First Baptist Church of Diana, Texas

2 Corinthians 4: 13-18

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

In ministering to families in times of medical crisis, I have learned a few things about modern understanding of the human body. It seems as though the heart and lungs are the most critical of all our internal organs. My dad passed away several years ago suffering from pneumonia. According to the medical specialists, the disease had started in the membrane walls of his lungs before it manifested itself to normal symptoms and the lung lining had become hard and calloused. Consequently, even when they place him on a ventilator with full oxygen, they could not get his lungs to absorb the oxygen necessary to replenish what his body had taken from his blood stream. His blood became toxic and with the absences of oxygen his other internal organs began to shut down. You could say that his internal physical man was losing its strength.

Just as the physical man can suffer damage and lose strength, so it is with the inner man referred to in verse 16. Paul acknowledged that his physical body was growing old and deteriorating, yet he boldly claimed that his inner man was being strengthened. He was not speaking of his internal organs; he was speaking of his spirit and his mind. God performs this in heart of a believer supernaturally.

Again Paul reminds the Corinthians that he is not losing heart. His inner man is being strengthened and he refuses to let these false teachers destroy the relationship he has with them. He goes on to say that this affliction is actually working in the reverse to what some might think it would work.  It is actually producing a greater determination of confidence because he is focused all the more on the eternal versus the temporal.

This teaching of the inner man has been instrumental in accepting strength by the power of God through faith. I make it a practice to pray for families in times of crisis for the strengthening of the inner man. This is the opposite of losing heart. I have seen time and again God answer that prayer. I have experienced personally this strengthening from a divine intervention of our Lord in my own heart. Hopefully, this little dig into Paul’s situation will provide you with conviction to pray in this way. Either you are in danger of losing heart and you need a strengthening of the inner man or someone you know needs strengthening. Let this be an admonishment to you today to pray.

Reflection

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

 What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

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

The history of Christianity is full of men and women who caught a full conviction of the mission to which God had called them. Moody was the man called to give himself completely to God and was used mightily in evangelistic ministries around the world. His legacy continues after his home going in many ministries including the Bible college in Chicago that bears his name. Martin Luther understood his mission and spent his life proclaiming the truth resulting in what is known as the great reformation.

Charles Spurgeon has been known as one of the greatest preachers of all Christendom. Under his ministry leadership he founded training schools for ministers and his church grew to what we would call a mega church when large churches did not exist. Even so, he suffered from depression. He was openly attacked by others in the ministry and found himself continually defending himself.

If these great men of God including the Apostle Paul encountered criticism and attack, surely those of us striving for the Gospel will also be called upon to endure hardship. Jesus told his followers that as he suffered so would they suffer and that is given into our hands as well. Paul made a very stern statement in verses 1-2 of our reading. He proclaimed effectively that he would not lose heart and backed it up by stating his determination to bring into the light things hidden in the shame of darkness and speak the unadulterated truth of the Gospel. When a person has heard from God, they are fully equipped with the shield of faith standing with the breastplate of righteousness ready to stand against the false teaching of the enemy. But it still hurts. Yes, Paul felt the pain of the attacks but did not lose heart. Maybe you are weary today. Maybe someone has brought you great pain because of your stand for truth. Catch these words and let them become the meditation of your heart, “We do not lose heart.”

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 3:6-18

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 you read the Scripture passage for today, remember that we are continuing to study Paul’s defense which is really a defense of the New Covenant which is the Gospel of Christ. In order for us to follow the logic of this passage, we must remember a few things about the Old Covenant. The law, as the Old Covenant is called, had the primary purposes of showing man’s inability to live righteous and to point man to the coming of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Paul contrasts the covenants by calling one the covenant of condemnation and the other the covenant of righteousness. The argument he makes centers on the incident that occurred when Moses delivered the law to the people. He had been on the mountain with God and God’s glory was lighting up his face. He placed a veil over his face preventing the Israelites from seeing that the glory was fading. This fading glory was prophetic in that it showed that the law was temporary and would later be replaced. The Gospel truth is the Old Covenant has been replaced by the New. The law is dead and grace lives.

The summary of the New Covenant is found in verse 17 of our reading, “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”  One of my privileges this week is to teach our teenagers during Bible study at camp. Our lesson for today dealt with obeying God by hearing his voice rather than merely obeying commands because they are written. The first is freedom and the latter is bondage. Paul was preaching a message of freedom and the false teachers were teaching a bondage to the law. They were actually making a more difficult religion. They were mixing grace with law and creating something more complicated than what the Jewish religion had become prior to earthly ministry of Christ.

If you have been attending our morning worship services you are likely familiar with much of the book of Hebrews and in particular you might remember about the Jesus doing away with sin. The law had no power to do away with sin but in Christ, the new covenant takes away sin. This is the heart of Paul’s defense. Are you a legalist? Have you traded your liberty in Christ for the bondage of rules and regulations? May God save us from this continuing danger and heresy.

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?

 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

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

One of the great heartbreaks of humanity is the disintegration of relationships that have lasted for a number of years. Sometimes these are marriage relationships, long lasting friendships, or business partnerships. A real tragedy occurs when someone enters the scene, makes up a few lies, and convinces one party in the relationship that the other is untrustworthy. Such was the case in the Corinthian church.

God had chosen Paul to be His instrument in church planting and telling the story of the New Covenant. His prime education in Judaism made him well equipped to understand the Old Covenant while consistently preaching the New Covenant in Christ. Through this preaching and teaching the Corinthian church had been founded and grown. Evidently Judaizers had entered the picture and began to criticize Paul and his teaching of the New Covenant. Paul felt the responsibility to refute this false doctrine for the benefit of the church.

Paul’s best defense was his own reputation. Evidently these enemies of the cross had used their credentials with letters of recommendation from religious leaders to establish their credibility. Paul called attention to his own credibility looking back on the integrity of his personal ministry with this church. This credibility came from teaching them the New Covenant written on their hearts versus the Old Covenant written on tablets of stone.  His second line of defense included the source of his confidence. He didn’t need the credibility given by others because he had the credibility given in his calling from the Lord. The change in his life from a church persecutor to a church planter determined to teach the New Covenant established him as a credible witness.

When we find ourselves in a position where someone is casting doubt or outright attacking an old friend, a spouse, or a minister of the Gospel, we should stop and consider these attributes. We must be careful in our relationships so that someone with a false doctrine or even a few misconstrued facts is not allowed to destroy unity.

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: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  1 Corinthians 3:17

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Memory Verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  1 Corinthians 3:17

The Apostle Paul’s life was so connected to the Lord that theology rolled off his pen like snow balls in an avalanche. As you read the Scripture today, bear in mind Paul is continuing in defense of his actions. Primarily he is defending his decision to bypass Corinth on his trip to Macedonia. From his passing statements, the windows of heaven are opened into the life of one sold out to Christ. The evidence is overwhelming in persuading the readers to believe that the spreading of the Gospel brought the greatest sense of purpose to the leaders in the early church. Paul’s greatest encouragement came from the response of others to the Gospel whether spoken or demonstrated in his life.

In verse 15 the Bible says Paul was a fragrance. In modern day terms it is saying that he smelled. There is smell to the Gospel. The metaphor is simply to teach us the presence of strong believers proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ will never go without notice. It will be noticed by the unbeliever as well as the believer. For the unbeliever, it may create the rise of discomfort or even anger because it is the smell of death. For those who are being saved it is the smell of life and salvation causing rejoicing. Either way it will be noticed.

Continuing his defense in verse 17, Paul speaks for the authenticity of his ministry. He had told the Corinthians in his prior letter of his refusal to take any offerings from them for his salary and this verse gives a better explanation. Evidently, some had charged him with being less than honest with finances. He reminds them that he does not peddle the Gospel. If Paul had been peddling the Gospel he would have been indebted to those who provided the money. In order to have the greatest freedom  to prophesy among the people, he refused to be paid.

The primary conclusion for me today is this, “be satisfied with the work of the Gospel both when it causes rejoicing to those who believe and dissatisfaction or anger in those who do not. Most of the people we know rejoice in the Gospel. Paul’s transparency gives us a model to emulate. If we follow this example of his life we can be more like Christ because he is a good example of following Christ.

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 2:1-11

Memory Verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  1 Corinthians 3:17

One of the most difficult decisions Christians face is how to approach conflict. The Scripture is very plain when it comes to confronting issues among brothers. It teaches us that expedience is preferred to delay and delay often prohibits progress in the spread of the Gospel. In the time leading up to the writing of this epistle, Paul had struggled in his decision of whether to again visit the Corinthians and become personally involved in the matter of church discipline at hand. He finally decided to let the church handle the issue in his absence as he believed he would be a greater hindrance than a help. He gave them written instructions and waited. How glorious he must have embraced the news when he learned of the outcome. Church discipline had been exercised with great success.

Due to his great love for this church, Paul felt it necessary to take one more step in the reconciliation process in giving the Corinthians an exhortation to forgive. In our reading for today he states three obvious reasons; 1) for the benefit of the sinning brother, 2) for the benefit of the Gospel, and 3) for the benefit of the church. Each of the three has striking consequences. If the brother goes unforgiven then the discipline was of ill motive. The lack of forgiveness among brothers destroys the testimony of Christ working in them.

Finally, the lack of forgiveness among the church would serve as an internal cancer to destroy the fellowship from within and hinder her witness on the outside.

This matter of forgiveness is not to be taken lightly. As you approach the Lord in prayer today, ask God to search your heart. Is there a matter that you need to gain the forgiveness of others? Is there a matter in which you need to grant forgiveness? For the sake of the brother, the testimony of God’s work, and for the sake of the fellowship of the church, forgive in this moment. May God protect our fellowship and grant forgiveness today.

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 1:12-24

Memory Verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  1 Corinthians 3:17 

In his concluding remarks in a commentary on this passage of Scripture Warren Weirsbe writes, “If you live to please people, misunderstandings will depress you; but if you live to please god, you can face misunderstandings with faith and courage.” Paul had evidently expressed an intention to the Corinthians of a couple of visits. As his schedule played out, he was inadvertently unable to keep with his stated intentions. Perhaps this is a situation similar to Will Rogers’ experience that caused him to write, “Plans get you into things but you have to work your way out.” This passage is Paul’s attempt to work his way out. 

Paul’s rebuke and encounter with the Corinthians had shattered his heart. He had started this church as a planter and it grieved him deeply to have to render harsh words for the purpose of giving correction in their error. Because of his love for the Lord and this church he had delivered the necessary rebuke.  Some had not responded well to Paul’s exhortations and were apparently liberal with their criticism. Because of his integrity, Paul was in a position to work his way out.

In verse 12 Paul calls attention to the holiness and sincerity of his conscience. They had misunderstood his statement of intentions to be a statement of promise. He takes this opportunity to offer a correction. Later works indicate to us that Paul was reconciled to the church after a visit from Titus. Paul did not have to retreat due to his actions because he had maintained integrity between his conscience and his speech. Two primary movers in this situation facilitated the reconciliation. First Paul had been genuine in his intentions and second, he loved them dearly. He saw himself as working with them and not against them.  May we follow suit and always see ourselves as partners in the Gospel even and especially when we have misunderstandings and disagreements.

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Memory Verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  1 Corinthians 3:17

In the mid 1970’s Angel Fire Ski Resort in New Mexico was making a transition from a private ski area to a public ski area. On the front basin there was one chair lift, a couple of rope lifts and a few well groomed beginning to intermediate ski areas. A bus ride was required to get to the back basin and three other chair lifts. For the first two hours after opening the waiting lines to board a bus were long and slow moving. First time visitors would often have an easily recognizable look on their faces screaming out, “Is it worth it?” Once they finally arrived at the back basin they would the see blue chair lift and skiers racing in with a big smile on their faces as they took their place in line to board the lift again. The answer to the question was obvious, “it was definitely worth it.”

The Bible seeks to communicate the same to the Corinthian church as Paul and his cohort had already learned. God’s deliverance through our suffering is always worth it. Someone has said we are either going into a storm of life, in the midst of a storm, or coming out of a storm. The idea of a storm is the idea of difficult circumstances. What Paul most wanted the Corinthian church to be aware of in sharing the story of his afflictions was this, God has delivered them from great 

peril and He will continue to deliver in the days to come. He is just as trustworthy in the valley as He is on the mountain top.

Another encouragement of community surfaces in verse 11.  Apparently the church at Corinth had agreed to pray for this group of missionaries who had gone to Asia. Because they had shared in the sufferings through intercession, they could also share in the glory of God through answered prayer. If you have participated with others in intercessory prayer you also rejoice with those for whom you have prayed. That is why the intercessory prayer ministry of our church is so rewarding. If you haven’t committed to one hour per week in the prayer room, perhaps this is  a good day to give it consideration.

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?

1 Corinthians 1:1-7

Memory Verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  1 Corinthians 3:17

Several years ago, a presidential candidate used the phrase “I feel your pain” in a stump speech. In the intimacy of the moment with the gathered crowd, the phrase found acceptance and the candidate gained favor because he was believed. When a recording of the statement made its way onto national TV and radio it had the opposite effect. Non supporters of this candidate mocked him and said there is no way this politician could feel their pain.

As you read the Scripture text for our daily reading today, key in on the Apostle Paul’s emphasis on his connection to the community of faith at Corinth. This is the second letter of the Bible he has sent to this church and scholars believe there was an additional letter preceding both. You can discern from the tone of the first and in parts of the second that not everyone in Corinth was on great terms with Paul. Even so, he reaches out with a carrot and while standing firm on the truth of God’s Word, he seeks personal reconciliation.

Although 2 Corinthians is not a theological treatise God’s purpose in conflicts and trials, it does offer some wisdom and insight on the subject. It is probable Paul is running on two tracks as he introduces this epistle. One is the track of suffering due to his ministry elsewhere. He notes in other places of shipwrecks and beatings. We know he was imprisoned and beaten with a cat of nine tails. The second  track was that of suffering within the body of Christ and in particular the discord between him and some members of the Corinthian church. This discord brought him pain. With that I can concur. Some of the greatest pain in the lives of American believers often comes in disagreements within a church family. Notice the sharing of suffering as Paul outlines it in this chapter. One suffers so another may be comforted. How often does that ring true?  I am comforted by the suffering of others and they are comforted by my suffering. That is how it works in God’s economy.

Application of the principles of suffering is very clear in the Scripture. We are to use life’s difficult experiences to assist in bringing comfort to others. If there is pain within the fellowship of a congregation, the members are to seek resolution. I almost wrote immediate resolution and then pulled back. Yes we should quickly seek resolution with brothers and sisters in Christ, but often God has to quicken and change hearts before resolution can take place.

As you enter your prayer time with the Lord ask Him to help bring reconciliation with any fellow believer that might be causing affliction in their life or your life. Let us seek reconciliation with brothers and therefore reconciliation with the Father. You might also want to ask the Lord to help you minister comfort to others out of the afflictions you have experienced in your life to date.

Reflection

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

What did I say to God?