Reconciliation of Broken Fellowship

A Study on II Corinthians

Reconciliation of Broken Fellowship

II Cor. 7:8-16

Theme: God shows us steps to restore broken fellowship.

Introduction: A man came to Jesus one day when He was on earth to ask a question. What is the greatest commandment? Jesus said, “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and the second is likened unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” One of the great challenges, even in the Christian life is getting along with others.

“To live above, with saints we love, that will be glory. To live below, with saints we know, that is quite another story.” (unknown)

Here is this passage under God’s divine inspiration, Paul is seeking reconciliation with the believers in Corinth. They had misunderstood his ministry and listened to false accusations from the Judaizers. Here God reveals the steps that we follow to reconcile when we seek reconciliation.

I. Heart of sorrow vv. 8-10

A. Acceptance of truth v. 8

1. They were made sorry for their actions by a letter that Paul had written them.

2. This probably refers to the first letter where he calls them babes and carnal, he even focused on their compromise towards a disobedient church member.

3. They accepted the truth and became very sorrowful knowing they had done wrong.

4. Paul some regrets he had written a stern letter but he was concerned they do right.

B. Correction of wrong vv. 9-10

1. He felt bad they were made sorrowful by the letter because he wanted to be a blessing.

2. However, he was grateful they made things right.

3. Their correction was no a passing regret but a Godly sorrow that leads to making it right-this will cause a lost person to be saved and a Christian to be right with God and others.

4. Godly sorrow is not the same as sorrow from the world v.10b.

II. Heart of forgiveness vv. 11-12

A. Brings a clear conscience v. 11

1. They demonstrated repentance and doing right .

2. Godly repentance leads to Godly living.

3. Clearing refers to the forgiveness and peace with God.

4. They had wrong emotions prior to repentance yet God gave them victory.

a. Indignation

b. Fear-lack of belief and confidence in God.

c. Zeal-wrong kind towards these carnal things

d. Vengeance-getting even in the flesh.

B. Brings spiritual victory v.12

1. Paul wrote to help them spiritually.

2. It was not that they handled things wrong with church matters, but that they might be right before God.

3. Caring enough to confront them to help them grow in their walk with the Lord.

III. Heart of joy vv. 13-16

A. Joy will give comfort v.13

1. Titus brought word of their repentance and forgiving heart.

2. Paul was encouraged by their spiritual growth.

3. Titus was so refreshed by their Godly life that he told Paul.

4. Joy can be very contagious.

B. Joy dwells in truth v.14

1. Paul had told Titus about his ministry to them and how excited he was for their dedication.

2. Truth is the sphere where great joy comes from.

3. The world brings happiness but joy comes from God.

C. Joy secures confidence vv. 15-16

1. When a person has such an inward dedication, this builds confidence in them from others.

2. When a person gets right with God, as he proves himself, confidence will come from others.

3. Paul says I have confidence that you will do right.

Conclusion: These steps of reconciliation are clear and easy to follow. Maybe you have some areas of reconciliation you need in your life.