First Baptist Church of Diana, Texas

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Memory Verse:  And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 8:5

It is difficult for most American Christians to identify with New Testament Christianity from the perspective of their suffering and endurance. It is fruitful for our Bible study to always remember the price many early believers had to pay in order to follow Christ. Some had their land confiscated and others were just struggling to have their needs met and get along financially. Some were outcast from their families for leaving the old Jewish religion. When we examine our own wealth in comparison to the rest of the world, we will find that we have much to give.

The Corinthians had much to give. In our daily reading for today, Paul brings up the subject of the Macedonian churches and their faithfulness to give in support of those who were serving as missionaries. Evidently, these Macedonians didn’t have much and were giving out of their poverty. The Corinthians, on the other hand, had started to give but were not giving in accordance with their abundance. Paul challenges them to consider the family. He very much views the Christian brotherhood as a family. If one member of the family prospers he should then share with the family member who is struggling.

There is a great challenge for modern American Christians in this passage. Our standard of living is among the highest in the world and in the history of mankind. We have more time and finances for leisure than any society recorded in our history books. We are also diminishing our giving to the cause of the Gospel and to charity. These are symptoms of an individualistic selfish society. May God challenge us today in our giving as individuals and as a church. The Southern Baptist Convention will have 600 fewer missionaries world wide next year because our giving is not keeping up with opportunity. When you give an offering in our church, almost 10% goes directly to the SBC for distribution to support missionaries around the world. We also have people who give to the missions fund of our church which is distributed to the International Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, World Hunger Relief, and Gideons International. May God challenge you today to make sure you are giving as he has prospered you.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and/or prayer time?

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 7:5-16

Memory Verse:  And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.  2 Corinthians 8:5

As of this writing, my wife has been away from home about three weeks. She has been staying with her dad as he recovers from surgery. We have had numerous text message conversations as well as a few phone calls. This morning we tried out another method of communication called Google talk. From an Internet connection to her phone along with an Internet connection to my computer, we carried on a conversation by typing messages back and forth in real time. Communication channels have certainly expedited many things in our lives. As you read the text for today, I believe you will sense a longing in Paul’s heart to know of his continuing relationship with the Corinthians. Had he been able to pick up the phone and call the Corinthians, he would have likely worked out the differences in a matter of hours. As it was for him, it was likely a matter of weeks which probably turned into months.

At the heart of today’s reading is the subject of comfort. We know that Paul was distressed over the situation at Corinth and the strong nature of his previous correspondence with them because good news through Titus serves him with comfort. Imagine that you were separated from someone dear to your heart and you had to write them a letter of reprimand due to their actions. You cannot call them on the phone and you cannot visit them. You simply write the letter and wait for a response. When the response comes and you find out those who are dear to you have responded positively to your reprimand and even express their continued love for you, the experience of comfort would fill your heart.

Paul’s greatest comfort came from two pieces of news delivered by Titus. The first one is mentioned in verse 7 and concerns the continued feelings the Corinthians have for him. There is never total assurance a relationship will be maintained when one party has found it necessary to confront the other about some behavior. Paul was comforted to know they had not lost their fondness of him. Verses 8-12 outline the second reason Paul was comforted which included their positive reception of his rebuke which brought them to repentance and a continuing journey with Christ. One of the great concerns of Paul’s life was to see the churches he planted walking in obedience to Christ in the power of the Gospel.

Let us learn lessons in confronting those we love. First remember that any confrontation must be done from a heart of love and compassion for that person and the Gospel. Confrontation from a legalist approach will usually cause more harm than good. Second, make the confrontation as expeditious as possible. Paul was hindered by the lack of communication channels. Face to face is always the best but

not always available. Third, the confrontation must be carried out with the goal of a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Perhaps you have  strained relationship with a friend or family member that you need to work on right now. Let Paul’s encouragement spur you on to handle the situation quickly with great hope.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and/or prayer time?

What did I say to God?

Read your Life Group lesson in your Learner guide today.

Memory Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time? What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 6:13-7:4

Memory Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

This week we have focused on the need for good relationships with one another. As we complete our Scripture reading for the week we find ourselves being exhorted to holiness. The call is for us to be separated from the world in practice.

1. The practice of being bound in partnership with unbelievers is not an acceptable partnership.

2. Christ in partnership with Belial would be without harmony.

3. Placing idols in the temple is a worldly practice. 

Holiness means separating oneself to the things of God and not living in partnership with the world or the things of the world. In chapter 7 and verse 1 Paul admonishes us to seek a perfection of holiness in the fear of God. Through a great reverential respect to the Lord we are to walk in obedience to Christ.

Holiness will produce Godly relationships. As a matter of fact, the nature of our relationships reveals our holiness. It would be incompatible for one seeking after the holiness of God to live in broken relationships with his brother. It is also incompatible for a believer to have partnership relationships with unbelievers. Let us strive for holiness in all things.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?

 What did God say to me?

2 Corinthians 6:3-12

Memory Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

Good first impressions are often important but never the most important. The most important impression is an impression formed over time due to the consistency in one’s life. First impressions fade like the flower that blooms in the morning only to disappear in the afternoon. A good first impression must be supported by consistent actions that result in long lasting good impressions. Authenticity means more in keeping relationships reconciled than some temporary front used only to impress someone else.

As you read our text today, make some notes as to all the ways that Paul expresses his faithfulness to the Gospel and to them. He had clearly been attacked by some who had come into the church from the outside. They had questioned many sides of his character and his teachings. Even so, he could express his commitment to them based upon his consistent walk with Christ and his heart toward them for standing.

The enemy will often try to take advantage of the chinks in our armor to make us feel useless to the Lord and others. He may even convince us of our worthlessness to the Master. I remember a few years ago hearing one of the most effective evangelists in Southern Baptist life speak of an attack from 

Satan that temporarily brought discouragement to his life. The crowd at the last meeting had been small. No one accepted Christ. Thoughts came to him of his overweight condition and how small he must be in God’s kingdom work. I was amazed at his story. This man has written books that have encouraged so many of us. Today he is in his late 70s and probably the most sought after conference speaker in Southern Baptist circles. The enemy found a chink in his armor. Finally, someone reminded him of his faithfulness and how he has selflessly given himself to every church who asked him to preach a meeting in the last forty years. Stand strong in your faithfulness. Strive for a consistency in your walk with Christ that helps you to stand in your day of accusations.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?

 What did God say to me?

2 Corinthians 5:20-7:2

Memory Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

When my dad would tell me to do something I would reply, “I don’t know how,” he would reply, “Well son, you are not going to learn any younger.”  He would also say about starting a project, “There is no time to start like the present.” Each of these statements communicated a sense of urgency and certainty of taking up the project and completing in the present tense not the future tense.

Christians seem to live either in the past or in the future. I believe God wants us to remember the past, anticipate the future, and live in the present. Our text for today leaves no room for procrastination. Paul emphatically declares, “Today is the day of Salvation.”  That statement reminds us of the uncertainty of the future and the urgency to receive Christ today. If a person understands their lostness without Christ and the desperate situation they are in, they would then understand the urgency of the moment. Christians understanding this same urgency in the life of an unbeliever should then be compelled to be faithful in their attempts to be reconcilers of others to Christ.

Someone might say, “But now preacher, I don’t know how to tell others of Christ.”  You have already read what my dad would say, “You are not going to learn any younger.” Today is an accepted time according to the Scripture. It is the accepted time for Christ to make an appeal through us. That gives us a bit of pressure relief. It is not us sharing in our wisdom it is Christ making an appeal through us. As an ambassador for Christ, we are serving as his agents in a land where we can help others be reconciled to Christ. What a privilege and what a responsibility.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time? What did God say to me?

2 Corinthians 5:16-19

Memory Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

The word reconcile is negative for many folks because they have such a hard time making their checkbook register agree with the bank’s register of their account. Often they will have to make adjusting entries or correct mistakes in order to complete the process we call reconciliation. The registers must be reconciled because they are out of balance. Many a young person has overspent their checking account because they did not keep an accurate register. Sometimes parents have had to come the rescue by putting money in their account in order to reconcile the differences. When the overdrafts are paid, the person who overdrew the account has a new relationship with the bank.

Our Scripture reading for today uses these financial terms to help us understand Christ’s great work for us. The Bible says those who are in Christ are new creatures because of the great reconciliation God has completed on our behalf. He paid off our debts with his own blood so that our sin register is set to zero which is the requirement for a relationship with God. It was through His work that He reconciled us to Himself.  In reality, if we were to be reconciled, this was the requirement because we had nothing to deposit in our account to even the balance. Jesus did it all.

Paul doesn’t leave us with just the reconciliation we have in Christ. He makes an application of this truth. His application has to do with personal relationships and the relationship between others and Christ. He says we have a ministry of reconciliation. He is writing specifically to the Corinthians. The truth is equally applicable to us because we also owe our reconciliation to Christ and just as His action should result in the Corinthians accepting this ministry, so should we. This brings to mind a story Jesus told in Matthew 18:21-35. The heart of this parable is for the forgiven to forgive because of what has been done for them. If Jesus forgives us, we should also forgive others. Some might demand justice and others retribution. But Jesus commands us to forgive because He forgave. I might want to forgive because someone apologized but Jesus said forgive because He forgave. His forgiveness is the basis for our forgiveness of others.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Memory Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

On various occasions, the group who is scheduled to mow the church yard will very kindly mow the church parsonage yard as well. We never ask them to do that for us they simply do it as a kind gesture and we are especially grateful. It is important for the parsonage yard to be neatly in order because it is church property and the appearance of church property tells a watching community how we feel about our church. We are always appreciative of those who do such a nice deed for us, but there are times when it is a real relief. Several weeks ago I found myself with a very crowded schedule. The pressures of ministry seem to have come all at once. There were some ministry chores I needed to do on Saturday but I also knew I must mow the grass. It was such a relief to come home mid morning after having made a hospital visit early only to find that someone had already mowed the yard. Their kind act allowed  me to focus on some other items that needed my attention.

This is a small picture of something much larger that Christ has done for us. The last two verses of our reading today remind us Jesus died that we might no longer live for ourselves but for Him. The work He did for us on the cross allows us to concentrate on living for Him rather than focusing on living for ourselves. Because He rose on our behalf, it is our responsibility to live for Him. In another Scripture we are reminded that He bought us at a great price. Believers belong to Christ. At another time Paul wrote to the Phillipian church saying, “For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.” He must have been referring to the joy found in living each moment of our lives in direct relationship to the purposes and calling of Christ on our lives. Do you have a job? Is it one that you know God led you to take? Rejoice in your job today knowing that it has the potential to fulfill your purpose in Christ in you. Retired?  Rejoice in knowing that you can live each moment of your day according to His calling and purpose in you.

This devotion is for a Monday morning. Perhaps this is a good day for you to think through many events of your entire week. You may already have a plan. Some of you will be looking at your day timer to see just what is up this week. As you look at your activities for the week think about how you will live your life for Christ in each circumstance.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?

 What did I say to God?

Read your Life Group lesson in your Learner guide today.

Memory Verse: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 1 Corinthians 4:16

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Memory Verse: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 1 Corinthians 4:16

As I walked out of our dormitory here at camp this morning, two of our adult sponsors were returning from a time of exercise. It was easy to tell they had exerted themselves to the point of pain. Many will make fun of their discipline and others will merely ask, “Why?”  The answer is simple; they desire to have good health. It is their desire to maintain a better level of health than if they did not endure the pain involved in the discipline of the physical body.

Paul uses the same logic when he speaks of the temporal nature of our time on this earth. In our reading for today, he asserts his desire to be with Jesus. He makes no apology for having the desire for the better body gained in the resurrection. He is clear in teaching that the believer resides in one of two places. You are either in the earth or with the Lord. There is no waiting place between. It is ok to endure the difficulties of walking with Christ in this life to look forward to the overwhelming rewards in the next.

Do not miss verse 9 because of the tenacity of verse 10.  Paul’s says his ambition is to please the Lord. What an awesome statement. What a convicting statement. When we think of ambition we think of accomplishment or monetary gain. Paul thought of pleasing the Lord. With an ambition of pleasing the 

Lord there is little ambition for material gain. There is little concern with pleasing men simply for their favor. This brings up a heart check. I ask myself and encourage you to ask yourself as well.  Is your ambition to please the Lord? God speak to us today and convict us to give your lives to please you.

Reflection

What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?

What did I say to God?