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 quotes Isa 49:8 when he says “now is the day of salvation”, 2 Cor 6:2. Isaiah was referring to ancient Israel being saved, which they were from the Assyrians at the time, but Paul speaks of a different salvation. A salvation from sin. Both Jew and Gentile will experience it.
2. Paul knew real suffering as an Apostle to ensure the Corinthians and other churches 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. This pandemic has certainly given us a window into what suffering can be like. Without suffering the church is weak and the message of the gospel is diluted. Pray for strength and grace to endure suffering if required for the cause of Christ.
3. 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.
4. 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 more of fallen humanistic Australia than we care to acknowledge. Paul says be separate. By this he means 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 that 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. The cult temple prostitution racket that was a big part of Corinthian culture was a stark example of what Paul was speaking about. As such we want the temple of Christ to be pure and strong as it reflects the Lord’s glory.
5. 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? As Covid goes through the church and the community there is certainly an opportunity to show the compassion of Jesus. Even a text is better than letting a passing thought about someone go by. Encourage someone today. It is encouraging to see the pastoral care that is happening in our church at the moment.
6. It seems there was another letter that was written to the Corinthians dealing specifically with an individual who fell morally and Paul addresses that situation and also 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”.
7. Paul’s first letter produced the repentance required for the one who was straying morally. So much so they 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 as such Paul rejoiced in the spiritual growth of the Corinthians as a result. It doesn’t matter where we start in Christ, so long as we don’t remain there. Let’s not remain in the same spiritual state for years on end. Spiritual maturity allows others to speak into our lives as time goes by.
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. People in the church and community who have Covid. Pray especially as some will have a severe reaction. Brett Dwyer is in hospital at the moment.
2. That we see Christ even as Covid goes through the community.
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. CBC Leadership team – maintaining church and grounds as well as the weekly running of ministries. Thankyou.
2. Wonderful worship again on Sunday – thankyou, Suzy, Zac, Gina as well as Bec and Doug – technical team.
3. Joy in our service, great times in the cafe.
4. Word of God being blessed at CBC.
Announcements
1. All ministries on break until the start of February
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for January...
Q. 15. What does the wine represent? A. The blood of Christ, shed for our salvation.
Bible References – Matt.26:27&28; 1Cor.11:25.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
