2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1 - How to Survive in Ministry

2 Corinthians 1:1–3 “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Maintain Godly Perspective

Paul did not forget who called him

Paul did not forget what his calling was

Paul did not forget who the church is

2 Corinthians 1:3–11 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 affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is working in your perseverance in the same sufferings which we also suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.” “8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even to live. 9 Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not have confidence in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who rescued us from so great a peril of death, and will rescue us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet rescue us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers on our behalf, so that thanks may be given on our behalf by many persons for the gracious gift bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”

Don’t stop giving thanks to God

Because He is our comfort in affliction

Because our suffering brings us closer to Christ

Because God uses our suffering to serve His church

By encouragement

By example

Because God promised He will build His church

Matthew 16:18 ““And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Because God is always faithful to His people

Sickness? Ephesian imprisonment? Riot at Ephesus?

Acts 19:23–34

Because it brings glory to God

2 Corinthians 1:12–14 “12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. 13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end, 14 just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason for boasting as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

Maintain Your Spiritual Integrity

By seeking only to remain in line with the grace of God

By seeking only the good of God’s people

2 Corinthians 1:15-22 15 And in this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might receive grace twice; 16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.” 17 Therefore, was I vacillating when I intended to do this? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time? 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but has become yes in Him. 20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes. Therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.

By staying truthful to your word

By staying truthful to God’s Word

By walking in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called

2 Corinthians 1:23–24 “23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.”

By considering always what God thinks

By being sensitive to the needs of the church

By walking lowly