2 Corinthians 1:1-2 “Background & Greeting”

Jon Beck

My sermon notes for Sunday, Nov 4th.  Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net

 

2 Corinthians – The ministry and message of reconciliation

 

 

2 Cor. 1:1-2 – The background and greeting

The Background

The City:

  • A great geographical location.
  • Main shipping highway from Rome to the East.
  • A leading city of Greece
  • Lost, pagan, and immoral city. (1,000 prostitutes of Aphrodite’s temple)
  • 146 BC was laid in ruins by Rome. Then built back by Julius Caesar.
  • Visited by Paul on the 2nd missionary journey. (18 months) Acts 18:1-18

 

The Letter:

  • Very personal.
  • Written on 3rd missionary journey
  • After He left Ephesus (between Acts 20:1 & 20:2) but before 3-month visit to Corinth.
  • False teachers were challenging His authority. (His motives, ministry and his message.)

 

The Timeline:

  1. 18-month visit – Acts 18:1-18 – Fall AD 50-52
    1. Planted the church
  2. The previous letter written from Ephesus. 1 Cor. 5:9
  3. The pastoral letter – 1 Cor. – Written from Ephesus
  4. The painful visit. 2 Cor. 2:1. Not mentioned Acts.  Dealt with false teachers come in from Jerusalem.  Paul left very discouraged.
  5. Sever letter – 2 Cor. 2:4, 7:8-9. Delivered by Titus
  6. Thankful letter – 2 Cor. After hearing the sorrowful letter had brought about change.  Yet, still those within the church causing division.  AD 55
  7. 3-month visit. Acts 20:2. Winter 56

 

Paul the man

  • Was under attack within the church. Influencers had infiltrated the church questioning His calling and ministry
  • He loved the church of Corinth. He loved the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Passionate and determined to do what God had called him to do. (To be the Paul God called him to be)

 

Reasons for writing

  • To defend his ministry and calling. Standing for what He knew was true.
  • Encourage the church to keep going.
  • To remind the church the dangers of listening to false teachers.

 

Lessons from the Letter

  • Humility (Me nothing and Him everything)
  • Strength in the midst of suffering and weakness
  • Stay on course. Keep your ministry and message focused on the Gospel

 

The Greeting (the meaning behind the man)

 

2 Corinthians 1:1–2 – [1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

 

Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

 

  • Apostle – on commission and sent. With the words of authority.
    • Character and Message

 

  • Jesus Christ – He represented the Lord Jesus Christ.\
    • His was commissioned by the Lord Jesus.
    • He loved and served Him. How else could you explain all that HE WAS WILLING TO ENDURE…  He knew who he lived for.

 

  • By the will of God – God’s will. His wisdom, purpose, and love.  He knew that  God was in control of His life, and that He did indeed love him and works out all the circumstances of their lives for their ultimate good.
    • God is completely sovereign
    • God is infinite in wisdom
    • God is perfect in love

 

Timothy our brother

  • Ministry is never done alone
  • Different men, different callings. SAME SAVIOR
  • ALL PART OF THE SAME FAMILY

 

To the Church of God

  • Ekkleisa – called out ones
  • The people of God. BIG CHURCH
  • Called out FROM the world. TO the Kingdom

 

At Corinth, with all the saints in Achaia

  • LOCAL CHURCH.   Part of a group within a city
  • Holy, Set apart.

 

Grace and Peace

  • The means of salvation
  • The product of salvation

 

FROM…God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

  • Who we love and Who we serve
  • Who called us and Who sent us

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