Today, Paul concludes this letter, to the Jesus followers in Corinth, with an important plea.
2 Corinthians 12
19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.
20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.
2 Corinthians 13
5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.
6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.
7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come - even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority.
8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.
9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.
Examine. The journey of a Jesus follower begins in humility and weakness and brokenness at the point of salvation; but it isn’t intended to end there. It is meant to truly be a journey that maintains humility while working through repentance toward truth and purity and ultimately maturity. Periodically, we need to examine our lives and see where we are in our journey. Am I moving toward the person Jesus wants me to become or returning to the person I used to be?
Our offices will be closed on Monday so I will see you on Tuesday.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Weakness
Back to Paul’s letter ... Today, he offers another oxymoron.
2 Corinthians 12
6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Weakness. The thought that stood out to me was, “My power works best in weakness.” It reminded my that I am passionately focused on God when I need Him greatly ... when I am weak ... when I am humbled. At the same time, I am easily distracted from God when things are going well ... when it appears that I am strong. It makes me wonder what seasons of life are more valuable ... the seasons filled with challenges that draw me closer to God and teach me true strength or the seasons filled with peace that see me predictably drift away from God and lead to true weakness.
2 Corinthians 12
6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Weakness. The thought that stood out to me was, “My power works best in weakness.” It reminded my that I am passionately focused on God when I need Him greatly ... when I am weak ... when I am humbled. At the same time, I am easily distracted from God when things are going well ... when it appears that I am strong. It makes me wonder what seasons of life are more valuable ... the seasons filled with challenges that draw me closer to God and teach me true strength or the seasons filled with peace that see me predictably drift away from God and lead to true weakness.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Be still
Every Wednesday, we review the previous weekend’s message. This past weekend, Jonathan concluded our “One Prayer” series by talking about the fact that God is greater than our fear. In the message, he referenced a story from Mark 4 ...
Mark 4
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Be still. Jonathan mentioned that the Bible constantly refers to two groups of people ... one that responds in faith and one that responds in fear. If you want to begin the shift from fear based living to faith based living, it begins with a simple, yet seemingly impossible, step. Be still. Really, this entire series has been about the idea of rediscovering who God is through prayer. I know it can seem impossible to find even five minutes of silence in the midst of your chaotic life; but it is in that silence, in those moments of prayer, that we have the opportunity to shift our focus from our disappointment to God’s accomplishments ... from our past to God’s grace ... from our storms to God’s authority. “Be still, and know that I am God!” - Psalm 46:10
Mark 4
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Be still. Jonathan mentioned that the Bible constantly refers to two groups of people ... one that responds in faith and one that responds in fear. If you want to begin the shift from fear based living to faith based living, it begins with a simple, yet seemingly impossible, step. Be still. Really, this entire series has been about the idea of rediscovering who God is through prayer. I know it can seem impossible to find even five minutes of silence in the midst of your chaotic life; but it is in that silence, in those moments of prayer, that we have the opportunity to shift our focus from our disappointment to God’s accomplishments ... from our past to God’s grace ... from our storms to God’s authority. “Be still, and know that I am God!” - Psalm 46:10
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Boast
Remember, one of the reasons Paul wrote this letter was to address some individuals that were trying to undermine Paul’s role as a leader and a voice in the church at Corinth. Today, in addressing this issue, Paul provides an important reminder for our lives.
2 Corinthians 10
9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters.
10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”
11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.
14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.
16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.
17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
Boast. As a Jesus follower, I need to be cognizant of what I boast about. It is a reflection of what my life is focused on. I also need to be cognizant of what the spiritual mentors in my life boast about. It is a reflection of what their life is truly focused on.
2 Corinthians 10
9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters.
10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”
11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.
14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.
16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.
17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
Boast. As a Jesus follower, I need to be cognizant of what I boast about. It is a reflection of what my life is focused on. I also need to be cognizant of what the spiritual mentors in my life boast about. It is a reflection of what their life is truly focused on.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Produce
When we stopped last week, Paul was talking about the importance of us giving ourselves to Jesus ... completely. Today, Paul provides an insight to what could happen if we do.
2 Corinthians 9
1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.
2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
6 Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving - the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
Produce. The thought that stood out to me was the phrase, “produce a great harvest of generosity in you.” Paul is reiterating a thought taught by Jesus (check out Matthew 6:19-21). God wants the focus of your heart (and your time and your abilities) to be on giving as opposed to acquiring or possessing or maintaining so that your heart will become less greedy and more generous ... less selfish and more selfless. I need to consider what God is producing (if anything) in my heart.
2 Corinthians 9
1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.
2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
6 Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving - the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
Produce. The thought that stood out to me was the phrase, “produce a great harvest of generosity in you.” Paul is reiterating a thought taught by Jesus (check out Matthew 6:19-21). God wants the focus of your heart (and your time and your abilities) to be on giving as opposed to acquiring or possessing or maintaining so that your heart will become less greedy and more generous ... less selfish and more selfless. I need to consider what God is producing (if anything) in my heart.
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