2 Cor 7:2-8, 13-16

Chad Myhre

2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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SLIDE 2

2 Corinthians 7:2–4 ESV

2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

SLIDE 3

2 Corinthians 7:5–8 ESV

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.

SLIDE 4

2 Corinthians 7:13–14 ESV

2 COR 7:

SLIDE 5

2 Corinthians 7:15–16 ESV

15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

-18

Intro:

If you are older than 30… you might remember this TV Commercial…

How do you spell relief?

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The chalky chewable heartburn tablet claimed to have the corner on the market for relief…

If you were lacking relief.. Rolaids is the answer..

But, I have identified many areas where Rolaids is going to fall short on this promise..

When you are waiting to find out how much you owe to the IRS…

Rolaids… - will not give you an answer..

For those of you who are wondering at what moment your car is going break down..

Rolaids.. –will not tell you when.

For those of you who are awaiting for an answer from the doctor on your medical test..

Rolaids.. – will not make waiting easier..

For those of you who are upset about a strained relationship with someone you love…

Rolaids.. – will not bring restoration..

So many things in this world are promising us.. relief.. comfort.. and encouragement..

The mattress on your bed..

the suspension in your car..

the equity in your house..

The promises of your health insurance policy

The money in the bank..

The medication..

The counseling..

The: food, the alcohol.. the tv programs..

These thing promise us:

Relief, comfort and encouragement..

But in reality..

They are not cures…

Instead.. they are band-aids.

They are temporary pain killers.

They are unreliable sources of security..

As Christians.. we claim a cure..

We know.. there is comfort provided for us..

That does not fail..

That mattress.. it’s going to wear out..

That money in the bank.. it could disappear in one common mishap.

The meds.. the counsel..

.. they help, for a short while..

The alcohol..

It.. numbs the pain… while simultaneously creating more..

The scriptures teach us.. that God is all about “comfort”..

He wants to give it.. and He wants us to have it..

We see a comfort that is gained through the fellowship we have w/one another..

We see a comfort that comes directly from the Word..

We see a comfort that comes.. in the prophetic promises of the future.

AND….

We see a comfort that comes.. through the direct influence of the H.S.

As we saw 2 weeks ago, in our last study, a portion of chapter 7 had to do with “sincere repentance”..

But, intermingled w/in chapter 7.. and related directly to the repentance of the Corinthian believers..

Paul is talking about: comfort..

Mostly, in and through his own testimony…

For he shows us.. by his own example..

How he was in need of comfort..

And.. how God provided it to him.

SLIDE 6

2 Corinthians 7:2–4 ESV

Back in the book of Romans.. Paul gave a word of warning:

, (NKJV)

SLIDE 7

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those kwho cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and lavoid them.

Romans 16:17–18 ESV

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord 4Jesus Christ, but mtheir own belly, and nby smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. [1]

When I consider the many personal defenses that Paul gives for himself..

I think back to this warning..

For if Paul were actually out with the intention to corrupt and cheat the church..

Then he, by his own admission… would be one of those who are not serving Christ..

Paul was definitely a servant of Christ.. and I’m sure, by the heart he continued to express.. that he would have been devastated if the church was to “avoid him”.

If, there was any doubt in the minds of the Corinthians..

If, there were even a few who were still thinking of him in a negative light, because of the the influence of the “super apostles” who had invaded that church… ..

He wanted.. so desperately. to correct that thinking . ..

For if.. there were still those who thought of Paul in a negative light..

then the message that Paul was bringing.. would have been w/o impact to those who saw him as being:

corrupt.. or as a cheater…

If he was a false apostle.. w/no true spiritual authority..

Then his message would be rendered weak and helpless..

So again… Paul not only proclaims his sincerity with words.. but also, he displays it, by the testimony of his experience, - experiences of hardship and suffering…

Sincere in Words..

And.. Sincere in actions..

For what Charlatan would endure the sufferings that Paul endured?

Paul was good at personal defense… he could build a good argument, and defend himself with it.

It’s not something that I personally, have ever been good at…

I feel like, defending myself is a last resort.. it’s a cop out....

Growing up, like everyone else, I was quick to defend myself in the face of accusation.

I was so quick, that my response was more of a defense mechanism than anything else.

I would quickly start talking and build a narrative as I went to defend my actions. I did what most people do. Quickly try to build an excuse and hope it works…

Considering the accusation against me as true, and facing potential fault… was not an option. I was under attack, and I had to put my hands up and protect myself the attack..

But, early on into adult hood, I realized… that I’m just not good at that. The outcome of my dishonest defense usually ended up being worse than the actual accusation.

In the face of accusation.. I’d rather hear it… process it.. see if there’s truth in it and learn from it.. -I’m not good at arguing. it is so much work and it’s a treacherous path to walk down.

Let the testimony of my “lessons learned” be my defense..

Let the Lord Himself be my defender..

But me.. should I give a defense of myself???

Because I am not good at it… I have failed, many times over, by not giving a personal defense of what’s in my heart..

I have just allowed people to make their accusations… and keep their perceptions… whether they are true or not.

For I know.. that I have a clean conscience with God..

For yes, I might have error..

But if I’m certain that my heart implied no malice..

Then I’m fine.. - I don’t need to argue and defend myself…

But as I continue to read about Paul.. I’m challenged..

Paul wrote these letters under the influence of the H.S.

The H.S. inspired Paul to proclaim his heart.. even to those who considered him to be a hoax..

Why?

I believe.. it’s ultimately about the message.

Do we want the message that our lives and our words communicate.. to be received.. or discredited?

i’ve been pastoring for 20 years… in that time, some people have had negative experiences with me. Sometimes, my fault, sometimes not…

As a result… it doesn’t matter how much truth I speak… these people will not receive it. My ability to minister to them is hindered by offense and perception.

And yes, in my immaturity or in my stupidity, I have contributed to those negative experiences..

But.. I’ve never bothered to give a humble defense…

Yes, I’ve learned.. I’ve moved on.. I’ve grown..

But no.. I haven’t brought a humble defense.

And so.. even if it’s to a few people.. it’s kind of a bummer knowing..

That my ministry.. and my words… are of no avail..

Think about this one for a moment..

For as Paul speaks about his heart.. and I speak about my heart.. and you, speak about your heart…

Are there people.. in our lives.. w/whom we have had conflict?…

And they’re out there.. carrying around a burden of un-forgiveness..

.. because we have failed to communicate.. in humility.. a defense for what is in our hearts???

You might automatically say, in your heart..

“my defense isn’t going to change anybody’s mind.” (this is what I always say… )

Maybe so..

Maybe people are going to keep on believing what they want to believe..

But then again.. maybe not.

By explaining our heart.. and our learning process.. and our sincerity..

.. we give.. an opportunity for forgiveness..

And .. we continue to create more opportunities for ministry..

Paul gives his defense.. in vs. 2 and 3..

He sticks it in there.. again.. even after he has done it several times already..

Trying to create more opportunities for ministry..

Trying to give more opportunities .. for forgiveness..

Then… in vs. 4

He shares his present condition..

Notice the 2nd phrase..

He says of them: “I have great pride in you’

Paul is excited.. about their spiritual condition..

He is talking about them.. a lot.. and of how they are growing and learning..

He said to the Thessalonian church.. (,)

SLIDE 8

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 ESV

19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Paul got excited.. not only by seeing his ministry be fruitful..

But.. more simply.. he found excitement.. in the spiritual development of other believers..

Then, he goes on to say, that he is “filled with comfort… In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

2 Corinthians 7:4 ESV

4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

This.. is Paul’s present condition..

IN spite of the things which are around him..

In spite of the unpleasantries..

He’s feeling pretty good..

And then.. in vss 5-8.. he tells us why.. he’s feeling good.

SLIDE 9

2 Corinthians 7:5–8 ESV

Here, he is reflecting back to a time before Titus came..

And in that time.. he was tore up! He had written a harsh letter of correction to the church in Corinth..

And he didn’t know how they had received it..

At times like this, the mind can go crazy.

Were they all angry with him?

Had they taken serous offense at his words?

Did they offer a hefty reward for the first person to bring them Paul’s head on a platter???

Isn’t it easy.. in times like this.. for our minds to go to the negative???

Awaiting the test result from the doctor?

Waiting for a report on the loved one who is overseas in the military?

Wondering how a word of advice or correction was received?

You plug your own circumstance into this scenario.

As you wait for confirmation… what’s going on in your mind?

Paul had other burdens… Notice.. it wasn’t just about the church in Corinth..

it wasn’t.. just about the letter..

But also.. there were physical things.. troubles.. and conflicts..

Some of which.. were caused by the anticipation of the I Corinthian letter..

Some.. were the every day trials of Paul’s flesh and Paul’s ministry..

And even though the troubles came.. from many different places.. and in many different ways..

There was one thing, that brought comfort through it all..

For Paul.. it was a report from Titus..

God brought comfort.. through Titus… to Paul..

What was the message?

Simply this: The church in Corinth received the correction..

In a very specific sense.. this was the manner by which Paul received the all encompassing comfort..

But in a general sense..

Simply stated: Paul received comfort.. from God.. the God who comforts the downcast..

In that one statement, (the Corinthians received your correction)… Paul was comforted.

And that God.. . comforted him in it..

He received comfort.. simply by the company and fellowship of Titus..

He received comfort.. by the report that Titus brought..

And: he received comfort, because Titus had been comforted by the church in Corinth..

Notice the medium by which God delivered comfort..

It was through a man.. through a fellow believer… through a friend.

God didn’t bring it directly and supernaturally..

God didn’t shower it down upon Paul because of some positive confession.

Not in this circumstance..

Paul did not receive comfort.. until it was ministered to him, through another person.

Folks.. there’s a lot of “Lone Ranger” Christians out there..

And honestly, I don’t know how they do it..

For we have considered it several time..

The very reason why we are told in Hebrews to “not forsake the assembling together of the saints”..

Why? Because we come together.. to stir one another up.. to encourage one another on… towards love and good works..

Yes, God can and does encourage us.. and bring comfort to us directly..

But in the scriptures.. we see it coming.. more prominently.. through other people..

Who was Titus?

He was one of Paul’s students..

He wasn’t a peer.. he wasn’t an elder..

He was.. an underling.. a student..

This, in itself is an encouragement..

For we might think.. that we are only going to receive an anointed word..

From some big shot preacher.. or from someone we respect and admire..

And if we think this way.. then we are deceived..

For it might come.. from a child.. from a friend who is young in their faith.. through a peer.. or through a student..

You see.. if God has a word for you.. and it’s a specific word of comfort.. to your life.. and to your heart..

Then it doesn’t matter how qualified the person is..

All’s they have to do.. is share what God puts on their heart.

If you think.. that you’re only going to get a message through a pastor or an elder..

Then you’re limiting God..

And you’re limiting other people.. of their opportunities to be used..

You know.. the elders here at this church… me included… we get to pray for people all the time..

And we are glad to..

But there’s no more power in our prayer.. than in any other believer’s prayer..

The power is not in the: title, the wording.. or the phraseology.. or the influx of voice and tone..

The power is in God..

A soft gentle voice asking in humility for God’s will to be done..

Is just as effective as a loud voice of confidence declaring healing now!

It is not… a lack of faith.. to qualify our prayers with “if it be Your will”..

In fact.. that is Biblical..

We are to pray in faith..

And that’s not always going to be a faith of “What we declare God’s going to do.”

But.. it’s a faith.. a confidence.. it’s complete trust.. that God is able to do anything..

I love it… when I see the body ministering to one another..

When I see the body praying for one another..

My greatest ministry to you.. is to equip you to do the ministry..

Yes.. I should be there.. ministering amongst the body..

But I shouldn’t be there.. ministering on behalf of the body..

I shouldn’t be doing ministry in your stead..

If I am doing all the work..

Then I have failed to do my job..

Who brought God’s ministry of comfort to Paul?

Titus!

Who’s going to bring it to you? Who’s going to pray with you? Who’s going to encourage you?

Hey.. it might be a pastor.. it might be an elder.. it might be a 4th grader.. it might be.. the person sitting next to you…

SLIDE 10

God should have brought to him.. Barnabas.. or Peter.. or Billy Graham..

But not Titus!

2 Corinthians 7:13–16 ESV

13 Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

He was, at this point.. a student.. a message boy.. a runner of errands..

But then again.. aren’t we all?

Students.. delivering messages.. running errands..

… II cor 7:13-16

Who ministered to Titus?

Who refreshed his spirit?

Ultimately, it was God..

But what avenue did God use?

Notice this… God used The church in Corinth..

Now.. wait a minute!

This is the church where the guy was shacked up with is step mom.. and people were getting drunk at the pot-lucks… and all kinds of liberal theology was flying around!!!!!

Your right.. this WAS.. that church..

But now.. this became a different church..

The church that WAS.. wouldn’t have refreshed Titus..

They would have perplexed Titus.. they would have sent him away… confused.

How about you.. Are you holding back.. because of your record.. your past.. your reputation..

Do you anticipate.. that your past.. will discredit your present ability to minister in the present?

Hey.. if the church at Corinth changed..

It’s not a big thing.. for us as individuals to change..

They ministered to Titus..

Even though.. they had a recent past.. that was highly disreputable..

Their shame.. didn’t hold them back..

Ours shouldn’t either..

Now.. Paul is boasting in the church at Corinth..

Paul’s not holding a grudge.. Paul’s not keeping the Corinthian church chained up in that place of perpetual judgment.

No way.. he’s excited about who they are NOW.

And beyond his words of correction.. no grudge remained in his heart.

Paul had received comfort..

And no grudge is going to co-exist with the comfort of God..

Conclusion.

Of the things we strive for in life… I’m sure many would agree.. that comfort should be high on the list.

Comfort was one of Paul’s biggest themes..

slide 11

2 Corinthians 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

II cor 1:3 / our God is the God of all comfort.. .

He went on to say.. that with the comfort we receive from Him..

We are to comfort others.

++.

This rings familiar w/something Jesus said:

What we have received freely… we should give freely..

To the Romans he wrote:

SLIDE 12

(NKJV)

Romans 15:4–5 ESV

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

4 For ewhatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the 3patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 fNow may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, [2]

SLIDE 13

David said: in

/ he gains comfort in affliction.. from the Word..

In / again, PAUL found comfort in the spiritual health of others..

… / …He said… “We were comforted by your faith!”

In .. He spoke of the manner in which Christ would “come and get us”.. and of how we would always be with the Lord..

then.. in he said:

“comfort one another with these words”

Moving on into chapter 5 of I This.. he told them, 2 more times.. to comfort one another..

In the Gk.. the word comfort is “paraklesis”.. . which literally means “encouragement, or consolation”

The Holy Spirit is called the “Parakletos”… which means.. “the one who brings comfort / encouragement or consolation”..

And as we know.. from the Word…

This comforter, who dwells in us individually, and in us as the church corporately… might bring comfort directly.. through the scriptures.. or through other believers..

Our friend Barnabas.. from the book of Acts..

His name means.. “son of paraklesis”..

Son of comfort / son of encouragements / son of consolation..

What does comfort do?

It’s more than just relaxing on something soft and warm..

True comfort.. gives us peace.. in every circumstance..

It gives us a motivation.. to keep on going..

It gives us contentment, in our hearts..

And puts us.. in a mind-frame.. of trust.. and faith..

For us today.

there’s an encouragement..

There is comfort.. from the Word.. and from the H.S.

Not only does He have comfort for us..

But He calls us.. to give comfort to others!

I’m sure there are many here today.. who have a deep need for God to bring encouragement to their hearts..

We are disturbed.. and we need to be settled.

We are upset.. distraught.. and confused..

As always.. we’re going to close.. by providing a time for prayer..

BAND!

Then I encourage you.. come forward today.. and receive prayer..

If that’s you… I encourage you to seek out the comforters around you… you are surrounded by people who will pray for you… who have words for you… who will listen to you.

pray.

If you came here today.. and the H.S. has been tugging at your heart..

And it’s time.. to turn your live over.. into His hands..

To change directions.. from a life that is lived for self.. to a life that is lived for Him..

It’s time to confess your sins.. and receive His forgiveness..

If today is your day… then don’t hesitate..

Come forward for prayer.

“That’s it!”

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[1] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville

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[2] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville

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