Series:​ ​Reconciled Sermon​ ​Title:​ ​A​ ​great​ ​journey​ ​begins Passage:​ ​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1:1-2 Preacher:​ ​Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser Date:​ ​9.2.17 The​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​a​ ​great​ ​journey​ ​is​ ​exciting.​ ​My​ ​first​ ​trip​ ​to​ ​India​ ​was​ ​like​ ​this…​ ​before​ ​it​ ​was​ ​over,​ ​we’d​ ​travelled on​ ​planes,​ ​trains,​ ​automobiles,​ ​and​ ​rickshaws​ ​to​ ​the​ ​other​ ​side​ ​of​ ​the​ ​planet.​ ​We’d​ ​met​ ​thousands​ ​of​ ​people, encountered​ ​beautiful​ ​orphans,​ ​and​ ​seen​ ​sights​ ​completely​ ​different​ ​from​ ​home.​ ​We​ ​witnessed​ ​God​ ​answer prayers​ ​and​ ​encountered​ ​Christian​ ​brothers​ ​and​ ​sisters​ ​who​ ​lived​ ​a​ ​dependence​ ​upon​ ​God​ ​that​ ​was​ ​breathtaking. Some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​best​ ​moments​ ​in​ ​my​ ​life​ ​have​ ​happened​ ​there.​ ​On​ ​THIS​ ​trip,​ ​not​ ​only​ ​did​ ​I​ ​get​ ​to​ ​share​ ​it​ ​with​ ​close friends​ ​from​ ​Lakeland,​ ​but​ ​my​ ​father​ ​came,​ ​who’d​ ​come​ ​to​ ​Christ​ ​the​ ​trip​ ​before.​ ​On​ ​this​ ​trip,​ ​he​ ​shared​ ​his testimony​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​20,000​ ​people,​ ​and​ ​ended​ ​many​ ​a​ ​night​ ​praying​ ​for​ ​people​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​faith.

​​​ ​​​ ​​​ Great​ ​journeys​ ​means​ ​sights​ ​you​ ​have​ ​not​ ​seen​ ​before​ ​and​ ​experiences​ ​you​ ​have​ ​not​ ​had​ ​before,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​life affected​ ​by​ ​what​ ​you​ ​encountered.

We​ ​begin​ ​a​ ​great​ ​journey​ ​this​ ​morning​ ​as​ ​we​ ​open​ ​Paul’s​ ​letter​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​we​ ​call​ ​2 Corinthians.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​days​ ​before​ ​us,​ ​we​ ​will​ ​see​ ​sights​​ ​we​ ​have​ ​not​ ​seen​ ​before​ ​and​ ​have​ ​experiences​​ ​we​ ​have not​ ​known​ ​and​ ​find​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​affected​ ​by​ ​God​​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​we​ ​have​ ​not​ ​had​ ​before.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​spent​ ​many​ ​years soaking​ ​in​ ​passages​ ​in​ ​this​ ​book​ ​and​ ​am​ ​thrilled​ ​to​ ​walk​ ​through​ ​it​ ​together. The​ ​message​ ​of​ ​this​ ​book​ ​is​ ​this​:​ ​Paul​ ​tells​ ​us​ ​that​ ​through​ ​the​ ​cross,​ ​Jesus​ ​“reconciled​ ​Christians​ ​to​ ​God.” It​ ​is​ ​fascinating​ ​that​ ​Paul​ ​put​ ​it​ ​this​ ​way​ ​because​ ​he​ ​writes​ ​to​ ​Christian​ ​brothers​ ​and​ ​sisters​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​HE needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​reconciled.​ ​ ​I’ll​ ​explain​ ​that​ ​as​ ​the​ ​book​ ​progresses.​ ​But​ ​Paul​ ​explains​ ​that​ ​in​ ​reconciling​ ​us​ ​to God,​ ​Jesus​ ​HAS​ ​also​ ​reconciled​ ​us​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​We​ ​have​ ​access​ ​to​ ​an​ ​uncommon​ ​unity​ ​and​ ​fellowship BECAUSE​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​that​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​found​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​in​ ​which​ ​we​ ​live.​ ​And​ ​AS​ ​a​ ​reconciled​ ​people,​ ​Jesus​ ​has given​ ​us​ ​the​ ​ministry​ ​of​ ​bringing​ ​reconciliation​ ​to​ ​the​ ​people​ ​in​ ​our​ ​world.​ ​How​ ​is​ ​THAT​ ​for​ ​a​ ​timely​ ​book? You​ ​are​ ​going​ ​to​ ​love​ ​it!​ ​ ​Open​ ​up​ ​to​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1. 2​ ​preliminary​ ​comments​: 1)​ ​The​ ​Bible​ ​is​ ​a​ ​treasure!​​ ​This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​great​ ​gifts​ ​from​ ​God​ ​to​ ​you!​ ​Moses​,​ ​who​ ​was​ ​the​ ​first leader​ ​of​ ​the​ ​nation​ ​of​ ​Israel​ ​and​ ​led​ ​1,000,000​ ​people​ ​out​ ​of​ ​Egypt​ ​towards​ ​the​ ​land​ ​God’s​ ​promised,​ ​read from​ ​the​ ​first​ ​books​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​to​ ​Israel.​ ​Deuteronomy​ ​32…

Deuteronomy​ ​32:45​​ ​When​ ​Moses​ ​finished​ ​reciting​ ​all​ ​these​ ​words​ ​to​ ​all​ ​Israel,​ ​46​​ ​he​ ​said​ ​to​ ​them,​ ​ ​“Take​ ​to​ ​heart​ ​all the​ ​words​ ​I​ ​have​ ​solemnly​ ​declared​ ​to​ ​you​ ​this​ ​day,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​you​ ​may​ ​command​ ​your​ ​children​ ​to​ ​obey​ ​carefully​ ​all​ ​the words​ ​of​ ​this​ ​law.​ ​ ​47​​ ​They​ ​are​ ​not​ ​just​ ​idle​ ​words​ ​for​ ​you​ ​—​ ​they​ ​are​ ​your​ ​life​.

When​ ​you​ ​open​ ​the​ ​Bible,​ ​believing​ ​it​ ​is​ ​your​ ​LIFE,​ ​you​ ​read​ ​it​ ​differently!

This​ ​last​ ​week,​ ​Mavis​ ​Wanczyk​ ​won​ ​the​ ​largest​ ​lottery​ ​in​ ​US​ ​History…​ ​753​ ​million​ ​dollars.​ ​On​ ​Wednesday​ ​she​ ​was a​ ​hospital​ ​worker.​ ​On​ ​Thursday,​ ​she​ ​was​ ​one​ ​no​ ​more.

Would​ ​you​ ​have​ ​wished​ ​to​ ​win​ ​that​ ​lottery​ ​jackpot?​ ​TRUTH:​ ​You​ ​have​ ​a​ ​treasure​ ​worth​ ​more​ ​money​ ​than Mavis!​ ​David​​ ​who​ ​was​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​king​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​people​ ​said… Psalm​ ​19:9-10​​ ​The​ ​ordinances​ ​of​ ​the​ ​LORD​ ​(His​ ​commands)​ ​are​ ​sure​ ​and​ ​altogether​ ​righteous.​ ​ ​10​​ ​They​ ​are​ ​more precious​ ​than​ ​gold,​ ​than​ ​much​ ​pure​ ​gold​;​ ​they​ ​are​ ​sweeter​ ​than​ ​honey​,​ ​than​ ​honey​ ​from​ ​the​ ​comb.

He​ ​would​ ​know!​ ​His​ ​riches​ ​were​ ​of​ ​no​ ​value​ ​to​ ​him​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bible.​ N ​ ot​ ​only​ ​is​ ​the Bible​ ​true​ ​and​ ​reliable​​ ​in​ ​what​ ​it​ ​tells​ ​us​ ​about​ ​God​ ​(like​ ​a​ ​road​ ​map​ ​to​ ​life​ ​that​ ​you​ ​can​ ​trust),​ ​but​ i​ t​ ​is​ ​His message​ ​to​ ​YOU​.​ ​He​ ​stands​ ​behind​ ​it.​ ​When​ ​this​ ​book​ ​tells​ ​you​ ​that​ ​God​ ​loves​ ​you,​ ​that​ ​is​ ​GOD​ ​telling​ ​you​ ​HE loves​ ​you.​ ​When​ ​this​ ​book​ ​commands​ ​you​ ​to​ ​trust​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​obey,​ ​that​ ​is​ ​God​ ​telling​ ​you​ ​to​ ​trust​ ​and​ ​obey. MORE​ ​still,​ ​unlike​ ​any​ ​other​ ​literature​ ​ever​ ​written,​ ​this​ ​book​ ​is​ ​a​ ​conduit​ ​through​ ​which​ ​He​ ​still​ ​speaks today​!​ ​Paul​​ ​wrote​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Christians​ ​in​ ​Thessalonica,

2 1​ ​Thessalonica​ ​2:13​​ ​And​ ​we​ ​also​ ​thank​ ​God​ ​continually​ ​because,​ ​when​ ​you​ ​received​ ​the​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God,​ ​which​ ​you heard​ ​from​ ​us,​ ​you​ ​accepted​ ​it​ ​not​ ​as​ ​the​ ​word​ ​of​ ​men,​ ​but​ ​as​ ​it​ ​actually​ ​is,​ ​the​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​at​ ​work​ ​in​ ​you​ ​who believe​.

The​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God​ ​works​ ​in​ ​us​ ​who​ ​believe.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​through​ ​what​ ​He​ ​spoke,​ ​that​ ​He​ ​speaks​ ​today​ ​(Stott).​ ​I’m not​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​physically​ ​my​ ​ears​ ​have​ ​heard​ ​God’s​ ​voice​ ​when​ ​I’ve​ ​read​ ​the​ ​Bible.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​AM​ ​saying​ ​that when​ ​you​ ​and​ ​I​ ​read​ ​it​ ​carefully,​ ​out​ ​of​ ​a​ ​desire​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​with​ ​God,​ ​His​ ​Spirit​ ​uses​ ​His​ ​Word​ ​to​ ​enliven something​ ​inside​ ​of​ ​us!​ ​Henry​ ​Jackson’s​ ​book​ ​is​ ​free​ ​on​ ​Kindle​ ​and​ ​is​ ​simple​ ​and​ ​VERY​ ​good….

Studying​ ​the​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God​ ​initiates​ ​a​ ​process​ ​in​ ​the​ ​human​ ​soul,​ ​out​ ​of​ ​which​ ​faith​ ​develops.​ ​It​ ​nourishes, satisfies​ ​a​ ​thirst​ ​that​ ​only​ ​God​ ​can​ ​quench,​ ​heals​ ​both​ ​physically​ ​and​ ​mentally,​ ​gives​ ​victory​ ​over​ ​sin​ ​and Satan,​ ​and​ ​cleanses.​ ​In​ ​a​ ​nutshell,​ ​the​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God​ ​transforms​ ​the​ ​spiritually​ ​dead​ ​person​ ​to​ ​one​ ​who​ ​is alive​ ​in​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​conforms​ ​them​ ​to​ ​the​ ​image​ ​of​ ​the​ ​invisible​ ​God​ ​(Rom.​ ​8:​ ​29). ​ ​Henry​ ​Jackson​ ​III,​ ​Stop​ ​Reading,​ ​Start​ ​Studying:​ ​Inductive​ ​Bible​ ​Study​ ​Method​ ​Explained

Before​ ​I​ ​was​ ​a​ ​Christian,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​NEVER​ ​have​ ​believed​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​would​ ​be​ ​this​ ​valuable​ ​to​ ​me.​ ​But​ ​when​ ​I did​ ​read​ ​it,​ ​something​ ​came​ ​alive​ ​in​ ​me,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​still​ ​does​ ​today!​ ​The​ ​author​ ​of​ H ​ ebrews​ ​wrote​: Hebrews​ ​4:12​​ ​For​ ​the​ ​word​ ​of​ ​God​ ​is​ ​living​ ​and​ ​active.​ ​Sharper​ ​than​ ​any​ ​double-edged​ ​sword,​ ​it​ ​penetrates​ ​even​ ​to dividing​ ​soul​ ​and​ ​spirit,​ ​joints​ ​and​ ​marrow;​ ​it​ ​judges​ ​the​ ​thoughts​ ​and​ ​attitudes​ ​of​ ​the​ ​heart.

Where​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​has​ ​gone,​ ​God’s​ ​church​ ​has​ ​been​ ​born.​ ​And​ ​we​ ​will​ ​see​ ​this​ ​morning​ ​He​ ​maintains, sustains,​ ​directs,​ ​cleanses,​ ​reforms​ ​and​ ​renews​ ​His​ ​Church​ ​by​ ​that​ ​same​ ​word​ ​(Stott)!​ ​ ​PROMISE:​ ​You​ ​can meet​ ​God​ ​every​ ​time​ ​you​ ​open​ ​the​ ​Bible!​ ​We​ ​start​ ​a​ ​new​ ​book​ ​today! 2)​ ​Reading​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​can​ ​be​ ​a​ ​challenge​:​ ​If​ ​you’ve​ ​never​ ​read​ ​the​ ​Bible,​ ​you​ ​quickly​ ​discover​ ​it​ ​is​ ​big. That’s​ ​good…​ ​I​ ​wish​ ​there​ ​was​ ​more.​ ​However​ ​it​ ​can​ ​feel​ ​overwhelming.​ ​And​ ​pretty​ ​quickly​ ​when​ ​you​ ​start to​ ​read,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​encounter​ ​things​ ​that​ ​are​ ​confusing,​ ​which​ ​can​ ​discourage.​ ​But​ ​KNOW​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​WAS written​ ​for​ ​people​ ​to​ ​understand.​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​saying​ ​anyone​ ​has​ ​ever​ ​plumbed​ ​its​ ​depths.​ ​But​ ​its​ ​plain​ ​meaning​ ​is available​ ​to​ ​everyone!​ ​1)​ ​To​ ​people​ ​new​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Bible​…​ ​your​ ​goal​ ​should​ ​not​ ​be​ ​to​ ​master​ ​every​ ​teaching​ ​of the​ ​Bible.​ ​That​ ​will​ ​come.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​with​ ​God​ ​each​ ​time​ ​as​ ​you​ ​read​​ ​and​ ​obey​ ​what​ ​He​ ​says​ ​today.​ ​2)​ ​To people​ ​who​ ​have​ ​read​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​many​ ​times…​ ​read​ ​each​ ​passage​ ​as​ ​if​ ​you’ve​ ​never​ ​read​ ​it​ ​before​ ​and​ ​you too…​ ​meet​ ​with​ ​God​ ​as​ ​you​ ​read​​ ​and​ ​obey​ ​what​ ​He​ ​says​ ​today. HOW​ ​do​ ​you​ ​study​ ​the​ ​Bible​?​ ​We​ ​are​ ​advocates​ ​of​ ​something​ ​called,​ ​“​Inductive”​ ​Bible​ ​study​. “Inductive”​ ​means​ ​“reaching​ ​a​ ​conclusion​ ​based​ ​on​ ​observation.”​ ​With​ ​inductive​ ​Bible​ ​study,​ ​you​ ​study​ ​a passage​ ​without​ ​bringing​ ​anything​ ​else​ ​to​ ​the​ ​passage.​ ​We​ ​do​ ​this​ ​by​ ​answering​ ​3​ ​questions:​ 1 ​ )​​ ​What​ ​does​ ​it say?​ ​2)​​ ​What​ ​does​ ​it​ ​mean?​ ​3)​​ ​How​ ​does​ ​it​ ​apply?​ ​To​ ​answer​ ​1)​​ ​What​ ​does​ ​it​ ​say​?​ ​(Observation)​ ​you​ ​just answer,​ ​“Who,​ ​what,​ ​where,​ ​when,​ ​why,​ ​how?”​ ​ ​To​ ​answer​ ​2)​​ ​What​ ​does​ ​it​ ​mean​?​ ​(Interpretation)​ ​you​ ​take what​ ​you​ ​have​ ​observed​ ​and​ ​draw​ ​conclusions. Observation​ ​is​ ​like​ ​excavating​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​land,​ ​interpretation​ ​is​ ​building​ ​your​ ​ideas.

There​ ​are​ ​simple​ ​rules​ ​you​ ​follow:​ ​Your​ ​job​ ​is​ ​to​ ​discover​ ​author’s​ ​meaning​ ​(The​ ​author​ ​determines​ ​the meaning​ ​of​ ​a​ ​passage,​ ​not​ ​the​ ​reader).​ ​The​ ​plain​ ​meaning​ ​preferred…​ ​important​ ​meanings​ ​are​ ​not​ ​hidden. And​ ​context​ ​determines​ ​meaning.​ ​In​ ​other​ ​words​ ​look​ ​for​ ​clues​ ​in​ ​the​ ​verses​ ​surrounding.​ ​We​ ​don’t​ ​always do​ ​that. Have​ ​you​ ​ever​ ​heard​ ​someone​ ​quote,​ ​“Where​ ​two​ ​or​ ​more​ ​are​ ​gathered​ ​in​ ​my​ ​name​ ​I​ ​am​ ​in​ ​their​ ​midst.”​ ​Do you​ ​know​ ​the​ ​context​ ​of​ ​that​ ​verses​ ​in​ ​Matthew​ ​18?​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​giving​ ​instruction​ ​to​ ​the​ ​church​ ​about​ ​expelling​ ​a sinning​ ​man​ ​in​ ​church​ ​discipline​ ​and​ ​he​ ​says,​ ​“Where​ ​two​ ​or​ ​more​ ​are​ ​gathered​ ​to​ ​do​ ​that,​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​present…​ ​in that​ ​confrontation.”

Interpretation​ ​is​ ​drawing​ ​conclusions​ ​that​ ​are​ ​timeless​ ​truths​ ​from​ ​what​ ​you​ ​have​ ​observed.​ 3 ​ )​​ ​How does​ ​it​ ​apply​?​ ​Application​ ​is​ ​the​ ​main​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​studying​ ​God’s​ ​Word.​ ​Anyone​ ​can​ ​read​ ​it,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​is​ ​those​ ​who read​ ​it​ ​and​ ​do​ ​what​ ​it​ ​says​ ​who​ ​are​ ​transformed​ ​by​ ​God​ ​(Jackson) I​ ​find​ ​it​ ​helpful​ ​to​ ​mark​ ​up​ ​a​ ​passage.​ ​I​ ​ ​underline​ ​subjects​,​ ​double​ ​underline​ ​verbs​,​ ​circle​ ​connecting words,​ ​note​ ​each​ ​thought​ ​unit​ ​with​ ​a​ ​/,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​ask​ ​what​ ​the​ ​author’s​ ​flow​ ​is​ ​(what​ ​is​ ​he​ ​saying​ ​and​ ​how​ ​is he​ ​saying​ ​it?).​ ​MOST​ ​IMPORTANTLY,​ ​I​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Author​ ​is​ ​with​ ​me​ ​and​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​reading​ ​as​ ​a​ ​way to​ ​talk​ ​with,​ ​and​ ​listen​ ​to,​ ​Him.​ ​Let’s​ ​practice​ ​in​ ​our​ ​first​ ​two​ ​verses…​ R ​ EAD.​ ​Then​ ​read​ ​and​ ​mark.​ ​Our passage​ ​in​ ​blue​:

3 2Cor.​ ​1:1​ ​Paul,​ ​an​ ​apostle​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​Jesus​ ​by​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​God,​ ​and​ ​Timothy​ ​our​ ​brother,​ ​to​ ​the​ ​church​ ​of​ ​God​ ​that​ ​is​ ​at Corinth,​ ​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​saints​ ​who​ ​are​ ​in​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​of​ ​Achaia:​ ​ ​2​ ​Grace​ ​to​ ​you​ ​and​ ​peace​ ​from​ ​God​ ​our​ ​Father​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Lord Jesus​ ​Christ.

General​ ​flow,​ ​and​ ​3​ ​sections​ ​(who​ ​wrote,​ ​who​ ​received,​ ​and​ ​what​ ​Paul​ ​prays​ ​God​ ​would​ ​do​ ​among​ ​them.) Let​ ​me​ ​jump​ ​ahead​ ​and​ ​share​ ​that​ ​it​ ​is​ ​from​ ​these​ ​three​ ​sections​ ​that​ ​I​ ​draw​ ​my​ ​message​ ​for​ ​us​ ​today.​ ​Let​ ​me share​ ​it​ ​with​ ​you,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​show​ ​you​ ​where​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​from.​ ​Outline:​ 1 ​ )​​ ​God​ ​saves​ ​people​ ​and​ ​sends​ ​them,​ ​2) God’s​ ​people​ ​form​ ​His​ ​Church,​ ​3)​​ ​God’s​ ​Church​ ​needs​ ​His​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​peace. God​ ​saves​ ​people​ ​and​ ​sends​ ​them Paul​​ ​introduces​ ​Himself​ ​by​ ​saying​ ​he​ ​is​ ​an​ ​apostle​ ​of​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​ ​by​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​God.​ ​He​ ​has​ ​become something​ ​he​ ​was​ ​not​ ​before​ ​because​ ​God​​ ​made​ ​him​ ​into​ ​this!​ ​We​ ​are​ ​so​ ​accustomed​ ​to​ ​reading​ ​his​ ​letters, we​ ​can​ ​forget​ ​who​ ​this​ ​man​ ​was​ ​before​ ​Christ​ ​transformed​ ​him. When​ ​I​ ​can,​ ​I​ ​try​ ​to​ ​read​ ​letters​ ​like​ ​this​ ​in​ ​their​ ​context​ ​and​ ​that​ ​context​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Book​ ​of​ ​Acts.​ ​We​ ​are introduced​ ​to​ ​Paul​ ​in​ ​Acts​ ​8:1​ ​where​ ​he​ ​is​ ​“in​ ​hearty​ ​agreement”​ ​with​ ​putting​ ​the​ ​first​ ​Christian​ ​martyr​ ​to death.​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​an​ ​up​ ​and​ ​coming​ ​zealous​ ​Pharisee​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​distinguish​ ​himself.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​church began​ ​to​ ​grow,​ ​Paul​ ​seized​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​advance​ ​in​ ​his​ ​career​ ​by​ ​LEADING​ ​the​ ​persecution​ ​against Christians.​ ​He​ ​jailed​ ​and​ ​even​ ​killed​ ​Christians​ ​because​ ​he​ ​was​ ​offended​ ​that​ ​we​ ​claimed​ ​Jesus​ ​was​ ​the​ ​Son​ ​of God​ ​who​ ​walked​ ​the​ ​earth​ ​and​ ​died​ ​for​ ​us​ ​as​ ​our​ ​substitute​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cross!​ ​Paul’s​ ​obsession​ ​led​ ​him​ ​to​ ​begin traveling​ ​to​ ​other​ ​towns​ ​to​ ​arrest​ ​Christians​ ​and​ ​bring​ ​them​ ​to​ ​Jerusalem​ ​to​ ​stand​ ​trial.​ ​NOT​ ​the​ ​person​ ​you’d expect​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​most​ ​prolific​ ​writer​ ​of​ ​the​ ​New​ ​Testament. Acts​ ​9​,​ ​a​ ​funny​ ​thing​ ​happened​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to​ ​Damascus.​ ​Jesus​ ​(Who​ ​had​ ​recently​ ​been​ ​resurrected​ ​and returned​ ​to​ ​His​ ​state​ ​of​ ​glory)​ ​appeared​ ​to​ ​Paul​ ​and​ ​confronted​ ​him.​ ​Jesus​ ​said​ ​that​ ​in​ ​persecuting​ ​Christians, Paul​ ​was​ ​persecuting​ ​Jesus!​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​physically​ ​blinded​ ​by​ ​the​ ​encounter​ ​and​ ​stayed​ ​that​ ​way​ ​for​ ​3​ ​days until​ ​Jesus​ ​sent​ ​a​ ​Christian​ ​named​ ​Ananias​ ​who​ ​prayed​ ​for​ ​his​ ​healing.​ ​That​ ​day,​ ​Paul​ ​the​ ​persecutor​ ​became Paul​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​and​ ​was​ ​baptized.​ ​In​ ​2​ ​Cor​ ​4,​ ​he​ ​will​ ​write​ ​of​ ​his​ ​experience​ ​by​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​“God​ ​made​ ​His light​ ​shine​ ​in​ ​Paul’s​ ​heart​ ​so​ ​that​ ​Paul​ ​could​ ​SEE​ ​the​ ​light​ ​of​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​the​ ​(greatness)​ ​of​ ​God​ ​in​ ​the face​ ​of​ ​Christ.”​ ​Paul​ ​GOT​ ​what​ ​a​ ​treasure​ ​JESUS​ ​was!​ ​He​ ​was​ ​a​ ​transformed​ ​man!​ ​Where​ ​before​ ​Paul​ ​had​ ​been a​ ​narcissist​ ​only​ ​concerned​ ​about​ ​himself,​ ​NOW​ ​he​ ​cares​ ​about​ ​everyone…​ ​including​ ​the​ ​Corinthians.​ ​In​ ​our book​ ​we’ll​ ​read… 1.

6:11​ ​We​ ​have​ ​spoken​ ​freely​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​Corinthians,​ ​and​ ​opened​ ​wide​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​to​ ​you.

This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​man​ ​who​ ​loves​ ​people​ ​well!

2Cor.​ ​12:15​ ​So​ ​I​ ​will​ ​very​ ​gladly​ ​spend​ ​for​ ​you​ ​everything​ ​I​ ​have​ ​and​ ​expend​ ​myself​ ​as​ ​well.

So​ ​that​ ​HERE,​ ​Paul​ ​describes​ ​himself​ ​as​ ​an​ ​apostle​​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​a​ ​testimony​ ​to​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​God saves​ ​people.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​by​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​God​.​ ​Paul’s​ ​saving​ ​was​ ​God’s​ ​idea.​ ​God​ ​WANTED​ ​Paul​ ​to​ ​become​ ​his child,​ ​even​ ​while​ ​he​ ​was​ ​an​ ​enemy…​ ​as​ ​He​ ​does​ ​US!​ ​Paul​ ​wasn’t​ ​even​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​Jesus!

Just​ ​as​ ​water​ ​is​ ​ever​ ​seeking​ ​the​ ​lowest​ ​depths​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​it,​ ​so​ ​Jehovah​ ​is​ ​ever​ ​seeking​ ​out​ ​man’s​ ​need​ ​in order​ ​to​ ​satisfy​ ​it.​ ​ ​Where​ ​there​ ​is​ ​need,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​God.​ ​ ​Where​ ​there​ ​is​ ​misery​ ​unhappiness,​ ​suffering,​ ​confusion,​ ​and oppression,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​I​ ​AM,​ ​yearning​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​man’s​ ​sorrow​ ​into​ ​bliss.​ ​ ​It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​the​ ​hungry​ ​seeking​ ​bread,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​bread seeking​ ​the​ ​hungry.​ ​ ​It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​the​ ​sad​ ​seeking​ ​joy,​ ​but​ ​joy​ ​seeking​ ​the​ ​sad.​ ​ ​It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​the​ ​empty​ ​seeking​ ​fullness,​ ​but the​ ​fullness​ ​seeking​ ​the​ ​empty…​ ​Roy​ ​Hession

I​ ​add​ ​here​ ​also​ ​that​ ​God​ ​“sends”​ ​them​.​ ​Paul​ ​not​ ​only​ ​became​ ​a​ ​Christian,​ ​but​ ​an​ ​apostle​.​ ​ ​The​ ​word apostle​ ​means​ ​“​messenger​.”​ ​When​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​saved​​ ​by​ ​Jesus,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​simultaneously​ ​sent​​ ​by​ ​Jesus​ ​into​ ​the world​ ​as​ ​Jesus’​ ​messenger.​ ​Through​ ​Paul’s​ ​message​ ​to​ ​the​ ​people​ ​in​ ​Corinth,​ ​Jesus​ ​saved​ ​people! For​ ​sure,​ ​Paul’s​ ​mission​ ​was​ ​unique.​ ​BUT​ ​later​ ​in​ ​2​ ​Corinthians,​ ​Paul​ ​will​ ​say​ ​that​ ​when​ ​Christ​ ​reconciled us​ ​to​ ​God,​ ​He​ ​also​ ​gave​ ​us​ ​the​ ​ministry​ ​of​ ​reconciliation,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​through​ ​us,​ ​He​ ​makes​ ​His​ ​appeal​ ​to​ ​people to​ ​be​ ​reconciled​ ​to​ ​God.​ ​Just​ ​sharing​ ​the​ ​work​ ​He​ ​has​ ​done​ ​in​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​is​ ​how​ ​He​ ​reaches​ ​others.

Final​ ​note​ ​here…​ ​Paul​ ​calls​ ​Timothy,​ ​our​ ​brother​.​ ​What​ ​IS​ ​a​ ​brother?​ ​A​ ​brother​ ​is​ ​a​ ​guy​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​share a​ ​common​ ​father.​ ​In​ ​reconciling​ ​us​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Father,​ ​Jesus​ ​has​ ​simultaneously​ ​made​ ​us​ ​part​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​one​ ​family… which​ ​he​ ​calls​ ​the​ ​church

4 God’s​ ​people​ ​form​ ​His​ ​Church Paul​ ​wrote​ ​to​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Corinth,​ ​whom​ ​he​ ​called​ t​ he​ ​church​.​ ​We​ ​are​ ​used​ ​to​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​a “church”​ ​is​ ​a​ ​building,​ ​but​ ​actually​ ​the​ ​word​ ​church​ ​refers​ ​to​ ​people…​ ​to​ ​an​ ​assembly…​ ​to​ ​God’s​ ​people​ ​who share​ ​God​ ​as​ ​their​ ​Father,​ ​Christ​ ​as​ ​their​ ​Savior,​ ​and​ ​His​ ​Spirit​ ​indwelling​ ​them.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​the​ ​church​ ​of​ ​God​… because​ ​Christ​ ​died​ ​to​ ​purchase​ ​reconciliation​ ​to​ ​God​ ​that​ ​makes​ ​us​ ​part​ ​of​ ​His​ ​church! Where​ ​did​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​of​ ​God​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​come​ ​from?​ ​Paul​ ​planted​ ​it.​ ​Acts​ ​18​​ ​on​ ​his​ ​second​ ​missionary journey,​ ​Paul​ ​travelled​ ​to​ ​Corinth​ ​which​ ​was​ ​a​ ​city​ ​in​ ​modern​ ​day​ ​Greece.​ ​Corinth​ ​was​ ​a​ ​notorious​ ​place… like​ ​Las​ ​Vegas,​ ​though​ ​more.​ ​So​ ​well​ ​known​ ​was​ ​this​ ​city​ ​for​ ​being​ ​a​ ​place​ ​people​ ​threw​ ​off​ ​moral​ ​restraint that​ ​it​ ​became​ ​a​ ​euphemism…​ ​“We​ ​were​ ​out​ ​‘Corinth-ing’​ ​around​ ​last​ ​night.”​ ​Paul​ ​went​ ​there​ ​and​ ​began​ ​to teach​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Jewish​ ​synagogue​ ​that​ ​Jesus​ ​was​ ​the​ ​promised​ ​Savior​ ​the​ ​Old​ ​Testament​ ​talked​ ​about​ ​constantly. Eventually​ ​he​ ​was​ ​expelled​ ​but​ ​then​ ​for​ ​18​ ​months​ ​shared​ ​with​ ​non-Jewish​ ​citizens​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city​ ​the​ ​message​ ​of Christ​ ​and​ ​planted​ ​a​ ​church​ ​with​ ​the​ ​people​ ​who​ ​had​ ​become​ ​Christ.​ ​God’s​ ​saved​ ​people​ ​formed​ t​ he​ ​church of​ ​God​ ​in​ ​Corinth. The​ ​church​ ​is​ ​made​ ​up​ ​of​ ​saints​.​ ​ ​A​ ​saint​ ​is​ ​a​ ​holy​ ​person,​ ​a​ ​person​ ​set​ ​aside​ ​from​ ​everything​ ​unclean and​ ​dedicated​ ​to​ ​God.​ ​Ok​ ​right​ ​there,​ ​most​ ​of​ ​us​ ​have​ ​a​ ​problem.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​“saint”​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​the church,​ ​then​ ​who​ ​of​ ​us​ ​is​ ​immediately​ ​excluded?​ ​(All​ ​of​ ​us).​ ​We​ ​think​ ​this​ ​because​ ​we​ ​know​ ​we​ ​are​ ​not perfect…​ ​far​ ​from​ ​it! 2.

Sometimes​ ​people​ ​who​ ​have​ ​not​ ​been​ ​in​ ​church​ ​for​ ​a​ ​long​ ​time​ ​are​ ​afraid​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​church​ ​because​ ​of​ ​they way​ ​they​ ​have​ ​lived​ ​their​ ​lives.​ ​I’ve​ ​heard​ ​people​ ​say,​ ​“If​ ​I​ ​walked​ ​into​ ​a​ ​church,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​immediately​ ​burst​ ​into flames.”​ ​Gratefully,​ ​we​ ​have​ ​never​ ​had​ ​that​ ​happen.​ ​But​ ​the​ ​truth​ ​is,​ ​the​ ​church​ ​is​ ​made​ ​up​ ​of​ ​forgiven​ ​people.

How​ ​could​ ​PAUL​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​a​ ​saint​?​ ​He​ ​hated​ ​Christ​ ​so​ ​much​ ​he​ ​killed​ ​Christians!​ ​A:​​ ​Christ​ ​Jesus. Christ​​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​name,​ ​but​ ​a​ ​title.​ ​It​ ​means​ ​“anointed​ ​one.”​ ​Jesus​ ​was​ ​sent​ ​by​ ​God​ ​the​ ​Father​ ​as​ ​His​ ​promised one.​ ​His​ ​name​ ​Jesus​​ ​means​ ​something.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​compound​ ​word​ ​Je-sus.​ ​Je​ ​–​ ​is​ ​YHWH​ ​or​ ​“I​ ​AM”​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Old Testament.​ ​Jesus​ ​is,​ ​“I​ ​Am.”​ ​The​ ​one​ ​who​ ​Is.​ ​Sus​ ​is​ ​from​ ​the​ ​NT​ ​term​ ​to​ ​save​ ​(​sodzo​).​ ​Together​ ​Jesus’​ ​name means,​ ​“The​ ​One​ ​who​ ​exists​ ​–​ ​to​ ​save.”​ ​This​ ​book​ ​will​ ​explain​ ​how,​ ​when​ ​a​ ​person​ ​becomes​ ​a​ ​Christian,​ ​God immediately​ ​sees​ ​them​ ​through​ ​the​ ​Jesus’​ ​work​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cross…​ ​He​ ​sees​ ​us​ ​as​ ​clean​ ​and​ ​holy​ ​today. When​ ​WE​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​church,​ ​we​ ​just​ ​see​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​But​ ​when​ ​Jesus​ ​looks​ ​at​ ​us,​ ​He​ ​sees​ ​His​ ​future​ ​bride.​ ​He sees​ ​what​ ​God​ ​is​ ​forming​ ​in​ ​us.​ ​He​ ​sees​ ​us​ ​as​ ​clean​ ​today!

And​ ​THIS​ ​you​ ​share​ ​in​ ​common​ ​with​ ​other​ ​Christians!​ ​We​ ​aren’t​ ​perfect…​ ​but​ ​He​ ​is​ ​making​ ​us​ ​clean.

What​ ​does​ ​Paul​ ​want​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Corinthian​ ​Christians? 3. God’s​ ​church​ ​needs​ ​His​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​peace Paul​ ​is​ ​speaking​ ​to​ ​people​ ​who​ ​HAVE​ ​God​ ​as​ ​their​ ​father​ ​and​ ​Christ​ ​as​ ​their​ ​Savior.​ ​However​ ​these​ ​things don’t​ ​mean​ ​we​ ​don’t​ ​still​ ​need​ ​God’s​ ​assistance​ ​every​ ​day.​ ​Paul​ ​prays​ ​God​ ​would​ ​give​ ​these​ ​Christians​ ​His grace​ ​and​ ​peace​. Grace​ ​is​ ​God’s​ ​goodness​ ​unconditionally​ ​expressed. I​ ​was​ ​up​ ​late​ ​one​ ​night​ ​and​ ​was​ ​flipping​ ​through​ ​channels​ ​on​ ​TV​ ​when​ ​I​ ​came​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Catholic​ ​Channel.​ ​While we​ ​share​ ​much​ ​in​ ​common​ ​with​ ​Catholics,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​things​ ​we​ ​do​ ​not.​ ​The​ ​person​ ​there​ ​was​ ​giving​ ​counsel​ ​about how​ ​to​ ​think​ ​about​ ​their​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​God​ ​and​ ​they​ ​said… List​ ​of​ ​five​ ​things​ ​you​ ​do​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​merit​ ​including​ ​holiness​ ​and​ ​good​ ​works. We​ ​don’t​ ​“Gain​ ​merit”​ ​by​ ​our​ ​good​ ​works…​ ​He​ ​doesn’t​ ​love​ ​us​ ​because​ ​we​ ​are​ ​good.​ ​He​ ​loves​ ​us​ ​before​ ​we​ ​are good​ ​by​ ​grace!​ ​Because​ ​Christ​ ​paid​ ​for​ ​our​ ​sin,​ ​His​ ​love​ ​is​ ​a​ ​gift​ ​(costly​ ​gift)​ ​that​ ​is​ ​free​ ​to​ ​us​ ​if​ ​we​ ​receive​ ​Him.

Question:​ ​Who​ ​continues​ ​to​ ​need​ ​to​ ​know​ ​God​ ​loves​ ​us​ ​by​ ​grace. Peace​ ​is​ ​more​ ​than​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​conflict…​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​peace​ ​is​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​all​ ​that​ ​is​ ​good.​ ​It​ ​is wholeness…​ ​it​ ​is​ ​life​ ​as​ ​God​ ​created​ ​it​ ​to​ ​be.​ ​Day​ ​by​ ​day​ ​we​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​need​ ​His​ ​peace!

Every​ ​day,​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​life​ ​is​ ​a​ ​one​ ​of​ ​ongoing​ ​dependence​ ​upon​ ​God​ ​for​ ​His​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​peace!​ ​He​ ​doesn’t change​ ​us​ ​and​ ​leave​ ​us…​ ​he​ ​opens​ ​the​ ​door​ ​to​ ​a​ ​life​ ​that​ ​He​ ​helps​ ​in​ ​constantly!

It​ ​is​ ​from​​ ​God​​ ​our​ ​Father​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​ ​that​ ​we​ ​can​ ​receive​ ​this.​ ​The​ ​good​ ​news.​ ​God​ ​is our​ ​Father​.​ ​We​ ​belong​ ​to​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​He​ ​to​ ​us​ ​in​ ​a​ ​fatherly​ ​relationship.​ ​(NOTE:​ ​This​ ​isn’t​ ​the​ ​Father​ ​you​ ​had who​ ​was​ ​imperfect.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Father​ ​you​ ​always​ ​been​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​and​ ​HAVE​ ​when​ ​you​ ​become​ ​a​ ​Christian). And​ ​our​ ​Savior​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​​ ​is​ ​THE​ ​Lord​!​ ​HE​ ​is​ ​the​ ​One​ ​at​ ​work​ ​in​ ​our​ ​lives!

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Response 1)​ ​God​ ​saves​ ​people?​ ​Has​ ​He​ ​done​ ​this​ ​in​ ​YOU?​ ​He​ ​can​ ​bring​ ​a​ ​“before​ ​and​ ​after”​ ​to​ ​YOUR​ ​life!​ ​Do​ ​you need​ ​that?​ ​He​ ​will​ ​forgive​ ​you​ ​for​ ​what​ ​you​ ​have​ ​done.​ ​He​ ​will​ ​overwhelm​ ​you​ ​with​ ​how​ ​good​ ​HE​ ​is.​ ​Your restless​ ​heart​ ​can​ ​be​ ​brought​ ​to​ ​rest.​ ​He​ ​brings​ ​you​ ​purpose!​ ​He​ ​comes​ ​in​ ​as​ ​Lord​ ​to​ ​your​ ​life!​ ​How?​ ​Ask​ ​Him! POINT​ ​God​ ​saves​ ​people! Remember​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​sent​.​ ​I​ ​love​ ​how​ ​much​ ​our​ ​church​ ​family​ ​cares​ ​about​ ​people​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​church… that​ ​is​ ​like​ ​Jesus!​ ​If​ ​we​ ​helped​ ​you​,​ ​would​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​Jesus’​ ​agent​ ​of​ ​reconciliation​ ​to​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world around​ ​you?​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​will​ ​help​ ​you​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​He​ ​uses​ ​you!​ ​KEY​ ​today….​ ​“I​ ​WANT​ ​to!” 2)​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​united​ ​to​ ​His​ ​Church?​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​connected?​ ​In​ ​reconciling​ ​us​ ​to​ ​God,​ ​He​ ​has​ ​reconciled​ ​us​ ​to each​ ​other.​ ​We​ ​NEED​ ​this!​ ​On​ ​our​ ​own,​ ​we​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​fall​ ​into​ ​disunity.​ ​We​ ​have​ ​wounds​ ​and​ ​hurts​ ​and​ ​let​ ​them get​ ​us​ ​into​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​place​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other!​ ​But​ ​if​ ​we​ ​have​ ​the​ ​same​ ​Father,​ ​the​ ​same​ ​Savior,​ ​are​ ​part​ ​of​ ​His​ ​one church,​ ​if​ ​we​ ​have​ ​the​ ​same​ ​Spirit​ ​in​ ​us​ ​all​ ​(we​ ​will​ ​see​ ​in​ ​1:21-22),​ ​then​ ​we​ ​must​ ​be​ ​attached​ ​to​ ​other Christians.​ ​Is​ ​there​ ​someone​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​to​ ​because​ ​of​ ​disunity? In​ ​this​ ​book,​ ​Paul​ ​spends​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​time​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​Christians’​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other​ ​for​ ​a reason…​ ​we​ ​have​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​as​ ​Christians​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​unified​ ​group​ ​like​ ​no​ ​one​ ​else​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world!!!!! 3)​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​need​ ​God’s​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​peace?​ ​Two​ ​ways​ ​you​ ​can​ ​experience​ ​that:​ ​1)​ ​Read​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​every day​!​ ​Paul​ ​prayed​ ​this​ ​prayer​ ​for​ ​his​ ​friends,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​wrote​ ​them​ ​this​ ​book​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bible!​ ​Soak​ ​your​ ​mind every​ ​day​ ​in​ ​Scripture,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​will​ ​be​ ​in​ ​a​ ​pace​ ​for​ ​God’s​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​peace​ ​to​ ​be​ ​at​ ​work​ ​in​ ​your​ ​life!​ 2 ​ Corinthians​ ​Challenge​:​ ​Read​ ​from​ ​this​ ​book​ ​every​ ​day!​ ​I’d​ ​encourage​ ​you​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​next​ ​passage​ ​every​ ​week and​ ​make​ ​it​ ​something​ ​you​ ​study​ ​inductively​ ​and​ ​pray​ ​through.​ ​Next​ ​week​ ​1:3-11. 2)​ ​Remember​ ​Christ’s​ ​sacrifice​!​ ​(LORD’s​ ​Supper)​ ​Ushers,​ ​prepare​ ​to​ ​serve​ ​us.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Lord Jesus​ ​Christ,​ ​God’s​ ​promised​ ​Messiah​ ​and​ ​our​ ​Savior​ ​that​ ​we​ ​CAN​ ​be​ ​God’s​ ​children.​ ​On​ ​the​ ​cross,​ ​Christ​ ​paid for​ ​our​ ​sins,​ ​including​ ​ones​ ​we​ ​might​ ​have​ ​identified​ ​today.​ ​HE​ ​took​ ​what​ ​we​ ​deserved​ ​so​ ​that​ ​God’s disposition​ ​towards​ ​us​ ​is​ ​favor.​ ​On​ ​the​ ​cross,​ ​the​ ​Son​ ​became​ ​sin​ ​so​ ​that​ ​we​ ​sinners​ ​could​ ​become​ ​sons​ ​and daughters​ ​and​ ​receive​ ​from​ ​our​ ​Father​ ​the​ ​same​ ​love​ ​He​ ​has​ ​for​ ​Jesus. Jesus​ ​commanded​ ​us​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​the​ ​work​ ​He​ ​has​ ​done. This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​price​ ​Jesus​ ​paid​ ​so​ ​that​ ​you​ ​could​ ​be​ ​reconciled​ ​to​ ​God! This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​price​ ​Jesus​ ​paid​ ​so​ ​that​ ​we​ ​could​ ​be​ ​united​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other. This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​price​ ​Jesus​ ​paid​ ​for​ ​people​ ​he​ ​wants​ ​us​ ​to​ ​share​ ​Him​ ​with. As​ ​the​ ​ushers​ ​distribute​ ​the​ ​elements,​ ​let​ ​Nicole’s​ ​song​ ​serve​ ​as​ ​Christ’s​ ​invitation​ ​to​ ​you​ ​and​ ​speak​ ​with your​ ​Father​ ​about​ ​what​ ​He​ ​has​ ​done. On​ ​the​ ​night​ ​Jesus​ ​was​ ​betrayed,​ ​he​ ​took​ ​bread​ ​and​ ​broke​ ​it​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“This​ ​is​ ​my​ ​body,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​broken for​ ​you.​ ​Eat​ ​this​ ​in​ ​remembrance​ ​of​ ​me.”​ ​And​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​way​ ​after​ ​supper​ ​Jesus​ ​took​ ​the​ ​cup​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“This cup​ ​is​ ​the​ ​new​ ​covenant​ ​in​ ​my​ ​blood.​ ​Drink​ ​this​ ​in​ ​remembrance​ ​of​ ​me.”

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Small​ ​Group​ ​Leader​ ​Notes September​ ​3,​ ​2017 From​ ​Pastor​ ​Dan… Hello​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​Leaders​ ​and​ ​anyone​ ​else​ ​using​ ​these​ ​notes, Welcome​ ​to​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​our​ ​study​ ​of​ ​2​ ​Corinthians.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​were​ ​with​ ​us​ ​today,​ ​you​ ​know​ ​we​ ​spent​ ​a good​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​time​ ​remembering​ ​what​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​is​ ​and​ ​how​ ​we​ ​study​ ​it​ ​with​ ​inductive​ ​Bible​ ​study.​ ​You​ ​are in​ ​a​ ​great​ ​place​ ​to​ ​reinforce​ ​and​ ​help​ ​your​ ​folks​ ​grow​ ​in​ ​handling​ ​their​ ​Bibles…​ ​better​ ​than​ ​me​ ​since​ ​you​ ​can interact​ ​together​ ​about​ ​it. “Inductive”​ ​study​ ​means​ ​drawing​ ​conclusions​ ​from​ ​observations.​ ​1)​ ​What​ ​does​ ​it​ ​say​ ​(observation)?​ ​2)​ ​What does​ ​it​ ​mean​ ​(interpretation)?​ ​3)​ ​How​ ​does​ ​it​ ​apply​ ​(application)?​ ​While​ ​I​ ​always​ ​try​ ​to​ ​base​ ​my​ ​questions on​ ​an​ ​inductive​ ​study,​ ​you​ ​may​ ​simply​ ​want​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​those​ ​three​ ​questions​ ​of​ ​your​ ​group​ ​and​ ​only​ ​reference my​ ​questions​ ​if​ ​you​ ​get​ ​stuck. Our​ ​partnership​ ​is​ ​important…​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​service​ ​these​ ​folks​ ​for​ ​whom​ ​Jesus​ ​has​ ​died!​ ​John​ ​Stott​ ​said, “When​ ​God’s​ ​Word​ ​is​ ​read,​ ​God’s​ ​voice​ ​can​ ​be​ ​heard.”​ ​May​ ​your​ ​group​ ​hear​ ​God’s​ ​voice​ ​this​ ​week! Warmly, Dan Our​ ​Scripture​ ​Study… Series: Message​ ​#: Sermon​ ​Title: Passage: Preacher: Date:

Reconciled 1 A​ ​great​ ​journey​ ​begins 2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1:1-2 Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser 2017-9-3

SMALL​ ​GROUP​ ​QUESTIONS Getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other:​ ​What​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​your​ ​most​ ​prized​ ​possessions​ ​(non-living)?​ ​Why? 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! —————————

Inductive​ ​Bible​ ​Study

1. What​ ​are​ ​words​ ​you​ ​would​ ​use​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​the​ ​Bible?​ ​Why? This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​group​ ​discussion​ ​question.​ ​In​ ​our​ ​message,​ ​we​ ​read​ ​from​ ​Deuteronomy​ ​32:45-47;​ ​Psalm​ ​19:9-10;​ ​1 Thessalonians​ ​2:13;​ ​and​ ​Hebrews​ ​4:12.​ ​What​ ​do​ ​these​ ​passages​ ​tell​ ​us​ ​about​ ​the​ ​Bible?)

8 2. “Inductive”​ ​Bible​ ​study​ ​is​ ​“drawing​ ​conclusions​ ​from​ ​observations.”​ ​In​ ​our​ ​message​ ​we​ ​heard​ ​that​ ​we do​ ​inductive​ ​Bible​ ​study​ ​by​ ​answering​ ​three​ ​questions:​ ​1)​ ​What​ ​does​ ​it​ ​say​ ​(Observation)?​ ​2)​ ​What does​ ​it​ ​mean​ ​(Interpretation)?​ ​3)​ ​How​ ​does​ ​it​ ​apply​ ​(Application)?​ ​How​ ​does​ ​studying​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​with these​ ​three​ ​questions​ ​strike​ ​you? Personal​ ​application​ ​question.

2​ ​Corinthians​ ​1:1-2

Take​ ​a​ ​few​ ​minutes​ ​to​ ​prayer​ ​together.​ ​Ask​ ​God​ ​to​ ​bless​ ​your​ ​study. 3. What​ ​are​ ​things​ ​you​ ​observe​ ​in​ ​these​ ​verses?​ ​List​ ​as​ ​many​ ​as​ ​you​ ​see​ ​as​ ​a​ ​group.​ ​(eg:​ ​Paul​ ​is​ ​an apostle​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​Jesus,​ ​this​ ​was​ ​by​ ​God’s​ ​will,​ ​etc.) Group​ ​discussion. 4. Does​ ​anyone​ ​remember​ ​who​ ​Paul​ ​was?​ ​See​ ​Acts​ ​9:1-19​ ​Who​ ​is​ ​he​ ​now?​ ​What​ ​does​ ​Jesus​ ​do​ ​in people? This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​story​ ​of​ ​Paul’s​ ​conversion​ ​to​ ​Christ.​ ​Now​ ​he​ ​is​ ​“an​ ​apostle​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​Jesus.”​ ​While​ ​Paul’s​ ​conversion​ ​and calling​ ​were​ ​unique,​ ​every​ ​conversion​ ​and​ ​calling​ ​is​ ​unique​ ​and​ ​miraculous. 5. What​ ​does​ ​it​ ​mean​ ​that​ ​Timothy​ ​is​ ​“our​ ​brother”? Timothy​ ​is​ ​also​ ​a​ ​Christian.​ ​MORE,​ ​a​ ​“brother”​ ​is​ ​a​ ​man​ ​with​ ​a​ ​common​ ​father​ ​to​ ​someone​ ​else.​ ​In​ ​becoming​ ​a child​ ​of​ ​God,​ ​Timothy​ ​because​ ​Paul’s​ ​brother,​ ​and​ ​every​ ​Christian​ ​who​ ​has​ ​ever​ ​lived​ ​as​ ​well. 6. See​ ​Acts​ ​18:1-11.​ ​Where​ ​did​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​come​ ​from? Paul​ ​came​ ​to​ ​Corinth​ ​after​ ​a​ ​short​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​Athens.​ ​He​ ​began​ ​speaking​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Jewish​ ​synagogue​ ​there​ ​about​ ​how Christ​ ​was​ ​the​ ​promised​ ​Messiah.​ ​He​ ​did​ ​find​ ​a​ ​few​ ​Christians​ ​there.​ ​Eventually,​ ​the​ ​Jewish​ ​synagogue​ ​leader kicked​ ​Paul​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​fellowship.​ ​For​ ​the​ ​next​ ​18​ ​months,​ ​Paul​ ​began​ ​a​ ​church​ ​in​ ​a​ ​home​ ​and​ ​preached​ ​to many​ ​Corinthians,​ ​from​ ​which​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​was​ ​born. 7. What​ ​does​ ​the​ ​word​ ​“church”​ ​mean? Assembly​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​people. 8. What​ ​does​ ​the​ ​phrase​ ​“the​ ​church​ ​of​ ​God​ ​that​ ​is​ ​at​ ​Corinth”​ ​tell​ ​us? THE​ ​church…​ ​there​ ​is​ ​only​ ​one. The​ ​church​ ​of​ ​God…​ ​it​ ​is​ ​His​ ​possession. The​ ​church​ ​of​ ​God​ ​that​ ​is​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​tells​ ​us​ ​that​ ​while​ ​there​ ​is​ ​only​ ​one​ ​church,​ ​it​ ​assembles​ ​in​ ​multiple locations. 9. What​ ​is​ ​a​ ​“saint”?​ ​ ​What​ ​does​ ​this​ ​tell​ ​us​ ​about​ ​Christians? The​ ​word​ ​“saint”​ ​comes​ ​from​ ​the​ ​word​ ​“holy.”​ ​A​ ​saint​ ​is​ ​a​ ​“holy”​ ​one.​ ​Of​ ​course​ ​knowing​ ​the​ ​Corinthian population,​ ​not​ ​to​ ​mention​ ​Paul’s​ ​past,​ ​one​ ​would​ ​not​ ​say​ ​Christians​ ​are​ ​“holy​ ​ones”​ ​on​ ​the​ ​basis​ ​of​ ​our​ ​own goodness.​ ​If​ ​we​ ​were,​ ​there​ ​would​ ​be​ ​no​ ​Christians.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​what​ ​Christ​ ​accomplished​ ​for​ ​us…​ ​making​ ​us “saints”​ ​in​ ​God’s​ ​eyes. 10. What​ ​is​ ​“grace”?​ ​What​ ​is​ ​“peace”?​ ​Where​ ​do​ ​they​ ​come​ ​from? Grace​ ​is​ ​God’s​ ​goodness​ ​unconditionally​ ​expressed.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​God’s​ ​active​ ​work​ ​in​ ​our​ ​lives,​ ​freely​ ​given. Peace​ ​is​ ​not​ ​only​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​what​ ​is​ ​bad​ ​or​ ​wrong,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​all​ ​that​ ​is​ ​good. Both​ ​come​ ​“from​ ​God.”​ ​He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​bringer​ ​of​ ​peace​ ​and​ ​grace. 11. How​ ​might​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​this​ ​book​ ​be​ ​a​ ​way​ ​that​ ​God​ ​brings​ ​His​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​peace​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Christians​ ​in Corinth? After​ ​Paul​ ​prays​ ​this​ ​prayer​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Corinthians,​ ​he​ ​writes​ ​them​ ​2​ ​Corinthians.​ ​One​ ​source​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​peace of​ ​God​ ​is​ ​found​ ​in​ ​digesting​ ​His​ ​Word. How​ ​does​ ​reading​ ​and​ ​studying​ ​God’s​ ​Word​ ​help​ ​you?

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12. What​ ​are​ ​ways​ ​this​ ​passage​ ​applies​ ​to​ ​us?