We are all growing spiritually. But some are growing faster than others. Paul shows us why this is the case.
2 Corinthians 6:
1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For he says, "In a favourable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. "Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;
7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
8 through honour and dishonour, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.
13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
The Temple of the Living God
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 7:
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Paul's Joy
2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.
3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn---fighting without and fear within.
6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it---though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.
9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.
13 Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.
15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
16 I rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you.
Things to think about…
1. Paul knew real suffering as an Apostle to ensure the Corinthians and other churches were healthy, 2 Cor 6:5-10. As we follow Christ, suffering is part of the calling. All those who live godly will suffer persecution, 2 Tim 3:12. Sadly we find in today’s life in the west where there is ease and comfort we find suffering very disagreeable. As a result we try to avoid it and we miss the teaching and growth. The church becomes weak and the message of the gospel is diluted. Pray for strength and grace to endure suffering if required for the cause of Christ.
2. Paul’s heart towards the Corinthians is clear. They have been limited in knowing the full blessing of what Christ has for them because they have been restricted in their own affections, 2 Cor 6:12. He says “widen your hearts”, vs 13. Good advice. Paul tells us not be emotionally stingy with each other but rather to grow in our relationship with Christ and each other by sharing more at a deeper heart level.
3. The Corinthians were a worldly lot and engaged the surrounding idols, temples and legal practices of the city. Paul says “do not be unequally yoked”, 2 Cor 6:14. I think we embrace individualism as a culture in Australia than we care to acknowledge. Paul says be separate from the practices, not the people. Where can we show Christ’s culture in our community? When believers date and then marry unbelievers there is a division in the relationship. If marriage happens while there is unbelief on one side, it means there is compromise on the other side. Paul’s advice here is very clear “what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”, 2Cor 6:15. As Amos said, “How can two walk together unless they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. All this to Paul’s point that we ‘corporately’ are the “temple of the living God”, vs 16. As such we want the temple to be pure and strong to reflect the Lord’s glory.
4. The arrival of Titus was a blessing for Paul and his companions at Macedonia, 2 Cor 7:6, 7. We are to be a comfort to each other. What can you say or do today that will be a real blessing for the body of Christ? Even a text is better than letting a passing thought about someone go. Encourage someone today. It is encouraging to see the pastoral care that happens among our church.
5. It seems there is at least another letter that was written to the Corinthians dealing specifically with an individual who fell morally and Paul addresses that situation and the offended party, 2Cor 7:12. Sometimes mediation is required between members within the fellowship. In this instance there seems to have been some resolve. This shows God’s grace working out in the lives of these believers. Reconciliation is part of our witness to a fallen world that Christ’s grace and Spirit is more powerful than a worldly spirit that at best says “peace, peace, when there is no peace”.
6. Paul’s first letter produces the repentance required for the one who was straying morally. So much so, the Corinthians probably went overboard in dealing with this guy, 2 Cor 7:11. Titus brought the message to Paul that their zeal for Christ was evident and proved true, 2 Cor 7:14. Titus grew in his affection of them and Paul rejoiced in the spiritual growth of the Corinthians. It doesn’t matter where we start in Christ, so long as we don’t remain stagnant. Let’s not remain in the same spiritual state for years on end. Spiritual maturity means that others can speak into our lives.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson will be looking at the life of Christ in the church.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group after Sunday mornings café time. Open discussion around difficult topics and defending our faith is the focus.
Prayer Points
1. Those who are considering baptism.
2. Church finances to cover all expenses.
3. Pray for of Kids@Church, Life groups and church community days.
4. The conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. Praise for the peace of Jesus to reign.
5. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
6. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Many seemed helped by the message on temptation. May Christ be our example as we have freedom in Him.
2. Encouraging ministry at the combined Baptist churches at Beacon on Sunday night.
3. Tad is recovering well. Continue to pray for Glenys as she gains use in her left arm.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Life Groups Wednesday night at Church – 6:30pm. New Christians and Young Adults – Sunday after church.
2. Members meeting this Sunday after the service – 25th Feb 2024.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 17. Of what were our first parents made? A. God made the body of Adam out of the ground. He formed Eve from the body of Adam.
