2 Corinthians 8:1-15 “You’re not going to believe this!” Paul tells the Corinthians. The Macedonian churches, although in the midst of affliction and poverty, gave generously to aid Christians in Jerusalem. Paul attributes this amazing provision to the grace of God. Pastor Dave...
2 Corinthians 7:2-16 Pastor Dave began by reviewing the context of this week’s passage: Paul had confronted the Corinthian church with their sin and failures, and conflict ensued. Before the Lord, asking His help to recall, consider the context of your own life with regard to...
Palm Sunday Matthew 21:1-17 Palm Sunday was a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. For the first time, Jesus publicly declared his identity – the long-awaited Messiah-King. He declared himself, not in words, but in actions that specifically fulfilled Old Testament...
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...