This week we see how Paul spoke of grief, distress, joy and love, all qualities of true Christian fellowship. We also look at some of Satan’s scheme’s.
Notes are below. The material is made available so that any may use it, adapt it and preach it.
Sermon 2 Corinthians 1:23 - 2:11
Grief, Restoration & Our Enemy
Introduction
We can not be sure which previous letter Paul refers to. It is now generally thought that there is a missing letter we no longer have.
Paul spoke of grief, distress, joy and love. These are the qualities of true Christian fellowship.
Satan’s Scheme’s
(a) He is our enemy.
See:
2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
1 Peter 5:8,9
Be self- controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
(b) He has malevolent schemes.
Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
See 1 Corinthians 5. The church had to deal with this problem for the sake of the sinner, but also for its own sake. Paul makes the point that sin will never be a servant, it will always try to master. It will never be a tame pet, it will always bite.
Danger of leaven (sour-dough).
(c) We are meant to know a bit about his schemes.
In the context of this section he seems to be pointing to:
- Disunity
- Loss of love
- Loss of hope for the separated one
(d) We are meant to avoid being outwitted by his schemes.
Restoration and Reconciliation
Is this the man mentioned is 1 Corinthians 5? If not, that case still serves as an example as to what sort of thing Paul could be referring to.
The purpose of church discipline is always restoration.
Matthew 18:15-18 “If your brother sins against you …”
Stage 1 “…go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
Stage 2 “…take with you one or two more …”
Stage 3 “…tell it to the church.”
Stage 4 “…let him be to you as an unbeliever and a tax collector.”
