THE CHURCH IN TROUBLE LEARNS TO FORGIVE

2 CORINTHIANS 2

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 

I. THE REPENTING SINNER [v. 1-10]

 

1. The Effect of Carnality [v. 1-4, 1 Cor. 5]

 

2. The Encouragement of Christians [v. 5-8, Mt. 18:15-22]

 

3. The Example of Christ [v. 9-10, 1 Jn. 1:7-9]

 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another , and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

II. THE ROARING SERPENT [v. 11, Mt. 4, Lk. 4]

 

1. Sometimes the Devil Approaches like a Serpent with Subtilty (has God said?, stones to bread) [Gn. 3, Eph. 4: 27]

 

Neither give place to the devil.

 

2. Sometimes the Devil Approaches like a Roaring Lion with Shouting (Worship me) [1 Pet. 5:8]

 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 

3. Sometimes the Devil Approaches like an Angel of Light witn Scripture (It is written) [2 Cor. 11:14]

 

Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

 

III. THE RIGHTEOUS SAVIOUR [v. 12-14]

 

1. God Opens the Doors [v. 12, Colossians 4:3]

 

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

 

2. God Opens Our Hearts [v. 13, 2 Cor. 11:28]

 

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily , the care of all the churches.

Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

 

3. God Opens Our Ministries [v. 14, Rev. 3:7-8]

 

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

 

IV. THE REDEEMED SERVANT [v. 15-17]

 

1. The Savor of Christ [v. 15] A Garden of Roses, allergic to Easter Lilies

 

2. The Savor of Saints [v. 15-17, Hebrews 4:2]

 

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.