My sermon notes for Sunday, May 19th as we continue our study through 2 Corinthians. 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 7:2–4 – [2] Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. [3] I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. [4] I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. (ESV)
A look back…
2 Corinthians 2:12–13 – [12] When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, [13] my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. (ESV)
From 2:14 to this point Paul has digressed to explain and defend his ministry. Here Paul takes back up to discuss the reason he was so anxious to hear from Titus. He had longed to hear that the church had repented and turned back to their walk with the Lord and the TRUE GOSPEL.
Paul could write these words because HE LOVED THE CHURCH. Paul did all that he did because of CHRIST’S CHURCH. When we begin to realize ourselves what CHURCH is really about then we too may be as Paul and can REALLY LOVE HIS CHURCH.
Love for HIS CHURCH – v. 2a
6:11 – Our heart is wide open
6:13 – Widen your hearts also
7:2 – Make room in your hearts
HEART
- Matthew 22:34-40
- Love of God – We love one another
Relationship with HIS CHURCH – 2b
(connection, friendship)
- Wronged no one – treat unjustly
- Corrupted no one – moral corruption
- Took advantage of no one – manipulating someone for personal gain.
- Directly or indirectly (by teaching or example …in words or actions)
There was a personal relationship within the church. Paul knew he was blameless before the people.
REAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE ABOUT:
- Treating people right
- Working through things
- Having real concern for one another
- Taking care of one another.
- Loving one another within the family
Forgiveness within HIS CHURCH – v. 3a
- Not to Condemn you – passing final judgement
- The previous letter and visit to help get them on track.
- He was not angry or given up on them.
- HE ATTACK THE PROBLEM NOT THE PERSON.
Loyalty to HIS CHURCH – v. 3b
- Die together and live together
Ruth 1:16–17 – [16] But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. [17] Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” (ESV)
Marketing / Attractional Mentality in church culture today. BIGGEST AND BEST gets the crowd. (Follow the excitement)
Confidence in HIS CHURCH – v. 4a
- Acting in great boldness toward you
- Not specifically in them. Wrong… JUST BELIEVE IN YOU AND IT WILL HAPPEN
- His confidence was in the LORD. HIM THROUGH THEM!
Praise for HIS CHURCH – v. 4b
- Great pride in you
- For who they were IN CHRIST
Joy in HIS CHURCH – v.4c
- I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
- After all that the church did to him, accused him of, said about him.
- HE HAD GREAT JOY TOWARD THEM.
- OVERFLOWING WITH JOY
- KNOWING THAT GOD WILL ACCOMPLISH HIS PERFECT WILL THROUGH HIS CHURCH.
- THE GOSPEL WILL RING TRUE, REGARDLESS IF WE ARE PART OF IT.
- GOD DOES NOT NEED YOU TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL, BUT ALLOWS US TO JOIN HIM IN WHAT HE IS DOING.
Quote read as part of intro:
The church is not a theological classroom.
(my words…..or secondary priority in our spiritual life… or a personal island where you encounter God one on one…or a place to get your spiritual needs meet)
It is a conversion, confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, and sanctification center, where flawed people place their trust in Jesus Christ, gathered to know and love him better, and learn to love others as he has designed. The church is messy and inefficient, but it is God’s wonderful mess, the place where he radically transforms lives.
Paul David Tripp – Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand