2 Cor 13:7-14 • Farewell, But Not Goodbye

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

Now, if you remember ch. 10-13 Paul is Defending his Apostolic Ministry.

Fleshly Motives

Authority

His love

Spiritual experiences

Last week started Paul’s Closing remarks and we looked at Paul’s Warning.

His Return

To Repent

To Appreciate God’s Power in us

To Examine themselves

2. Current Study’s Overview

Now as come to vs. 7 we look at the second thing involving Paul’s Closing remarks: Paul’s Encouragement. READ…

The Title of Today’s Message is: Farewell, But Not Goodbye

Because as you saw in our quick reading of today’s scripture…

If your taking notes we want to look at 5 things about Paul’s Encouraging Conclusions:

Them to do What is Honorable Vs. 7-8

To Be Complete Vs. 9

Through His Authority Vs. 10

To Practice What They Know Vs. 11-13

With a Blessing Vs. 14

1. Paul Encourages Them To Do what Is Honorable Vs. 7-8

Paul wanted them to do what was honorable or right... thus not doing what is evil...

Paul made it clear that the motive to do what is right is not to simply have an appearance of of one who is approved or a true Christian.

He wanted them to be truthful to themselves...

This is a good word for us, we need to quit fooling around... & live our lives in the Truth & for the Truth...

John 8:32 NKJV

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 17:17 NKJV

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

John 8:36 NKJV

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

It’s so freeing to live in the truth... it’s so liberating to have a clear conscience before God & man…

2. Paul Encourages Them To Be Complete Vs. 9

Look at vs.11a be complete…

Complete: to make perfect... to make whole... to restore... fix what’s broke...

turn Heb.13:20-21... because being complete or perfect is not something we work at or strive for... it’s not something we do in & of our selves... it’s a work of God...

Hebrews 13:20–21 NKJV

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 2:13 NKJV

13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Colossians 2:10 “10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

ILLUSTRATION: Imagine, if you will, a puzzle. This isn't just any puzzle, but a grand, intricate masterpiece that spans the width and breadth of a large table.

Each piece is unique, crafted with care and precision, designed to fit perfectly within the grand design.

Initially, the puzzle is disjointed, scattered across the table in a state of disarray. Each piece alone may hold beauty, intricate designs, and vibrant colors, yet it's only a fragment of what it's meant to be.

APPLICATION: Now, think of our lives as one of those puzzle pieces. Alone, we possess innate beauty and potential, marked by our talents, dreams, and individuality.

Yet, there's a sense of incompleteness, a yearning for something more, a longing to be part of a larger picture, a grander design.

APPLICATION: This is where Christ comes in. In Him, our lives find their rightful place.

Just as a puzzle piece is designed to fit perfectly into the puzzle, we are designed to find our completeness in Christ.

He takes our fragmented lives, our scattered pieces, and meticulously places them where they belong.

In Him, the picture becomes whole, revealing a design far greater and more beautiful than any single piece could display on its own.

In Christ, we are complete.

3. Paul Encourages Them Through His Authority Vs. 10

Paul didn’t want to use his authority to discourage them… but to build them up... to edify… to encourage them.

look at chp.12:19b... this is a good reminder for us, to always say & do what builds up & not tears down.

2 Corinthians 12:19 “19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.”

1 Corinthians 14:26 NKJV

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

4. Paul Encourages Them To Practice What They Know Vs. 11-13

Paul encourages them to apply the things they know... to put into practice that which is right & good...

Interesting that being Complete & of Good Comfort is in the passive voice, it’s an action we receive...

It’s something the Lord does in us & to us... Col.1:28 complete in Christ... 2 Cor.1:3 God of all comfort... 1 John 4:8 God is love... Eph.2:14 J.C. is our peace... James 1:17 every good & perfect gift...

Colossians 1:28 NKJV

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 1:3 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

1 John 4:8 NKJV

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Ephesians 2:14 NKJV

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

James 1:17 NKJV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

APPLICATION: But here’s the thing... we can’t receive Peace from God until we make Peace with God...

Which means confessing our sin & asking Jesus to be our Lord... the very thing Paul wanted them to do.

5. Paul Encourages Them With A Blessing Vs. 14

Paul desired for them to have the Grace of Jesus... the Love of God... the Communion of the Holy Spirit...

He wanted them to enter into that personal relationship with all three persons of the God head...

and I pray that is our desire too... to come to that deep & rich relationship with the Lord...

I say, AMEN... let it be so... I agree Lord...

ENDING…