Week 31
Jesus and His Kingdom
This week you will be amazed at the clarity with which Paul speaks to the
Corinthian church. He encourages them and brings correction to a group of
believers that are tempted to be driven astray from the truth by false teachers.
Read along with me this week and prepare your hearts for this Sunday‘s service
together.
The Daily Bible in Chronological Order pages 1553 – 1559 will be our goal
this week.
Monday, July 28 – (pp. 1553-1554)
2 Corinthians 5:1-6:2
As we begin our reading this week in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Paul once again teaches
principles he had touched on in his first letter to the church in Corinth.
Apparently there was still some confusion among the Corinthians about the
resurrection and about the eternal destination of believers. So Paul addressed
these amazing truths again. He explained that believers have an “eternal house” in
heaven. He explains that we first, long to be living there, second we can be assured
of getting there, and third we must live for God until we arrive there.
The eternal dwelling we long for has the following characteristics. First, it is a
building from God. Second, it is an eternal house. Third, it is found in heaven.
Fourth, it is not built by human hands. Fifth, it is guaranteed to come.
All of us desire to occupy our eternal house in heaven. However, we know that
during our time of living in temporary residences God is leading us to our eternal
house in heaven. So for now we can only long to be living there. What a day of
rejoicing it will be, when our dream is realized.
In 2 Corinthian 5:11-15 it’s interesting that Paul says Christ’s love compelled him
into service to others (vs.14). Paul lived his life for God and for the purposes of
God. Because of Paul’s love for God he called others to a life of service for God.
Paul was motivated by the love of Christ revealed in His death. Because of the
love of Christ revealed in His death, we do not live for ourselves but for God &
others, seeking to persuade other men and women to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, July 29 – (pp. 1554-1555)
2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1
As we continue to read today we get the picture that Corinth was a challenging
place for Paul to minister. He faced constant opposition by some very persuasive
people within this church. False accusations were constantly being heaved toward
him. Although his ministry was difficult, Paul did not surrender to the pressure.
He carried out the work he had been called to do.
For most of us the hardship that Paul speaks of is alien to us. Living in the United
States we are free to serve God and worship Him. We ought to thank God that we
have been spared such difficulty. We may never face what Paul did. On the other
hand Paul and others accomplished so much while under persecution. We must
ask the question, what are we accomplishing for the Lord under little or no
persecution?
What does it mean to be “yoked together” with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
Being bound (being "unequally yoked”) has to do with joining an unbeliever in sin.
It means to be in partnership, fellowship, harmony, being in agreement with an
unbeliever in sinful acts or deeds. It means involving ourselves in a relationship
where sin will, or probably will occur. What kind of human relationships do we
apply this teaching to as children of God? All of them! We must join in no
partnership that will involve us in evil. We are to bring honor to God by having
relationships that are healthy.
Paul also warned the Ephesian church "And do not participate in the unfruitful
deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them." (Ephesians 5:11).
Solomon also gave his son good advice in this area. “He who walks with the wise
grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he explained to them “Do not be misled:
‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Wednesday, July 30 – (pp. 1555-1556)
2 Corinthians 7:2-16
Paul had addressed issues in his first letter to the church in Corinth and some
found his letter a bit harsh. He expressed concern about various divisions among
them which had been reported back to Paul. Paul also addressed problems facing
Christians in the pagan city of Corinth, including issues of pride, sexual morality,
modesty, and the issue of fellowship with pagans. Paul did not regret causing
them to sorrow. Paul now tells the church that their sorrow led them to
repentance. He states, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation
and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (vs. 10).
Godly sorrow is what King David must have experienced when the prophet Nathan
came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. David says,
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your
great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and
cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always
before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your
sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.”
(Psalm 51:1-4)
Paul stated to the church that he was “happy” that their Godly sorrow lead them to
repentance. Godly sorrow led David to the same point.
Godly sorrow can be painful for us; however, it should lead us to Christ for
forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Thursday, July 31 – (pp. 1556-1557)
2 Corinthians 8:1-24
Paul now writes to the Corinthians about how much the Macedonian churches had
given, saying, “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even
beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:3). Scripture states that they “urgently
pleaded” to give to the saints in Jerusalem (vs. 4).
If the Macedonian church was in a severe trial and were in extreme poverty, how
then did they find “overflowing joy” to give so “generously?” I think we can find
the answer in the first part of verse 5, “They gave themselves first to the Lord.” As
we give ourselves to God, many opportunities can arise well beyond our own
thinking and abilities.
Paul had urged Titus to appeal for funds and excel in giving like they excel in
everything else: faith, speech, knowledge, love, earnestness, etc. As believers in
Christ we are able to excel in many areas of our Christian walk. Are there areas in
which you might grow and increase in excellence?
Paul is not commanding, but testing their love through giving, and reminding
them of how “Jesus that though He was rich became poor, so that you through
His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
(Matthew 6:21).
In (vs.12) Paul urges them to follow through on their promises and give according
to “what one has, not according to what he does not have.” This week I ran across
how the Message translation puts this verse, “You’ve got what it takes to finish it
up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you
can’t.”
Friday, August 1 – (p. 1557)
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Paul was aware of the Corinthians’ willingness to give. Paul decides to send Titus
along with others to pick up the collection in order to motivate the believers to
follow through their commitment. Paul warned them he did not want to be
ashamed if they were unprepared to give the offering that they said would be
ready. Their offering was to “be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly
given” (vs. 5).
In the remainder of our reading today read with great purpose. Paul lays out a
banquet of spiritual truths regarding the gift that the Corinthians were about to
give. I will list a few for you:
• “He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly” (vs. 6).
• “Each man should not give reluctantly or under compulsion” (vs. 7).
• “God loves a cheerful giver” (vs. 7).
• “God will generously increase the fruits of your righteousness.”
( vs. 8)
• The generous gift supplied the needs of the saints in Jerusalem; it was
proof that God was working in their hearts (vv. 12-14).
• This gift also caused the Jerusalem Christians to pray for the Corinthians
(vs. 14). The giving was reciprocated.
Paul now stands back and maybe with a great sigh of relief says, “Thanks be to God
for his indescribable gift” (vs. 15). The offering taken must have made Paul so
proud of them however, I think he was giving thanks for so much more than just
that. He was giving thanks for the great work that God was doing in the lives of
this church. It must have given him great joy.
Saturday, August 2 – (pp. 1557-1558)
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Paul has finished his remarks on the gift collected in Corinth. He now outlines his
own defense, especially as it relates to his conduct and authority as an apostle of
Jesus. He appeals to them in the meekness and gentleness of Christ (vs. 1). He
had hoped that by doing so it would not require him to use boldness when he
arrived in Corinth. Some had the thought Paul conducted himself according to the
flesh (vv. 1-2). Paul states that he does live in the world but he does not use
weapons according to the worldly way of doing things. “The weapons we fight
with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power
to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets
itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to
make it obedient to Christ (vv. 3-5).” Being committed to God through His word
gives us power to overcome mistruths that are being scattered daily at our feet.
God’s word changes our thoughts and actions and prepares us to live a victorious
life.
Sunday, August 3 – (pp. 1558-1559)
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
In verses (vv. 2-4), Paul is concerned that, just as the serpent mislead Eve, so the
Corinthians will be corrupted by other teachers who preach a Christ different from
Paul’s. The Corinthian church needed to stay focused on the task set before them
and not be distracted by every wind of doctrine that came along.
Paul states that he was not inferior to what he calls “super- apostles.” He makes
the claim in (verse 6), that he was not a trained speaker however, he did have
knowledge. Paul had seen Jesus and experienced the power of God personally in
his life. After Paul’s miraculous conversion, he had gone into the desert for three
years, during which time the Holy Spirit instructed him in the ways of God. He
emerged, ready to communicate divine truth. God was his personal trainer.
False apostles are like Satan, seeking to transform themselves into angels of light
(vs. 13-15). The truth is that they looked good on the outside however, the inside
told a different story. As a kid growing up, my dad and I had gone gold panning in
the foothills of California many times. He and I would spend hours looking for the
big nugget that would “make us rich.” After panning for a few minutes and not
finding anything of value I began to be lured into thinking that the Iron Pyrite in
the pan was gold. Iron Pyrite looks just like gold but after closer examination the
reality is it’s only a flash in the pan. Excited about my find, I’d show dad only to
have him tell me, “son you’ve only found fool’s gold.” Not everything that glitters
is gold. Some things look and sound good however, they are not worth a hoot.
Satan is a liar, the father of lies. He has nothing to offer that’s of value. His stuff
may look glittery, but he can only dish up fool’s gold.
Everything that comes from God is truth and gives life. To remain true to the faith
we must “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”
(Hebrews 12:2).
Pastor Dan