Mark 14:22-24 (NASB)
22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.”
23 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
Introduction:
Review:
Theme: Three historic aspects of the Lord’s supper you must understand, so you will understand our own tradition of practicing it.
Important Question: What did Jesus mean when He said: This is My body . . . This is My blood?
2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (NASB)
11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like- minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will bewith you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Review:
Theme: Six distinctly Christian traits that should characterize a local church so we might experience greater intimacy with God and one another.
1. Prerogative to discipline
2. Prerogative to speak for Christ
3. Prerogative to call for testing
2 Corinthians 13:5-10 (NASB)
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Theme: Three core commitments of Christians and their leaders so you will be approved in the faith
Commitment #1 Priority of the test vv. 5-6
A. Christians must take the test and pass vs. 5
B. Christian leaders must also take the test and pass vs. 6
Commitment #2 Practice of the truth vv. 7-8
A. Christians must do right according to the truth vs. 7
B. Christian leaders must do all for the sake of the truth vs. 8
Commitment #3 Purpose of the task vv. 9-10
A. Christians must be made complete in Christ vs. 9
B. Christian leaders must use their authority to make Christians complete in Christ vs. 10
1. Prerogative to discipline
2. Prerogative to speak for Christ
3. Prerogative to call for testing
2 Corinthians 13:5-10 (NASB)
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Theme: Three core commitments of Christians and their leaders so you will be approved in the faith
Commitment #1 Priority of the test vv. 5-6
A. Christians must take the test and pass vs. 5
B. Christian leaders must also take the test and pass vs. 6
Commitment #2 Practice of the truth vv. 7-8
A. Christians must do right according to the truth vs. 7
B. Christian leaders must do all for the sake of the truth vs. 8
Commitment #3 Purpose of the task vv. 9-10
A. Christians must be made complete in Christ vs. 9
B. Christian leaders must use their authority to make Christians complete in Christ vs. 10
Theme: Three crucial concerns a faithful pastor has for the church so you will understand your part in the body.
2 Corinthians 12:19-21 (NASB)
19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
I. Being misunderstood by the church is the faithful pastor’s Plight. vs.19a-b
II. Building up the church is the faithful pastor’s Priority vs. 19c
III. Besetting sin in the church is the faithful pastor’s Problem vv. 20-21
2 Corinthians 12:11-18 (NASB)
11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.
17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
Review:
Theme: Three marks of a true apostle of Christ so you will understand their pivotal role in establishing Christ’s church.
I. True apostles were commended by those they ministered to vs. 11
1 they were the foundation upon which the church was built.
2. They provided fresh revelation and trustworthy oversight.
3. They directed the mission of the early church.
II. True apostles were confirmed by supernatural signs vs.12
III. True apostles were equally concerned for all the people they ministered to vv.13-18
A. Three ways this concern was demonstrated
1. They endeavored not to be a burden to those they ministered to vv. 13-14a, 16
2. They displayed the love parent’s show to their children vv.14b-15
3. They were assisted by other reliable servants of Christ vv. 17-18a
B. Why this concern matters still today vs. 18b
1. Shows the consistency of conduct
2. Provides and example for Christian leaders today
11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.
17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
Review:
Theme: Three marks of a true apostle of Christ so you will understand their pivotal role in establishing Christ’s church.
I. True apostles were commended by those they ministered to vs. 11
1 they were the foundation upon which the church was built.
2. They provided fresh revelation and trustworthy oversight.
3. They directed the mission of the early church.
II. True apostles were validated by supernatural signs vs.12
III. True apostles were equally concerned for all the people they ministered to vv.13-18
A. Three ways this concern was demonstrated
1. They endeavored not to be a _____ to those they ministered to vv. 13-14a, 16
2. They displayed the _____ parent’s show
to their children vv.14b-15
3. They were _____ by other reliable servants of Christ vv. 17-18a
