2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Sermon Reflection

"No Longer Much Afraid"

Discovery: The main verses for this week come from vv. 16-18. This is Paul's exhortation to the church in the midst of the problems and difficulties of ministry life.

1. Don't lose heart: v. 16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." It hard for us to have the proper perspective in life when things are difficult. It is easy for us to give up or to "lose heart." Paul reminds us that it is only through faith in Jesus that we can have the proper perspective when it comes to dealing with the struggles of life. It may seem like we are "wasting away" but faith allows us to see that there is something deeper happening within us.

2. Don't get bogged down with the "here and now": v. 17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." Our problem hardly seem "light and momentary" but that is what Paul calls them. He tells us not to be fixated on the problems of this world. Otherwise, we miss the bigger picture. We end up being paralyzed by our present situations and not seeing God deeper activity in our lives.

3. Don't put our focus on the things that we can control and understand: v. 18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." It is hard to focus on the unseen. It feels silly, irresponsible, or blind. Instead, we rather "struggle" with our present situation because it seems more responsible, practical, and godly. The reality is that that we enjoy a certain level of control when we try to handle our own problems. Giving up this control is the real issue. We need to acknowledge, understand, and ultimately surrender the questions, problems, and struggles that we are going to. We cannot fix them! We need to turn to the only One who can...

Application: I shared about the book, "Hind's Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. I have always enjoyed this allegory of the Christian life. I can relate with the ways that the main character Much Afraid is someone who desires to move from the valley of Fearing to the High Places that the Good Shepherd promises to lead her. I can also relate with the ways that the two guides that the Good Shepherd gives her are Sorrow and Suffering. Who in their right mind would choose to have these two as their traveling guides in life? Yet these are the two that the Good Shepherd has given her.

Needless to say, I don't enjoy sorrow or suffering. Yet when I look back on my life, I can see how His presence has been most intimate to me during these times. Truth be told, I would still rather avoid these two things if it were my personal choice. However when I am confronted with these two things, I hope my response is not "Why are you doing this to me, Lord?" but rather, "God what are you trying to teach me in the midst of this?"

Prayer: Give me a humility that doesn't try to fix my own problems. Instead give me a heart that asks the right questions in the midst of life's difficulties and surrenders to You.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 Sermon Reflection

"Marked By Glory"

Discovery: Verse 12 is the verse that stood out to me the most in this passage. "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." Paul is talking about a hope that comes from the surpassing glory of Christ. If the Israelites in the Old Testament could experience the glory of God through the Law, how much more should we experience the glory of God through the sacrificial love of Christ?

Moreover, Paul goes on to say that we can/should be bold about this hope. Previously, there were barriers that prevented us from seeing and experiencing the full glory of God. Paul refers to the veil that covered Moses face and the veil that covered our understanding of God's Word. But verse 16 states that this is no longer the case in Christ: "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."

The word for glory in the NT is the root word "doxa." It refers to the splendor, radiance, majesty, and preeminence of God. In the OT, we see the glory of God through various images of divine transcendence (i.e. burning bush, parting of Red Sea, Moses' face shining with the glory of God, etc.). In the NT, we see the glory of God personified in the person of Christ (John 2:11 "This, the first of the miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him."). In our passage, Paul states that we are marked by His glory and are called to share this with the world around us.

Application: I confess that I have a very weak and small picture of God's glory. Just the other day, I was running late to pick up my son and I made it just in time before the 6pm cutoff (afterward 6pm, we get charged $1 per minute that we are late). I remember saying out loud, "Praise God!" I remembering catching myself right when I said this. Giving praise and glory to God has to be much more than just thanking Him for helping me through life's inconveniences.

I love verse 17: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." I want to have the freedom, boldness, and courage that comes from experiencing His glory each and everyday. Rather than being limited or veiled in my understanding of God's activity in my life, I want that freedom and boldness that comes through this transforming faith.

I think this quote from Marianne Williamson which Nelson Mandela used during his presidential inaugural speech in 1994 expresses my heart's desire.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Prayer: Let me experience Your glory anew this week so that I can have the freedom and boldness to be a shining light to the various people that I come in contact with this week.

2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6 Sermon Reflection

"Who is up for a challenge?"

Discovery: In vv. 12-13 we see Paul explaining why he left the great ministry opportunity in Troas (which is located across the Aegean Sea in Asia Minor) to travel to Macedonia. In v. 13, Paul tells us that he "...still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there." Apparently Titus as a liaison between the Corinthian church and Paul. When Titus never came with a response to Paul's earlier correspondence, we see Paul leaving this great opportunity to go tend to his relationship with the Corinthian church. Paul's conviction is clear: right relationships are far more important than great opportunities and people are much more important than events and programs.

Application: In the NIV, this section of text is entitled, "Ministers of New Covenant." The word minister or ministry is used only twice in this section. In 2 Cor. 3:3 it says, "You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry..." and in 2 Cor. 3:6 it says, "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant..."

The words used here for ministry in the original Greek are diakoneo and diakonos. The word literally means "to serve" and this is where we get the title of deacon. Through this section Paul tells us what ministry is/should be about. It is about elevating people over programs, it about making indelible impressions on people's heart versus writing down laws and rules on tablets, and it is about serving.

Our understanding of ministry can be really messed up. Even the office of pastor seems to be more about being a project manager or worse yet a product manager than it is about directly ministering and serving at the ground level of people's lives.

Our understanding of service can also be equally messed up. Are we serving the church as an institution or organization? Are focused on planning, leading, or attending events versus investing in and growing in relationships with people? Are we following the strategies and technics of this world or are we getting "back to basics" and following Jesus' model of evangelism and discipleship?

Serving people is not alway easy. Ministering to people is not easy. Paul makes is clear in our passage in v. 16, "To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?"

Who indeed is up for this challenge?

Prayer: Help me love people with the tenacity and uncompromising conviction that You desire. Remind me each moment that this is what ministry is all about.

Luke 24:1-9 Easter Sermon Reflection

"Shock and Awe"

Discovery: The term "shock and awe" is one that I associate with the 1st Gulf War. Even though it is a military term, I believe that it could also be used to describe the emotions and feelings of that 1st Easter. In our passage, we see Luke's account of that 1st Easter morning. What stands out to me in this text is the progression of emotions of the women who went to prepare Jesus body.

1. Grief: The fact that they brought the burial spices to the tomb meant that they truly believed that He was dead.

2. Confusion: Why was the rock that covered the tomb moved? Where were the guards that were suppose to guard the tomb? Where was the body of Jesus?

3. Fear: Who are these men dressed in dazzling clothes? What do they want? What will they do to us?

4. Remembering: These men ask a simple question: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" (verse 4). Don't you remember what Jesus said: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again?" (verse 7).

5. Emboldened: vv. 8-9 indicate that they not only understood and remembered but they went back to the Eleven and many others and told them of what they had experienced.

Application: The resurrection of Jesus is shocking, awe-inspiring and ultimately life changing. It is shocking and awe-inspiring because it points to the supernatural reality of God's involvement in human history and it demonstrates His power over the things of this world (including death itself). But as we can see from the example of the women at the tomb, it is also life changing. God takes our grief, despair, confusion, anger, worries, and fears and calls us to grow in faith. I love how the transaction is so simple. The messengers of God simply remind the women to remember what Jesus had told them all along and as they did so, their lives changed.

I tend to forget things all to quickly. My faith is so often confronted with the "real" problems of this world that I get easily discouraged, fearful, and confused in my faith. I need to remember what Jesus had told me all along. Whether it be in ministry, family, friends, or personal witness, I need to remember to trust in Him rather than the forces around me. Similar to these women here in this passage, I hope to be emboldened as well to testify to others what He has done in me.

Prayer: Lord, help me remember when I forget. Lead me from those places of fear, sorrow, and confusion to places of strength, comfort, and faith. Amen.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 Sermon Reflection

"No Future Without Forgiveness"

Discovery: I reread Desmond Tutu's book "No Future Without Forgiveness" in preparation for this week's message. I was a sophomore in college when the first general elections were held in South Africa in 1994. I was oblivious to the historic nature of that event at the time and it was only years later did I realize and understand the full significance of the fall of apartheid in South Africa. It was (and is) only by the power of forgiveness that a people so deeply divided by race and color could stand any chance of having a future together. This is the backdrop of today's passage.

Paul acknowledges that there is a measure of grief in regards to his relationship with the church in Corinth. Apparently there was a particular brother who was the main culprit behind the questions about Paul's character and commitment regarding this second visit to Corinth (vv.5-8). However, Paul makes it clear that he isn't upset at this individual. In fact he states in v. 10 that he has already forgiven him. Paul is now upset at the church with their actions and attitudes toward this brother. Church discipline had simply been punitive and not restorative.

Application: When it comes to conflict, there is a spectrum in which we all fall into. For some, we avoid conflict and shy away from any sort of confrontation. This is especially true when we see people do things that we don't agree with. It is extremely hard being the "first responders" to speak up and call out sin, evil, and other misdeeds. For others, conflict is something that people are quite comfortable with. When they see injustice (real or perceived), there is no hesitation in calling it out and directly challenging it. Most of us fall somewhere in between and have a mix of both.

What is interesting about the Corinthian church's response to this particular brother was that they initially didn't do anything to stop him from slandering Paul. The only reason why they confronted him was because Paul set a letter challenging this rumor that was spreading about the integrity of his word (v. 9). But afterwards, the church continued in their "discipline" of this poor brother until Paul wrote again in 2 Corinthians 2 telling them to stop this behavior. It had became really easy for the members of the church to simply "pile on" once the ball got rolling.

I am afraid that I tend to be like these people in the Corinthian church. It is really hard being the "first responder" and calling out things that are clearly wrong. I am sure that I would have received a letter or two from Paul as well identifying my own shortcoming. However once the issue is out in the open, I can also imagine myself being a part of the crowd that is "piling on" and calling for more discipline and correction. Paul reminds us that church discipline is for the restoration of a fallen brother and not a place for personal or corporate vengeance.

Paul ends this section by warning us against Satan's schemes. v. 11: "In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." Spiritual warfare has many battlegrounds. Interpersonal relationships just happens to be a common one and arguably one of the most devastating.

Prayer: Help me be mindful of my actions. Let me be aware of the spiritual battles that happen in everyday relationships with people and help me not be caught off guard and ensnared by the schemes of the Enemy.

“If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you.”

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4 Sermon Reflection

"Paul's Model of Leadership"

Discovery: In last week's sermon, I discussed how Christian suffering and comfort go hand in hand. The Christian life is not an easy one and thus we should not be surprised when difficulties and challenges come our way. In today's passage, we see that Christian leadership is also wrought with many potential dangers and pitfalls.

The verse that particularly stands out to me this week is v. 12: "Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace." Paul's confidence comes from his integrity and faithfulness to God which is allowable by His grace. This serves as the foundation of everything that he does in ministry and life.

Later in our passage, we see that people begin to question his commitments and character. Some in the Corinthian church saw his "slight" of not visiting them as an indictment against his character. vv. 15-17: "15 Because I was confident of this, I planned to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, "Yes, yes" and "No, no"?"

This passage reveals a hard reality: one's best intentions can easily be misunderstood and misinterpreted. Worse, they can also be used against you.

Application: Simply put, as leaders we need to work on the principles found in v. 12 if we are going to weather the challenges like the ones we see in vv. 15-17. The apostle Paul's foundation of integrity and personal devotion to God allowed him to stand firm when the personal attacks and misunderstandings arose in his correspondence with the Corinthian Church.

The take away for me this week is so crystal clear. There are naturally times when I wonder what God has in store for me in life. I always have questions about the future, ministry, family, friendships, missions, etc... It is really easy to "dream big" about God's will for me as it pertains to the future but I need to remind myself to "stand firm" in my daily life.

Because without integrity and personal righteousness, this is all for naught. It is really humbling and downright scary. Years of respect and character building can all be flushed down the toilet with one error. This is obviously the most extreme of examples. But even in the general life of ministry and pastoral work, the problems that Paul faced with the Corinthian church resonant with my own experiences. As a pastor, I know that I am not always given the benefit of the doubt. In many ways this is a good thing (we are all sinners) but in other ways it can be unrealistic (expecting you to be perfect). It is particularly heart breaking to see my best intentions be misconstrued and occasionally twisted to represent something completely antithetical to what I intended. I have realized over time, that is just a part of ministry life.

v. 12 reminds me to strive to live my life in the light and to make the pursuit of integrity and personal righteousness my daily devotion. This is the most important thing that any leader can do.

Prayer: As always Lord, help me get back to the basic "bread and butter" of discipleship. Speak to me in my times in your Word, prayer, fellowship as well as in my daily "faith" steps that you lead me in.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Sermon Reflections

"Understanding Christian Suffering and Comfort"

Discovery: The main introductory comments in Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church can be found in vv.3-11. The first thing that he wants the church to understand is the true nature of Christian suffering. Paul clears up any misconception about the Christian life from his own personal experience:

vv. 8-9 "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death."

This merely echoes Jesus call to any would-be follower in Luke 9:23-24: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." Jesus never promised a life free of difficulties and suffering. The simple and harsh fact is that suffering is an integral part of our Christian discipleship.

The second thing that Paul wants the church to understand however is the true nature of Christian comfort.

v. 3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." Father of compassion... God of all comfort... what a beautiful description of the heart of God.

v. 4 goes on to say this: "who comforts us in all our troubles..." Notice that is says that God's comfort occurs "in" the midst of troubles. It doesn't say that God's comfort delivers us "from" troubles.

Application: The reason why we are "misinformed" about Christian suffering and comfort is because we don't see the connection between the two. Paul makes it clear that they go hand in hand.

v. 5 "For just as the suffering of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

v. 7 "And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."

Suffering merely points us back in the direction of God and reveals to us our need to depend on Him. v. 9 "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God."

I know that I can be very hard headed and hard hearted. I have noticed that as I get older, I get more and more upset and frustrated when things don't work out the way that I would like them to. I used to laugh (and judge) my parents or older relatives whenever they would go on and on about how things aren't the way they used to be... I find myself in that same place. At the heart of this complaining attitude is a deeply held belief that things should work out for my benefit. The belief is that this world would be a much better place if people, things, and God himself would just do as I wanted. Thus it is shocking and surprising whenever God allows difficulties and challenges to come my way. It threatens the semblance of control that I have over my life.

But this passage clear points out that the suffering happens for a reason:

It allows me to experience His comfort anew.

It reminds me to depend on Him and not on myself.

It gives me a glimpse into the heart of God and compels to me share this same comfort to others in need.

It is God's way of getting my attention. Hopefully he is getting yours as well.

C.S. Lewis "Problem of Pain:" God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

Prayer: Wake me up Lord! Help me see my "sufferings" for what they are. Give me a proper perspective on life in light of world events and yet let me learn from each challenge and difficulty that comes my way.