Through the Bible: 2 Corinthians
Through the Bible: 2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
While called Second Corinthians, Paul wrote one other letter to the church before this.
In Acts 18 Paul establishes the church here.
He got a report that things were not going well and so wrote his first letter to correct the problems.
Many rejected Paul instruction and so he visited with what he would call in 2 Corinthians 2:1 “the heavy or painful visit”.
Paul would send a second letter the was written with anguish and tears (1 Cor. 1:3-4, 7:8-12).
So with time, the church realizes that Paul was right and repent.
Paul writes what we call 2 Cor. in assure them of his love and commitment to them.
Three Main Sections:
Chapters 1-7: Reconciliation
Chapters 8-9: Generosity
Chapters 10-13: Final challenge
Chapters 1-7: Reconciliation
Opening prayer to the God of all peace and comfort who brought them through the challenging time
Paul deals with the issues that caused the division in the first place.
Paul was poor, persecuted, suffered much, often homeless, and unimpressive.
The church had been exposed to other, powerful, wealthy, charismatic preachers and had become ashamed of Paul
True christian leadership NOT about status, self promotion
True leaders are servants
True leaders point not at themselves but Christ
The Corinthians had demanded letters of recommendation of Paul
Church would not exist if he had not started it.
The church, the people are his credentials
Quotes Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 saying that the very Spirit of God has written his letter on their hearts.
Old and New Covenant
Old Covenant was glorious - made Moses’ face to shine but it faded… and did not change Israel.
New Covenant MORE glorious - His spirit is transforming people, doing what the Old Covenant could never do.
Paradox of the cross - the Upside Down Kingdom
Jesus became King through the suffering of the cross
Showing salvation
Showing God’s character
New way of life
So Paul’s life was marked with suffering, humility and poverty - to better serve the Corinthians
So by disapproving of Paul, they were disapproving of Jesus
Paul life is proof of who and what he represents!
Paul demands to see change in lives!
Chapters 8-9: Generosity
The church in Jerusalem was in trouble due to a famine.
Other churches had sent them an offering to help them get back on their feet.
The Corinthian church had become so sidetracked in the fight with Paul that they had not taken an offering.
For Paul this was another indication of how far the church had fallen into chaos.
Money is never about money… an attitude
Tells the story of the Gospel through financial terms/allegory
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Jesus became poor so that we could become rich…
Chapters 10-13: Final challenge
One of these charismatic, self promoting, tele evangelists had come to town and impressed everyone and apparently he had attacked Paul (or Timothy). Paul becomes really sarcastic about them…
5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.
Compares their credentials
Pharisee (whole torah memorized)
Face to face encounter with Jesus
Given his life to the cause of the Gospel
Never asked to be paid (super-apostles charged a lot)
He refused to brag about himself, but only of God!
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Warning to the church
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Stop reaching for the super-apostles
Reach for Jesus!
Humble yourself!
Conclusion: Whose value system do you live by?
We value success, education and wealth.
God values humility, weakness and love.
Point of it All is that the Spirit of God transforms our lives!