Relying on God’s Power for Spiritual Ministry – Overview
OVERVIEW OF 2 CORINTHIANSSpiritual ministry must be conducted in reliance upon God’s power. Every believer has been given a spiritual gift for service. A sense of...
2 Corinthians 1:1-11 — Sufficiency of God’s Comfort
THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S COMFORT IN OUR OWN DESPERATE TRIALS EQUIPS US TO COMFORT OTHERS IN THEIR TRIALS
2 Corinthians 1:12-14 — Integrity in Ministry
INTEGRITY IN MINISTRY LEADS TO THE TESTIMONY OF A CLEAR CONSCIENCE
2 Corinthians 1:15 – 2:4 — Ministry Integrity — When Is It OK to Change Your Mind?
A CHANGE OF PLANS DOES NOT NECESSARILY COMPROMISE ONE’S SINCERITY AND COMMITMENT
2 Corinthians 2:5-13 – The Goal of Church Discipline
THE GOAL OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION – NOT EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 — How to Always be a Winner Without Always Winning Souls
GOD GUARANTEES VICTORY IN PROCLAIMING CHRIST
2 Corinthians 3:1-3 — The Diploma of Changed Lives
THE COMMENDATION FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS CHANGED LIVES
2 Corinthians 3:4-18 — Surpassing Glory of New Covenant Ministry
THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT (NEW COVENANT) FAR SURPASSES THE MINISTRY OF THE LAW (OLD COVENANT)
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 — Never Lose Heart – Avoiding Ministry Burnout
THE GOSPEL MINISTRY (PROCLAIMING THE GLORY OF CHRIST) IS TOO PRECIOUS TO GIVE IN TO DISCOURAGEMENT
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 — Physical Challenges Don’t Distract Ministers of the Gospel From Their Eternal Focus
THE PROSPECT OF THE MINISTRY — FUTURE RESURRECTION AND REWARD ENABLE US TO ENDURE PRESENT PHYSICAL SUFFERING IN THE MINISTRY WITHOUT LOSING HEART
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 — Earthly Tent vs Heavenly Home
THE LONGING FOR THE RESURRECTION BODY MOTIVATES US TO FOCUS ON SPIRITUAL MINISTRY EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF PHYSICAL SUFFERING –
FUTURE GLORY INSPIRES COURAGE AND COMMITMENT IN LIVING TO PLEASE OUR LORD
2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:2 — The Ministry of Reconciliation
GOD’S WORK OF RECONCILIATION IN CHRIST MOTIVATES US TO PURSUE A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION WITH INTEGRITY
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 — Partnership in the Gospel
TRANSPARENT INTEGRITY OF MINISTRY REMOVES ALL OBSTACLES TO PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL
2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 — Blessed Be the Ties That Bind (Christian to Christian)– Avoid Contamination and You Won’t Be Spoiled
AVOID INTIMATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNBELIEVERS THAT WOULD HINDER YOU FROM GROWING CLOSER TO YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND MANIFESTING YOUR CHRISTIAN DISTINCTIVENESS
CALL TO CHRISTIAN SEPARATION AND HOLINESS
2 Corinthians 7:2-16 — Godly Sorrow Produces Genuine Repentance
SPIRITUAL LEADERS REJOICE WITH COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE OVER GENUINE REPENTANCE
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 — The Gracious Work of Giving – Its Priority and Privilege
GOOD INTENTIONS IN GIVING MUST BE CONSUMMATED ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITY – OR IDEALLY BEYOND YOUR ABILITY
2 Corinthians 8:16 – 9:5 — Protecting the Integrity of Christian Giving
CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST BE ADMINISTERED WITH FINANCIAL INTEGRITY AND OFFERED FROM PREPARED HEARTS
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 — Money in the Bank – Generous Giving Yields an Abundant Harvest
GOD GUARANTEES A RETURN ON SPIRITUAL INVESTMENTS –
THE PROMISES OF GOD PROMOTE GENEROUS GIVING WHICH BINDS BELIEVERS TOGETHER IN GLORIFYING GOD
2 Corinthians 10:1-18 — Don’t Trifle with Spiritual Authority
THE REALITY OF PAUL’S AUTHORITY – WHEN NECESSARY, SPIRITUAL LEADERS MUST DEFEND THEIR LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY AGAINST MISREPRESENTATIONS BY FALSE LEADERS
2 Corinthians 11:1-15 — Marks of Apostleship – #1 – Humility in Ministry
(BASIS FOR HIS BOASTING IN HIS AUTHORITY = THE MARKS OF HIS APOSTLESHIP)
HUMILITY IN MINISTRY (DEMONSTRATED HERE BY PREACHING THE TRUTH WITHOUT CHARGE) DIFFERENTIATES THE TRUE FROM THE FALSE APOSTLE
2 Corinthians 11:16 – 12:13 — Marks of Apostleship – #2 – Weakness Fortified by Grace
BASIS FOR HIS BOASTING IN HIS AUTHORITY — THE MARKS OF HIS APOSTLESHIP
SEVERE PRESSURES IN THE MINISTRY MAKE WEAKNESS THE PLATFORM FOR EXALTING CHRIST’S GRACE AND POWER
2 Corinthians 12:14 – 13:14 — You’re Messing with the Wrong Dude
SPIRITUAL LEADERS EXERCISE THEIR GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOVING EDIFICATION (INCLUDING DISCIPLINE WHEN NECESSARY)