Paul Speaks Encouraging Words. 2 Corinthians 1

Transcription

1 1 Paul Speaks Encouraging Words 2 Corinthians 1

2 2 Lesson author: Ron Thomas Study questions author: John Sewell Second Corinthians Introduction I. After Paul left Athens, he went to Corinth. A. Acts 18:1, after these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; II. Corinth was an economical and corrupting influence in a Roman culture. A. In Corinth was the temple of Aphrodite (the goddess of love; also known as Venus). 1. Corinth was a cultic place where one thousand prostitutes made themselves available for those who would worship at the temple. B. It was with this depravity of mind that Paul struggled most. 1. Because Corinth was a trade route city, Paul decided to preach the gospel to them III. Corinth had a cosmopolitan population. A. If he could get the gospel into the hearts of some people in Corinth, they would return to their homes and spread the message there. 1. In Acts 2, we read of a similar occurrence.

3 3 a. Acts 2:5-11, And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 2. Paul had success because the message he preached was the message of God. B. For a city like Corinth this was significant. 1. Many people during that time had their own philosophies about how to live and what would happen once life was over. 2. The problems for these people was that there was no real substance (message) of hope to the beliefs of the time. 3. These beliefs had their origins in the wisdom of men. IV. After establishing a church there, having stayed for about eighteen months, Paul decided to leave for Ephesus.

4 4 Text: A. Acts 18:11, And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. B. After Paul left Corinth, he received news from Corinth that was not very good. C. He then wrote to them (This was probably his second letter to them.) to answer the questions they had for him and to address some of the problems in their midst (our First Corinthians). D. Paul made an unrecorded visit to Corinth and was deeply grieved by his visit (a second visit). E. Later, Paul intended to visit Corinth again, but due to circumstances or a change of mind, he did not go. F. Yet Paul was very much interested in knowing how things were going in Corinth and how well they received his letter (either First Corinthians or a severe letter of which we have no record). G. When he received word from Titus, he was encouraged and wrote our Second Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 1:1-24, 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies, and the God of all comfort;

5 5 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11. Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 13. For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; 14. As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. 15. And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; 16. And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea.

6 6 17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? 18. But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. 19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 23. Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Commentary: Note: In this chapter, we have Paul speaking encouraging words to the Corinthians with the beginnings of an explanation as to why he did not make his intended visit to Corinth. 2 Corinthians 1:1, 2, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I. Paul, in the first verse, identified his authority, from whom he gained his authority, and these associated with him. A. Moreover, he identified to whom he addressed this letter: the church of God in Corinth and all the saints wherever they may meet in the realm of Achaia.

7 Timothy 2:2, And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. B. Paul s authority is from heaven and he is addressing God s church. II. To be a saint is to be called by God and separated from a fleshly way of thinking and living. A. The word saint comes from a Greek word that means holy Thessalonians 2:14, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. B. While there may be people in the assembly (i.e., visitors) who are not saved, Paul addressed his words to those who were saved (the church). III. The area of Achaia, Macedonia and Thrace border the Aegean Sea. Essentially, it is the entire region of what we know now to be Greece, but partitioned off into smaller regions at the time of Paul s visit. IV. The salutation (greeting) from Paul is common to all his epistles (13 in all). A. Many people read salutations like this and give little thought to them.

8 8 B. The Scriptures teach that the Grace of God has appeared to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and to live soberly and righteously in this world. 1. Titus 2:11-12, For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, C. When we do this, we have peace with God. 1. Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. I. Praise is to be showered upon God because of who He is. A. He is the God of all comfort and the God of mercy. 1. To bless the Lord God is to eulogize Him, that is, to speak well of Him.

9 9 2. To call God the Father of mercies is to make clear that he is the author of mercy. 3. Man thinks he can render mercy to another (and he can), but it is God who originated mercy and demonstrated its true nature. 4. To speak of God s mercy toward man is to recognize man s gift from God: relief from his misery (ISBE). II. Man is able to do many things in life to help others. A. Two great attributes of man is his ability to sympathize and empathize. B. When we are in one affliction or another, is it not great that our God can be our strength? 1. 1 Samuel 30:6, And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. C. For Paul and others, God was their strength. 1. Think about what Paul experienced when he preached the Gospel. 2. He was beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed and shipwrecked. 3. In all of this, Paul was strong. III. How can God comfort anyone in this life?

10 10 A. He can do so by teaching us the assurance of life. 1. Not physical life, but eternal life. 2. The Holy Spirit said to the Hebrews, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (12:1-2). B. A lot of people falter underneath the load of strain they carry, but the Lord teaches His people that the strain of life, though very heavy, is nothing in comparison with the joy of eternal life. 1. Romans 8:31-39, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to

11 11 separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. IV. How can the affliction experienced by someone else help the Christian today? A. Albert Barnes said it well: We are under the deepest obligations of gratitude to one who suffers for us; and there is nothing that will bind us more tenderly to anyone than the fact that he has been subjected to great calamity and trial on our account. This is one of the reasons why the Christian feels so tenderly his obligations to the Lord Jesus Christ. (E-Sword). B. If we are bound to the apostle Paul, will we not also be bound to the Lord Jesus? 1. 1 Corinthians 11:1, Be followers of me, just as I also am of Christ. V. To suffer as a Christian is never fair. A. But for those who do the afflicting, the unfairness they rendered in the Christian s direction is sure to be brought back upon them. On that occasion, God will be doing the afflicting! B. Elsewhere, Paul writes,... which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels... (2 Thessalonians 1:5-7). 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were

12 12 burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. I. You will note that in this paragraph there are several things to consider. A. First, there was affliction suffered in Asia. B. Second, the hope of surviving that affliction was all but gone. C. Third, because of that which they experienced, they were able to learn something. II. First, let us consider the affliction suffered by Paul. A. It is generally thought that Paul might have reference to the recent events in Acts 19. B. Paul preached to those in Ephesus and made an impact with the message of God. 1. Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. C. Because the message of God was powerful enough to invade a trade union s bottom line (economics), the city of Ephesus was on the verge of chaos.

13 13 D. Yet there is nothing in Acts 19 that would suggest Paul had any physical affliction that would correspond to the words here. E. That Paul did experience physical afflictions, the book of Acts makes clear. F. Whether he had in mind the events of Acts 19 or not is not so important as it is that he suffered and he leaned on God. III. Second, let us consider that Paul s hope of surviving this affliction (wherever it might have been) was all but gone. A. His hope of eternal salvation never wavered. B. But, sometimes, because one faithfully preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ, persecutions, afflictions can become so intense and severe that the hope of surviving it physically can be gone. C. In circumstances where life is in peril, man often tries to preserve it (I suppose this is natural). D. On many occasions, Paul did the same. 1. But yet in all that, his trust in God was unwavering; it may have gotten stronger, but it never weakened! 2. In Acts 16, after being beaten and thrown into the dungeon, Paul sang hymns to the Lord God Almighty. IV. Third, let us consider the lessons in life Paul learned. A. While he may have sung hymns, he had something yet to learn.

14 14 B. It was not a matter of Paul s not already knowing what he had learned, but rather, it was a time to take the intellectual knowledge and put it into application. C. Paul always knew the correct response to all of life s experiences. 1. Man is to lean upon and trust God. 2. When he (Paul) was in dire circumstances he really learned the importance of trusting God. 3. To say, I trust God, is rather easy. To illustrate it by right living is something else. 4. Paul illustrated it even when he had something more to learn. D. Paul was very confident that the Lord would deliver him again. 1. If He did not deliver him physically, He did so spiritually. 2. Philippians 1:19-23, For I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

15 15 2 Corinthians 1:12-14, For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. I. It is clear that Paul is changing the thrust of his words from what he just wrote to what he needed to say. A. However, before he addresses those things that need to be addressed, he felt it important to speak of his motivation and their knowledge of him. B. Paul uses the word boast a number of times in this paragraph. Just what does he mean? 1. Many today use the word boast in an arrogant fashion. Not Paul. 2. The word boasting in the NKJV comes from a Greek word that is often translated glory. 3. Hugo McCord, in his translation, begins the paragraph (verses 12-14), This is our confidence In other words, Paul was very happy that the many who obeyed the gospel were saved. In this, he boasted. It was not in what he had done, but what the Lord did through him. 5. But he made it a point to never go beyond what was reasonable.

16 16 II. Paul s conscience. a. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption that, as it is written, He who glories, let him glory in the Lord. b. 1 Corinthians 4:6, And these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. A. As it is with everyone now and again, it was with Paul. He felt like he needed to defend his reputation. B. People called into question the motivation of Paul. 1. As a matter of fact, some self-serving people questioned Paul s authority and apostleship. 2. Paul behaved with godly sincerity and did not boast about any kind of earthly wisdom or accomplishment.

17 17 C. In his earlier epistle (First Corinthians), he told them that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God 1. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom did not know God, it pleased God by the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For the Jews request a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption that, as it is written, He who glories, let him glory in the Lord. D. To the church at Thessalonica, he dealt with this same matter.

18 Thessalonians 2:1-8, And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. E. There is a lesson in this for us. III. Paul s writing. 1. It is certainly true that what was done to Paul will be done to us (to a lesser or greater degree). 2. Just as Paul was strong in faith, we need to be as well. 3. However, merely because our motivation is honorable, conscience is not always the surest of standards. a. Paul had a good conscience, but his good conscience led him to persecute Christ. b. Acts 23:1, And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

19 19 A. The power of the pen is not lost on people. The power of the spoken word, likewise, is not lost on people. B. When Paul wrote his epistles, letters, I am sure he knew full well that some were going to take offense at them. Nevertheless, he wrote! C. He made it a point to say only that which the Lord wanted said. 1. To the Romans, Paul wrote what he spoke, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:18, To the church at Ephesus, Paul wrote, For this reason, I Paul, the prisoner of Jess Christ for you Gentiles if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I wrote before in a few words, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ). Ephesians 3:1-4. D. Paul s point in verse 13 is that what he wrote, he wrote for all. 1. He was hiding nothing and encouraged all to investigate him in writing and in person. 2. Some might have suggested that he had written some private letter modifying what he wrote publicly.

20 20 E. Paul only hoped that they would recognize him for whom he said he was and for what they knew him to be. IV. The Corinthians knowledge of Paul. A. Paul s time in Corinth can be read in Acts 18:1-11, After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. And when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. And Crispus the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Then the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. B. As we stated in our introduction, Paul was in Corinth for about eighteen months. 1. In that time, he preached in the Jewish synagogue and in other areas as he had opportunity.

21 21 2. Paul s preaching was controversial with the Jews. C. Paul told them that Jesus was the Christ and the Jews (coupled with all humanity s sins) crucified the One for whom they were looking. 1. Acts 13:27, For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. D. This did not sit well with those of the synagogue and they ran him out. 1. Paul made it clear that he was innocent of the judgment that was going to come to them and, thusly, went to the Gentiles and preached to them. 2. Not all the Gentiles that Paul preached to accepted the message of God, but a number did. a. Acts 18:8, And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. E. During this eighteen month stay, Paul was bound to be known by not only the Jews, but by other interested parties as well. 1. It is to this that Paul is referring. 2. They knew him and his integrity; why are they questioning him now?

22 22 2 Corinthians 1:15-17, And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit, to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? I. There was an uprising in Corinth because of Paul s preaching. A. The Jews were adamantly opposed to the apostle and were bent on seeing him stopped. B. This did not go unnoticed by Paul. In his first letter to the Thessalonians (2:14-16), he wrote, For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. C. Paul was not one to be stopped. 1. From Corinth, Paul went to Ephesus and preached in the synagogue. 2. After leaving Ephesus, he went to Antioch and from Antioch he went back through the regions previously evangelized in order to strengthen the disciples. II. Paul desired to pass through Macedonia and to visit Corinth as he passed through.

23 23 A. Scriptures: 1. Acts 19:21, After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome Corinthians 16:5, Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia. B. For some reason, we are not told what in Acts, Paul did not make it to Corinth even though he was in the region for three months. 1. Acts 20:2-3, And when he had gone over that region and given them much encouragement, he came to Greece, and stayed there three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. C. He was able to visit the churches in Macedonia, but he either changed his mind or other circumstances did not allow him to visit Corinth. D. Some of those other circumstances might have been similar to those as stated in Acts 16:7 or even 1 Thessalonians 2: Acts 16:7, After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them Thessalonians 2:18, Therefore we wanted to come to you even I, Paul, time and again but Satan hindered us. E. In any case, Paul was not able to be where he intended.

24 24 F. Paul had come to know that some were questioning his motives. 1. That is, they were questioning whether he was motivated by purely fleshly concerns. 2. This did not sit well with Paul and he intended to thwart it. 2 Corinthians 1:18-24, But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, Silvanus, and timothy was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promists of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us in God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit. Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. I. Paul thwarted this accusation against him by calling God as his witness that when he plans to do something, he is going to follow through with it as much as he can. 1. He was a man of purpose. 2. Albert Barnes said: The idea is, God is faithful and true. He never deceives; never promises that which he does not perform. So true is it that I am not fickle and changing in my purposes (E-Sword). II. This determination of Pauls was based on the very foundation of the Son of God! A. Jesus Himself was a man of purpose and the message He proclaimed was a message of purpose.

25 25 B. Guy Baker (Denton, 2 Corinthians, p. 61) cites the words of Roy Deaver: Our Lord NEVER: 1. Thought a wrong thought. 2. Said a wrong word. 3. Went to the wrong place. 4. Performed a wrong act. 5. Made an unsound argument. 6. Taught a wrong lesson. 7. Made an erroneous assumption. 8. Had the wrong attitude toward any person or toward anything. 9. Was in anyway disobedient to God. 10. Made a false statement. 11. Falsely accused anybody. II. The promises that were given to Adam and to Eve so many years ago and reaffirmed to Abraham and David are found fulfilled in Jesus Christ. A. The Scriptures teach that all spiritual blessings are in Christ. 1. Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

26 26 2. Because we are in Christ, we are God s anointed. B. We are not God s anointed in the way our Lord Jesus is, but because of what He had done and because we are in Him, we are anointed. 1. The phrase in Christ is important to understand. 2. How do we get into Christ? a. We get into Christ when we are converted to Christ. b. When we are converted to Christ, the Father takes us from the realm of spiritual darkness and places us in His Son (spiritual light). c. Conversion takes place when we obey the Gospel of our Lord. d. Peter preached to those on Pentecost telling them to repent and be immersed. e. If we will repent and be immersed into Christ, our sins will be forgiven and the Lord will declare us righteous because of what Christ has done and because of our submission to His authority. C. Ephesians 1:13, 14 said, In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

27 27 D. Paul wrote to Timothy: Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19). IV. The last two verses of this chapter introduce to us the reason Paul did not visit Corinth as he intended. A. Unfortunately, man has interrupted Paul s thought by giving us a chapter division here. B. This thought is continued into chapter 2:1-4. C. We will consider these two verses in our exposition of chapter 2.

28 28 Questions 2 Corinthians 1 1. The of, the of, was located in. is also known as. 2. was on a major, had a and could serve as a center for the spread of the gospel to other places. 3. Paul preached in Corinth months after which he went to. Paul had a continuing keen interest in the disciples in Corinth. When he heard from about conditions in Corinth, he wrote the book of. 4., an of, and our address this letter to the of at with all the in. 5. Paul extended and from our and the. 6. What does it take to be a saint?

29 29 7. Jehovah is the Father of and God of all. Because the Corinthian Christians were of they will of the. 8. Two great human attributes are the abilities to and. What do these words mean? How are they alike? How are they different? 9. Paul had in to the point that he of. He trusted to him. He thanked the Christians in Corinth for their. Paul survived this tribulation. 10. Paul s was clear. He had lived in and. Can you honestly make this same statement? 11. Paul wrote and spoke. Which is more powerful? Which books have most influenced your life? Which spoken words, speeches have most influenced your life?

30 In Corinth, what opposition did Paul encounter from unbelieving Jews?... from unconverted Gentiles?... from believers? 13. Did Paul sware when he called God as witness against his soul? If so, did Paul sin in doing this? 14. Roy Deaver via Guy Baker cited eleven things Jesus never did? What are these things? 15. What problems did Paul, according to 2 Corinthians 1, face in regard to the church in Corinth and how did he deal with each problem?

31 Do you face problems in the church where you worship? If so, what are these problems and how do you deal with these problems?