Christ Street Fellowship

Paul challenged the Corinthians to excel in the grace of giving. These verses tell us three thing God would say to each of us when it comes to generosity: Begin, Become Excellent, and be Blessed. 

The Corinthians were "yoked together" with the unbelievers of Corinth in such a way that they were being influenced by them rather than the other way around. This section of Paul's letter reminds us of the need to live a holy life and of the need to avoid the extremes of imitation or isolation from the larger culture. 

In 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:18 Paul covers three important topics that have importance for us today. First he tells of the glory and power of the New Covenant. Second he tells us why some people can't see and understand the Gospel. Lastly,  Paul writes about why sharing the Gospel is never easy. 

Pastor Gary Beasley gives special attention to these five sections in chapters 1:21 -3:11 

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,  set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

" Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. .. in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
 
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? "

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. "

"For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.  And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!" 

The Church Paul planted in Corinth had gone through a number of rocky patches. Out of great love and concern for them Paul wrote this letter which by the grace of God has been preserved for us today. In this message you'll learn the background of the people of Corinth, the purpose of this letter, and the message behind the verse 20 verses of chapter one. 

Jesus purchased for us on the cross the power to overcome bad habits. Sometimes He sovereignly takes  them away from us. Other times He works alongside of us to overcome them through the work of the Holy Spirit and the love and support of the church.  However He chooses to do it we can know for certain that He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. 

Joanna Beasley shares on the factors that lead to depression and the hope that Christ brings to those who suffer from it. 

Bitterness is a sin we can see clearly in others but have a hard time discerning in ourselves. It carries with it a "root" that spreads its toxicity and must be, with the help of the Holy Spirit rooted out of our lives. 

Fear can be a positive emotion when the threat we feel is real and when the amount of fear we feel is proportional to the degree of the consequence that might occur. Fear that does not fit these two qualifications is tormenting, often escalates, and becomes a spirit of fear. God's answer to this kind of fear is power, love and a sound mind. 

Afflictions impact everyone. They can't be avoided but they can redeemed. God can use our trials and suffering to accomplish His Glory and our good.