Sermon20130317

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
B. God’s servants must be fully devoted to the ministry vv.4-10

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

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Sermon20130310

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NASB)
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Introduction:
Death Bed Quotes of remarkable Atheists !

Theme: Five reasons why God uses us to restore sinners to Himself so that we will embrace this responsibility as our great privilege.

Review:

I. We know Christ as our Savior vs.16
A. The outward achievements of men do not impress us vs.16a
B. Our pre-Christian knowledge of Christ is irrelevant to us vs. 16b

II. We recognize the new status of every believer in Christ vs. 17

III. We are recipients of the ministry of reconciliation through Christ vv.18-19
A. A ministry through which we personally benefit vs.18a
B. A ministry through which we reconcile others to God vv.18b-19

Reconciliation:
Romans 5:10-11
Colossians 1:19-22
Ephesians 2:14-17

“Reconciliation does not happen when man decides to stop rejecting God but when God decides to stop rejecting man. It is a divine provision by which God’s holy displeasure against alienated sinners is appeased, His hostility against them is removed, and a harmonious relationship between Him and them established .” – John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2Corinthians, 200

IV. We are ambassadors for Christ vs.20

V. We have become the righteousness of God in Christ vs.21

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Sermon20130224

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Sermon20130217

2 Corinthians 5:11-15 (NASB)
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Three implications from judgement so you will live for Christ rather than yourself.

I. We know the fear of the Lord vs.11

II. We take take action vv.11-13
A. Persuasion in evangelism
B. Persuasion of sincerity

III. We are controlled by Christ’s love for us. vv.14-15
A. This love was demonstrated in a substitutionary atonement.

Note on the word “all”

1. All without
2. All without distinction

Understanding the word “all” in verses 14-15
The “all” who died is a direct consequence of Christ’s death for them.

His death was physical, ours is figurative.
Our death took place when He died.

Three provisions of the death of Christ for those condemned to hell.

1. The death of Christ serves to establish His Lordship
2. The death of Christ provides for a genuine offer of the Gospel for all people
3. The death of Christ provides a stay of execution

B. This love leads to living for Christ.

Two categories of people

1. They who live for themselves
2. They who live for their Savior

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Sermon20130210

2 Corinthians 5:11-15 (NASB)
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Three implications from judgement so you will live for Christ rather than yourself.

I. We know the fear of the Lord vs.11

II. We take take action vv.11-13
A. Persuasion in evangelism
B. Persuasion of sincerity

III. We are controlled by Christ’s love for us. vv.14-15
A. This love was demonstrated in a substitutionary atonement.
B. This love leads to living for Christ.

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Sermon20130113

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Sermon20130106

Introduction:

2 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,
3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.
4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.
5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

Theme: Three interrelated factors concerning our dream body so we will wait expectantly for the future.

I. We are assured of this heavenly body vv. 1-3

What we attain

Three Characteristics of this body:

a. A body God provides – it is certain
b.
c. A body to cover our naked spirit

II. We are burdened while in our earthly body vs 4

What we experience

III. We are prepared for this body by God vs.5

What we receive

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Sermon20121202

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So death works in us, but life in you.
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “ I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,
14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

Introduction:

Theme: Three observations of God placing His treasure in clay pots so you will gain a greater appreciation for your purpose on earth.

Two Preliminary Questions:
1.

2.

Observation #1 The reason why God does this is so He can display His power vv. 7b-12

Observation #2 The consequence of this is we display our faith in this treasure and tell others vv. 13-14

Observation #3 The benefit”
of this is an abundance of thanks given to God vs. 15

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Sermon20121125

2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond- servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Introduction:

Theme: Ten characteristics of the gospel ministry so you will understand its grace and glory.

I. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Ministers 4:1-2
A. They embrace the gospel ministry as their own.
B. They acknowledge being recipients of mercy
C. They do not grow discouraged
D. They renounce dishonest ministry practices
E. They appeal to the conscience of others.

II. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Message 4:3-6
A. It is good news
B. It is hidden to the perishing
C. It is about Christ, not the messengers
D. It is given by God
E. It shines the Light of God’s glory.

Questions for Application:

Read 2Corinthians 4:1-6

1. Do you ever grow discouraged in your own ministry in the church? How can remembering you are a recipient of God’s mercy help you overcome your discouragement?
2. How important is honesty in ministry? Have you ever observed dishonesty? What were the results?
3. Read vv.3-4. How can recognizing the helpless state of unbelievers as blinded by Satan, help us have compassion in witnessing to them?
4. Why is it important to keep the content of the gospel message w/Jesus as Lord, our constant theme?

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Sermon20121111

2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond- servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Introduction:

Theme: Ten characteristics of the gospel ministry so you will understand its grace and glory.

I. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Ministers 4:1-2
A. They embrace the gospel ministry as their own.
B. They acknowledge being recipients of mercy
C. They do not grow discouraged
D. They renounce dishonest ministry practices
E. They appeal to the conscience of others.

II. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Message 4:3-6
A. It is good news
B. It is hidden to the perishing
C. It is about Christ, not the messengers
D. It is given by __________
E. It shines the __________ of God’s glory.

Questions for Application:

Read 2Corinthians 4:1-6

1. Do you ever grow discouraged in your own ministry in the church? How can remembering you are a recipient of God’s mercy help you overcome your discouragement?
2. How important is honesty in ministry? Have you ever observed dishonesty? What were the results?
3. Read vv.3-4. How can recognizing the helpless state of unbelievers as blinded by Satan, help us have compassion in witnessing to them?
4. Why is it important to keep the content of the gospel message w/Jesus as Lord, our constant theme?

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