2 Corinthians: Whose Ministry is It, Anyway? Joy in Ministry Lesson Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7 HCSB

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1 April 26, Corinthians: Whose Ministry is It, Anyway? Joy in Ministry Lesson Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7 HCSB Key Passage 2 Corinthians 7:1-16 Dig Deeper? You can do additional reading and research on 2 Corinthians 7 using the commentary at: Step by Step through the Week Monday: Begin your week of study by praying that the Holy Spirit would reveal God s truth to you and provide the wisdom you will need to obey God s word. Read 2 Corinthians 7 Read the following chapter summary: While defending his ministry and exhorting the believers, Paul expresses his love and concern for the Corinthian church. He appeals to their love for him and pleads for their mutual concern. Yet, in a recent dark moment, Paul was encouraged by Titus s report about the church s repentance over their sinful behavior. His confrontational letter had broken them and led to true, godly sorrow. Repentance led to true change: earnestness and eagerness to clear the air, indignation and alarm over their behavior, and concern for justice. Paul explains his letter was written to allow them to prove their love for him. Titus s report brought great encouragement to Paul: not just for the news, but also for Titus s reception in Corinth. Titus was refreshed by the church and brought the same attitude of joy back to Paul. Identify key words or major ideas in the chapter. Reread the passage. What has the Spirit of God taught you after reading through this chapter?

2 Tuesday: Read 2 Corinthians 7. If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 2 Corinthians 7:1-4 According to verse 1, what would need to occur for true reconciliation between Paul and the church? The HCSB translates the beginning of verse 2 as accept us ; the NASB is more literal: make room for us in your hearts. What were the accusations against Paul, according to the remainder of this verse? Paul had no ill feelings or resentment against his accusers. What words or phrases prove this to be true? Examine: 2 Corinthians 7:1-4 JOY: Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) but can often seem elusive for Christians. Before delving in to how we can experience joy in the Christian life, we must first recognize that joy is not based on circumstances. In fact, joy may not even prevent us from experiencing negative emotions. Rather, joy is a deep-seated sense of happiness in what God has done and what He is doing. The Greek word for "joy" is related to the Greek word for "grace." Truly, joy is a grace bestowed on us by God. So how can we accept and experience the gift of joy? In many ways, perspective is key. When we look at what God has done for us, we naturally respond with thanksgiving and joy. When we look at difficult circumstances or the frustrations of life, we naturally respond with discontent. This is not to say that we do not acknowledge the difficulties of this life or the lack in our world. Rather, we do so while still recognizing that God is in control and that He loves us. Paul was no stranger to hardships (2 Cor 11:23-27); and yet he was also prolific on the topic of joy, particularly in his epistle to the Philippians. Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phlp 4:4-7). (adapted from compellingtruth.org)

3 In verse 4, Paul says he is overcome with joy in all his afflictions. This theme occurs in other epistles as well. Read Psalm 30; Philippians 4:4-9, 11-13; and James 1:2-3. Based on these passages, what are some keys to remaining joyful in difficult circumstances? Apply: 2 Corinthians 7:1-4 Describe a time when serving the Lord was not a joyful experience. How did you respond to these feelings? How can you demonstrate the ministry of joy within this church? Wednesday: Read 2 Corinthians 7. If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 2 Corinthians 7:5-12 Paul s joy was strengthened by news from Titus. What did Titus report? Why was Paul apprehensive before hearing from Titus?

4 How does Paul describe the new attitude of the Corinthians? Examine: 2 Corinthians 7:5-12 GODLY SORROW: Also translated godly grief, godly sorrow is an acute sense of sadness we experience as a result of the sins we have committed. Paul s reference to godly sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7 was brought about by the reaction of the Corinthian believers to a previous letter in which Paul rebuked them for the dissentions that were present in the church. Although he was sorry to have to hurt them, he rejoiced that his letter brought them to godly sorrow as God intended. Godly sorrow is that which brings the repentance that leads to salvation (2 Cor 7:8 9). Godly sorrow is a kind of wretchedness that can bring the repentant sinner to tears of grief. A good example of this is Peter at the time of Jesus arrest and trials. When accused as being one of Jesus followers, Peter disowned Jesus by cursing and swearing to his accusers that he did not know the Man. Upon hearing the rooster crow three times, he remembered the words of Jesus, who had prophesied Peter s very actions, and he went out and wept bitterly (Matt 26:74 75). Another illustration of godly sorrow was shown by David, a man after God s own heart (Acts 13:22). David revealed his own godly sorrow for his sins in many of his psalms. In one, he pleads for God's mercy and cries out: I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears (Ps 6:6). Godly sorrow results from a heart-felt conviction that we have offended God by our sin. Such a burning conviction produces in our hearts a godly sorrow. As we look upon Him who was pierced for our sins, we are deeply grieved in spirit. And we resolve within our hearts that we will, with the help of God, cease to do evil, and learn to do good (Isa 1:16). Paul commends the church was exhibiting godly sorrow, which is the key to true repentance. Why is every sin ultimately a sin against God? Use the ideas from Genesis 1:27, Psalm 51:13, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:10, 4:24; and Hebrews 2:7 to form your response. Apply: 2 Corinthians 7:5-12 When God convicts of sin, how do you respond? What does that tell you about your understanding of repentance?

5 Have you ever withheld forgiveness from someone asked for it? If not, what does that indicate about your understanding of repentance? Thursday: Read 2 Corinthians 7. If possible, read the passage from a different version of the Bible. Observe: 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 What was the church s respond to Titus? How did Titus respond to the church? How did Titus s attitude affect Paul? Examine: 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 TITUS: Titus was an early church leader, a trusted companion of the apostle Paul, and a faithful servant of the Lord. Titus was a Gentile (Gal 2:20) who was led to faith in Christ by Paul (Titus 1:4). He was drawn to the ministry and became a co-worker with Paul, accompanying him and Barnabas from Antioch to Jerusalem. Later, Titus went to Corinth to serve the church there (2 Cor 8:6, 16-17). On Paul s third missionary journey, which took place from A.D , Paul arrived in Troas and expected to meet Titus there (2 Cor 2:12-13). Not finding his friend, Paul left for Macedonia. Titus rejoined Paul in Philippi and gave him a good report of the ministry in Corinth (2 Cor 7:6-7, 13-14). When Titus returned to Corinth, he hand-delivered the Epistle of 2 Corinthians and organized a collection for needy saints in Jerusalem (2 Cor 8:10, 17, 24). Several years later, Titus and Paul traveled to the island of Crete, where Titus was left behind to continue and strengthen the work. Titus task was administrative, mostly: he was to maintain sound doctrine and straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5). The last mention of Titus in the Bible indicates that he was with Paul during Paul s final Roman imprisonment. From Rome, Titus was sent to evangelize Dalmatia (2 Tim 4:10), an area which is now called Serbia and Montenegro. Titus was a faithful servant of the Lord and a dedicated aide to Paul. He must have been trustworthy and dependable, since Paul appointed him to lead works in Corinth, Crete, and Dalmatia. Indeed, Paul calls him my partner and fellow worker (2 Cor 8:23). Scripture says that Titus had a Godgiven love for the Corinthian believers; in fact, in returning to Corinth, Titus went with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative (2 Cor 8:16-17).

6 Read Titus 4: Based on this passage and the information above, how would you describe the ministry relationship between Paul and Titus? Apply: 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 Why is it essential to be a part of shared ministry and serve God in relationship with others? How do ministry relationships affect your joy in serving the Lord? Friday: Read 2 Corinthians 7 and the following devotional from Thomas Sherman: "Aids to the Divine Life A Series of Practical Christian Contemplations" (1680) "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Corinthians 7:10 As sin is the greatest evil so sorrow for sin is the greatest sorrow. Godly sorrow in a saint is the greatest sorrow, being that which flows from faith, whereby we see sin to be the greatest evil as exemplified in the crucified Savior! True repentance is a continual work. So long as we have sin to repent of so long we must be repenting of sin. The believer's sorrow for sin becomes more evangelical than formerly; for whereas, before there was much of self-love, and fear of wrath and Hell in his mourning; now, having a clear view of the love of God in pardoning him, and of the distinguishing grace and favor of God extended to him he comes to mourn, loathe, and abase himself more deeply than before, and to melt with filial sorrow before the Lord that he should act so unworthily and unthankfully towards such a gracious, tender, and loving Father. "Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done you will remember and be ashamed." Ezekiel 16:63 The believer's hatred of sin becomes more refined. He hates sin on account of its defiling nature as well as its damning nature!

7 He hates sin for the evil that is IN it as well as for the evil that comes BY it! He hates sin not only because it is ruinous but because it is wicked!