Sermon20120923

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Sermon20120916

2 Corinthians 2:12-13

12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord,
13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.

Introduction:

Theme: Three aspects of Gospel ministry that are always true, so you can prepare for distress in the ministry.

I. Gospel Ministry is always an

adventure

vs.12

II. Gospel Ministry is always

centered on

the gospel vs.12

III. Gospel Ministry is always a

challenge

vs.13

The Gospel is all about Jesus
The Gospel is the daily grace we stand in…
The Gospel is…
The Gospel is what people we love need, other wise they will go to hell.
The Gospel is ….
The Gospel should make us eager to fulfill the Great Commision
The Gospel is ..
The Gospel is all Paul is concerned with.
The Gospel is….

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Sermon20120909

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree— in order not to say too much—to all of you.
6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority,
7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
9 For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
10 But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Introduction:

Theme: Four guidelines governing church discipline so it might be effective.

I. It is conducted in the sphere of the local church vv5-6
A. Church discipline arises from offenses in the church, which are inevitable (cf. Matt. 18:15) vs 5
B. Church discipline may require participation of the whole church (cf. Matt. 18:17) vs 6

II. It is concerned with the good of the offender vv7-8
A. Church discipline requires that we forgive and comfort the repentant offender (cf. Matt 18:15, 35; Luke 17:3-4) vv. 7,10
B. Church discipline moves us to love the repentant offender vs 8

III. It is contingent upon the

fidelity

of the church vs 9
Church discipline tests the obedience of a church
Five steps for confrontation
1 turn to scripture and b
2 prayerfully examine your own heart in the matter
3 prayerfully determine the right place to confront the individual
4 approach the person with the right attitude.
5 be ready for the response

IV. It is cognizant of the

threat

of the enemy vv10-11

Church Discipline leads to forgiveness

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Sermon20120902

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Sermon20121226

2 Corinthians 1:15 – 2:4

15 In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing;
16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.
17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.
19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

CHAPTER 2
Reaffirm Your Love
1 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.
2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?
3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

Introduction:

Theme: Four questions to evaluate your personal integrity so you can minister in love to others.

I. Is your word your bond? 1:15-18

II. Have you experienced the faithfulness of God 1:18-22

A. He is faithful through His Son
B. He is faithful to His promises
C. He is faithful in His saving work

III. Do you consider the good of others when making decisions? 1:23-24

IV. Are you honest with your own struggles in ministry? 2:1-4

Four Indications of Paul’s Struggle

A. He made his decision not to come to them for his own sake.
B. He admits that another visit would inhibit his own gladness.
C. He opted to write the sorrowful letter rather than experience another painful visit.
D. He suffered affliction and anguish of heart in writing the letter to them.

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Sermon20120819

2 Corinthians 1:15 – 2:4

15 In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing;
16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.
17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.
19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

CHAPTER 2
Reaffirm Your Love
1 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.
2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?
3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

Introduction:

Theme: Four questions to evaluate your personal integrity so you can minister in love to others.

I. Is your word your bond? 1:15-18

II. Have you     the faithfulness of God 1:18-22

A. He is faithful through His Son
B. He is faithful to His promises
C. He is faithful in His saving work

III. Do you consider the good of others when making decisions? 1:23-24

IV. Are you

with your own struggles in ministry? 2:1-4

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Sermon20120812

2 Corinthians 1:12-14
Paul’s Integrity
12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but

in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end;
14 just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

Introduction:

Theme: Three keys to a effective ministry so you won’t lose focus in times of challenging circumstances.

I. Your

conscience

is the key to

confidence

in

ministry vs.12

II. Mutual

boasting

is the key to

fulfillment

in ministry vs.13-14

III. The day of the

Lord

is the key to a

right perspective

in ministry vs.14

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Sermon20120805

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Sermon20120729

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;
10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

Introduction:

Theme:

Three common Christian responses to severe affliction so you know what to expect in the midst of the trial.

I. Severe affliction will often

Cause

you temporal despair vv. 8-9a

II. Severe affliction should

Compel

you to trust in God rather than yourself vv. 9b-10

III. Severe affliction leads you to

Call

on fellow Christians to pray vs. 11

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Sermon20120722

2 Corinthians 1:3-8
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

Introduction:

Theme: Five reasons why God grants His ministers comfort in trials so we will understand the nature of divine comfort.

I. It is in His

nature

to grant it

vs. 3

II. It is His

design

that they be able to comfort others

vs. 4

III. It is His unique

provision

to match their sufferings for Christ

vs. 5

IV. It is His

purpose

to produce patient endurance in you

vs. 6

V. It is His

intention

that all believers share in the sufferings of Christ

vs.7

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