Pause for thought

It does not follow that because of Paul’s experience, that times of great personal revelation and blessings are always followed by times of testing.

Paul was not permitted to repeat what he heard in paradise, in fact had he been permitted there are no words to describe what he was permitted to see and hear! 12:4

Paul’s experience of being caught up into paradise was followed by a severe time of testing, Paul describes the torment he endured like a thorn in the flesh. The pain Paul endured was allowed by God and delivered by a messenger (demon) of satan 12 7

Paul must of felt that his thorn was a hindrance to his ministry which is why he prayed for its removal. What was a hindrance to Paul has turned out as a blessing to generations of Christian’s who have discovered that Gods power works better when we admit our weaknesses. It’s not only to Paul but to every Christian that God speaks, “my grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness” 12:8

Paul gives us a glimpse of what these weaknesses include, infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, distresses, all for Christs sake 12: 10 a thorn in the flesh is never an excuse for habitual sin, sin is not the weaknesses Paul was referring to, it is to be repented of and confessed 1 John 1:9 Jesus grace forgives and restores us be like Him.

Memory verse

Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Don’t let satan plant a false gospel in your Christian circle! Paul warns against the Corinthians gullibility, it seems that they were heeding the false teaching of the Judaizers (ie) those who taught that to be a real Christian they needed to obey the Law of Moses which included if you were male being circumcised. Paul said their gullibility was bringing them into bondage to a different gospel. This is not restricted to first century Christian’s there are false teachers who infiltrate themselves into todays church they are wolves in sheep’s clothing, their teaching resembles Christs but is very different, it’s really new age teaching propagated by their own prophets and teachers. There are also 21st century Judaizers who teach a work based gospel that knows nothing of grace and is inspired by satan 11:14.

False Apostles reveal their identity by boasting about their “ministry” telling tall stories, that God’s forgiveness means we can lead immoral lives, claim authority from dreams, defy authority, scoff at Angels, takes your money, so selfish thinking only of themselves, they promise much but can produce nothing 11:16-21 Please read Jude 3-16.

The pure bride of Christ should be wise to the possibility of false teaching and false teachers, the Corinthians devotion to Christ was being threatened. But Paul told them to keep focusing on the truth that he preached and his own experience as an Apostle of Jesus Christ . Like them let’s not allow ourselves to be side tracked in anything, to be clear we must check any new teaching against the Bible and refuse to listen to anyone or anything that contradicts God’s word 11:3-4.

Memory verse

If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. God the father of our Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows I tell the truth. 11 30-31 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

We have a choice we can use human methods to win the battles we face in life, or use God’s weapons that are available to every Christian in our fight against the devil. The Holy Spirit, the Word of God, together with prayer and faith, are always effective 10:4 please read Ephesians 6:10-18.

Strongholds develop if we refuse to bring our thoughts in agreement with God’s truth. Some in Corinth persisted in their resistance to Paul and his ministry, probably unaware that their negativity had caused a stronghold of unbelief to develop in their minds. This stronghold is often recognised by others as pride, only Gods weapons can destroy this kind of stronghold 10:5

Don’t fall into the trap of comparing ministries or ministers why? Because it only leads to pride and is an unwise thing to do. Ministries may be similar but are never identical the main thing is that they each boast in what the Lord has done 10:17-18

Always endeavour to keep within the boundaries of God’s plan for your life and ministry, don’t stray outside your anointing! 10:13

Memory verse

With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. 2 Corinthians 10:5 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Paul had encouraged the Churches in Macedonia to give by using the example of the Corinthian church 9:2. Now he is encouraging the Corinthians to have their gift ready, it’s almost as if he is concerned that they might let him down! Paul had praised each of the churches to the other and in doing so had encouraged them all to give. It seems Paul was a little concerned that his boasting about the Corinthians generosity might be overstated, But he need not of worried for the Corinthians gave far beyond what Paul had imagined 9:4.

Church finances should always be handled in a way that is above any suspicion of wrongdoing. In this case the gift for famine relief was overseen by a number of trusted and tested brothers 8:20.

In my view church finances should not be overseen by a committee of one! As Paul says we are to be careful to be honourable before the Lord 8:21.

When we give, we should make up our own minds how much to give, never in response to pressure, but joyfully under loves compulsion 9:7.

We will never out give God! He has already provided all we need with plenty left over to share with others. Like a farmer it is an act of faith when he commits his seed to the ground, but God shows His generosity by giving a great harvest 9:10.

Every time we are led to give to others it is simply the Lord seeking ways to multiply blessings in our lives 9:8

It is certainly more blessed to give than to receive it Acts 20:35.

Memory Verse

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others 9:8 As the scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor, Their good deeds will never be forgotten” Psalms 112:9. N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Generous giving 8:1

Most giving can be naturally motivated but let’s not forget that God sometimes bestows a special grace upon us, so that like the Macedonian churches of Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea though suffering great hardships begged to be partners with their fellow churches in giving towards the collection for the Jerusalem church. Even Paul himself seemed surprised by their sacrificial giving. Their willingness demonstrates the grace of giving 8:15

1 The example of Jesus Christ did not begin at the cross. It began when He laid aside His glory and came to earth 8:9
2 The Grace of giving is activated in our lives when we dedicate ourselves to the Lord and His direction for our lives, and as members of a church which is His body in which we all share 8:5 .

3 Giving is according to what we have, never according to what we don’t have 8:11.

4 Don’t forget to keep any vow you make to God 8:10-11

The grace of giving is best summed up in 2 Corinthians 9:10

Memory verse

You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though He was very rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Have you like Paul ever felt discouragement or pain because you had rebuked a fellow Christian and wondered how it would all end, or been rebuked yourself? Then you can understand Paul’s distress. Titus gives Paul the good news, the trouble is over any wounds are now healed all is well. Please read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 and 2 Corinthians 2 1-11 to understand the context of chapter 7.

Paul was quite clear that in the case of immorality in the Corinthian church rebuke was necessary, he did not wish to inflict pain, he simply desired that the Church should be all that Christ saved them from to be. Some types of sin if not dealt with can spread like wildfire in the church this is why Paul gave the instructions he did 7:9

Godly sorrow produces true repentance, and true repentance is proved by its deeds. Worldly sorrow is sorry it didn’t get away with its sin, and got found out. worldly sorrow is not sorry about the hurt caused to others only the hurt caused to itself.7:11-12

Paul was worried that he had caused pain to other believers even though his purpose was godly. Sadly the church has many wounded souls who are waiting for the other person to make the first move unlike the. Corinthians who did all they could to make things right 7:11.

Memory verse

For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 N.L.B.

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Pause for thought

I believe that many Christians are restricted in their relationship with the Lord by secret sins. Secret sins can be sins we are well aware of but refuse to deal with, or sins we are unaware of! We do well to ask the Lord like the Psalmist to search our hearts Psalms 139:23-24 sin secret or otherwise hinders first our relationship with God and then our fellowship with others believers 6:11-12.

We must avoid all associations with idolatry in fact anything that causes us to compromise our faith with unbelievers. Question, who are the unbelievers Paul has in mind? Please read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

However hard it may be it will always remain true that there are certain things a person can not do and be a Christian 6:16

Memory verse

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. 7:1 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

What a privilege! We are workers together with Jesus Christ. It’s His ministry not ours that He has called every Christian into, this must be remembered even when it’s so easy to talk about “our” ministry 6:1.

Don’t miss out on all the benefits of the Grace of God, I’m assuming no one reading this would reject the grace that brings salvation. But what is the Christian life if not lived out in the abundance of Gods grace each day? 6:2.

Whatever God calls you to do His grace will supply.

Not everyone will have a positive opinion of faithful ministers, but like Paul this should not affect him greatly, this is yet another mark of the ministry of Christ 6:8

Some of the marks of the ministry

Paul lived in such a way so that no one was put off from finding out about the grace of salvation through Jesus. As believers we are ministers with Christ, others are watching us, let’s be careful that our speech and actions always encourages others towards Jesus 6:3

Not many have had to face the sort of trials that Paul did, but he was constantly sustained by the Holy Spirit, Paul said he endured calamities and hardships of every kind. But in every thing he tried to show that he was a true minister of Christ 6:4

Nothing stopped Paul from faithfully preaching the truth, why? Because it was Gods power working in him 6:7

Memory verse

Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Every Christian is brand new on the inside, because through our faith in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit has given us New Life 5:17 please also read John 14:6

Because of the death of Christ we know that we have died with Him, now that the old self has been put to death we don’t keep looking over our shoulder. Now no longer in bondage to please ourselves we live to please Jesus Christ 5:15 please also read Romans 6:5-6

Paul spoke on behalf of his team “We are Christs Ambassadors” a bold statement but certainly true of Paul and those working with him. Is this true of you? Only those who themselves have been reconciled to God have the joy of appealing to others be reconciled to God 5:20.

Memory verse

What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begone! 2 Corinthians 5:17

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