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 forgive the repentant sinner and reaffirm their love for him. Dave taught that church discipline is a process with these stages: relationship within the body, sin by a member of the body, confrontation and consequences, repentance, obedience that demonstrates true repentance, forgiveness and restored fellowship.
 
Pastor Dave began by acknowledging that church discipline is an unpopular and uncomfortable topic. It is, however, a biblical mandate. Pray that all of us will understand that the foundation of church discipline is love and that the discipline process mirrors the gospel of Jesus Christ, with the difference that God Himself bears the punishment for our sin. Pray that all of us will assent to the concept of church discipline instead of avoiding it or stiff-arming it.
 
Church discipline starts with and requires relationship within the body. Ask the Holy Spirit to assess the quality of your relationships within the body at Calvary. How engaged in the body am I? How “known” am I? Am I as honest and open as You would have me be? Or do I put on a mask or erect walls? Have I made the effort to get to know others, beyond a name and a remark about the weather? If you experience Holy Spirit conviction, ask for God’s help to build meaningful relationships within the body.
 
Of course, building relationships is a risk because it invites accountability and may lead you to the confrontation stage of church discipline at some point. That stage is difficult and painful, both for the confronter and the one being confronted. It takes courage to call out a fellow believer on an issue that is clearly sinful. How much easier it is to look the other way! It also takes courage to humbly listen when you’re on the receiving end of confrontation. How tempting it is to get defensive or run away! Pray that all of us will have the courage to do the hard thing, which is to speak and receive truth in love.
 
Paul’s focus in this week’s passage is the forgiveness stage of church discipline. Pray that we – as individuals and as a body – would never “park” in the confrontation stage, unwilling to move forward to forgiveness when true repentance occurs. Pray that we can forgive without holding a grudge, keeping score, or displaying a holier-than-thou attitude.
 
Calvary Family
 
Our Junior High students will be attending Winter Camp this Friday through Sunday. Ask the Lord to speak to each student in some way during camp. Pray also for warm and inclusive fellowship and safe travel.
 
Kathy Haberer is in the midst of Week 2 of her missions trip to Cuba. She reports that the ESL teaching she and the team are doing is going well. Lift up Kathy, asking the Lord to do His kingdom work through her and her team.
 
Please pray for Chuck, a 68-year-old recovering addict who has been part of our TLC house for about a month. Chuck was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is very discouraged about his situation. Ask God to give Chuck the strength he needs to stop smoking. Pray also for hope and encouragement for Chuck.
 
Remember to pray for the ongoing need for workers in our Children’s Department. Pray that the Lord will stir in the hearts of those He has prepared to serve in this way and prompt them to step forward. 
 
You may remember Debbie Winters’ prayer request six weeks ago for her sister, Pat Wuebel. Pat lives with her blind husband and autistic daughter and is the sole breadwinner in the family. Pat’s health issue has been diagnosed as a thyroid problem, and she is having surgery this Friday. Please continue to pray for Pat and her family.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea