2 Corinthians - 11.14.24
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 6:16 NLT
“For we are the temple of the living God.
As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
OBSERVATION:
This letter to the Corinthian Church written by Paul shares such a story of a Pastor’s heart for this congregation to walk in ALL that Jesus paid the Price for.
Paul founded this church in the midst of city that was known for its wealth, commercial success and every single moral depravity known to man. Paul came to Corinth on his second missionary trip and remained for about a year and a half—one of his longest stays in any one city.
What strikes me is in this second letter is how much Paul reveals about his constant hardships, sufferings, beatings, angry mobs, imprisonments, sleepless nights, and lack of food—and yet..also--his extraordinary honor “to be the pleasing aroma of Christ that brings life” (2 Cor 2:15).
“We have nothing…and yet..we have EVERYTHING” (2 Cor 6:10)
When I think about how much Paul endured to bring Christ’s Good News to others..it makes me a little ashamed of myself that I am not more impassioned to be SO on fire-- that no one I know will not have heard the Truth that Jesus Saves out of my mouth.
APPLICATION:
God Lives IN me…And..Walks among me.
How does that TRUTH Change my Life and Actions Today.
As the scripture says, Elijah was a man—Just-like-us (James 5:17).
What was different—he prayed earnestly AND consistently.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess 5:16-18 ESV)
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!” (Psalm 141:2 ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus,
Thank YOU for your living and active WORD that convicts my heart and draws me near and guides me on YOUR Path of righteousness. Purify me and strengthen me in this season of my life, Lord. Help me to be mindful of this one race we have to run. Let me run to win the prize. Keep me from distractions that so quickly seek to entangle me. Fill me with Your Oil and give me a clear understanding of where You are leading. I want to be where YOU are. Give me courage to do things even when I am afraid. Let me keep stepping out. You are boundless. Here I am Lord…nothing but flesh and bones alone—but WITH YOU—Everything…and...willing with all my heart..send me, and help me to make a difference for your glory. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka
2 Corinthians 5 - 11.13.24
Scripture
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor 5:10, NIV)
Observation
We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive what is due based on our life on earth! Paul is not writing this to unbelievers. He is writing to the believers of the Corinthian church.
Paul talks about eternity in the verses before this. When we leave this earth, we will be clothed with our eternal body (verse 1). God has given us his Spirit as a deposit in our hearts, so that we know that we have an eternal future (verse 5). Therefore we make it our aim to please him in everything we do (verse 9). And then Paul reminds us that all of us, without any exception, will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
The fact that we will all stand before God’s judgment seat is seen throughout the new testament. Jesus himself said that we will be judged for every careless word. “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36). Paul reminds believers of judgment in Romans too. “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Romans 14:10).
When we accepted Jesus, our sins were forgiven, and there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So this is not a judgment that sends a believer to hell. This is a judgment where our works are judged. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). God expects us to do good works and live a life producing the fruits of repentance. (Matthew 3:8).
Christ is our foundation. Whatever we build on this foundation will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. Our works will go through fire on judgment day. If we have built using gold, silver, and precious stones, our work will be left standing, and we will receive a reward. If our work is found to be built of wood, hay or straw, it will be burnt in the fire. However, we ourselves will be saved, like someone escaping from flames.(1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
Application
Let us live our life focused on eternity, setting our minds on things above, and not earthly things (Colossians 3:2). We don’t want to live like millionaires on earth, only to go to heaven and find out that we have no savings for eternity! Let us store up our treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves cannot break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20).
Knowing that the whole earth will go through God’s judgment, what kind of people ought we to be, asks Peter in his epistle. We ought to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11). Whatever we do, including eating and drinking - let us do it for God’s glory. (1 Cor 10:31).
Prayer
Father, I want to thank you for loving me and saving me by your grace. You have forgiven me and the blood of Jesus has washed from all my sin. You have made me your child and your heir. Help me to live a life that glorifies you. Help me to abide in you, so that when Jesus appears, I would have confidence, and would not be ashamed before Him at His coming. (1 John 2:28). Lead me into the good works that you have prepared for me. (Ephesians 2:10). Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. (Romans 12:1). In Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
2 Corinthians 4 - 11.12.24
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ”Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
OBSERVATION: In this chapter, Paul is instructing the believers in Corinth to renew their commitment in serving Jesus, look beyond this brief life, and demonstrate their faith to others.
Paul told them to follow His example as one who did not lose heart when difficult times arose. He followed Christ above all things, and did not allow the things of this world to deter him from sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION: When difficult times come, we should remember that God is with us, and even when we feel weak, inadequate, overwhelmed, un-qualified, or stressed to the max, every situation we find ourselves in is another opportunity to tap into God’s power and experience His supernatural miracle working ability. He is always available when we call out to Him!
PRAYER: Lord, even when we are hard-pressed on every side, we don’t have to be crushed, perplexed, or in despair. We don’t have to feel struck down or defeated because… our earthly momentary troubles are ALL temporary, and our eternal hope is in You! Please help us/me to fix our eyes on You, and the glorious things that are up ahead for those who keep our trust in You. Amen
- Robin Orefice