How 2 Corinthians applies to us

I am beginning a new sermon series tomorrow morning on 2 Corinthians and I am excited about it. I love the Word of God and pray that I am able to get out of the way and let Christ shine as we study this book together. As I am studying this book it becomes more and more apparent how relevant this epistle of Paul is to today's Church. As always is the case I never have enough time to say all I want to say about a text on Sunday morning. Therefore, I am going to share a bit more here.

Paul loved the church at Corinth. He had poured himself out for them and had taught them pure doctrine. As is often the case though, they were not as loving toward him or toward true doctrine. Paul was in Ephesus in the winter of AD 54 when he got a visit from some prominent members of the church at Corinth (Chloe and her her household). They reported there were divisions among the people, some wanted to follow individual leaders, there was sexual immorality among the people, there were lawsuits among the people, there were problems with worship, some were getting drunk during communion, and well the list goes on and on. So he wrote a letter to them (1 Corinthians). This was a harsh letter, he basically tells them to grow up.

The Epistle was read and they did not like what he said. They were upset and wrote to Paul and it was not nice. Paul read it and likely tore it up and threw it away. He immediately got on a ship to address the issue face to face. When he showed up they were in the middle of the meeting. He told them clearly in no uncertain terms what he thought. Then he left and went back home. When he got back he wrote them this letter (2 Corinthians). In this letter he teaches about the comfort of God and the grace of God, though he does deal with some real issues as well.

A few thoughts:

• Look at the issues they were dealing with and tell me, doesn't this sound like the modern church? Division in the church is a real issue. Following leaders rather than Christ is an issue, or on a lesser level putting in such high esteem that a congregation or movement lives and dies through that individual. Today we are so enamored with super preachers and teachers. Sexual immorality is still an issue today. Lawsuits are causing major issues in churches and in our society as a whole. There is such division and confusion over worship. There are fights over style, there is lack of sound doctrine in lyrics, emotion trumps truth too often. I could go on, but you get the point.
• Like Paul we all sometimes want to tell people how it is, but we have to remind ourselves we are not Paul. We must pray hard and study hard to ensure we are not pushing or fighting for our own agenda or opinions, rather than God's agenda and truth. 
• And like the church at Corinth, we need some comforting words. 

The opponents of Paul were teaching a health and wealth gospel. Instead of teaching the people to endure in faith and love in the midst of adversity, the false teachers were promising deliverance from all problems and a spiritual experiences. Tell me this does not sound familiar. This is the religion of the day, one that promises God is going to give you health, wealth, and happiness if only you have enough faith (often you show this by sending money to false teacher to show your faith). These opponents of Paul were mixing legalism and promises about the Spirit. They promised a more powerful experience of the Spirit than what Paul could give them. This too sounds very familiar to many teachers today. There are many problems with this style.

In this epistle Paul attacks many issues in our culture.

• Forgiveness without repentance. Too often we make the Gospel a get out of free jail card, when God demands change from the inside out, through grace. 
• Legalism as a means of grace. Christianity is not a system of rule to follow to become more holy, it is a relationship with a God that bestows grace and holiness as we grow closer to Him.
• Our lack of zeal for those lost or backsliden. Paul is not content to mind his own business and watch people go to Hell. 
• Paul reveals a means of converting and discipleship that is not based on techniques or programs, but on truth, grace, and comfort. We are taught the truth, shown grace, and given comfort to do the same for others. That is how real ministry happens. 

I'll stop for now. I am excited about this sermon series, it going to be fun to study with those that are willing to learn with me.