My sermon notes for Sunday, May 26th 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 Cor. 7:5-16
“For the love of the Church – 3 words”
Affliction – vv. 5-7
[5] For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. [6] But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, [7] and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more
We were afflicted
- 2 Cor. 4:8-12
- 2 Cor. 6:4-10
- From the outside – living in the world (as we just do life)
- From the inside – within the church (as we do the Christian life)
- At every turn
- Fighting without – fights, strife (those in Macedonia who wanted him gone)
- Fear within – phobia
- Downcast – depressed
- Affliction is part of life. EVERYONE WILL face affliction.
- expect it
- grow from it
- keep going
BUT GOD
- Who comforts – (parakaleo) come alongside. Strengthen and give courage.
- Through Titus
- By the body/church
- Longing to see him, morning over their mistakes, zeal to make things right.
- Rejoiced still the more – over the fact that the church was acting light the church. He was more concerned over their spiritual well being than his own affliction.
How to Have Hope in the Midst of Trials/Affliction/Suffering
Outline gathered from a Biblical Counseling lecture through Biblical Counseling and Discipleship Association of Southern California (BCDA of SoCal)
By: Dr. Robert B. Somerville
Biblical Counseling Professor at The Master’s College rsomerville@masters.edu
Acknowledge That God Is Sovereignly Working All Things Together For Good
- Rom 8:28; Gen 50:20
Refuse To Grumble & Worry
- Phil 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing. Phil 4:6
Rejoice In Your Problem!
- Because It Is Commanded! James 1:2-5
- 1 Thess 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Because God Is In Your Problem For Good! Rom 8:28
Ask, “Could God Be Disciplining Me For Sin?”
- Heb 12:5-6
Ask, “What Can I Learn From This Test?” “How Can I Glorify God In This Trial?”
- Gal 5:22-23
- John 9:3
Romans 8:28 – [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)
Genesis 50:20 – [20] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (ESV)
Philippians 2:14 – [14] Do all things without grumbling or disputing, (ESV)
Philippians 4:6 – [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (ESV)
James 1:2–5 – [2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)
Hebrews 12:5–6 – [5] And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
[6] For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.” (ESV)
Galatians 5:22–23 – [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (ESV)
John 9:3 – [3] Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (ESV)
Repentance – vv. 8-11
[8] For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. [9] As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
[10] For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. [11] For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
(SEE ADDITIONAL POST on “Path to Repentance”)
Certainty (a courageous confidence)– vv. 12-16
[12] So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. [13] Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. [14] For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. [15] And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. [16] I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you. (ESV)
TOUGH LOVE – v. 12
PRODUCES GREAT COMFORT – vv. 13-15
WHICH PRODUCES A GODLY CONFIDENCE – v. 16