Sermon20130602

2 Corinthians 7:8-16 (NASB)
8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it — for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while —
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you:what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.
13 For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.
15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you

Introduction:

Theme: Four joyful effects of godly sorrow so you will understand the characteristics of true repentance.

The Sorrowful Letter vs. 8
I. Godly sorrow results in genuine repentance vv. 9-10
A. Godly Sorrow
B. Worldly Sorrow
II. Godly sorrow responds rightly against personal wrongdoings vs.11
III. Godly sorrow reveals our earnestness before God vs. 12
IV. Godly sorrow redounds in comfort and joy vv. 13-16 (cf. vs. 9)

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Sermon20130526

2 Corinthians 7:8-16 (NASB)
8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it — for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while —
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you:what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.
13 For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.
15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you

Introduction:

Theme: Four joyful effects of godly sorrow so you will understand the characteristics of true repentance.

The Sorrowful Letter vs. 8
I. Godly sorrow results in genuine repentance vv. 9-10
A. Godly Sorrow
B. Worldly Sorrow
II. Godly sorrow responds rightly against personal wrongdoings vs.11
III. Godly sorrow reveals our earnestness before God vs. 12
IV. Godly sorrow redounds in comfort and joy vv. 13-16 (cf. vs. 9)

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Sermon20130519

2 Corinthians 7:2-7 (NASB)

2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.
4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side:conflicts without, fears within.
6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

Introduction:

Theme: Six expressions of love a minister demonstrates toward those he ministers to, so they might experience mutual joy and comfort.

• 1. The minister’s appeal. vs.2A
• 2. The minister’s vindication. vs.2B
• 3. The minister’s loyalty. vs.3
• 4. The minister’s perspective. vs.4A
• 5. The minister’s affliction. vs.4-5
• 6. The minister’s comfort. vs.6-7

Ultimate source of comfort is God.
Notice the means of comfort. Titus’s return
Vicarious Comforter
Proof that provided comfort

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Sermon20130512

1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NASB)
9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints ‘feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Introduction:

Theme: Six marks of a faithful Christian mother so she will know how to faithfully fulfill her calling

Two Introductory Requirements for the List

1 She must be 60 years old or more

2 She must be the wife of one man

The Six Marks:

• 1

She has a reputation for good works, known for her good works.

• 2

She raises children.

• 3

She cares for and welcomes others into her home. She shows hospitality to strangers

• 4

She serves her fellow believers in humility. She “washes the feet of the saints”, she serves in the church

• 5

She tends to the hurting. She assists those in distress

• 6

She devotes herself to every good work.

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Sermon20130505

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 (NASB)
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17″ Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE, “says the Lord.” AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Introduction:

Theme: Three explicit commands for relating to unbelievers so you won’t be polluted by their sinful influence.

Command #1: Do not be yoked
together with unbelievers vs. 14a

Rhetorical basis for the command – Five Questions vv. 14b-16a

Question 1: What partnership righteousness and lawlessness? NONE

Question 2: What fellowship light with darkness? NONE

Question 3: What harmony Christ with Belial? NONE

Question 4: What part a believer with an unbeliever? NONE

Question 5: What agreement the temple of God with idols? NONE

Certain declaration: Christians are the temple of the Living God vs.16b
Scriptural basis for the declaration: Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekial 37:27 vv 16c

Command #2: Come out from their midst and be separate vs.17a

Command #3: Do not touch what is unclean vs.17b

Two promises to those who obey these commands vv 17d-18
1. God welcomes them into His presence
2. God accepts them as His children

Concluding Exhortation:

Cleanse yourself from all of and vs. 18a
Perfect in the of God vs. 18b

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Sermon20130428

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 (NASB)
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17” Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE, “says the Lord.” AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Introduction:

Theme: Three explicit commands for relating to unbelievers so you won’t be polluted by their sinful influence.

Command #1: Do not be yoked
together with unbelievers vs. 14a

Rhetorical basis for the command – Five Questions vv. 14b-16a

Question 1: What partnership righteousness and lawlessness? NONE

Question 2: What fellowship light with darkness? NONE

Question 3: What harmony Christ with Belial? NONE

Question 4: What part a believer with an unbeliever? NONE

Question 5: What agreement the temple of God with idols? NONE

Certain declaration: Christians are the temple of the Living God vs.16b
Scriptural basis for the declaration: Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekial 37:27 vv 16c

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Sermon20130421

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NASB)
1And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain —
2 for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” —
3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well- known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange — I speak as to children — open wide to us also.

Introduction:

Theme: Five characteristics of effective gospel ministry so you will understand the devotion required of its servants

I. Gospel ministry requires that we work together with God for reconciliation vs.1a

II. Gospel ministry warns against receiving God’s grace in vain vs. 1b

III. Gospel ministry is conducted with a sense of urgency vs. 2

“The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this.– ‘There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.’ — By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God’s mere will and in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment.”
Johnathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an Angry God

IV. Gospel ministry demands the utmost integrity and devotion from its servants vv3-10

A. God’s servants must not give offense vs.3
Offensive by our choices.
Offensive in poor habits.
Offensive by convictions to do right.

B. God’s servants must be fully devoted to the ministry vv.4-10
Triads of suffering:
Afflictions-Hardships-Distresses
Beatings-Imprisonments-Tumults
Labors-Sleeplessness-Hungers

Spiritual Qualities:
purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, Holy Spirit, genuine love, word of truth,

1. Three triads vv.4-5
a. General suffering
b. Opposition brought on by those hostile to his ministry
c. Voluntary toil and denial.

2. Two tetrads vv.6-7
a. Four basic Christian virtues, character traits
b. Two references to God and two central Christian principals

3. Nine experiences he underwent vv. 8-10
a. glory and dishonor
b. evil report and good report
c. Regarded as a deceiver , yet true
d. Unknown yet well known
e. Dying yet behold alive
f. Punished yet not yet put to death
g. Sorrowful yet always rejoicing
h. Poor yet making many rich
i. Having nothing yet possessing all things

V. Gospel ministry opens itself up in love vv. 11-13

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Sermon20130414

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Sermon20130407

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NASB)
1And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain —
2 for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” —
3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well- known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange — I speak as to children — open wide to us also.

Introduction:

Theme: Five characteristics of effective gospel ministry so you will understand the devotion required of its servants

I. Gospel ministry requires that we work together with God for reconciliation vs.1a

II. Gospel ministry warns against receiving God’s grace in vain vs. 1b

III. Gospel ministry is conducted with a sense of urgency vs. 2

“The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this.– ‘There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.’ — By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God’s mere will and in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment.”
Johnathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an Angry God

IV. Gospel ministry demands the utmost integrity and devotion from its servants vv3-10
A. God’s servants must not give offense vs.3
Offensive by our choices.
Offensive in poor habits.
Offensive by convictions to do right.

B. God’s servants must be fully devoted to the ministry vv.4-10
Triads of suffering:
Afflictions-Hardships-Distresses
Beatings-Imprisonments-Tumults
Labors-Sleeplessness-Hungers

Spiritual Qualities:
purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, Holy Spirit, genuine love, word of truth,

V. Gospel ministry opens itself up in love vv. 11-13

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Sermon20130331

One reason to believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us so !

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