Author: Good Life Church

Scripture:

Vs 11 “Let a person understand that what we (Paul) say by letter when absent, we do when present.”
Vs 12 “… when they (Paul’s opponents) measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”
Vs 17 “Let one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Observation:

Paul is frustrated at the Corinthian church here for having to defend himself against false attacks.
Paul simply wants to preach the Gospel to them, but they are listening to people who undermine the truth by casting doubt on Paul’s character and integrity. These opponents of Paul then go further to disparage Paul for superficial reasons like physical appearance and speaking ability.
But Paul’s opponents aren’t satisfied to try to tear down Paul.
We see their motivation: To boost their own stature!
But because they lack a true understanding and grasp of the Gospel, what they compare each other to is a false measure: Themselves!

Application:

What am I seeking on a daily basis? Truth? The Kingdom of God? Or the kingdom of self?
How can I tell? Who am I more critical of? Myself or others? And if I’m critical of someone, what are my intentions? To draw them closer to the Jesus, or to make me feel better about myself?
And this isn’t just about the people, in general, around me or in my life broadly. What about in church, specifically?
The Church as a global body is full of critics. Does it really need another one?
When I start measuring myself against others, it’s never going to end well.
I will either choose the wrong thing to measure or the wrong person to measure against.
Why? Because I want to make myself look good. I want to boast of myself.
I have a True measure I must stick to: God’s Word.
And I have a True Person to measure against: Jesus.
And what’s so beautiful about the Truth of the Gospel is that when I see how I don’t measure up, I don’t have to beat myself up or dwell in despair.
Why not? Because when God “measures me” or “compares” me” or “critiques me”, He looks at me and sees Jesus!
There is no better news than that.
And I pray I boast about all the days of my life!

Prayer:

God, you are so good.
Good to forgive me when I see others wrongly.
Good to forgive me when I see the leaders you out in place wrongly.
Good to forgive when I see myself wrongly.
Good to forgive me when I see You wrongly.
Thank you for Your Truth.
I pray I never seek another one.
Keep me from wanting to compare myself to false measures or boast about myself.
Thank you for loving me like the good father you are.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.”
??2 Corinthians? ?11:6? ?ESV??

Observation:

Paul admits his speaking isn’t as strong as others. Yet he does have both the strength of knowing Christ personally as well as theological depth.

Application:

I sometimes idolize Paul. Much of my practical Christianity comes from his letters to the churches in the first century. I have studied the letters he penned under the inspiration of the Spirit, I have memorize parts of them, and I have preached them for 15+ years. Yet there is a story in scripture that has always made me think. Paul was preaching so long one night that a guy fell out of a window and died. Paul then lays hands on him and he comes back to life. What does that have to do with 2 Corinthians 11? Everything. It means that Paul was boring sometimes and he preached way too long other times. It means that Paul was learning and growing. He wasn’t a super Christian. He was a normal guy. Paul reveals in 2 Corinthians that he is aware that speaking isn’t his main contribution to the church. Now we know historically that Paul could handle himself from the front, but he recognizes that he is better reasoning with people through letters and one on one, than he is speaking in front of large crowds.

A few action steps…
1. Be aware of my strengths.
2. Be equally aware of my weaknesses.
3. Recognize it is ok to not be great at everything.

Prayer:
Father, Thank you for your love. Thank you that I don’t have to be an expert at everything. You have simply called me to do what I have been gifted to do through the power of your Spirit. Help me learn to be ok with doing my part and trusting others to do theirs.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 8:9

9: for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Observation:

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 8, he turns to collections for the poor. Titus had organized this collection the previous year. Paul is sending Titus back with this latter to renew the efforts.
In verse 9, he uses the example of Christ giving his life for us to show the ultimate selfless sacrifice. Christ was God, equal in power and glory with the Father. Yet for our sake he became poor. Not only did he become man for us, but he was a poor man too. He was born of poor circumstances, lived a poor life and died in poverty. He did this all for our sake.

Application:

When I first read this verse, I looked at it on surface level about giving. As I reread it I found God speaking to me about my life and the worries that I have. I realize that I spend too much time with worldly pursuits and trying to maintain the worldly things that I have accumulated. When I see the example of Christ giving all of his riches for us, it puts my worldly riches into perspective. Christ died so that I could be rich. My possessions pale in comparison to being rich in the love and favor of God. My home, my job, and my things are unimportant in comparison to the riches of the hope for eternal life and the inheritance of the kingdom.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for giving me the reminder today of what really counts. Keep me focused on the promise of the riches of Your kingdom. When I get occupied chasing worldly riches, remind me of the things that really count. I know that I am part of the riches of Your grace, and the promise of your kingdom.

Scripture:

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV)

Observation:

Why does Paul make a distinction about grief/sorrow comparing to effective repentance? Is there such a thing as ineffective repentance?

Application:

Effective v. ineffective: Most times I pretty much know when I am spinning my wheels. When I spin my wheels I know I am not getting anywhere, not getting the results I want. But when it comes to aspects of sorrow and repentance nowhere is it murkier than dealing with my heart. I do things and can be “sorry” for them (more often than not when I get caught at something) but I am sorry I got caught, not that I did it in the first place. Not exactly a picture of “godly grief.” What I do not bring to mind or to meditate on is the nature of the thing that I did: Is it sin? If so, am I aware of who I sinned against? Every time I sin, I first and foremost sin against God. Period. I can toss that off quickly because He isn’t backing me up against the wall, my wife is (or child, brother, employer, etc.). I can even toss that off too quickly by claiming forgiveness. James writes about confessing sin to one another that we could be effectively healed. How does the healing take place? I acknowledge that confession is cathartic: Makes me feel good about laying my burden down. But what else?

I must come to grips with the fact that my sin, wherever and to whomever it occurred, was first and foremost an offense to His Holiness. If I don’t do that then effective repentance (if possible at all) is difficult to obtain. I want my repentance to produce as lasting fruit as I can obtain even if the same confession comes out of my mouth day after day. What I need to do: 1) be sensitive to sin—do not become hard hearted or calloused “Soften my heart, O God…”; 2) Take opportunity to confess, not only to God, but to others as well. Want accountability? I must develop both a willing tongue to confess and a merciful ear to hear; 3) Make this habitual and part and parcel of walking worthy of the Gospel.

Prayer:

Father, please make it so. I want my heart to be continually softened so that I am more sensitive to You every day. I depend upon Your work in my life and I engage in cooperation with You Holy Spirit to bring it about.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 6:8-10 – We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored even though we are well known. We live close to death even though we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, yet we have everything.

Observation:

Paul and Timothy serve God through the power of the Holy Spirit regardless of their circumstances. The truth of the Gospel they preach is consistent, yet the very people who they brought the message to may choose to ignore it or even retaliate against the messenger. Paul’s ministry remains faithful through trial and hardship. Paul’s heart is broken for the lost, but he is spirt filled with joy. Poor by earthly standards, Paul is filled with spiritual riches that he shares and he wants for nothing.

Application:

When serving God, that is what must be kept first and foremost. We are privileged to be able to serve God! Hardships, trouble, people upset or wanting to shut down the message is all part of the territory. Therefore our service, is not conditional on acceptance or praise. Subsequently, our message is the truth that Jesus is our only hope to be made right with God through his sacrifice on the cross for our sins. There is not an alternate Gospel that is more palatable but has the saving power of Jesus work on the cross. God did this because he loves each and every one of us so much. Let this be enough to fill me to share His love and disciple others out of His love.

Prayer:

Father,
Please help remind me that it is a privilege to serve an all-powerful, all knowing, all loving God. Let my service not be deterred by trials or adversity from others. May your Spirit guide me to share your truth with love to those who are yet to know you.

Scripture:

2 Cor. 5:18-19 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Observation:

Salvation is from God; it was His idea. The story of salvation is the story of reconciliation. In order to be reconciled we first had to be separated. The understanding that we were separated from God before the work of Christ is essential to understanding the gospel. The gospel is that God no longer counts the trespasses of men against them because the payment for their trespasses was paid through Christ’s sacrifice. A believer not only receives this but spends his life with the entrusted responsibility of sharing this message and life with the world around them.

Application:

I can’t ever forget that apart from Christ I would be separated from God. I did not woo God over to my side, but rather through Christ, I have been won back to God. I have been both purchased and adopted through the work of Christ. I have been reconciled. This is my life. This is my story as well. As a follower of Christ I have the privilege of being reconciled to God and the responsibility to share this with the world. I have been entrusted with this new life and with this message of reconciliation. I don’t have the freedom to be selfish with the story. I must share it with my life and with my words. We have but one story to share and it is a great honor to share it!

Prayer:

Father don’t let me think that the message of reconciliation you have both saved me with and entrusted to me is only “my story”. Remind me it is my song as well. May my life and words sing the ministry of reconciliation to the world around me. Thank you for reconciling me back to Yourself!

Scripture:

2 Cor 4:8-9, 17 NIV

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Observation:

Pain
Purpose

Pain – If there’s one thing Paul is familiar with – it’s pain. I bet you are, too. Who enjoys pain? I’ve been in pain because I lived for Christ and I’ve been in pain for living unlike Christ. You too? I’ve yet to prefer the pain which comes from Sin.

When we are going through any type of pressure or pain for Jesus, it becomes a game changer. It becomes bearable, tolerable, and purposeful. Jesus does the heavy lifting. We are never abandoned or destroyed. Ever!

Purpose – in verse 17 Paul points out we’re doing this, not for short term but “eternal glory”. The purpose is what determines our ability to tolerate the pain. The “why” – Eternal Glory.

Triathletes, pregnant moms, and Jesus prove that humans can not only handle pain, we can thrive in it, produce from it, and profit from it – depending on the purpose.

What is the purpose of the pain you’re going through?

Application:

Pain for the proper purpose is productive. I’ve spent more time in un-purposeful pain because I ran from purposeful pain. There are sayings like “pick your poison”, “choose your battles”, etc.

The application here is – pick your purposeful pain. All paths in life are painful. Satan will fool us with fake paths of pleasure. Pick the ones which serve the purpose of eternal glory. Jesus has your back!

Prayer:
Father, thank you for doing our heavy lifting. I’m honored to suffer for you. I’ve tried suffering for myself. Not good.

Thank you for never abandoning us. For being in the foxholes with us. In Jesus name, amen.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 3:2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.

Observation:

Paul shares with the Corinthians that the proof of the legitimacy and authority of his ministry is the Corinthian church themselves.

Application:

A letter of recommendation is requested in order to give credibility to someone’s ability, talent or legitimacy. Some people seek out degrees, titles or certifications to legitimize their ministry. However the best proof of legitimacy for someone’s ministry is fruit. Some seek applause for their work in ministry. I say, let the applause for my labor be found in the obedience of generations to come.

Prayer:

Father may I never seek for anything to legitimize the ministry you have called me to but the fruit of the labor you have empowered me to do.

Scripture:
“For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.”
??2 Corinthians? ?2:4? ?ESV??

Observation:
Paul shares with the Corinthian church that he recognizes the heaviness of his first letter and how strongly it came across. However he shares that it wasn’t easy for him to write it. That though it caused them pain in reading it, it caused him pain in writing it.

Application:
Calling people out seems easy. You know the truth, they aren’t living it out and so BAMM, you drop a truth bomb and walk away. Yet it isn’t that easy nor is spiritual leadership that cavalier. When people are in sin and their lives are in disobedience it is the role of the spiritual leader to call it out. With years of ministry experience I have done this both the wrong way and the right way. The wrong way is to deal with it in a black and white, you’re wrong, I’m right manner. Rarely are things as black and white as we make them. Sin complicates things and muddies the water. Also if I deal with their sin in a non caring way I have to check my motivation of getting involved in the first place. Paul cried as he wrote 1 Corinthians. He called out sexual sin. He called out misuse and abuse of spiritual gifts. He called the church to order. Yet it reads totally differently when you recognize Paul was crying as he wrote it. He cared about the church and wanted them to walk in the light. The darkness that was creeping in bothered Paul deeply. He wrote the letter because he cared, not because He wanted them to know he was right. I must check my motives. DO I correct because I care or because I know I am right. The answer changed everything. Correcting without care is judgment. Correcting because you care is pastoring.

Prayer:
Father help me check my motives when I correct. May I only shy away from correction because I sense my heart is judgmental. May I never shy away because it is hard or uncomfortable. Teach me to be broken over other people’s sin the same way I am broken over my own.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 1:4

4: The God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves receive from God

Observation:

Paul is writing to comfort the Corinthians after severely correcting them. Paul had just faced trouble in Ephesus.
He talks about thanksgiving for divine comfort in afflictions. “The God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our afflictions.”

Application:

What a wonderful soothing assurance to know that the God of ALL comfort has comfort for me. God loves me so much that when I need help most, He is there for me. Paul suffers persecution greater than I can imagine, yet God comforts him in his sufferings. I must always remember that God is there. He has his arms open wide for me, ready for a huge embrace. What a wonderful place to be, in His arms. I just have to lean in and accept it. He is the God of ALL comfort. This world makes it easy to get down. Sometimes, I may even blame God for my troubles. I must remember to lean in, into the embrace of the God of ALL comfort.

Prayer:

Holy Father, my troubles seem so large without you holding me up. When I need it most, I survive only because you are there with me. I must remember that you are always right there. I just have to lean in and let you comfort me. I open my arms wide to receive and enjoy your embrace. You are the God of all comfort, who comforts me in all of my afflictions.

Scripture:

“, act like men…” (1 Corinthians 16:13c ESV)

Observation:

Why did Paul slip this in? I almost just blew right by this. “Be watchful.” Ok, got it. “Stand firm in the faith.” Goes without saying. “Be strong.” Ok, got this one too. “Let all that you do be done in love (v 14).” Yeah..you bet this one. But what is meant by “act like men?” What does that look like?

Application:

Once upon a time I attended a Men’s Conference where the main speaker was this guy Mike Bulmore. He opened with the declaration “Men! I assume I am talking to men. This is going to be a conference about being godly men so I am going to be blunt and clear and…” so forth and so on. But whatever he preached and taught on I was done for the weekend at: “I assume I am talking to men.” The way I look at the Scriptures changed with that. There is now a mental picture of what a godly, pursuing man looks like—not benign but purposeful, eager to embrace the Word of God as a reflexive condition—so that I grow into a mature man, eager and ABLE for good works. Some scriptures that come to mind: Describing David: “…having served the purpose of God in his generation…” Paul to Timothy: “Embrace these things, be absorbed in them…” All throughout the Psalms: “I shall…I must…I will…” (My pencil lead gets empty trying to circle all the “shalls, musts, wills” (called imperatives)). And Jesus: “..set His face like flint…” I look at these and I get discouraged because what I have written is difficult. And at the same time I am up for the Challenge. Being a man then is to remember that in my weakness He is made strong. Therefore I participate in His strength by being determined to do the “shalls, the “I will.., the “I must”—to be determined to serve the “purpose of God” for me in my generation understanding that He is defining that day by day; that being “faithful” is an action, a verb, and not a noun or adjective in this application. A man works and doesn’t coast in following Jesus. To the End of my days….

Prayer:

Father, Every time I write I pray that I am writing to myself. The danger I face is thinking that this is somehow a teaching moment for someone else. It could be. But I am the one that must be reminded day by day that I am weak and needy. Oh, how I need You. Therefore I take strength from the Word of God, embrace those imperatives and encouragements, and set my feet (weak and meager and smelly that they are) to walk purposefully worthy of the Gospel. Today I set my shoulders square, my jaw firm, eyes clear, with joy in my heart and a song in my mouth for You alone are worthy of anything of worth that I can bring. Today I declare again my desire to “serve the purpose of God in my generation…”

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15: 17-19 – And if Christ had not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

Observation:

Without the resurrection of Christ, we (believers) are still dead in our sin. If Christ was not raised from the dead, our faith is in vain and we would still be lost. If the resurrection is not real, our hope would not be in an eternal life with God and a new body, rather life would tragically end with this world.

Application:

The Good News is Jesus rose from the dead on the third day to fulfill the prophecy in the scriptures and pay our sin debt in full. Therefore we can be made right with God. Jesus resurrection is historically verifiable as evidenced by eyewitness accounts recorded in His word. Through faith, Jesus resurrection and our subsequent resurrection, as we are with him, allow us to conquer death. Every day, I must remember this is the only reason for our hope and be prepared to share the Gospel with all. Our greatest need has been and always will be met by Jesus on the cross at Calvary.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for the resurrection so we can be victorious and have a relationship with you. Let my only hope be in you. May the Spirit guide me to share your truth with those who are lost.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 14:19

Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Observation:

Paul gives direction as to the exercising of gifts in the local church. He clarifies that of all the gifts, prophesy is the greatest because this word from God is given in a language understood by all.

Application:

Not much has changed. The gift of tongues continues to be either abused or ignored with few exercising the gift correctly. Almost 2000 years ago this debate over this gift was clarified by Paul. A handful of things…
1. Speaking in foreign tongues is one of the manifestations of the spirit, BUT not the only one and is not required for salvation and is not given to all believers.
2. Abusing tongues confuses people and creates an unhealthy church environment. When the church gathers the desire is for the body to be edified and built up. If this gift is abused or used in disorder, people walk away confused and discouraged.
3. Prophesy is the greatest gift because it is God’s word spoken clearly to His people with no need for interpretation.
4. If someone has the gift of tongues but no one is present to interpret, one should keep it to themselves. Therefore God will reveal to them if there is someone present to interpret before they begin speaking.
5. God’s Word has been given to us through the scriptures. This does not make tongues unnecessary, but it does certainly limit its usefulness since almost every service will be filled with believers who understand the language the scripture has been interpreted into. The teaching of Gods Word is the clearest and most effective form of edification in our local church today.
6. I should not deny the existence of gifts I don’t have or have not seen exercised. Yet I should live I faith believing God can do anything He wants and pray that He uses me however and whenever he wants to build up the church.

Prayer:

Father help me navigate our local church through understanding the power and presence of your Holy Spirit. May I continue to press into my relationship with you and may your Spirit work in an through me however you desire. May I not quench your movement because of my disbelief or lack of faith.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Observation:

There are things in my life that are far from perfect, but there’s a love in my life that is absolutely perfect. I’ve made choices in my life that have hurt me and others tremendously. But there’s a love in
my life that heals those that hurt.

God’s love is the real deal, period. “And these three things remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

I believe most of us understand the power of faith and hope. We realize how faith and hope shape our thoughts, our actions, our past, and certainly our future. As powerful as both of them are, Paul tells us love is greater.

Think about this for a moment. When we finally meet with the One and only perfect source of love, face–to-face, then faith and hope will no longer be needed! Faith and hope, as powerful as both are – have no more value when finally in the presence of perfect love. Because there will be nothing else to have faith or hope for. It will be the only sure time of our existence when we can literally know and say, “I’ve arrived” or “I won!” No wonder
it’s called heaven!

I visualize, in my mind’s eye, it going like this: “Hi, this is heaven, home of perfect love. Come on in. Go ahead and leave any faith or hope you have at the door. They are no longer required! Ever!”

Wow!

Application:

Until Heaven comes, I’ll take full advantage of current faith, hope, and love.

We are flawed people in a flawed world on a flawed journey looking for perfection.

A wonderful source to help you and me on this journey is consistently reading God’s words – the B.I.B.L.E. (basic instructions for the best living
on earth).

God will talk to you personally through the Bible. You will feel Him. He will encourage you, love you, and help you grow.

Prayer:

Lord Please remind and motivate us to pursue more of you. More of this incredible phenomenon you created, you are, and give – called love. In your name I pray. Amen

Scripture:

1 Cor. 12:28- 31 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

Observations:

Paul continues his letter to Corinth and discusses the importance of being a member of the body of Christ. He makes it clear that for the church body to be effective, we need all the parts. He uses examples of actual body parts to make his point. He then discusses various gifts, such as teaching, prophesy, etc. and shares that not everyone has the same gifts. He also ranks the gifts in order of honor.

Application:

I have a confession. Jordan Spieth is a better golfer than I am. Stephen Curry shoots the basketball better than I do as well. My guess is that Jordan Spieth practices golf much more than I do and Stephen Curry practices basketball much more than I do. Even if I practiced as much as they did, I probably would never be as good as them. They have unique physical talents given to them by God. Just because I can’t hit a golf ball like Jordan Spieth doesn’t mean I can enjoy golfing. Even though I am old and can’t jump as high as I used to, I still enjoy playing basketball. The difference in the sports example is that I am happy being mediocre in golf and basketball. I know I will never be great at these games and that they are just games. I do them for fun. Spiritual gifts, however, are to be done for a purpose. His purpose. We all are given spiritual gifts by God. Many times, however, I want to be good at God’s gifts without practice. For example, I can sit and listen to a great sermon by Andy Stanley or Jason Smith and think “wow, I wish I could teach like that”. Usually their messages are simple. Their words are not complex. But they have a style and a delivery that I don’t have. And I won’t have unless I start teaching. Another example is around Discipleship. I can’t be expected to show someone how to be a disciple unless I am a disciple to others. In this chapter, Paul makes it clear that not everyone can or will have each and every spiritual gift from God. He does state that we should desire to have more spiritual gifts. He also makes it clear that: • We are all valuable to the church. Everyone can contribute in an important way to the church. • The church is a body, Christ is the head. I must be in God’s will and involved in the body of Christ to realize God’s will and to make the biggest impact. • I should not judge or compare my value based on others gifts or perceived value. I should judge my own value based on what I am doing with the gifts God has given me. I may never preach a fantastic sermon. But I will try. I may never be called a fantastic teacher but I will try. I may never be the best apostle but with prayer and a purpose I will try. I may never be considered the best at using any of God’s spiritual gifts but I will continue to pray that God will use me for His purpose. I will continue to seek his will for my life. If God wants me to be the little toe on the body of Christ, that is what I will be for His purpose. I have been given gifts and I function in the church body in a specific way. I cannot compare myself to others with certain gifts, I just need to do what God wants me to do and use my gifts to His glory.

Prayer:

Father, help me to realize the gifts that you have given to me. Help me to function in the body with your purpose in mind, not mine. Help me to be satisfied with how you want to use me for your glory not how I want to be used.