Thrive: 11/3/25

Recap:

Marks of a Minister

Walking in the Grace of God not using it as a license for sin

Ministering Without Offense, so your ministry is not disqualified to those you minister to

Being equally yoked in your relationships

Being set apart and Holy from the world

2 Corinthians 7:1-12 (NKJV)

When we live wholly for God with a holy heart, our lives and ministry reflect His purity, sincerity, and love that leads others toward true repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:1–12 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

Pray

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Living Wholly with a Holy Heart (v.1)

Causes us to respond the Promises of God

Therefore: Considering all that was just said…

Consider the promises to us who are IN Christ Jesus…

2 Corinthians 6:17- 18 (NLT)

Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

Our response to those promises is purification — both outward (“flesh”) and inward (“spirit”).

1 John 3:1&3 “1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!… 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

James 4:8 “8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

The Call to Cleanse

“To cleanse”: means continual removal of anything that defiles communion with God.

All “Filthiness” (molusmos) = contamination or stain — moral and spiritual.

1 Corinthians 6:15–20 “15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” –

What business does a believer have to be walking in/living in sin…NONE

Examples:

I only go out drinking with the guys 1x a month

My girlfriend and I don’t hook up that often

My volgarity is only bad when I’m around the guys at work

Galatians 5:9 “9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

We are Perfected (Transformed) in the Fear of God

V:1-“Perfecting” = maturing in holiness, not sinless perfection.

It is that Regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in your Life

True holiness is not achieved through isolation from the world but imitation of Christ.

Philippians 2:12–13 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

To live wholly for Him means walking in continual repentance, letting His Spirit refine both our actions and attitudes.

HW- What are those actions and attitudes that HE Needs to refine?

2 Corinthians 7:2–6 “2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.

Minister without Offense (v.2-5)

Paul Said…“Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.”

V:2- Paul Ministered With Integrity

V:2- “open your hearts”: Give ear to what I tell you…

Pleading for restored relationship with the people of Corinth

Because as we will see in in Verse 8- there were some that were offended by his previous epistle and wanted to turn others away from him.

“We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one”

Connects Back to - 2 Corinthians 6:3 “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.”

Acts 24:16 – “Always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”

This is important….

Ministry credibility is rooted in the character of the Minister

not quantity in attendance

Coolness of the events

V:4- Paul Ministered with Bold, Selfless, and Sacrificial Love

V:-4 Because of His love for the Corinthians, Paul spoke The Truth boldly

Though misunderstood — love requires truth.

Correction doesn’t feel good

Like a parent to a child: “This hurts more more than it hurts you…

Story of consequences with Kids….

Hebrews 12:6–11 “6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Being corrected in love is one of the most sacrificial and selfless acts anyone can do for you as they want to steer you to the truth

His boldness was compassion-driven, not pride-driven.

Genuine ministry invests intentionally and risks rejection.

Is there a bold truth that has been shared with you, that you are rejecting tonight?

Is there someone that has spoke a word to you that you have hardened your heart towards?

Let’s purpose to be like Paul

As We guard our witness by giving no offense, yet guard the truth by lovingly confronting sin (In our own lives and the Lives of Other) .

2 Corinthians 7:6–12 “6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.”

True Repentance Leads to Change (v.6-12)

V:10- “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

Paul Found Joy in the Corinthians’ Repentance

V:6- Titus reports genuine repentance — they turned back to the Lord.

Paul’s joy was not in being proven right, but in their restoration.

He didn’t say “I told ya so”

3 John 4 – “No greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

As a father I am elated when my kids “Get It”

When I see them connecting and understanding spiritual things!

We see this was the same for Paul….

The Outcomes of Godly Sorrow and Worldly Sorrow are drastically different

Godly sorrow grieves sin because it offends God

Worldly sorrow grieves The consequences of Sin

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

Luke 22:60–62 “60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”

Peter’s repentance to denying Christ is a stark contrast Judas’s regret that lead to his death.

The Fruit of Repentance (v.11)

V:11- Fruit of true repentance — It Produced diligence, desire to right the wrong, indignation for the wrong done, readiness to own the consequences

True repentance doesn’t just feel bad; it acts differently.  • Matthew 3:8 – “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.

4. Paul’s Pastoral Aim (V.12)

His goal was not to prove himself right or others wrong.

His motive: was that their restored standing before God would show his genuine care.

Philippians 1:9–10 “9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,”

Like a spiritual father, Paul’s comfort was in their repentance, not vindication.

True repentance restores fellowship, renews holiness, and reveals the Father’s heart — one that longs to see His children right before Him.

In Closing

To live wholly for Him with a holy heart is to walk in purity before God, integrity before others, and humility before correction.

When hearts are clean → ministry is credible.

When ministry is sincere → people are drawn to repentance.

When repentance is real → revival begins.

We Pray for Revival in our cities, State and Nation

But are we willing for it to begin in our hearts?

Be Revived and Be made new