A Sincere Confession Pt. 8 • 2 Corinthians 7

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

We are on the tail end of a section titled: A Sincere Confession

This is where Paul gives an explanation for:

His Change of Plans

His Philosophy for ministry

and his exhortation to the Church

We are in the middle of Paul explaining his Philosophy for Ministry, which will go on until ch. 6.

So far we have learned that:

Christ gives us Victory or Triumph in Ministry

Christ gives us Approval or Commendation for Ministry

Christ gives us a Proper Attitude in Ministry

Christ gives us The Motivation for Ministry

And more recently in Ch. 6 Christ gives us an example and His Commands in Ministry

Be Open

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

Be Separate

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to chp.7:...    &   the final thing about Paul’s Ministry…  Paul’s Comfort in Ministry:   read.

This final section deals with Paul’s Comfort in Ministry:  &  in light of all that Paul was going through he certainly could use some Comfort in his Ministry...

And I’m assuming the same is true for all of us...     &    we see this idea of being Comforted in 7 ways: 

1.  The Promises we Have Vs. 1     

1.1 Therefore Vs. 1a

God promised us in chp.6:16 He would dwell in us...     vs.17 receive us...     vs.18 Father to us...  

And of coarse this is just the tip of the iceberg...       the Bible is full of God’s Promises to us...   in fact in...

2 Peter 1:4  He’s given us exceedingly great & precious promises...    

And of that there’s no doubt...

2 Cor.1:20 all of God’ promises in Him are yes & amen...       

APPLICATION: The question is do we believe it… If we truly believed God’s Promises,    

notice what our response should be in vs.1b.

1.2 Our Response To God’s Promises Vs. 1b  

Cleanse:  to make clean,  Active Voice,   so this is an action we accomplish in & of ourselves...

Which points to & speaks of a choice we make...  

Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...

Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV

19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

We’re to choose to cleanse ourselves in 2 areas:     1. Flesh: external...    2. Spirit:  internal...

It speaks of what we Do... & what we Think...  the issue involves not only what to do but how to do it.

So how do we cleanse ourselves so we can perfect holiness in the fear of God:     the Word of God...

Psalm 119:9 NKJV

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Ephesians 5:26 NKJV

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

John 15:3 NKJV

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

John 1:14 NKJV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

it’s through the Word of God who Jesus Christ...

2.  The Tribulation we Face Vs. 2-5 ???(This Prob needs to change)         

2.1 Vs. 2-3

in chp.6:11 our hearts are open to you... so, open your hearts to us... because we haven’t harmed you.

2.2 Vs. 4-5

Question: did Paul have tribulations? oh yes 2 Cor.11:23-28 he had a lot of them, yet he was filled with Comfort.

turn 2 Cor.1:3-7, because Paul finishes this section in chp.7: the same way he started in chp.1...    read. 

This concept of Comfort Paul uses it as book ends. To start this section and to end this section.

2 Corinthians 1:3–7 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

So in all of Paul’s tribulations it was God who comforted him...     And the same is true for us...  

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 71:21 NKJV

21 You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.

No wonder Paul said in,   Rom.5:3 we’re to glory in our tribulation...

Romans 5:3 NKJV

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

3. The People we Know Vs. 6

Titus was Paul’s protégé his pupil...  Titus took Paul’s severe letter to Corinth...   &  Paul was comforted by his return from Corinth...

Receiving comfort doesn’t have to be a supernatural experience...   or  from some super cool possession... 

It can come from a humble friend... a casual co-worker... or simply a person who crosses our path in life

4.  The Repentance we See Vs. 7-9 

4.1 Vs. 7-8

Paul regretted writing the sever letter but when Titus told him they repented he wasn’t sorry any more 

In fact according to vs.9...

4.2 Vs. 9

Paul rejoiced in their repentance...   it brought him great comfort to know they got right with God... 

Matthew 5:4 NKJV

4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

It should bring us great comfort when someone repents & gets right with God...   because now we know their going to heaven...

5.  The Salvation we Have Vs. 10-11

5.1 Vs. 10

In dealing with Salvation Paul talks about 2 kinds of Sorrow:

1. Worldly Sorrow: produces death... we’re just sorry we got caught...  we don’t repent or turn from it.

Like Esau in...

Hebrews 12:17 NKJV

17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

2. Godly Sorrow:   produces life...        or      salvation... 

If we have Godly sorrow we’ll confess our sin...   1 John 1:9...   that will bring salvation...

1 John 1:9 NKJV

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But we’ll also repent of our sin...   we’ll turn from sin...

Romans 6:14 NKJV

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

5.2 Vs. 11

Here Paul talks about things that Characterize true Repentance:     7 of them...

1. Diligence:    earnestly accomplishing the task at hand…     dealing with sin right away…

2. Clearing:     apologia,    apology, to defend…     apologizing for what you’ve done…

3. Indignation:  only here being irritated, pain.      no doubt feeling pain because of sin…

4. Fear:    phobos     reverence.    realizing God is always there & always watching, awesome…

Hebrews 4:13 NKJV

13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Proverbs 15:3 NKJV

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

5. Vehement Desire: desire for Godly things, conviction…    wanting to please the Lord…

6. Zeal: zelos fervent.    In mind & spirit toward God...      not the flesh or the world…

7. Vindication: meet out justice, to be just.  not justifying sin…  willing to accept consequences of sin…

Godly sorrow brings repentance & these are the Character Traits it produces…

6.  The Comfort we See in others Vs. 12-13

6.1 Vs. 12

the man who did wrong is no doubt from 1 Cor.5: the man in sexual immorality... 

The letter wasn’t just to deal with this man / also to show them how much he loved them, cared for them

6.2 Vs. 13

When others are comforted that should bring comfort to us as well... 

Because it shows us that the God of comfort is at work in the life of His saints...  

And that should comfort all of us...

7.  Confidence we Have in others Vs. 14-16

When our loved ones exhibit Godly Sorrow...         &        Repent and get right with God...  

We have absolute confidence that their sins are forgiven & forgotten...   

Psalm 103:12 NKJV

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrews 10:17 NKJV

17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

And that they have received eternal life...        &       will be in heaven forever...

And that brings Great Comfort to us...

APPLICATION: Now maybe you’re here today & you would like to bring great comfort to those who love you...

It’s simple...        just ask Jesus to be your Lord & Savior...