Sermon Tone Analysis

*The Ministry of Grace*

*2Corinthians 1:12-2:11                   August 31, 2003*

* *

*Scripture Reading:*

 

*Introduction:*

 

/What must we do in order to experience God’s ministry of comfort to us?/ (2Cor.

1:1-11)

I.          We must look to God as the channel of comfort.

(vv.

3-4)

II.

We must receive Christ as the catalyst of comfort.

(v. 5)

III.

We must respond in ministry to others as the communion of comfort.

(vv.

6-7)

IV.

We must embrace faith for the completion of comfort.

(vv.

8-10)

V.        We must practice prayer for the communication of comfort.

(v.

11)

 

 

*Paul’s Corinthian Itinerary (4 letters, 3 visits)*

* *

50-52      Paul’s first visit in Corinth during his second missionary journey

52-53   Paul travels from Corinth to Ephesus, Caesarea, Jerusalem, Antioch in Syria, and                           Galatia~/Phrygia, and finally arrives at Ephesus

53-55   Paul in Ephesus

            News from Corinth; Paul writes “Previous Letter” /to/ Corinth (1Cor.

5:9)

            Titus in Corinth to establish the collection

News from Chloe’s people and from Stephanus bringing the letter /from/ Corinth;    Paul writes 1Corinthians (borne by Timothy, Stephanus et al.?)

55        Timothy returns to Ephesus;

            Paul’s second (“painful” 2Cor.

2:1, 12:21-13:2) visit to Corinth (earlier than he                   had planned in 1Cor.

16:5-7 where he anticipated on one extended stay after                      going through Macedonia)

                        Due to the deteriorated condition of the church at that time he disclosed a                                     change of plans different from 1Cor.

16:5-7 where now he would return to                        Corinth directly before traveling to Macedonia, as well as seeing them                                   again on the way back (2Cor.

1:15-16)

            Back in Ephesus Paul sends Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia

                        Upon his return to Ephesus Paul decides to abandon the new plan to                                   return to Corinth on the way to Macedonia because of the grief it would                               cause (2Cor.

1:23, 2:1) and reverts to the old plan of a single visit after                           Macedonia and decides to send a letter instead (2Cor.

2:3-4, 7:8-12)

            Paul, forced to leave Ephesus, dispatches Titus with the “Severe Letter” to                                     Corinth; he himself travels to Troas

            Paul in Macedonia is reunited with Timothy; ministry in churches

            Arrival of Titus; Paul writes 2Corinthians

            Evangelism in northwest Macedonia

56        Paul’s third visit in Corinth on third missionary journey; writes Romans

            Paul with the collection delegates departs for Jerusalem back through Macedonia

 

*Big Question:*

 

/What must we understand about God’s ministry of grace?/

God’s ministry of grace provides our only justifiable means and motive for any word and deed.

(vv.

1:12-14)

God’s ministry of grace gives us a valid means of holy flexibility without loss of consistency.

(vv.

1:15-22)

God’s ministry of grace has as its foundation an abiding sense of community.

(vv.

1:23-2:4)

God’s ministry of grace to us becomes imperative toward his ministry of grace through us.

(vv.

2:5-10)

God’s ministry of grace is diametrically opposed to Satan’s program.

(v.

2:11)

 

*I.

Cycle One*

 

*          A.

Narrative *(vv.

1:12-14)

 

*          B.

Implication*

 

God’s ministry of grace provides our only justifiable means and motive for any word and deed.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

Topic:  Honesty

 

   A son, who had gone to military service, wrote to his father: "I am sending you all my keys except the front-door key; some day when I get leave, I may walk in unexpectedly and give you a surprise."

When the parents read the letter, they thought, "This is a good son.

He has no secrets from us, nothing to hide, no bluebeard chamber that must not be entered, no forgotten corner where old shameful things lie.

He knows himself and he trusts us.

He gives us the run of all his affairs.

He sends us all his keys.

He knows us, too .

He knows he will always be welcome; that he can always walk in without waiting; that he has full right of entry into his father's house.

Our house is open to him, and his heart is open to us."

   Give God all your keys, and He will always give you access to Himself and all blessing.

-- Donald Grey Barnhouse, Let Me Illustrate (Revell, 1967), p. 16.

 

*          D.

Application*

 

*II.

Cycle Two*

 

*          A.

Narrative *(vv.

1:15-22)

 

*          B.

Implication*

 

God’s ministry of grace gives us a valid means of holy flexibility without loss of consistency.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

We get inconsistent messages:

Should we publicly display the Ten Commandments or not?

Should I use the newspaper to preach illustrations or not?

Is the Bible really consistent when it gives messages like these?

         

/“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIVUS)/

/“Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

(2 Corinthians 11:28 NIVUS)/

/ /

/ “Be joyful always;” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIVUS)/

/ “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15 NIVUS)/

/ /

/“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Ephesians 5:20 NIVUS)/

/ “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”

(Romans 9:2 NIVUS)/

/ /

/“But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.

If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

(Matthew 5:39 NIVUS)/