Series:​ ​Reconciled Sermon​ ​Title:​ ​Taking​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road Passage:​ ​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1:12-2:4 Preacher:​ ​Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser Date:​ ​9.17.17 Why​ ​are​ ​there​ ​so​ ​many​ ​jokes​ ​about​ ​bad​ ​relationships?

Bank​ ​robber​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way​ ​out​ ​of​ ​bank​ ​asks​ ​man,​ ​“Did​ ​you​ ​see​ ​me?”​ ​The​ ​man​ ​answers,​ ​“Yes.”​ ​Bang!​ ​He​ ​shoots him!​ ​Then​ ​he​ ​looks​ ​at​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​and​ ​asks,​ ​“Did​ ​YOU​ ​see​ ​me?”​ ​She​ ​says,​ ​“No…​ ​but​ ​my​ ​husband​ ​did!”

There​ ​are​ ​bad-marriage​ ​jokes,​ ​racial​ ​jokes,​ ​political​ ​jokes,​ ​church​ ​conflict​ ​jokes…

Shipwrecked​ ​man​ ​is​ ​found​ ​after​ ​30​ ​years​ ​alone​ ​on​ ​a​ ​small​ ​island.​ ​As​ ​he​ ​is​ ​gathering​ ​his​ ​belongings,​ ​one​ ​of​ ​his rescuers​ ​notices​ ​a​ ​hut.​ ​“What​ ​is​ ​that?”​ ​The​ ​man​ ​replies,​ ​“That’s​ ​where​ ​I​ ​go​ ​to​ ​church.”​ ​The​ ​rescuer,​ ​pointing​ ​to another​ ​hut​ ​next​ ​to​ ​it​ ​asks,​ ​“What​ ​is​ ​that?”​ ​The​ ​man​ ​replies,​ ​“That’s​ ​where​ ​I​ ​USED​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​church.”

Sometimes​ ​we​ ​joke​ ​about​ ​things​ ​that​ ​hit​ ​a​ ​nerve​ ​in​ ​us.​ ​TRUTH:​ ​I​ ​think​ ​there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​jokes​ ​about​ ​bad relationships​ ​because​ ​in​ ​our​ ​world​ ​there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​people​ ​in​ ​bad,​ ​or​ ​broken,​ ​relationships.​ ​Relationships are​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​place​ ​on​ ​an​ ​international​ ​level​​ ​(N.​ ​Korea​ ​shot​ ​a​ ​missile​ ​over​ ​Japan​ ​this​ ​week),​ ​on​ ​a​ n ​ ational​ ​level (racial​ ​tension​ ​in​ ​our​ ​nation​ ​emerged​ ​again​ ​in​ ​St.​ ​Louis​ ​when​ ​Jason​ ​Stockley,​ ​a​ ​white​ ​police​ ​officer,​ ​was acquitted​ ​of​ ​murder​ ​charges​ ​over​ ​the​ ​death​ ​of​ ​Anthony​ ​Smita,​ ​a​ ​young​ ​black​ ​man),​ ​on​ ​a​ p ​ olitical​ ​level​​ ​broken relationships​ ​seems​ ​as​ ​entrenched​ ​as​ ​ever,​ ​and​ ​an​ i​ ndividual​ ​level​.​ ​(This​ ​week​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​with​ ​people​ ​who’s marriages​ ​are​ ​falling​ ​apart,​ ​who’ve​ ​had​ ​conflict​ ​at​ ​work,​ ​or​ ​with​ ​their​ ​kids). INTERACT​ ​WITH​ ​THE​ ​MESSAGE: Scale​ ​from​ ​1-10​ ​:​ ​I​ ​have​ ​a​ ​serious​ ​relationship​ ​breakdown​ ​affecting​ ​my​ ​life. Magic​ ​Trick​ ​(​Cut​ ​and​ ​restored​ ​rope​)​ ​You​ ​are​ ​in​ ​a​ ​relationship,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​something​ ​happened​ ​that​ ​hurt​ ​you. When​ ​that​ ​hurt​ ​happened,​ ​your​ ​trust​ ​of​ ​that​ ​person​ ​was​ ​broken​ ​(cut​ ​rope).​ ​Where​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​trust,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no relationship.​ ​We​ ​try​ ​to​ ​mend​ ​it​ ​(tie​ ​knot),​ ​but​ ​we​ ​only​ ​get​ ​so​ ​far.​ ​And​ ​so​ ​we’re​ ​stuck.​ ​YOU​?​ ​(Wooclap​ ​report)

If​ ​this​ ​is​ ​you,​ ​it’s​ ​good​ ​you​ ​are​ ​in​ ​church​ ​today!​ ​As​ ​he​ ​writes​ ​2​ ​Corinthians,​ ​Paul​ ​shows​ ​how​ ​he​ ​responded to​ ​broken​ ​relationships​ ​with​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth.

CONTEXT:​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​an​ ​Apostle​ ​of​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​ ​by​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​God​ ​(1:1)​ ​•​ ​He​ ​planted​ ​the​ ​church​ ​and was​ ​the​ ​spiritual​ ​father​ ​of​ ​these​ ​brothers​ ​and​ ​sisters​ ​(Acts​ ​18)​ ​•​ ​After​ ​18​ ​months,​ ​he​ ​left​ ​for​ ​Ephesus, where​ ​he​ ​stayed​ ​for​ ​two​ ​years​ ​•​ ​Paul​ ​writes​ ​1​ ​Corinthians,​ ​addressing​ ​pastoral​ ​issues​ ​in​ ​the​ ​church (spiritual​ ​gifts,​ ​love,​ ​confrontation,​ ​etc.)​ ​•​ ​When​ ​Titus​ ​returned​ ​from​ ​delivering​ ​the​ ​letter,​ ​he​ ​shared​ ​the​ ​news​ ​that a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​men​ ​have​ ​arrived​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​and​ ​caused​ ​all​ ​kinds​ ​of​ ​trouble.​ ​They​ ​claimed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​TRUE​ ​apostles​ ​of​ ​the church​ ​in​ ​Jerusalem.​ ​They​ ​were​ ​impressive​ ​speakers​ ​and​ ​leaders.​ ​They​ ​established​ ​their​ ​influence​ ​by​ ​created​ ​a narrative​ ​about​ ​Paul​ ​that​ ​discredited​ ​Paul​ ​in​ ​the​ ​eyes​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Corinthians’​ ​which​ ​they​ ​bought.​ ​They​ ​actually​ ​became EMBARRASSED​ ​about​ ​Paul. Paul​ ​made​ ​a​ ​“painful​ ​visit”​ ​to​ ​confront​ ​this​ ​(2:1),​ ​which​ ​did​ ​not​ ​go​ ​well.​ ​He​ ​left​ ​and​ ​wrote​ ​another​ ​letter​ ​(we​ ​do not​ ​posses)​ ​confronting​ ​this​ ​(2:4)​ ​• Many​ ​in​ ​the​ ​church​ ​were​ ​convicted​ ​by​ ​this​ ​letter.​ ​They​ ​remembered​ ​Paul​ ​was their​ ​spiritual​ ​father​ ​whom​ ​they​ ​trusted,​ ​and​ ​had​ ​“godly​ ​sorrow”​ ​over​ ​how​ ​they’d​ ​acted​ ​(7:5-16)​ ​• But​ ​not everyone​ ​got​ ​on​ ​board.​ ​His​ ​detractors​ ​accused​ ​Paul​ ​of​ ​being​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​(1:13),​ ​unreliable​ ​(1:17),​ ​and other​ ​things.​ ​•​ ​Paul​ ​wrote​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result.

What​ ​we​ ​will​ ​see​ ​is​​ ​how​ ​Paul​ ​responds​ ​to​ ​people​ ​who​ ​have​ ​misunderstood​ ​him,​ ​painted​ ​a​ ​narrative about​ ​Him​ ​that​ ​was​ ​false,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​treated​ ​him​ ​like​ ​the​ ​person​ ​they​ ​now​ ​THOUGHT​ ​he​ ​was,​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​who he​ ​was!​ ​We​ ​will​ ​see​ ​what​ ​God’s​ ​grace​ ​looks​ ​like​ ​in​ ​Paul​ ​who​ ​takes,​ ​not​ ​the​ ​high​ ​road,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road.​ ​He doesn’t​ ​just​ ​get​ ​defensive​ ​and​ ​attack,​ ​or​ ​pull​ ​back.​ ​He​ ​leans​ ​IN​ ​and​ ​God​ ​reconciles​ ​them. Trick​ ​part​ ​2​…​ ​PROMISE:​ ​God​ ​can​ ​bring​ ​healing​ ​in​ ​your​ ​relationships.​ ​He​ ​can​ ​remove​ ​the​ ​“knot.”

He​ ​did​ ​with​ ​Paul​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Corinthians,​ ​and​ ​He​ ​can​ ​with​ ​you​ ​too.​ ​THIS​ ​puts​ ​Him​ ​on​ ​display​ ​and​ ​is​ ​His kingdom​ ​coming.​ ​But​ ​there​ ​is​ ​something​ ​YOU​ ​must​ ​do.​ ​Paul’s​ ​counsel​ ​… Main​ ​point:​ ​Rely​ ​on​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​respond​ ​with​ ​love This​ ​seems​ ​simple,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​is​ ​real​ ​Christianity​!​ ​This​ ​is​ ​taking,​ ​more​ ​than​ ​the​ ​“high”​ ​road…​ ​its​ ​taking​ ​the HEALING​ ​road​!​ ​Rely​ ​on​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​respond​ ​with​ ​love.​ ​HOW?​ ​3​ ​principles​ ​Paul​ ​shows​ ​us​:​ ​You​ ​rely​ ​on​ ​Christ and​ ​respond​ ​with​ ​love​ ​when​ ​you…​ ​1)​ ​Respond​​ ​to​ ​the​ ​person​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​sincerity,​ ​2)​ ​Recall​​ ​the union​ ​you​ ​share​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​3)​ ​Reconsider​​ ​your​ ​response​ ​and​ ​do​ ​what​ ​they​ ​need.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​“healing”​ ​road. READ

2

Principle​ ​one​ ​speaks​ ​to​ ​“Self-review.”​ ​(Read​ ​1:12) 1. Respond​ ​to​ ​the​ ​person​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​sincerity​ ​(1:12) 2Cor.​ ​1:12​ ​ For​ ​our​ ​boast​ ​is​ ​this,​ ​the​ ​testimony​ ​of​ ​our​ ​conscience,​ ​that​ ​we​ ​behaved​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and godly​ ​sincerity,​ ​ ​not​ ​by​ ​earthly​ ​wisdom​ ​but​ ​by​ ​the​ ​grace​ ​of​ ​God,​ ​and​ ​supremely​ ​so​ ​toward​ ​you.

2​ ​Corinthians​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​word​ ​boast​ ​32​ ​times.​ ​Paul​ ​doesn’t​ ​typically​ ​talk​ ​about​ ​“boasting.”​ ​But​ ​he​ ​does that​ ​in​ ​THIS​ ​book​ ​because​ ​he​ ​contrasts​ ​himself​ ​with​ ​these​ ​heretics​ ​who​ ​are​ ​really​ ​boastful​ ​people.​ ​POINT:​ ​If Paul​ ​HAS​ ​to​ ​boast,​ ​what​ ​he​ ​boasts​ ​about​ ​is​ ​different.​ ​Paul​ ​says… 1:12​ ​…​OUR​ ​boast​​ ​is​ ​this,​ ​the​ ​testimony​ ​of​ ​our​ ​conscience,

“If​ ​we​ ​HAVE​ ​to​ ​find​ ​confidence​ ​in​ ​ANYTHING”​ ​Paul​ ​says,​ ​“it​ ​is​ ​that​ ​we​ ​have​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​conscience.”​ ​Do​ ​you see​ ​how​ ​different​ ​THAT​ ​is?​ ​Clear​ ​about​ ​what? …that​ ​we​ ​behaved​​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​with​…​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​ ​godly​ ​sincerity​…

Paul​ ​was​ ​simple​​ ​to​ ​understand​​ ​because​ ​he​ ​had​ ​only​ ​one​ ​purpose​ ​and​ ​that​ ​purpose​ ​was​ ​as​ ​plain​ ​as​ ​day. He​ ​wasn’t​ ​simplistic...​ ​the​ ​guy​ ​was​ ​brilliant!​ ​But​ ​you​ ​never​ ​had​ ​to​ ​wonder​ ​with​ ​Paul​ ​if​ ​there​ ​was​ ​more​ ​going on​ ​in​ ​your​ ​interactions​ ​with​ ​him​ ​than​ ​he​ ​was​ ​letting​ ​on.​ ​You​ ​could​ ​trust​ ​that​ ​what​ ​he​ ​showed​ ​you​ ​and​ ​said​ ​to you​ ​was​ ​the​ ​WHOLE​ ​story​ ​because​ ​he​ ​behaved​ ​with​ ​simplicity. Paul​ ​ALSO​ ​behaved​ ​with​ ​godly​ ​sincerity​.​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​were​ ​his​ ​words​ ​and​ ​actions​ ​simple​​ ​to​ ​understand, but​ ​his​ ​motives​ ​were​ ​transparent​ ​and​ ​utterly​ ​sincere.​ ​He​ ​didn’t​ ​pretend​ ​to​ ​care​ ​about​ ​you​ ​more​ ​than​ ​he​ ​did to​ ​influence​ ​you…​ ​he​ ​DID​ ​care​ ​about​ ​you​ ​(he​ ​nearly​ ​lost​ ​his​ ​life​ ​SEVERAL​ ​times​ ​bringing​ ​the​ ​gospel​ ​to​ ​these folks),​ ​and​ ​he​ ​behaved​ ​constantly​ ​in​ ​keeping​ ​with​ ​that​ ​love!​ ​He​ ​was​ ​authentic.​ ​When​ ​he​ ​said​ ​he​ ​loved​ ​you,​ ​he did! We​ ​see​ ​one​ ​clear​ ​example​ ​is​ ​last​ ​week’s​ ​text.​ ​Look​ ​back​ ​to​ ​1:8​ ​and​ ​notice​ ​something.​ ​As​ ​Paul​ ​described​ ​his situation​ ​in​ ​Asia,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​utterly​ ​vulnerable​ ​with​ ​them. 1:8​ ​For​ ​we​ ​do​ ​not​ ​want​ ​you​ ​to​ ​be​ ​unaware,​ ​brothers,​ ​of​ ​the​ ​affliction​ ​we​ ​experienced​ ​in​ ​Asia.​ ​For​ ​we​ ​were​ ​so​ ​utterly burdened​ ​beyond​ ​our​ ​strength​ ​that​ ​we​ ​despaired​ ​of​ ​life​ ​itself.

Have​ ​you​ ​noticed​ ​how​ ​rare​ ​it​ ​is​ ​that​ ​people​ ​say​ ​things​ ​like​ ​this​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​We​ ​were​ ​utterly​ ​burdened beyond​ ​our​ ​strength…”​ ​WE​ ​talk​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other​ ​about​ ​our​ ​strengths​​ ​our​ ​accomplishments​ ​our​ ​connections. We​ ​AREN’T​ ​forthcoming​ ​with​ ​our​ ​weaknesses​ ​and​ ​bad​ ​moments​ ​in​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​where​ ​our​ ​weakness​ ​was​ ​on display.​ ​But​ ​here​ ​Paul​ ​is,​ ​talking​ ​to​ ​his​ ​spiritual​ ​children,​ ​not​ ​about​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​or​ ​triumph,​ ​but​ ​of​ ​despair.​ ​This man​ ​had​ ​moments​ ​of​ ​weakness​ ​and​ ​he​ ​shared​ ​them.​ ​THAT’S​ ​godly​ ​sincerity.​ ​(He​ ​put​ ​them​ ​in​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​we​ ​are still​ ​reading​ ​closely​ ​2000​ ​years​ ​later!) This​ ​was​ ​the​ ​OPPOSITE​ ​of​ ​the​ ​way​ ​that​ ​the​ ​heretics.​ ​THEY​ ​behaved… 1:12…by​ ​earthly​ ​wisdom

You​ ​behave​ ​by​ ​earthly​ ​wisdom​​ ​when​ ​you​ ​boast​ ​about​ ​things​ ​you​ ​have​ ​said​ ​or​ ​done​ ​in​ ​this​ ​world​​ ​that show​ ​you​ ​as​ ​favorable​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​others…​ ​(Your​ ​life​ ​for​ ​mine).​ W ​ orldly​ ​wisdom​​ ​says​ ​if​ ​I​ ​am​ ​better​ ​than you,​ ​if​ ​I​ ​am​ ​more​ ​impressive​ ​than​ ​you,​ ​if​ ​I​ ​am​ ​ahead​ ​of​ ​you​ ​(in​ ​my​ ​career​ ​or​ ​my​ ​family​ ​or​ ​my​ ​(fill​ ​in​ ​the​ ​blank) then​ ​I​ ​feel​ ​secure…​ ​I​ ​am​ ​established These​ ​guys​ ​were​ ​like​ ​that.​ ​They​ ​were​ ​professional​ ​orators​.​ ​When​ ​they​ ​spoke,​ ​they​ ​were​ ​REALLY​ ​good​ ​at it​ ​and​ ​this​ ​made​ ​them​ ​feel​ ​secure​ ​in​ ​this​ ​world!​ ​They​ ​brought​ ​credentials​​ ​(they​ ​had​ ​“letters​ ​of recommendation”​ ​they​ ​claimed​ ​from​ ​the​ ​apostles​ ​in​ ​Jerusalem).​ ​THESE​ ​made​ ​them​ ​feel​ ​secure.​ T ​ hey​ ​charged for​ ​their​ ​services​,​ ​which​ ​they​ ​claimed​ ​legitimized​ ​their​ ​ministry.​ ​They​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​these​ ​things​ ​established​ ​them as​ ​important.​ ​These​ ​are​ ​the​ ​things​ ​that​ ​gave​ ​them​ ​“self​ ​importance.” In​ ​contrast,​ ​they​ ​said​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​not​ ​as​ ​impressive​ ​as​ ​a​ ​public​ ​speaker,​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​have​ ​the​ ​same​ ​credentials (I’ll​ ​come​ ​back​ ​to​ ​that​ ​in​ ​a​ ​few​ ​weeks),​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​charge​ ​for​ ​his​ ​services.​ ​So​ ​as​ ​the​ ​heretics​ ​boasted​ ​about​ ​their impressiveness,​ ​they​ ​simultaneously​ ​created​ ​a​ ​narrative​ ​that​ ​said​ ​that​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​an​ u ​ nsophisticated​ ​rookie with​ ​no​ ​credentials​​ ​who​ ​gave​ ​away​ ​his​ ​services​​ ​because​ ​they​ ​were​ ​not​ ​good​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​sell.​ ​THAT’s​ ​what earthly​ ​wisdom​ ​does!​ ​And​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​bought​ ​it​ ​and​ ​became​ ​embarrassed​ ​about​ ​Paul.​ ​(We​ ​are​ ​so​ ​easily biased!) YET,​ ​contrary​ ​to​ ​THEM,​ ​Paul…

3 1:12…behaved​ ​by​ ​the​ ​grace​ ​of​ ​God​ ​and​ ​supremely​ ​so​ ​toward​ ​you.

Paul​ ​responded​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​like​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​relied​ ​on​ ​the​ ​grace​ ​of​ ​God. PA:​ ​In​ ​your​ ​relationships,​ ​have​ ​you​ ​behaved​ ​with​ ​simplicity​​ ​and​ ​godly​ ​sincerity,​​ ​which​ ​you​ ​CAN​ ​do​ ​by the​ ​grace​ ​of​ ​God?​ ​Or​ ​do​ ​you​ ​present​ ​yourself​ ​as​ ​one​ ​thing​ ​when​ ​you​ ​are​ ​actually​ ​another​ ​thing​ ​altogether? Especially​ ​when​ ​it​ ​is​ ​with​ ​someone​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​have​ ​conflict,​ s​ implicity​ ​and​ ​godly​ ​sincerity​ ​because you​ ​trust​ ​God​ ​REBUILDS​ ​your​ ​relationship.​ ​PRINCIPLE​ ​ONE:​ ​Behave​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​sincerity. A​ ​second​ ​principle​ ​comes​ ​next​ ​in​ ​the​ ​text.​ ​If​ ​the​ ​first​ ​principle​ ​asks​ ​for​ ​self-examination​ ​(do​ ​I​ ​behave​ ​with simplicity​ ​and​ ​godly​ ​sincerity?),​ ​the​ ​second​ ​principle​ ​asks​ ​us​ ​how​ ​we​ ​THINK​ ​about​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​we have​ ​conflict.​ ​We​ ​see​ ​in​ ​Paul’s​ ​example​ ​that​ ​we​ ​should… 2. Recall​ ​the​ ​union​ ​you​ ​both​ ​share​ ​in​ ​Christ​​ ​(1:14,​ ​21-22) When​ ​you​ ​think​ ​of​ ​another​ ​Christian​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​are​ ​in​ ​conflict,​ ​what​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​first?​ ​Paul​ ​wrote to​ ​his​ ​spiritual​ ​children​ ​he​ ​almost​ ​DIED​ ​bringing​ ​the​ ​gospel​ ​to,​ ​whom​ ​he​ ​led​ ​to​ ​Christ​ ​over​ ​18​ ​months​ ​and established​ ​this​ ​church​ ​as​ ​a​ ​gift​ ​of​ ​love​ ​to​ ​God​ ​and​ ​them,​ w ​ ho​ ​NOW​ ​look​ ​at​ ​him​ ​as​ ​an​ ​embarrassment​.​ ​What THEY​ ​see​ ​when​ ​they​ ​see​ ​Paul​ ​REPELS​ ​them.​ ​If​ ​that​ ​was​ ​YOU,​ ​what​ ​thoughts​ ​would​ ​come​ ​to​ ​YOUR​ ​mind​ ​when you​ ​thought​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Corinthians? But​ ​what​ ​PAUL​ ​remembered​ ​first​ ​about​ ​these​ ​people​ ​who​ ​treated​ ​him​ ​with​ ​contempt…​ ​was​ ​STILL​ ​that they​ ​shared​ ​Christ.​ ​They​ ​weren’t​ ​ungrateful​ ​jerks​ ​who​ ​happened​ ​to​ ​be​ ​Christians.​ ​They​ ​were​ ​Christian brothers​ ​and​ ​sister​ ​who​ ​had​ ​an​ ​incredible​ ​future​ ​ahead​ ​together,​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​he​ ​happened​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​conflict for​ ​a​ ​short​ ​time.​ ​Its​ ​amazing​ ​to​ ​see. For​ ​example,​ ​when​ ​he​ ​writes​ ​these​ ​people​ ​who​ ​are​ ​harming​ ​him,​ ​he​ ​recalls​ ​they​ ​will​ ​spend​ ​eternity together!​ ​He​ ​says​ ​that… 14…​ ​on​ ​the​ ​day​ ​of​ ​our​ ​Lord​ ​Jesus​ ​you​ ​will​ ​boast​ ​of​ ​us​ ​as​ ​we​ ​will​ ​boast​ ​of​ ​you.

Apparently​ ​when​ ​Jesus​ ​returns,​ ​Christians​ ​will​ ​be​ ​interacting​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other​ ​about​ ​what​ ​we​ ​did​ ​in​ ​each other’s​ ​lives.​ ​On​ ​that​ ​day​ ​we​ ​will​ ​boast​ ​about​ ​every​ ​good​ ​thing​ ​they​ ​said​ ​and​ ​did​ ​and​ ​were​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other during​ ​THESE​ ​days…​ ​every​ ​way​ ​Jesus​ ​affected​ ​our​ ​relationships!​ ​How​ ​we​ ​interact​ ​now​ ​will​ ​matter​ ​to​ ​us THEN​ ​for​ ​us​ ​all.​ ​KEY​ ​While​ ​these​ ​Christians​ ​were​ ​discrediting​ ​him,​ ​Paul​ ​saw​ ​them​ ​still​ ​first​ ​as​ ​sharing eternity​ ​together! Q:​​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​see​ ​how​ ​thinking​ ​of​ ​other​ ​Christians​ ​as​ ​those​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​will​ ​share​ ​eternity​ ​before​ ​Christ changes​ ​how​ ​you​ ​see​ ​them​ ​NOW…​ ​especially​ ​when​ ​you​ ​are​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​place​ ​with​ ​them?​ ​When​ ​we​ ​get​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bad place​ ​with​ ​people,​ ​we​ ​lose​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​a​ ​future​ ​we​ ​will​ ​share​ ​before​ ​Christ​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​BUT​ ​these​ ​days​ ​are apparently​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​boasting​ ​in​ ​THOSE​ ​days…​ ​or​ ​not.​ ​When​ ​Paul​ ​thinks​ ​of​ ​their​ ​conflict,​ ​he recalls​ ​the​ ​future​ ​they​ ​will​ ​share​ ​together. Is​ ​there​ ​someone​ ​you​ ​have​ ​been​ ​thinking​ ​about​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​are​ ​not​ ​in​ ​a​ ​good​ ​place?​ ​It​ ​changes​ ​you​ ​to​ ​stop and​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​long​ ​after​ ​this​ ​issue​ ​is​ ​past,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​STILL​ ​spend​ ​eternity​ ​together​ ​before​ ​Christ.​ ​Q:​ ​What would​ ​you​ ​do​ ​on​ ​THIS​ ​day​ ​that​ ​you​ ​would​ ​be​ ​glad​ ​for​ ​on​ ​THAT​ ​day?

There​ ​are​ ​OTHER​ ​things​ ​Paul​ ​recalls​ ​that​ ​he​ ​shares​ ​in​ ​common​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Corinthians… 21​ ​And​ ​it​ ​is​ ​God​ ​who​ ​establishes​ ​us​ ​with​ ​you​ ​in​ ​Christ,

God​ ​makes​ ​us​ ​to​ ​stand​ ​firm​ ​in​ ​Christ.​ ​HE​ ​is​ ​the​ ​One​ ​who​ ​makes​ ​us​ ​secure.​ ​Where​ ​the​ ​heretics​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​be secure​ ​because​ ​of​ ​their​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​credentials,​ ​God​ ​establishes​ ​us​ ​in​ ​Christ.​ ​HE​ ​is​ ​the​ ​guarantor​ ​of​ ​our relationship​ ​with​ ​Christ.​ ​(Anyone​ ​glad​ ​for​ ​THAT?) Video​ ​of​ ​category​ ​of​ ​Hurricane.​ ​Category​ ​4​ ​rips​ ​the​ ​roof​ ​off​ ​of​ ​a​ ​house,​ ​Category​ ​5​ ​carries​ ​it​ ​away.​ ​None​ ​of​ ​us have​ ​been​ ​in​ ​one​ ​of​ ​those,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​do​ ​have​ ​“hurricanes”​ ​in​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​often.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​them​ ​is​ ​relationships​ ​falling apart!​ ​How​ ​good​ ​is​ ​it​ ​that​ ​even​ ​in​ ​the​ ​midst​ ​of​ ​that,​ ​God​ ​has​ ​established​ ​us​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​that​ ​nothing​ ​that​ ​comes​ ​our way​ ​can​ ​remove​ ​us​ ​from​ ​being​ ​anchored​ ​in​ ​Him!

POINT:​ ​As​ ​He​ ​has​ ​established​ ​you​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​so​ ​He​ ​has​ ​ALSO​ ​established​ ​the​ ​Christians​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you are​ ​struggling​ ​in​ ​Christ.​ ​We​ ​are​ ​BOTH​ ​established​ ​in​ ​Christ.​ ​ ​ACTUALLY​ ​He​ ​has​ ​established​ ​you​ ​with​ ​them in​ ​Christ.​ ​THAT​ ​changes​ ​how​ ​you​ ​think​ ​about​ ​them. MORE… and​ ​has​ ​anointed​ ​us,

4 In​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​something​ ​anointed​ ​was​ ​set​ ​apart​ ​for​ ​God’s​ ​holy​ ​use​ ​(Temple,​ ​Priests,​ ​etc.).​ ​Here,​ ​God​ ​has anointed​ ​you​ ​AND​ ​He​ ​has​ ​also​ ​anointed​ t​ he​ ​person​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​are​ ​struggling…​ ​He​ ​has​ ​anointed​ ​US! 22​ ​and​ ​who​ ​has​ ​also​ ​put​ ​his​ ​seal​ ​on​ ​us…

In​ ​ancient​ ​days,​ ​a​ ​seal​ ​was​ ​a​ ​wax​ ​mark​ ​that​ ​went​ ​on​ ​a​ ​message.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​symbol​ ​of​ ​ownership.​ ​We​ ​should remember…​ ​we​ ​do​ ​not​ ​belong​ ​to​ ​ourselves!​ ​We​ ​belong​ ​to​ ​Him​ ​Who​ ​died​ ​for​ ​us.​ ​One​ s​ eal​ ​is​ ​on​ ​US​! and​ ​given​ ​us​ ​his​ ​Spirit​ ​in​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​as​ ​a​ ​guarantee.

Guarantee​​ ​could​ ​also​ ​be​ ​translated,​ ​“deposit.”

If​ ​you​ ​buy​ ​an​ ​$8,000​ ​car​ ​and​ ​put​ ​down​ ​a​ ​deposit,​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​give​ ​them​ ​an​ ​“I-owe-you.”​ ​You​ ​have​ ​to​ ​give​ ​them​ ​a portion​ ​of​ ​what​ ​is​ ​coming​ ​in​ ​full.​ ​You​ ​pay​ ​$1000​ ​of​ ​the​ ​$8000.

Christian,​ ​you​ ​have​ ​received​ ​a​ ​deposit​ ​from​ ​God.​ ​The​ ​Holy​ ​Spirit​ ​is​ ​not​ ​just​ ​the​ ​promise​ ​of​ ​heaven,​ ​but​ ​a portion​ ​of​ ​heaven,​ ​Who​ ​we​ ​have​ ​TODAY! ​ ​Anyone​ ​glad​ ​for​ ​these​ ​things​?​ ​We​ ​are​ ​established​​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​He​ ​has​ ​anointed​​ ​us,​ ​and​ ​also​ ​put​ ​His​ ​seal​​ ​on us​ ​and​ ​given​ ​us​ ​His​ ​Spirit​​ ​in​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​as​ ​a​ ​guarantee?​ ​QKEY​ ​He​ ​has​ ​done​ ​all​ ​of​ ​this,​ ​not​ ​just​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​but​ ​to the​ ​Christian​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​are​ ​struggling!​ ​If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​going​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road​,​ ​then​ ​recall​ ​what​ ​you share​ ​in​ ​common. NOTE:​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​suggesting​ ​that​ ​the​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​have​ ​divided​ ​are​ ​not​ ​real​ ​or​ ​important.​ ​Next​ ​week​ ​we’ll​ ​talk about​ ​honesty​ ​as​ ​needed​ ​for​ ​real​ ​healing.​ ​But​ ​we​ ​CAN​ ​enter​ ​those​ ​conversations​ ​when​ ​we​ ​get​ ​THIS​ ​part​ ​right first.​ ​What​ ​YOU​ ​MOST​ ​treasure​ ​in​ ​your​ ​life​ ​if​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​Christian​ ​you​ ​share​ ​in​ ​common​ ​with​ ​the​ ​person​ ​with whom​ ​you​ ​are​ ​struggling. We​ ​follow​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​are​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​healing​ ​broken​ ​relationships​ ​(as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​its​ ​up​ ​to​ ​us)​ ​when​ ​1)​ ​we​ ​respond with​ ​sincerity​ ​and​ ​simplicity,​ ​and​ ​2)​ ​recall​ ​the​ ​union​ ​we​ ​already​ ​share​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​and​ ​finally… 3. Reconsider​ ​your​ ​response​ ​to​ ​do​ ​what​ ​they​ ​need​ ​(v.​ ​15-19,​ ​23-24) This​ ​passage​ ​is​ ​confusing,​ ​unless​ ​you​ ​know​ ​that​ ​Paul​ ​is​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​his​ ​change​ ​of​ ​plans​ ​with​ ​the Corinthians.​ ​He​ ​left​ ​his​ ​“painful​ ​visit”​ ​(2:1)​ ​saying​ ​he​ ​planned​ ​to​ ​return.​ ​However​ ​upon​ ​reflection,​ ​if​ ​his “painful​ ​visit”​ ​didn’t​ ​solve​ ​things,​ ​maybe​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​would​ ​be​ ​better​ ​so​ ​they​ ​can​ ​reflect​ ​themselves,​ ​which​ ​he chose​ ​to​ ​write​ ​instead.​ ​His​ ​opponents​ ​used​ ​this​ ​to​ ​say​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​flaky.​ ​But​ ​that​ ​wasn’t​ ​it! 1:17​ ​Was​ ​I​ ​vacillating​ ​when​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​do​ ​this?​ ​Do​ ​I​ ​make​ ​my​ ​plans​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​flesh,​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​say​ ​“Yes,​ ​yes” and​ ​“No,​ ​no”​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time?

The​ ​key​ ​to​ ​understanding​ ​though​ ​is​ ​1:23…

1:23 But​ ​I​ ​call​ ​God​ ​to​ ​witness​ ​against​ ​me—it​ ​was​ ​to​ ​spare​ ​you​ ​that​ ​I​ ​refrained​ ​from​ ​coming​ ​again​ ​to​ ​Corinth.​ ​ ​24​ ​Not that​ ​we​ ​lord​ ​it​ ​over​ ​your​ ​faith,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​work​ ​with​ ​you​ ​for​ ​your​ ​joy….

Paul​ ​wasn’t​ ​flaky.​ ​He​ ​ADJUSTED​ ​his​ ​response​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​because​ ​that’s​ ​what​ ​they​ ​needed.​ ​That’s called​ ​love…​ ​prominently​ ​taking​ ​into​ ​account​ ​where​ ​the​ ​other​ ​person​ ​is​ ​as​ ​you​ ​interact​ ​with​ ​them​ ​and adjusting​ ​to​ ​them​ ​is​ ​called​ ​love.​ ​That’s​ ​God’s​ ​grace​ ​in​ ​action.​ ​We​ ​take​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road​ ​when​ ​we​ ​are​ ​willing​ ​to adjust​ ​to​ ​the​ ​person​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​we​ ​have​ ​struggle. Urban​ ​legend​ ​about​ ​the​ ​Aircraft​ ​Carrier​ ​that​ ​saw​ ​a​ ​light​ ​in​ ​the​ ​distance​ ​and​ ​raised​ ​it​ ​on​ ​the​ ​public​ ​frequency radio.​ ​They​ ​couldn’t​ ​raise​ ​the​ ​other​ ​ship​ ​by​ ​radio​ ​so​ ​they​ ​signaled​ ​with​ ​a​ ​light​ ​by​ ​Morse​ ​Code:​ ​“On​ ​a​ ​collision course.​ ​Turn​ ​10​ ​degrees​ ​to​ ​the​ ​left.”​ ​The​ ​person​ ​on​ ​the​ ​other​ ​end​ ​signaled,​ ​“YOU​ ​turn​ ​10​ ​degrees​ ​to​ ​the​ ​left.”​ ​This went​ ​back​ ​and​ ​forth​ ​until​ ​the​ ​commander​ ​said,​ ​“I​ ​am​ ​an​ ​admiral​ ​and​ ​Commander​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Atlantic​ ​fleet,​ ​YOU​ ​turn ten​ ​degrees.”​ ​The​ ​person​ ​said,​ ​“I’m​ ​a​ ​petty​ ​officer…​ ​YOU​ ​turn.”​ ​“We’re​ ​an​ ​aircraft​ ​carrier,​ ​YOU turn!”​ ​Answer,​ ​“​We’re​ ​a​ ​lighthouse​…​ ​YOU​ ​turn!”

The​ ​Admiral​ ​felt​ ​because​ ​he​ ​was​ ​who​ ​he​ ​was,​ ​everyone​ ​else​ ​should​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​him.​ ​(That’s what​ ​these​ ​heretics​ ​were​ ​like).​ ​What​ ​was​ ​raging​ ​in​ ​the​ ​heretics​ ​was​ ​pride​ ​and​ ​boasting,​ ​and the​ ​more​ ​of​ ​that​ ​you​ ​have,​ ​the​ ​more​ ​rigid​ ​you​ ​become,​ ​expecting​ ​everyone​ ​else​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​you​ ​and,​ ​in​ ​its worst​ ​forms,​ ​getting​ ​angry​ ​that​ ​others​ ​don’t​ ​(This​ ​can​ ​actually​ ​be​ ​narcissistic​ ​rage). But​ ​here​ ​the​ ​Apostle​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​adjusting​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Corinthians,​ ​even​ ​though​ ​they​ ​threw​ ​him​ ​under​ ​the​ ​bus. TRUTH:​ ​GOD​ ​adjusted​ ​US​ ​after​ ​Genesis​ ​3.​ ​After​ ​Adam​ ​and​ ​Eve​ ​sinned,​ ​God​ ​set​ ​in​ ​motion​ ​a​ ​plan​ ​that would​ ​involve​ ​not​ ​only​ ​redemption​ ​and​ ​worship​ ​through​ ​sacrifice,​ ​but​ ​prophets​ ​and​ ​priests​ ​and​ ​kings​ ​in​ ​the Old​ ​Testament​ ​who​ ​all​ ​helped​ ​us​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​ultimate​ ​prophet,​ ​priest,​ ​and​ ​King,​ ​His​ ​Son,​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​Jesus Christ,​ ​Who​ ​would​ ​Himself​ ​come​ ​to​ ​earth​ ​(THINK​ ​about​ ​the​ ​enormity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​universe​ ​God​ ​made​ ​with​ ​His

5 voice​ ​and​ ​that​ ​He​ ​shrunk​ ​to​ ​be​ ​one​ ​of​ ​us),​ ​and​ ​not​ ​only​ ​show​ ​us​ ​God​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way​ ​we​ ​could​ ​understand,​ ​but​ ​DIE for​ ​us…​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cross,​ ​the​ ​Son​ ​of​ ​God​ ​DIED…​ ​for​ ​you,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​could​ ​be​ ​reconciled​ ​to​ ​God!​ ​THAT​ ​is​ ​adjustment! Adjustments:​ ​1)​ ​Perhaps​ ​you’ve​ ​been​ ​hurt​ ​and​ ​decided​ ​its​ ​up​ ​to​ ​them​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​right.​ ​Paul​ ​didn’t​ ​do that…​ ​he​ ​approached​ ​the​ ​accusers​ ​by​ ​grace.​ ​2)​ ​Perhaps​ ​you​ ​have​ ​decided​ ​what​ ​THEIR​ ​actions​ ​should​ ​be… you​ ​have​ ​created​ ​YOUR​ ​picture​ ​of​ ​their​ ​making​ ​things​ ​right,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​judged​ ​anything​ ​they​ ​have​ ​said​ ​and done​ ​as​ ​inadequate​ ​unless​ ​they​ ​do​ ​what​ ​you’ve​ ​decided.​ ​(This​ ​is​ ​worse​ ​if​ ​you​ ​have​ ​this​ ​standard​ ​and​ ​haven’t told​ ​them​ ​what​ ​it​ ​is​ ​but​ ​expect​ ​them​ ​to​ ​understand).​ ​ ​3)​ ​Perhaps​ ​THEIR​ ​pain​ ​hasn’t​ ​even​ ​occurred​ ​to​ ​you! Maybe​ ​that​ ​means​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​what​ ​has​ ​been​ ​hard​ ​for​ ​the​ ​other​ ​person. Key…​ ​Paul​ ​adjusted.​ ​He​ ​made​ ​a​ ​study​ ​of​ ​the​ ​people​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​he​ ​was​ ​in​ ​conflict​ ​and​ ​he​ ​adjusted​ ​to them.​ ​His​ ​heart​ ​in​ ​all​ ​of​ ​this… 2:4​ ​For​ ​I​ ​wrote​ ​to​ ​you​ ​out​ ​of​ ​much​ ​affliction​ ​and​ ​anguish​ ​of​ ​heart​ ​and​ ​with​ ​many​ ​tears,​ ​not​ ​to​ ​cause​ ​you​ ​pain​ ​but​ ​to let​ ​you​ ​know​ ​the​ ​abundant​ ​love​ ​that​ ​I​ ​have​ ​for​ ​you.

How​ ​much​ ​conflict​ ​continues​ ​because​ ​people​ ​aren’t​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other?​ ​Q​:​ ​Are​ ​YOU​ ​adjustable in​ ​conflict?​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​saying​ ​we​ ​set​ ​aside​ ​truth​ ​(next​ ​week​ ​we’ll​ ​talk​ ​about​ ​that).​ ​But​ ​if​ ​we​ ​aren’t​ ​first​ ​of​ ​all willing​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​love​ ​fully​ ​the​ ​people​ ​God​ ​has​ ​place​ ​near​ ​us,​ ​then​ ​the​ ​cause​ ​of​ ​the​ ​conflict​ ​in​ ​part​ ​includes US! SUMMARY:​ ​What​ ​we’ve​ ​said:​ ​When​ ​we​ ​face​ ​a​ ​broken​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​other​ ​Christians,​ ​we​ ​(main​ ​point) follow​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​respond​ ​with​ ​love​ ​when​ ​we​ ​1)​ ​react​​ ​to​ ​the​ ​person​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​sincerity,​ ​2)​ ​recall the​ ​union​ ​we​ ​both​ ​share​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​and​ ​3)​ ​reconsider​​ ​our​ ​response​ ​to​ ​do​ ​what​ ​they​ ​need.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​what following​ ​Christ​ ​looks​ ​like​ ​through​ ​Christian​ ​conflict.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​effect​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cross​ ​on​ ​our​ ​brokenness. Response​ ​–​ ​2​ ​groups: 1) People​ ​considering​ ​Christ…​​ ​Every​ ​week​ ​we​ ​are​ ​honored​ ​to​ ​have​ ​folks​ ​with​ ​us​ ​who​ ​are​ ​here checking​ ​out​ ​church​ ​again​ ​and​ ​not​ ​sure​ ​at​ ​all​ ​if​ ​they​ ​are​ ​in.​ ​If​ ​that’s​ ​you,​ ​know​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​welcome​ ​to​ ​belong here​ ​while​ ​you​ ​figure​ ​that​ ​out!​ ​My​ ​question​ ​to​ ​you​…​ ​are​ ​broken​ ​relationships​ ​a​ ​big​ ​part​ ​of​ ​what’s​ ​happening in​ ​YOUR​ ​life?​ ​Is​ ​that​ ​part​ ​of​ ​why​ ​you​ ​are​ ​here?​ ​Have​ ​your​ ​previous​ ​attempts​ ​succeeded​ ​in​ ​fixing​ ​them?​ M ​ y suggestion​ ​to​ ​you​ ​is​ ​this​…​ ​Have​ ​you​ ​considered​ ​that​ ​the​ ​thing​ ​you​ ​MOST​ ​need​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​repairing​ ​your relationship​ ​with​ ​another​ ​person.​ ​Rather​ ​it​ ​may​ ​be​ ​restoring​ ​your​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Jesus! You​ ​might​ ​wonder​ ​if​ ​you​ ​can​ ​HAVE​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Him​ ​after​ ​what​ ​you’ve​ ​done.​ ​KEY…​ ​HE​ ​did something​ ​incredible​ ​in​ ​Christ​ ​to​ ​reconcile​ ​you.​ ​HE​ ​paid​ ​the​ ​price​ ​for​ ​what​ ​you​ ​have​ ​done​ ​so​ ​that​ ​you​ ​can​ ​be forgiven.​ ​THAT’s​ ​why​ ​the​ ​cross​ ​is​ ​so​ ​important.​ ​It​ ​may​ ​be​ ​more​ ​than​ ​you​ ​understand​ ​right​ ​now,​ ​but​ ​the important​ ​thing​ ​is​ ​to​ ​know,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​repent​ ​and​ ​believe,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​can​ ​say​ ​“S​ orry​,​ ​thank​ ​you​,​ ​please​”…​ ​“Sorry”​ ​for what​ ​I’ve​ ​done,​ ​“Thank​ ​you”​ ​for​ ​forgiving​ ​my​ ​sins​ ​through​ ​Christ,​ ​“Please”​ ​come​ ​into​ ​my​ ​life​ ​and​ ​be​ ​my Lord…​ ​I​ ​trust​ ​you.​ ​May​ ​be​ ​for​ ​just​ ​one​ ​person,​ ​but​ ​let​ ​me​ ​pray. 2)​ ​Christians​…​ ​Have​ ​you​ ​had​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​person​ ​in​ ​your​ ​mind​ ​as​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​talking​ ​this​ ​morning?​ ​Do​ ​you KNOW​ ​Jesus​ ​wants​ ​you​ ​to​ ​do​ ​all​ ​you​ ​can​ ​to​ ​be​ ​at​ ​peace​ ​with​ ​that​ ​person?​ ​Have​ ​I​ ​described​ ​1​ ​thing​ ​you​ ​know you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​do?​ ​ ​There​ ​is​ ​no​ ​transformation​ ​without​ ​obeying.​ ​Consider… WOOCLAP:​ ​Scale​ ​from​ ​1-10,​ ​I​ ​am​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road Key…​ ​we​ ​CAN​ ​love​ ​because​ ​He​ ​first​ ​loved​ ​us! In​ ​the​ ​second​ ​Narnia​ ​book,​ ​Lucy​ ​was​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​place​ ​with​ ​her​ ​siblings​ ​who​ ​were​ ​annoying​ ​her​ ​(if​ ​you use​ ​that​ ​word…​ ​good​ ​chance​ ​you​ ​are​ ​contributing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​problem).​ ​But​ ​then​ ​she​ ​would​ ​get​ ​glimpses of​ ​Aslan​ ​(who​ ​is​ ​Jesus).​ ​Finally​ ​there​ ​came​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​where​ ​Aslan​ ​stood​ ​calling​ ​her​ ​and​ ​she​ ​went​ ​to Him​ ​and​ ​they​ ​have​ ​this​ ​incredible​ ​reunion. But​ ​at​ ​the​ ​moment​ ​Lucy​ ​leaves​ ​the​ ​others​ ​and​ ​moves​ ​towards​ ​Aslan​ ​Lewis​ ​writes,​ ​“Lucy​ ​went​ ​first,​ ​biting​ ​her​ ​lip and​ ​trying​ ​not​ ​to​ ​say​ ​all​ ​the​ ​things​ ​she​ ​thought​ ​of​ ​saying​ ​to​ ​Susan.​ ​ ​But​ ​she​ ​forgot​ ​them​ ​when​ ​she​ ​fixed​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​on Aslan.”

You​ ​CAN​ ​love​ ​because​ ​He​ ​first​ ​loved​ ​us.​ ​My​ ​question​ ​to​ ​you​ ​is​ ​simple…Will​ ​you​ ​take​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road?

6

7

Small​ ​Group​ ​Leader​ ​Notes September​ ​17,​ ​2017 From​ ​Pastor​ ​Dan… Hello​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​Leaders​ ​and​ ​anyone​ ​else​ ​using​ ​these​ ​notes, These​ ​next​ ​two​ ​weeks,​ ​Paul​ ​dives​ ​into​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​of​ ​conflict​ ​he​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​have​ ​shared.​ ​Especially​ ​in this​ ​passage,​ ​we​ ​see​ ​how​ ​Paul​ ​responded​ ​when​ ​he​ ​was​ ​misunderstood​ ​and​ ​a​ ​false​ ​narrative​ ​was​ ​told​ ​about him.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​help​ ​your​ ​folks​ ​live​ ​like​ ​Christians… I’d​ ​encourage​ ​you​ ​to​ ​take​ ​your​ ​time​ ​around​ ​the​ ​practical​ ​in​ ​each​ ​person’s​ ​life…​ ​not​ ​just​ ​the​ ​theory,​ ​but​ ​the application.​ ​“Does​ ​this​ ​challenge​ ​how​ ​we’ve​ ​been​ ​living?”​ ​“Would​ ​living​ ​like​ ​this​ ​look​ ​different?”​ ​These​ ​are​ ​all great​ ​questions​ ​to​ ​be​ ​asking. Grace​ ​to​ ​you! Warmly, Dan Our​ ​Scripture​ ​Study… Series: Message​ ​#: Sermon​ ​Title: Passage: Preacher: Date:

Reconciled 3 Taking​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road 2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1:12-2:4 Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser 2017-9-17

SMALL​ ​GROUP​ ​QUESTIONS

Getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other:​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​a​ ​joke​ ​about​ ​bad​ ​relationships?

Personal​ ​Study:​​ ​As​ ​you​ ​study​ ​(read,​ ​reread,​ ​consider,​ ​ponder,​ ​reread)​ ​the​ ​passage,​ ​list​ ​observations​ ​you make​ ​from​ ​the​ ​text.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​main​ ​point​ ​of​ ​this​ ​passage?​ ​How​ ​is​ ​the​ ​theme​ ​developed?​ ​What​ ​“Aha’s”​ ​come to​ ​you​ ​as​ ​you​ ​read?​ ​What​ ​questions​ ​come​ ​to​ ​mind?​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​the​ ​God​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​these​ ​verses? Bring​ ​your​ ​observations​ ​and​ ​questions​ ​to​ ​your​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​this​ ​week! —————————

2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1:12-2:4

Context​:​ ​The​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​was​ ​formed​ ​by​ ​Paul​ ​(Acts​ ​18)​ ​•​ ​After​ ​18​ ​months​ ​he​ ​leaves​ ​for​ ​Ephesus​ ​•​ ​Paul writes​ ​1​ ​Corinthians​ ​to​ ​address​ ​pastoral​ ​issues​ ​•​ ​Paul​ ​learns​ ​men​ ​have​ ​come​ ​to​ ​Corinth​ ​claiming​ ​to​ ​be​ ​true apostles​ ​who​ ​discredit​ ​Paul,​ ​which​ ​the​ ​church​ ​“buys”​ ​•​ ​He​ ​makes​ ​a​ ​“painful​ ​visit”​ ​(2:1)​ ​to​ ​confront​ ​this​ ​which ends​ ​badly​ ​•​ ​During​ ​that​ ​visit​ ​Paul​ ​said​ ​he​ ​would​ ​return​ ​(1:15-16)​ ​• Instead,​ ​Paul​ ​wrote​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​confronting the​ ​issue​ ​(2:4)​ ​which​ ​we​ ​do​ ​not​ ​have​ ​•​ ​Many​ ​in​ ​the​ ​church​ ​were​ ​convicted​ ​and​ ​restored​ ​by​ ​the​ ​letter​ ​(7:5-16) • His​ ​detractors​ ​accused​ ​him​ ​of​ ​being​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​(1:13)​ ​and​ ​unreliable​ ​(1:17)​ ​among​ ​other​ ​things​ ​• Paul​ ​wrote​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​in​ ​follow​ ​up 1. 1:12-14​ ​what​ ​does​ ​Paul​ ​say​ ​first​ ​as​ ​he​ ​now​ ​addresses​ ​their​ ​conflict?

8 In​ ​this​ ​letter,​ ​Paul​ ​uses​ ​the​ ​word​ ​“boast”​ ​32​ ​times.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​more​ ​than​ ​5x​ ​more​ ​than​ ​most​ ​books​ ​in​ ​the​ ​bible.​ ​He does​ ​this​ ​because​ ​the​ ​false​ ​teachers​ ​who​ ​have​ ​come​ ​are​ ​“boastful”​ ​people​ ​who​ ​boast​ ​in​ ​their accomplishments.​ ​Therefore​ ​Paul​ ​talks​ ​repeatedly,​ ​if​ ​he​ ​were​ ​to​ ​boast​ ​(which​ ​he​ ​does​ ​not​ ​typically​ ​do),​ ​what HE​ ​would​ ​boast​ ​about…​ ​which​ ​is​ ​completely​ ​different​ ​from​ ​what​ ​they​ ​boast​ ​about.​ ​(eg:​ ​He​ ​boasts​ ​about​ ​his weakness…) Here​ ​he​ ​boasts​ ​about​ ​how​ ​he​ ​has​ ​behaved​ ​when​ ​he​ ​has​ ​been​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Corinthians…​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​godly sincerity.

2. The​ ​false​ ​teachers​ ​“boasted”​ ​about​ ​outward​ ​appearance​ ​(5:12),​ ​their​ ​mission​ ​(11:12),​ ​etc.​ ​Paul​ ​says we​ ​should​ ​“boast”​ ​on​ ​the​ ​day​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​about​ ​each​ ​other​ ​v.​ ​14.​ ​What​ ​might​ ​that​ ​look​ ​like?​ ​Have​ ​you ever​ ​thought​ ​of​ ​preparing​ ​for​ ​that​ ​moment​ ​in​ ​this​ ​way?​ ​How​ ​is​ ​this​ ​helpful? Apparently,​ ​quite​ ​the​ ​opposite​ ​of​ ​boasting​ ​about​ ​ourselves,​ ​in​ ​heaven​ ​we​ ​will​ ​boast​ ​about​ ​each​ ​other​ ​and​ ​the good​ ​we​ ​have​ ​seen​ ​and​ ​experienced​ ​in​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​NOTE:​ ​This​ ​includes​ ​other​ ​Christians​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​we​ ​have had​ ​conflict.​ ​PAUL’s​ ​point…​ ​when​ ​we​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​eternal​ ​brothers​ ​and​ ​sisters,​ ​it​ ​puts​ ​a​ ​different context​ ​on​ ​our​ ​interactions​ ​today,​ ​including​ ​if​ ​we​ ​have​ ​conflict.​ ​Talk​ ​about​ ​this. 3. 1:15-2:4​ ​Paul​ ​addresses​ ​his​ ​change​ ​of​ ​plan​ ​in​ ​not​ ​coming​ ​to​ ​Corinth.​ ​What​ ​had​ ​they​ ​accused​ ​him​ ​of? Why​ ​did​ ​Paul​ ​do​ ​what​ ​he​ ​did? When​ ​Paul​ ​left​ ​from​ ​his​ ​“painful​ ​visit”​ ​(2:1)​ ​he​ ​apparently​ ​said​ ​he​ ​would​ ​return,​ ​but​ ​then​ ​chose​ ​to​ ​write​ ​a​ ​letter instead.​ ​Perhaps​ ​he​ ​thought​ ​if​ ​one​ ​visit​ ​didn’t​ ​fix​ ​things,​ ​why​ ​would​ ​a​ ​second.​ ​Perhaps​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​they​ ​could digest​ ​and​ ​reflect​ ​upon​ ​would​ ​be​ ​better,​ ​which​ ​apparently​ ​it​ ​was. However​ ​this​ ​change​ ​of​ ​plans​ ​gave​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​his​ ​accusers​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​to​ ​accuse​ ​Paul​ ​of​ ​being​ ​double minded​ ​and​ ​flaky,​ ​unreliable,​ ​etc. 4. 1:19-20​ ​As​ ​God​ ​promised​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Old​ ​Testament,​ ​He​ ​sent​ ​a​ ​Savior,​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ,​ ​to​ ​reconcile​ ​us​ ​to​ ​God. As​ ​God​ ​is​ ​faithful​ ​to​ ​His​ ​promises,​ ​so​ ​we​ ​too​ ​should​ ​be.​ ​So​ ​why​ ​did​ ​Paul​ ​change​ ​his​ ​plans?​ ​Was​ ​he unfaithful? Paul​ ​adjusted​ ​his​ ​plans​ ​to​ ​HELP​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​better.​ ​KEY:​ ​ ​He​ ​adjusted​ ​his​ ​plans​ ​for​ ​their​ ​sake. 5. Paul’s​ ​studied​ ​his​ ​brothers​ ​and​ ​sisters​ ​and​ ​adjusted​ ​his​ ​actions​ ​to​ ​where​ ​they​ ​were.​ ​How​ ​well​ ​do​ ​you do​ ​at​ ​this​ ​(studying​ ​people​ ​and​ ​adjusting​ ​to​ ​what​ ​they​ ​need?)​ ​Share​ ​an​ ​example​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​this​ ​right (or​ ​wrong). Group​ ​reflection. 6. 1:21-22​ ​what​ ​does​ ​Paul​ ​remember​ ​as​ ​he​ ​interacts​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Corinthians?​ ​ ​How​ ​do​ ​these​ ​things​ ​affect our​ ​conflict​ ​with​ ​other​ ​Christians? Paul​ ​rehearses​ ​incredible​ ​gifts​ ​from​ ​God​ ​that​ ​we​ ​share​ ​in​ ​common​ ​with​ ​other​ ​Christians. If​ ​these​ ​things​ ​are​ ​indeed​ ​the​ ​treasures​ ​of​ ​our​ ​lives,​ ​then​ ​what​ ​we​ ​share​ ​in​ ​common​ ​with​ ​other​ ​Christians​ ​is greater​ ​than​ ​what​ ​divides​ ​us. 7. Summarize​ ​what​ ​things​ ​we​ ​see​ ​Paul​ ​doing​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​reconciliation? He​ ​is​ ​responding​ ​to​ ​them​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​Godly​ ​sincerity,​ ​recalling​ ​what​ ​they​ ​share​ ​in​ ​common,​ ​and reconsidering​ ​how​ ​he​ ​can​ ​adjust​ ​his​ ​response​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​them​ ​where​ ​they​ ​are. 8. What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​about​ ​what​ ​Paul​ ​is​ ​doing?​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​about​ ​it? Is​ ​this​ ​a​ ​pattern​ ​to​ ​follow?​ ​Why?​ ​Why​ ​not?​ ​What​ ​would​ ​be​ ​good​ ​about​ ​it?​ ​Challenging? 9. How​ ​does​ ​being​ ​a​ ​Christian​ ​make​ ​this​ ​living​ ​possible? We​ ​are​ ​called​ ​to​ ​this​ ​way​ ​of​ ​responding​ ​to​ ​conflict​ ​because​ ​this​ ​is​ ​how​ ​God​ ​has​ ​responded​ ​to​ ​us​ ​in​ ​Christ​ ​first.​ ​We are​ ​anointed​ ​and​ ​sealed​ ​and​ ​established...​ ​from​ ​where​ ​we​ ​are​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​we​ ​can​ ​be​ ​this​ ​way​ ​towards​ ​other. 10. Is​ ​there​ ​one​ ​way​ ​you​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​this​ ​teaching​ ​this​ ​week?

September 17 2017 Reconciled.pdf

Page 1 of 8. Series:​ ​Reconciled. Sermon​ ​Title:​ ​Taking​ ​the​ ​healing​ ​road. Passage:​ ​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1:12-2:4. Preacher:​ ​Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser. Date:​ ​9.17.17. Why are there so many jokes about bad relationships? Bank​ ​robber​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way​ ​out​ ​of​ ​bank​ ​asks​ ...

291KB Sizes 3 Downloads 181 Views

Recommend Documents

No documents