- Paul went to Troas but left to go to Macedonia
- Christ uses us to spread knowledge of Him
- Our sufficient comes from God not ourselves.
- In Christ, we are given freedom, the veil has been lifted-we belong to the new covenant not the old one
- We will not change God’s word, but will speak honestly -> we will be a light in the darkness sharing the Glory of God.
- We might be attacked but never destroyed-our suffering celebrates Jesus’ suffering and magnify Him and brings salvation
- Even though we may suffer on the outside, our soul is being renewed daily.
- We walk by faith on Earth, even when we would rather be home with the Lord. We should aim to please Him, for we will all face judgement for our actions.
- Christ died for everyone and in Christ, we are a new creation. We are ambassadors for Christ. Today is the day of salvation, do not hesitate
- Do not be unequally joined with unbelievers.
- Our bodies are a temple for the living God, we must remove the things that defile our body and our spirit
- Paul had nothing but joy for the Corinthians
- God comforts us
- Paul regretted the harshness in his first letter, but it needed to be said -> glad they were grieved into repenting
- Take an example from Macedonia churches-give generously
- Paul was sending Titus and another to Corinth to assist in collecting the gifts (the gifts were to be collected with the highest integrity)
- Paul urges them to begin collecting, so it was a gift and not forced by his presence.
- When we give generously, we are rewarded generously.
- Paul defended himself that he would enforce discipline when he visited but there was time to repent.
- While Paul lived in the physical world, he would use divine arguments to challenge opposing strongholds.
- We need to take captive wrong and false thoughts
- Paul reminded that he was not a hypocrite with his words and letters when compared to his physical actions
- Boast not in your work, but of the Lord’s work. Content is more important than fancy words
- To deter superiority, Paul would not accept support while serving specific churches, but accepted it while serving other churches.
- Paul was a true servant of Christ, for he suffered for Christ: beatings, imprisonments, and yet despite his suffering, he worried about the churches
- If we must boast-we need to boast of our weakness
- Paul downplayed his role but tells of a man (him) who was given visions and revelations from God, but to prevent him from being conceited, he was given a thorn (physical ailment) -> even though Paul asked to have it taken from him 3 times, God said no, My Grace is enough-my power is revealed in your weakness
- I am not inferior to those super-apostles for you have seen me perform miracles.
- Paul is preparing to visit for a third time, he warned them that time for warnings is coming to a close and the time for punishment for those astray is near.
- Examine your own behavior-how is your faith? Reject wrong and do what is right
- The goal: rejoice, seek forgiveness, comfort others, live in harmony regarding beliefs and seek peace.
- Do these things and God’s love and peace will be with you.
Help me to remember:
my character and my actions need to reflect you, regardless of what trials I am facing.
Lord, I ask that . . .
when I am under attack, You help me keep my focus on You and not what the enemy says.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful . . .
your Grace. I am glad that it is complete, and that it covers everything.
