2 Corinthians 2

Chad Myhre

2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Verse by verse study through 2 Corinthians

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2 Corinthians 2 ESV

1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

SLIDE 2

2 Corinthians 1:1–3 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

2 Corinthians 2:1–3 ESV

2 COR

SLIDE 3

2 Corinthians 2:4–6 ESV

4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,

2 COR

SLIDE 4

2 Corinthians 2:7–9 ESV

7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

2 COR 2.

SLIDE 5

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 ESV

10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Intro”

I believe.. in chapter 2 / Paul is, in his own way..

.. asking two specific questions.

In verses 1-11..

He’s communicating a little differently.

And he’s asking: “Do you hear me?”

Where as in 1 Corinthians, he told them what their sin was, and confronted it straight on..

This isn’t necessarily a question of audibility..

But rather.. this is a question of understanding..

But here… he’s giving them a glimpse into his motive… into his intent… into his heart.

Not: “Do you hear my words.”

Before, he said, “Do you hear my instruction?”

But now… he says:

Do you hear.. my heart.

Do you hear.. my tone..

Do you hear.. my sincere intent.

The harsh rebuke had already been given..

That letter had been delivered..

The hard and sorrowful words were received..

And now.. as Paul writes again..

His heart.. is open wide..

And he’s letting them know..

This time.. it’s not a sorrowful message..

There was a reason.. for the rebuke..

But it does not mean.. that the communication from Paul… will always come in such a harsh manner..

Paul is desiring to see them.. w/joyful hearts..

And he wants them to hear.. his heart..

Not.. a harsh heart of rebuke..

But a gentle heart..

Of love.. and compassion.

And so.. in so many words..

He’s asking..

“do you hear me?”

The next question.. is very similar..

First off: “do you hear me? Do you hear my heart?

Secondly.. “Do you.. smell me?”

Well, Paul.. I’m glad you asked..

You keep leaving those sweat bands of yours laying around..

We know how hard it is to bathe regularly when you’re traveling…

We’ve all wanted to talk to you about this for a long time..

I know you are searching chapter two right now for this… “Where is Paul asking them to smell him?

But we’ve been too afraid to mention it..

No..

It wasn’t anything like that..

It didn’t have anything to do..

It’s not a physical odor… - But instead, if you glance down to vs. 15… you’ll see… it’s an aroma of Christ… and who is the aroma of Christ to this world?

w/a physical odor..

We… the believers… we, the church… this is our call.

This is something.. of a spiritual essence..

A recognition.. of Christ..

Of His presence.. of His likeness.. of His Spirit..

And it’s discernable..

.. his knowledge..

..diffusing in every place..

Jesus Christ.. is in me, and working through me..

His fragrance.. the aroma of His knowledge..

Of His Grace..

Of His conviction.. ..

Do you.. smell me?

When Paul implores them to hear his heart… - He doesn’t want to bring pain through rebuke…

he doesn’t want to suffer pain through their disobedience…

what he really wants from them, and with them… is joy.

And his heart is this: that they would not have pain, but that they would know his abundant love for them.

This is the first half of this chapter… this is the message in vss 1-11

To tell them to listen… that’s very direct...

But… to tell them to smell… this, is indirect..

Do you smell me?

We communicate with more than words. Most of us are inclined to pick up on indirect types of communication, even if they contradict with the words being spoken.

When someone speaks… and in our heart, we sense insincerity, or hypocrisy. Maybe the Lord reveals it, maybe we just know it by knowing the fruit that is in that person’s life.

They speak one thing directly… and we hear those words directly. But there’s an indirect communication in that person’s life… that speaks the opposite.

We hear one thing… we smell another.

Both.. are vital..

Both.. are necessary..

And both of them.. if we allow it..

Are significant avenues.. through which, our Lord.. can.. and will.. speak through us..

II cor 2:1-3 (don’t read)

At the end of chapter one.. Paul delivered a bit of clarity..

-He told them: ++

“We are not those.. who would have dominion over your faith.”

SLIDE 6

2 Corinthians 1:24 ESV

24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

Yes.. Paul had delivered.. correction.. counsel.. and harsh instruction..

But.. it wasn’t given.. to prove a point..

It wasn’t given.. so that Paul could establish himself as a domineering authority..

He wasn’t establishing himself as the biggest dog in the pack..

He was.. instead.. being a servant..

.. re-directing them.. into the path of blessing and joy..

Some might have interpreted his harsh tone.. as being one of dominance and control..

But.. such.. was in no way.. the case for Paul. ++

I like the NKJV wording… he says: “I’m not here, to have dominion over your faith.”

But rather.. I’m here to be a fellow worker for your joy.. ++

Folks.. look out.. beware.. when someone tries to have dominion over your faith..

When someone tries to manipulate you.. turn you.. force you.. and intimidate you..

.. under the guise.. of spiritual authority..

When they lead you with words that contradict their smell. When their leadership produces fear and confusion, rather than joy.

I, like Paul, have a role of spiritual leadership… but not so I can have dominion. Not so I can make your decisions for you. But, so that I can teach you what the Bible says, and encourage you to walk this path.

So if a pastor, or an elder, or a Bible study leader is seeking to lord it over your faith. Beware.

Some husbands, blinded by pride, incorrectly interpret their role this way. They completely fail to see the leadership style of Jesus as their example. They completely fail to love sacrificially and lead with grace, kindness, generosity, honesty, and mercy.

Instead… they demand submission with words that contradict their smell… and do not lead as fellow workers for their joy.

These are cultish methods..

And they are not consistent to the leadership style of Jesus.. nor His apostles.. ++

Paul is asking the church at Corinth a question..

“Hey.. do you guys hear me.”

Do you hear my tone..

No.. not a domineering ruler seeking to bring pain..

But rather..

A fellow worker..

For what purpose?

A fellow worker.. for your joy.. ++

That’s what spiritual servanthood is all about..

It’s all about.. leading each other.. into that place of joy.. ++

Even in his correction.. this is what Paul was intending to do..

… to lead them.. away from their harmful attitudes and practices..

And lead them.. into.. a practice which will set them free, and liberate them completely…

and so.. Paul’s heart would ask: “Do you hear me?”

I am here.. to work with you..

And my service unto you.. is to help you..

Experience.. more and more of the joy that God has to offer. ++

Guys like Paul.. – the traveling teacher.. the prophet. . the holy man..

They had a bad rap..

Why? Because the ones who created that ‘bad rap’… were the traveling teachers… prophets and holy men.

Paul spoke of them often… he warned the churches continually of those who would bring another message:

It’s all over his first letter to Timothy… especially chapter one.. Also in , Galations 4 and . ++

False teachers abounded and in many cases, followed Paul, and immediately brought a message of contradiction .

When you are a good teacher… you have to deal with the reality of false teachers. You suffer the reputation they create… and Paul knew this.

There would be.. skeptical eyes on Paul..

People get into the business of peddling religion..

Because.. if it’s done right.. it can become a self-serving and profitable thing..

There would be.. skeptical eyes on Paul..

And they would say.. that this guy.. Paul.. was setting up his own little Kingdom..

And in this Kingdom.. he was going to rule for his own glory..

And from this Kingdom.. he was going to gain.. personally, and financially..

And always.. there are bitter tunes like this being sung.. ++

For those.. who were humming the bitter tune..

Paul was pleading..

He was asking:

“Do you hear me?”

My heart.. is to serve..

.. not.. to bring sorrow..

But rather.. to bring.. joy. ++

People who are joyful.. are not easily manipulated by men.. ..

For joy.. is an attribute of love.. which is, the fruit of the H.S. ++

Joy.. accompanies peace..

It accompanies patience.. kindness and goodness..

It accompanies.. self control.. ++

Joy.. is an attribute.. of a life that is in touch with.. and responding to.. the Holy Spirit..

If Paul is to be a fellow worker for their joy..

Then He’s not putting them under his control..

He is.. instead.. pointing them to the place.. where their lives are under the control of the H.S. ++

To those who were gun-shy.. to those who were skeptical.. to those who thought that Paul was a manipulator..

He asks this all important question:

“Do you hear me?” ++

I am not coming in sorrow or in pain..

I do not find pleasure in your sorrow or in your pain..

I do not find satisfaction.. in your sorrow or in your pain..

No.. I find pleasure and satisfaction..

In your gladness..

In your.. joy… ++

Wow.. I can relate to this..

When there is joy.. in your midst… in your life, uniquely and personally as a family member of this church.. here in this fellowship..

I get excited.

It blesses my socks off..

And I’m encouraged.. ++

It’s good for all of us… when there is joy. ++

But when there’s not joy..

When there’s sorrow..

my response is different… I too feel sorrow… I too feel pain… and so do those who ae around you…

I get stressed.. and bummed out.

Why?

Well, for me specifically… I have a job.. to be a fellow worker.. for your joy..

I need to be leading you to that place.. - that, no matter what the circumstance of your life might be… in want or in plenty… in hardship or comfort… that you know the joy of the LOrd.. ++

I have a job, to encourage you, to live in the love of the HS… and walk in obedience to the leading of the HS…

To be in that place where your life has more and more of the H.S. flowing into it..

And as a result..

You’ll have the fruit of the H.S.. which is love..

Flowing out of you.. ++

And what accompanies love?

Joy.. peace.. patience.. and so on..

SLIDE 7

and.. it’s written by a guy.. who is vehemently embittered against Calvary Chapel..

I began reading it a couple months ago..

Because it’s teaching me something..

As this guy points out the faults and the hypocrisies and so-called crimes that are going on… apparently.. w/in Calvary Chapel..

I am so encouraged..

To become the pastor.. that even this bitter guy.. could not criticize..

Oh sure.. he’ll criticize the doctrine.. or the government structure.. or my insufficient training..

But.. I hope.. that he won’t be able to criticize.. my character.. or my practice.

The guy is passionate..

He’s been burned..

And he’s venting his anger.. and his frustration..

Upon this organization.. that I’m part of..

As I read.. familiar stories come to light..

Some true.. and some twisted..

But all the same.. stories of Pastors and ministry leaders w/in my fellowship of churches.

That took their eyes of the people..

And put their focus on themselves..

And as a result..

Several people.. in many of these churches..

Lost their joy.

The guy that writes the blog..

He knows the Lord..

2 Corinthians 2:4 ESV

4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

But…. He doesn’t have.. joy.

It’s obvious… in his bitterness..

That he doesn’t have.. peace..

And I’m reminded..

Hey.. there are people out there.. like that..

And I’ve played a part in their loss of joy..

Because I put my focus.. in the wrong place..

It’s a reminder.. for each of us.. .

This world.. is full of ugliness.. it’s full of wickedness..

It’s fallen.. it’s corrupt.. and it’s deadly..

There’s enough stuff going on out there.. in the name of all things dark and demonic..

…. That is robbing people of their joy..

That we..

Who are intimately associated with the epitome of Compassion.. Jesus Christ..

.. we.. should be the least likely ones.. to bring.. sorrow..

And I know..

That in my ignorance.. in my flesh.. in my selfishness..

I’ll do it.. again and again..

But I pray.. that I will be able to bring joy..

More consistently.. and more often..

.. than ever before.

Sometimes.. sorrow is a needful thing..

Not the sorrow that comes as a result of shame..

Not the sorrow.. that comes to the victim..

But rather.. that sorrow.. that we sometimes have to walk through..

To get to that place of blessing..

SLIDE 8

Ecclesiastes 7:3 ESV

3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

: “… for by a sad countenance.. the heart is made better… “

There was a needful sadness in Corinth..

For Paul brought to them.. a needful correction..

One which was BY MANY IN THAT CHURCH… received.. ++

And through the sadness of this correction..

The hearts of many.. were made better.. ++

We can draw analogies for the lives of several Biblical characters..

Joseph.. who lived as a slave.. and as a prisoner.. for so long..

The Lord led him through a time of sorrow..

And it was sorrow w/a purpose.. ++

For on the other end.. God showed him.. how it was all for good. ++

Moses.. fleeing to the desert, as a criminal.. spent 40 hard years in barren loneliness’..

But God equipped him.. and prepared him..

Through that time of sorrow..

It was sorrow.. w/a purpose.. ++

And for both of these guys..

For Paul in his afflictions..

For our Lord.. in his time of testing in the dessert..

In his false accusations.. his beatings and his crucifixion..

They were needful times of sorrow..

That led to.. a greater purpose.. of joy.. ++

If I have to bring sorrow..

I pray.. that this is the only kind that I bring..

A sorrow.. that is good for the heart..

For it leads us.. to that better place..

That place.. of restoration.. of healing.. and of correction.. ++

Paul was bummed out.. he couldn’t even do ministry in Troas.. because he was burdened for the people in Corinth..

He didn’t know how his letter of correction was received..

And he couldn’t find peace on the matter, until he had gotten the report from Titus..

Notice his explanation.. in vs. 4: ++

Much affliction and anguish of heart.. w/many tears..

That is the spirit.. in which Paul delivered his words of correction..

He didn’t find joy, or personal satisfaction in it..

It was hard for him.. ++

That’s why he’s asking the people in Corinth:

Hey.. “Do you hear me?”

Do you hear.. my heart..

I’m not out.. to grieve you..

“.. but that you might know the abundant love that I have for you….

SLIDE 9

2 Corinthians 2:5–7 ESV

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

SLIDE 10

2 Corinthians 2:8–11 ESV

8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

2 COR 2.8

(continue reading.. )

Most people believe.. that Paul is referencing back to the guy they removed from fellowship back in I Corinthians..

They were obedient.. they followed Paul’s instruction..

They removed the guy who was shacked up w/his step mom..

And.. if this is in reference to the same guy.. ++

Then we must conclude..

He’s repented.. He’s turned 180 degrees..

He has gone through.. his profitable season of sorrow..

One.. that is w/a purpose..

And one.. that is intended to lead him to a place of joy.. ++

And apparently..

They are not receiving him back yet..

So Paul lets them know..

This guy.. is in a critical place..

He’s fragile.. ++

And his sorrow.. may not lead him to joy..

Oh no.. his sorrow could very well.. swallow him up whole..

Reafirm your love.. forgive him.. and receive him back into fellowship! ++

Why?

..so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.’ ++

What designs would Satan use.. in this situation? ++

Well… not only would the repentant sinner.. grow bitter..

But so would others..

They would look at him, as an example..

They would fall prey to the psychology and the designs of satan..

And hearts would be hardened to the gospel..

Because the church was uncompassionate.. and unforgiving.. ++

The devil will play people’s emotions.. because he has had thousands of years to study human psychology..

He has had thousands of years..

.. to figure out.. how we tick..

He knows how to rile us up.. and get our goat..

And if we.. remain ignorant of his devices..

We’ll simply give him the opportunity.. ++

SLIDE 11

2 Corinthians 2:12–13 ESV

12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

2 COR 2.1

SLIDE 12

2 Corinthians 2:14–15 ESV

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

SLIDE 13

2 Corinthians 2:16–17 ESV

16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

(read)

What’s the first question:

Do you hear me?

Do you hear my heart? My tone? My intent?

Hey.. it’s sincere.. It’s.. w/love.. it’s compassionate…

My purpose.. is not to lead you.. in a sorrow that swallows you up…

But rather.. in a sorrow.. that is w/a purpose..

One that leads you.. to that place of joy..

So: question one.. “Do you hear me” ++

Now.. in vs. 14.. here’s the other question:

Do you smell me?

Not my b.o… not my cologne.. not the stuff that I stepped in..

No.. not w/the nose..

This is something greater..

Something more substantial..

Something that is good.. desirable.. sweet.. something.. pleasant..

Vs. 14..

God leads us..

Where?

In triumph in Christ.. ++

Hey.. it’s not a place.. it’s a position.. ..

It’s not an action.. it’s an attitude..

Erin may have touched on this a couple weeks ago in chapter one… where in vss 19-20.. we see that all the promises of God are yes and amen… where? Vs. 19 tells us.. “In Christ”… it’s not a place… it’s a position. ++

SLIDE 14

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

- if I’m “In Christ”.. I’m a new creation..

Old things .. are passed away..

All things… have become new..

Hey.. there’s a huge part of the victory..

Right now..

For those of us who are in X

Again.. freshly.. regenerated.. .. right now.. “a new creation” ++

Our spiritual condition isn’t like our computer software..

Outdated and in need up updating..

No way..

The updates are instant.. ++

We are new creations.. all things are new.. old things..

Right now.. they’re passing away..

And that’s victory.. ++

What happens to things that get real old.

well.. they die..

and what happens to things that die?

Well.. they rot..

And what noticeable feature does the rotting process produce? What to we notice when we drive by road kill with our windows down?

– bad smell… ++

This might be the fate of our flesh..

But spiritually.. in our new creation lives..

We are perpetually.. “new car smell”..

From our .. new creation lives..

The fragrance of His knowledge.. is diffusing in every place.. ++

..verse 15.. our fragrance is.. to one degree.. unto God..

We are the ones who bear the image and the essence of Christ..

And we are the ones.. upon whom God identifies and recognizes this trait.. ++

But.. vs. 16..

IN a second sense… among the people of the world..

We are also.. the fragrance of Christ..

In us, and through us.. people will hear of.. witness.. and experience..

.. the person of Christ.. ++

We are.. after all.. His ambassadors..

And in that.. there is great encouragement for us..

For the scent.. can be blocked..

I remember.. as a little child.. going to Uncle Ernie.. and Aunt Martha’s Farm..

Aunt Martha always had the most amazing flower gardens..

They were huge.. and in 1976.. she celebrated our nations 200th birthday..

By doing her whole garden..

As a flag of the United States.. ++

I remember it in the local papers..

It was a big deal..

But one Saturday.. as we were there..

I remember.. something was foul. ++

I couldn’t smell the flowers..

No.. there was something else..

And as I walked to the edge of the garden..

There it was..

A dead.. bloated.. nasty.. stinky.. cat.

It’s one of those childhood memories that doesn’t go away…

There was so much beauty there…

But also… there was something repulsive..

It was gross.. ++

But.. sometimes.. so are we.. Sometimes… in the same way… we are gross.

If we emit w/dominance.. our own stink..

If we emit.. w/dominance.. the smell of our rotting flesh..

If we.. show to the world..

A motive.. and a heart.. that is out for personal gain..

Rather than..

.. a motive and a heart.. that is out for the gain and glory of Christ.. ++

People aren’t going to smell the fragrance of X..

No.. they’re gonna smell something.. rotten.. and gross..

Those things that emit good smells..

the flower.. for instance..

it.. just does it naturally..

it’s growing.. and blooming according to its design.. ++

That’s what God intends for us..

That we would just grow.. and bloom..

According to His design..

That we would live a life..

That is receptive to the Holy Spirit..

That is operated in Faith..

That is growing.. in the knowledge of God..

That is experiencing.. .. love.. good works.. compassion.. worship.. prayer.. and so on..

When this is happening… the aroma is going to be good… not dead, but alive. Not rotting, but divine. ++

It’s just gonna happen…

This is kindof what Paul was saying in vs. 17..

… We’re not peddling the word of God..

We’re not adulterating it for gain..

No way.. ++

Such is not.. according to God’s design..

We’re being sincere..

We speak.. we do.. we serve..

In the sight of God..

This is what He has called us.. designed us.. purposed us to do.. ++

Do you.. hear me? Do you.. smell me?

Does the world…

Hear in us.. a heart that is sincere..

Does the world.. smell.. upon us..

The fragrance of Christ?

I pray it’s so..

… for each of us..

End.

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