THE CHURCH IN TROUBLE

2 Corinthians 1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE CHURCH CHALLENGED [v. 1-3]

 

1. The Will of God [v. 1]

-Paul, an apostle by God’s Will – Service- Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

-Timothy, a brother by God’s Will – Salvation- 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

-Saints, to be holy by God’s Will – Sanctification- 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

 

2. The Work of God [v. 2-3]

-Grace – Receiving good that you do not deserve [v. 2, Rm. 11:6] And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

-Peace – Reconciliation that you don’t deserve [v. 2, Romans 5:1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

-Mercy – Release from punishment you do deserve [v. 3, 1 Peter 1:3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

-Comfort – Receiving comfort/consolation from the God we serve [v. 3ff.] used 10+ times in this epistle

 

3. The Worship of God [v. 1-3, 22; 11:31]

v. 3 Blessed = eulogetos;  adorable [adoration]:--blessed.

 

II. THE CHURCH CHANGING [v. 4-8]

 

1. God Working On Us [v. 3-4]

-A faith that only good during “good times” is not Bible faith. If it isn’t good for “dying” it isn’t fit for “living.”

 

2. God Working In Us [v. 4-6]

-Christ is both our Example and our Strength [v. 5]

-There is purpose in suffering even if we do not know at the time what that purpose is [v. 6]

3. God Working Among Us [v. 7-16]

-Stedfast hope [v. 7]

-Stedfast trust [v. 8]

-Stedfast Subject of our Faith [v. 9-10] what is death to one who is trusting One who raises the dead?

-Stedfast Grace [v. 11-12]

-Stedfast Joy [v. 12-14]

-Stedfast Fellowship [v. 15-16]

 

III. THE CHURCH CHAMPIONED [v. 17-24]

 

1. God Establishes the Church in the Rock [v. 17-21, Matthew 7:24-25]

 

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

 

2. God Seals the Deal with the Earnest in Our Hearts [v. 22, 5:5, Eph. 1:12-14]

 

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

3. God Sends Helpers to Aid Our Joy [v. 23-24, Eph. 4:11-15]

 

 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness , whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: