THE OBEDIENT CHRISTIAN

FEBRUARY 11, 2020 (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

Reading to the hearer: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

 

eXHORTATIOIN TO pURITY

7:1     Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2     Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

LOVE FOR THE CHURCH

3     I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

4     Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

5     For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

6     Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7     And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

PAUL’S FIRST EPISTLE RESULTED IN PENITENCE OF EVIDOERS

8     For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

9     Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10     For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11     For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE

12     Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

13     Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14     For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

15     And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16     I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

 

eXHORTATIOIN TO pURITY

  1. THE PURGING—v. 1
  2. Promises—“Having therefore these promises.” The words spoken in 6:16–18.
  3. Purging—“Let us cleanse ourselves.” Note there is something for us to do—CLEANSE OURSELVES!
  4. Perfection—“Perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Jesus spoke of perfection in Matt. 5:48.
  5. THE PRIDE—vv. 2–4
  6. Perfection—v. 2. Paul’s life was beyond reproach. His life spoke louder than his words.

LOVE FOR THE CHURCH

  1. Partners—v. 3. Paul was proud of the Christians here. He was ready to die for them.
  2. Pleasure—v. 4. Though he suffered much, Paul was happy that these Christians were serving God.

III.   THE PROBLEM—vv. 5–13

  1. Problems—v. 5. There was trouble all around.
  2. Pleasure—vv. 6–7. Titus cheers Paul, telling him of the faithfulness of the Christians.

PAUL’S FIRST EPISTLE RESULTED IN PENITENCE OF EVIDOERS

  1. Purpose—v. 8. Paul’s letter to these caused them to repent of their sin and wrong.
  2. Pain—vv. 9–10. Repentance may cause pain, but the joy and peace outweigh the pain and suffering.
  3. Purging—v. 11. The people obeyed Paul’s advice, and cleaned up their lives.

THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE

  1. Passion—vv. 12–13. Paul hated sin, but loved the sinner. Hate sin, but always love the sinner.
  2. THE PLEASURE—vv. 14–16
  3. Pride—vv. 14–15. Paul was proud of these Christians, not because they accepted Titus, but because thy left their sins, and dedicated their lives to God.
  4. Pleasure—v. 16. These people encouraged Paul.

 

 

 

    V.    Three Amen from Romans chapter 16:

                          

16:20 – Paul predicts victory for believers when the God of peace soon will crush Satan.

16:24 – Paul makes a prayerful pronouncement.  He summons “the grace of our Lord Jesus to be with you.

16:27 – Glory in God’s ability.