BBC Sermon Cast

“Christ is to us just what the cross is. All that Christ was in heaven or on earth was put into what he did there. You do not understand Christ till you understand his cross” (P. T. Forsyth). We consider three things about what it means to boast in the cross of Christ:

1. Never forget the one and the why

2. Uphold the majesty of the gospel

3. Live a cruciform life

As we reach the final beatitude, we will see that it really is the culmination and effect of all of the preceding characteristics of the blessed citizen of the kingdom. We will see that, by experiencing persecution for righteousness’ sake, we experience blessedness as:

1. our citizenship is verified (v. 10);

2. our inheritance confirmed (v. 11); and

3. our lineage is approved (v. 12)

Having claimed that his gospel ministry was one of integrity (2:17), Paul now points to what we might call “ministerial credentials” to support his claim. The church at Corinth needed to appreciate this if they would benefit from his ministry. Every local church needs such a God-accredited ministry. We consider two things about an accredited ministry:

1. Evidence of an Accredited Ministry (vv. 1–3)

2. Empowerment for an Accredited Ministry (vv. 4–6)

God will triumph in saving his people, bringing in his kingdom and fully ushering in the new creation. Therefore, be faithful. There is no justification for adulterating the gospel message to secure results. This is the major theme of our passage. We consider three aspects of this truth:

1. A Minister Troubled (vv. 12–13)

2. A Minister Triumphant (vv. 14–16a)

3. A Minister Tested (vv. 16b–17)

As we continue our journey through the beatitudes, we consider the blessing that Jesus pronounced on peacemakers. We will consider both the radical requirement of a peacemaker and the fruit of fulfilling that radical requirement.

1.⁠ ⁠The Radical Requirement of a Peacemaker

a) What is a peacemaker not?

b) What is a peacemaker and what are they to do?

c) Why should we be peacemakers?

d) What enables us to be a peacemaker?

2.⁠ ⁠⁠The Fruit of Fulfilling the Radical Requirement

David, in Psalm 61, cries to God from a faint heart, asking to be led to the rock that is higher than he. As he cries to God for protection in his affliction, we see two elements:

1. his prayer for the present (vv. 1–5)

2. his prayer for the future (vv. 6–8)

As believers, we are called to be witnesses of, and be in service to, our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. The testimony of John the Baptist, recorded in John 1:19–34, highlights the attitude and focus we should have in our own witness and service.

When a local church is called upon to discipline sin in its midst, pain accompanies the process. But, as Paul argues in this passage, forgiveness empowers us to move beyond the pain. May God grant us grace to move beyond the pain of being wronged to the place of pardon, for the good of our souls, for the growth of the church, to the glory of our God. We will study this reality under three headings:

1. Corporate Pain (vv. 5–6)

2. Corporate Pardon (vv. 7–10)

3. Corporate Protection (v. 11)

The beatitude in Matthew 5:8 speaks of the blessedness of being pure in heart. To be pure in heart refers to a simple, undivided affection and longing to live the life God requires. The reason such a person is called blessed is because they will be rewarded by seeing God. What are you seeking? For you will find what you are looking for. We will consider this beatitude under two broad headings:

1. Seeking God

2. Seeing God

In this passage, Paul begins the main body of this letter, in which he uncomfortably is forced to defend his ministry against malicious attacks by false apostles. His pastoral pain for the welfare of the church compels him to explain the integrity of his ministry, particularly from here through chapter 7. As we study “A Minister’s Pain,” we will do so under three headings:

1. The Pattern of The Minister’s Life (1:12–14)

2. The Proclamation of the Minister’s Lips (1:15–22)

3. The Purity of the Minister’s Love (1:23–2:4)