2 Corinthians 8 - 10.20.26
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 8:2
"During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity."
OBSERVATION:
This was Paul's third missionary journey. He was making an appeal to the Corinthians regarding the need to gather funds to help the poor in Jerusalem. Paul gave the example of how well the Macedonian churches had willingly and generously given, even out of their deep poverty.
UNDERSTANDING:
Paul was testing the genuineness of their love, and then he reminded them of the genuineness of Christ's love and how generous Jesus had been to them. Though He, (Jesus) was rich, for their sake He became poor, so that by His poverty they might become rich. (verse 9).
The poor widow in the Bible had also given out of her poverty. She gave away what was needed beyond the needs of her own! In God's eyes, the Macedonian's and the poor widow had been more generous than the ones who had given out of their plenty.
These believers had FIRST GIVEN THEIR LIVES TO THE LORD, and then, what followed naturally was that they became generous givers to others.
LIFE APPLICATION:
When we are truly motivated by God's love, we will want to give back to Him by being generous to others. I pray that the motives behind my giving will be with a pure heart, and that my life will be a model of generosity because of the way Jesus has modeled such generosity to me.
-Robin Orefice
2 Corinthians 7 - 10.19.26
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 7:8-12
“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.”
OBSERVATION
In this passage, we see the Apostle Paul referring to a previous letter that he sent to the Corinthian Church that was correcting their behavior. Biblical scholars debate whether Paul is talking about the Epistle of 1 Corinthians or another letter that he sent to them. In the Epistle of 1 Corinthians, we know that the Church of Corinth had problems that Paul addressed to them such as his apostolic authority, division in the church, sexual immorality, lawsuits between Believers, abuses of spiritual gifts, order in the church and matters dealing with the conscience. In this passage, Paul is displaying his love and concern for their spiritual well-being which was there the whole time. Some may have taken it harshly, but Paul’s motivate for correction was to not allow them to live in sin. This passage shows Paul’s joy for their repentance.
APPLICATION
Giving correction and receiving correction can be hard to swallow. Both perspectives require some sort of maturity when the matter is addressed, but most importantly, it requires love. A Believer who corrects another Believer should address sin like it is a life or death situation; which it is. As Pastor Levi in his sermon referenced James 1:15: “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death”. Certain sins may not bring immediate death (others certainly can), but all sin brings spiritual death and separation from God. A Believer who is getting corrected should look at it from that point of view and not feel attacked when someone corrects their behavior, especially if it is coming from a place a love and concern for their well-being. As Paul mentioned in verse 10 that godly sorrow leads to repentance, and that leads to salvation. This is one of the reasons why Christ gave us The Holy Spirit, His Word and placed people in our lives to help us on our journey for spiritual guidance and for us to help others on this same journey.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we thank You for guiding us with Your Word and other believers. Holy Spirit, we thank You for Your guidance and protection from the things that can easily beset us. Lord, I ask You to search my heart. Give me the courage to correct where I need to correct and take correction where it needs to be addressed. Help me to lay aside my pride and follow the leading to Your voice, Amen.
- Darrence Hamilton
2 Corinthians 4 - 10.16.26
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 18
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Observation:
There are so many nuggets of truth in these verses.
When you believe, you speak out and share it. People naturally share their opinions. How much more should we be sharing the wonderful truth we have.
The one who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us up and present us to him.
As grace reaches more and more people, thanksgiving will overflow bringing God glory.
We can be encouraged that even though our physical body wastes away, we can be renewed inwardly in our spirit each day.
Eternal glory comes from the troubles we are experiencing.
We need to fix our eyes on the unseen, the eternal. The reward that awaits in Heaven because Jesus paid the price for our sin.
Application:
I need to fix my eyes on Jesus and all that Heaven holds. May it be what guides the things I say and do. I also want to speak out and share more about all God has done and that Jesus is coming again. Troubles are a part of life. I need to keep my mindset positive and look to Jesus knowing eternity does not compare with what I’m experiencing. In order for my inward body to be renewed I need to take action and allow God to do it. That includes reading his word, praying and listening for Him to speak.
Prayer:
Father God,
Thank you for all you have created and done for us to be redeemed and live with you in eternity. Jesus paid the ultimate price. May my eyes be fixed on not what is seen, but instead on the unseen, the truth and promises you have given. May my faith and words glorify you and cause other to know you. When I can’t speak, may my actions shine your love. I want to extend your grace. Thank you that my spirit can be renewed each day. That is an action I have to take. Remind me to do the things each day that restore my soul.
I want to always be an example of being grateful and thankful.
Every good thing comes from you and I will lack nothing.
Amen
- Cindy Howard