2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” Pastor Dave explained that a yoke is a bar or frame by which two draft animals are joined for working together; it compels them to go in the same direction. The main applications for us of being yoked...
2 Corinthians 5:16 – 6:13 We are people who live, not for ourselves, but for the living Christ. Therefore, we no longer regard other people or our situations according to the flesh. The world says, treat others as competitors in a zero-sum game. Christ says, look out for the interests of...
The Day of Trouble This morning in SoCal, it feels like the world is ending. No sports, Disneyland closed. Schools closed, church canceled. Grocery store shelves empty. And where’s the sunshine? The news about COVID-19 and efforts to contain it changes moment by moment. But one thing has...
2 Corinthians 5:11-15 Pastor Dave explained that the “fear of the Lord” has a positive connotation, not a negative flavor like “fear of the coronavirus.” To fear God means to honor and revere Him. Dave noted that a person can err by fearing – honoring and seeking to...
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 The topic of this week’s passage is death – the believer’s “moving house” from a temporary, increasingly decrepit tent to an eternal building in heaven. I need not fear death because God is the One who has prepared me for it. The guarantee that...
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 We are jars of clay – commonplace, of low value, and easily broken. Paradoxically, we contain a great treasure – God shining in our hearts. Pastor Dave noted that we can all tell stories of affliction from our own lives. The question is, were we afflicted but not...
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Paul’s ministry – “this ministry” – was the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the change from the old covenant to the new, from the Law and eternal death to the Spirit and life, from condemnation to righteousness. This ministry is ours...
2 Corinthians 3:1-18 Some of the Corinthian Christians had apparently accused Paul of being braggadocious, but he responds by proclaiming that his confidence and sufficiency come from God. Pastor Todd asked where our confidence lies. How can we be confident that we are on the right track? As...
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 Read out of context, this week’s passage is rather baffling. Pastor Dave explained that, in context, it is clear that Paul is talking about church discipline. The church at Corinth has disciplined a member for sin, and Paul is telling them it’s time to...
2 Corinthians 1:12 – 2:4 Pastor Shannon began by reflecting on the sad reality that conflict occurs even between sincere and godly believers. Paul knew this. Because he changed his travel plans, believers in Corinth accused him of uncaring vacillation. Shannon drew three wise...