Historical Posts
2 Corinthians 06:01-02 – Do Not Receive the Grace of God in Vain – audio
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Text: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
Introduction
A. There are many things in life that can be beneficial if used properly;
1) On the other hand, they may not help at all
2) Or even can be harmful if misused.
B. There are many food choices available to us;
1) Some are healthy
2) Others are not.
3) Some good foods, if taken too much, can be harmful.
C. Prescriptions are the same way.
1) A doctor gives a patient a certain kind of medicine and a certain dosage.
2) If the wrong medicine is taken, or if the right medicine is taken the wrong way, it will not do as good a job as it was intended.
3) There can be dire consequences.
D. Spiritually, God gave us His grace and we must not use it in vain!
Body
I. Grace is essential for salvation.
A. God is full of grace and truth, and we receive them through Jesus Christ (John 1:14-17).
B. We are justified by the grace of God (Titus 3:4-7).
C. God saves us by His grace in Christ through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-10).
D. The grace of God brings salvation (Titus 2:11).
E. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:5-8).
F. God’s promise is of faith that it might be according to grace (Romans 4:16).
II. Grace is not always guaranteed.
A. We can fall from the grace of God (Galatians 5:4).
B. We can fall short of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:14-15).
III. Grace must be used properly.
A. God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34).
B. We must grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18).
C. We must be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).
D. By the grace we receive, we must serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28).
IV. Grace must not be misused.
A. Some have turned the grace of God into lewdness and denied God and Christ (Jude 4).
B. We must not sin in order that grace may abound (Romans 6:1-2).
Conclusion
A. The grace of God can save us, but our faith must accompany it.
B. If we serve God properly, grow in His grace, and strive not to sin, it will not be in vain! He will help us in the day of salvation!
C. That is today!
Content by Richard Dillon
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2 Corinthians 13:07-10 – Stand for Truth – audio
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Text: 2 Corinthians 13:7-10
Introduction
A. There is a lot of confusion in the world today.
1) Many people disagree on matters of religion.
2) Amid the confusion and disagreements, there is destruction.
B. Christians should not strive to destroy one another, but rather edify one another. Consider the text of 2 Corinthians 13:7-10. During that text, Paul says “we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth (verse 8).”
C. God’s truth will always prevail, even when man tries to contradict it.
Body
I. What is truth?
A. Much confusion arises simply because people do not know what truth is.
1) As Jesus was put on trial, Pilate asked him, “What is truth (John 18:38)?”
2) This is a question we all need to ask.
3) Jesus is the one to give the answer.
B. Jesus said we can know the truth, and it will make us free (John 8:32).
1) The truth will make us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 6:14,18,22; 8:2).
C. There are three sources of truth.
1) Jesus Christ Himself (John 14:6).
2) God is true (John 17:3).
3) God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
II. Christians must stand for the truth.
A. Christians must use the Bible as a guide, the source of truth inspired of God (2 Peter 1:20-21; John 16:13).
B. Christians put on Christ, who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14,17).
C. Christians wear the whole armor of God, including being girded about with truth (Ephesians 6:14).
D. Christians are a part of the Lord’s church, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
1) The church’s mission should be to preach the truth!
E. Christians share the truth, because it will allow many souls to be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:9-14).
F. It is God’s desire that all men will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
III. Paul is a good example of a Christian standing for truth.
A. After Paul became a Christian, the truth abode in him (2 Corinthians 11:10; Romans 9:1 et. al.).
B. Paul spoke words of truth and reason (Acts 26:25).
C. Paul did not even yield to false brethren, in order that the truth of the gospel would continue (Galatians 2:4-5).
IV. Sinners do not let the truth work for them, and may try to hinder it from helping others.
A. Some people simply refuse to listen to the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
B. Some resist the truth, and do not want to come to the knowledge of it (2 Timothy 3:1-9).
C. Paul observed Jews who were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:13-14).
D. Paul called the Galatians foolish because they were hindered from obeying the truth (Galatians 3:1; 5:7).
E. James warns Christians not to boast or lie against the truth (James 3:14).
Conclusion
A. We pray that today the truth has been proclaimed.
1) It is a foolish thing to try to hinder it.
2) It is a blessing to allow it to work in your life.
B. What is hindering you from obeying the truth?
1) As Paul said, “we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”
2) Won’t you obey the truth right now?
Content by Richard Dillon
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2 Corinthians 05:14-17 All Things Become New – audio
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Text: 2 Corinthians 05:14-17
Introduction
The apostle Paul summarizes what the Christian life is all about. He begins telling the Corinthians that as Christ died for everyone, we should all live for Him and not ourselves. To be a Christian, we must:
1) Be in Christ
2) Allow the former things to pass away
3) Let all things become new
(2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
Body
I. We must be in Christ.
A. There is only one way to get into Christ: baptism.
(Galatians 3:26-27)
B. One must be in Christ in order to receive all spiritual blessings.
(Ephesians 1:3)
C. Being in Christ means that one must wear the name of Christ.
(Acts 11:26)
II. The former things have passed away.
A. We must die to sin in order to live a new life in Christ.
(Romans 6:1-11)
B. The Corinthians were living in sin, but did not have to any longer.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
C. Paul died to the law, being crucified to Christ.
(Galatians 2:19-20)
D. Paul was crucified to the world, and the world to him.
(Galatians 6:14; Colossians 2:20-22)
III. All things have become new.
A. We no longer think like the world; rather, we are transformed by renewing our minds.
(Romans 12:2)
B. The old man is put off with his deeds, and we put on the new man.
(Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:5-15)
C. We no longer follow after fleshly things; now we walk after the Spirit.
(Romans 7:4-6; 8:1-11)
Conclusion
As the new year unfolds, so should the Christian! The old man is gone, and now we must wear the name of Christ.
Let us put on the new man every day, and lead many souls to Christ!
Content by Richard Dillon
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2 Corinthians 03:07-18 Removing the Veil – audio
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Text: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Introduction
A veil is typically a piece of cloth cut out to conceal something.
Brides wear veils to conceal themselves before they are married; furniture is sometimes hidden under a veil so it will not attract dust.
Usually something important happens in order for a veil to be removed.
Body
I. Moses wore a veil (Exodus 34:29-35).
God had called Moses to speak with Him on Mount Sinai. After receiving the Ten Commandments, he descended to the people to report all the words of the LORD.
However, being in the presence of the LORD caused his face to shine brightly.
As the people were afraid to speak with Moses face to face, he put on a veil; when he spoke with the LORD, he would remove it.
II. A veil was placed in the temple and tabernacle.
God gave Moses instructions for building the tabernacle. A veil was constructed to hide the ark of the Testimony, separating the holy place from the Most Holy (Exodus 26:31-33). God specifically said when Aaron could come into the Holy Place behind the veil (Leviticus 16:2).
Similarly, the veil of the temple was construed to serve a similar purpose (2 Chronicles 3:14). The high priest went through the veil once a year to be in the presence of God until Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross.
Christians are a “royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9)” and Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 2:17; 4:14-16; 5:5-10; 9:6-15). At the time Jesus offered Himself on the cross as a sacrifice, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51; Mark 15:37-39; Luke 23:45-47; Hebrews 10:19-22).
III. The gospel is a veil to sinners (2 Corinthians 3:7-18).
The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians of the veil that Moses had while speaking God’s Word to Israel. Now, he explains that God’s Word has come though Christ, which was better than that of Moses.
In former times, people could neither see nor understand what Christ would later do for them (Isaiah 6:9-10; Acts 28:26). Now that Christ died, was buried, and rose again, the veil is taken away (2 Corinthians 3:14).
The veil separating us from everlasting life is removed when one obeys the gospel (2 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 11:23; Isaiah 25:7-9). As Moses was in the glory of the LORD, so we can see the LORD face to face by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 13:12). The mirror we look into is the perfect law of liberty, the Word of God (James 1:23-25).
If the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those that perish (do not obey the gospel). The god of this age (ruler of this world) blinds them (John 12:31, 40) so the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ may not shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 1:18).
Conclusion
As the veils of the temple and tabernacle have been removed, Moses removed his veil in the presence of God.
Won’t you remove your veil today and be in the eternal presence of the LORD?
Content by Richard Dillon
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2 Corinthians 09:01-09 Giving the Right Way
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Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-9
Introduction
1. Giving
2. Many do not like to talk about it
3. The Bible does not have a lot to say about it (neither does it the Lords’ Supper)
4. The are more verses that talk about giving than the Lord’s supper
5. Background (O.T.)
a) Sacrifices
b) Portion of sacrifices went to support the temple (tithes support Levites)
c) Feast of First Fruits, (first of the harvest brought to God)
d) Classic example of attitude was when people brought gifts to build temple
e) By the time of Jesus (Temple Tax) and an offering for synagogue
6. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 – Principles behind giving
Body
I. Giving is reflective of a greater hope (2 Corinthians 8:2-3)
A. They gave liberally our of their poverty
B. Christian attitude toward money
1. Matthew 6:24 – Cannot serve God and mammon (riches)
2. Colossians 3:5 – consider selves dead to greed, = idolatry
3. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Don’t fix your hopes on the uncertainty of riches, be rich in good works, storing up treasure of a solid foundation for the future
C. Illustration: Save for retirement (Prudential – Get a piece of the rock) Rock will dissolve – Ecclesiastes 5:8-17
D. We can give liberally because we have a greater hope
1. They gave with an abundance of joy
2. God loves a cheerful giver (hilarious) (2 Corinthians 9:9:7)
II. Giving is a reflection of God’s grace received (2 Corinthians 8:1, 2 Corinthians 8:6-7)
A. Mentions grace given by God, and calls giving a gracious work
B. It means that this giving is motivated by God
1. We get confused thinking God’s will is for us to just be happy
2. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) God gives, so we can give (abundance for every good deed)
3. Philippians 4:10-20 – is called an acceptable sacrifice to God
4. God will in turn supply all their needs
C. Illustration: Parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
D. We have received bountiful grace, we give grace to others by helping them
III. It is a reflection of our fellowship
A. The word used for giving was fellowship (koinonia) participation, communion
B. The concept of communion graphically exemplified (Acts 2:43-47; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 6:1-6)
C. It is fellowship (sharing in) for these reasons
1. We are sharing with each other (2 Corinthians 8:12-15)
a. 2 Corinthians 9:13 – Not for just the purpose of easing financial difficulties but it was doctrinal, an expression of the union in Christ (1 body)
b. 2 Corinthians 9:8 – It was an expression of sincere love (1 John 3:16)
2. We are sharing/fellowshipping with Christ (2 Corinthians 9:9)
a. Fellowshipping in Grace (for you know the Grace…)
b. Jesus was rich and became poor
c. Do we have any fellowship with Christ if we attached to material things
D. Parable: Man who built bigger barns (Luke 12:16-21)
IV. It is worship GIVEN to God
A. Many do not view giving as worship
1. See it as just meeting the budget
2. While planning (budget) is good, there is more to giving than that
B. Biblical Text
1. It is called “fellowship” , same word used for the Lord’s Supper (2 Corinthians 9:4)
2. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – they were to do it on the “first day”, the day they worshipped – it was to be done systematically, not carelessly (preparation)
3. Romans 12:1 – It is sacrificial, which is worship
4. 2 Corinthians 8:2 – It is an expression of Joy (just like worship typically is)
5. 2 Corinthians 8:5; 9:6-7 – Heart has to be right (just like for Lord’s Supper & worship)
6. Jesus made it clear that when we serve the brethren, we are serving him
C. We do it following the Lord’s Supper
1. It is appropriate, remember our gift, and we give in turn
2. More time should be given for our giving (sometimes we rush through it)
3. Want thoughts and heart to be right for Lord’s Supper, what about for the offering?
4. It is a gift to God
D. Our giving, is a direct reflection on our giving and service in other areas of life
Conclusion
1. Reflection of Greater hope / Grace / Fellowship / Worship
2. Do you give with the right heart (all week long)
3. How?
4. Steps:
a. Pray
b. Thank God for blessings, specifically
c. Ask God to help you use them to serve Him
d. Consider ways you can use them (God will show you)
e. It may be by giving more to the offering
– It may be by sending money for Bibles to Russia
– It may be by helping with someone’s utilities
5. WE ARE INVESTING IN A BOND THAT WILL NOT BURN UP OR DISAPPEAR IN AN ECONOMIC DEPRESSION!!!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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