Theme: Three crucial concerns a faithful pastor has for the church so you will understand your part in the body.
2 Corinthians 12:19-21 (NASB)
19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
I. Being misunderstood by the church is the faithful pastor’s Plight. vs.19a-b
II. Building up the church is the faithful pastor’s Priority vs. 19c
III. Besetting sin in the church is the faithful pastor’s Problem vv. 20-21
2 Corinthians 12:11-18 (NASB)
11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.
17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
Review:
Theme: Three marks of a true apostle of Christ so you will understand their pivotal role in establishing Christ’s church.
I. True apostles were commended by those they ministered to vs. 11
1 they were the foundation upon which the church was built.
2. They provided fresh revelation and trustworthy oversight.
3. They directed the mission of the early church.
II. True apostles were confirmed by supernatural signs vs.12
III. True apostles were equally concerned for all the people they ministered to vv.13-18
A. Three ways this concern was demonstrated
1. They endeavored not to be a burden to those they ministered to vv. 13-14a, 16
2. They displayed the love parent’s show to their children vv.14b-15
3. They were assisted by other reliable servants of Christ vv. 17-18a
B. Why this concern matters still today vs. 18b
1. Shows the consistency of conduct
2. Provides and example for Christian leaders today
11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.
17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
Review:
Theme: Three marks of a true apostle of Christ so you will understand their pivotal role in establishing Christ’s church.
I. True apostles were commended by those they ministered to vs. 11
1 they were the foundation upon which the church was built.
2. They provided fresh revelation and trustworthy oversight.
3. They directed the mission of the early church.
II. True apostles were validated by supernatural signs vs.12
III. True apostles were equally concerned for all the people they ministered to vv.13-18
A. Three ways this concern was demonstrated
1. They endeavored not to be a _____ to those they ministered to vv. 13-14a, 16
2. They displayed the _____ parent’s show
to their children vv.14b-15
3. They were _____ by other reliable servants of Christ vv. 17-18a
Theme: Four reasons why Jesus surpasses David so you will worship Him as your future returning king.
I. His resurrection from the dead – Acts 2:24-32 (NASB)
24 “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
25 ” For David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
26 ‘THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;
27 BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.
28 ‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.’
29 “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30″ And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE,
31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY.
32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
II. His exaltation to the RightHand of the throne of God – Acts 2:33-35 (NASB)
33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.
34 “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:’THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
35 UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”‘
III. His role as Christ means He is David’s Lord – Acts 2:34-36 (NASB)
34 “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:’THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,” SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
35 UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET. “‘
36 ” Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified. “
IV. His eternal reign on the throne of David – Luke 1:32-33 (NASB)
32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (NASB)
1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows —
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself!
8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Introduction:
Review:
Theme:
Three significant consequences of a legitimate boast so you will remain humble in it.
I. The characteristics of a legitimate boast vv.1-6
A. It is a unique and superior spiritual experience vv.1-5.
B. It is a true experience vs. 6a
C. It is properlyincorporated into over all Christian experience vs.6
II. The three significant consequences of a legitimate boast vv.7-10
A. Divine humbling vs.7
B. Sustained suffering vs.8
C. Christ manifesting Grace vv.9-10
1. What he will gladly boast about: weakness
2. What he is wellcontent with: weakness, insults, distress, persecutions
3. Why he is content with weakness: Christ’s strength
Colossians 1:3-6 (NASB)
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
Introduction:
Twelve Common Reasons for Thanksgiving
1. Our daily provisions in life – food, drink and other basic needs (Matthew 6:11, 25-32; Acts 14:17)
2. Life itself – our breath and all things; the proper functioning of our bodies (Acts 17:25, 28)
3. Family – wife, children, other loved ones (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14; Psalm 127:3; cf. 1 Timothy 5:5)
4. Ability to work and provide for ourselves and our families (Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 10:22)
5. Encouraging test results – doctor report on your health, professor grade on a major assignment, mechanic reporting on your car (Proverbs 12:25)
6. Freedoms we enjoy in America – religion, speech, bear arms, own property and personal possessions
7. Time for rest and relaxation (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
8. Homes to live in and cars to drive (1 Timothy 6:17)
9. A generous gift at a time of great need (Philippians 4:16-18)
10. Access to life saving medical attention and restoration to health (Philippians 2:26-27; James 5:14-15)
11. Opportunity for formal education
12. Doing well in a fine arts (music performance, dance recital, drama) or in a sporting event
Theme: Three vital aspects of thanksgiving so we will properly respond to the God from Whom all things come
I. Our thanks is directed to God vs. 3a
II. Our primary reason to give thanks is the Gospel vv. 4-6
Three responses to the gospel
A. Faith in Christ Jesus vs. 4
B. Love for Christians vs. 4
C. Hope in Heaven vs. 5
III. Our primary means to express thanks is prayer vs. 3b
