This is an index of Paul's difficulties and hardships that he experienced during his ministry. But there is another way of looking at hardships and difficulties in ministry, or in life: they are adventures. They are tests of your faith. They refine us and mature us. Be a Christian who has adventures, who takes risks, and who suffers with Christ.

Jesus calls us, and when He calls us, He says "Die to yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me." I don't know about you, but for me the constant struggle is "Jesus, how can I follow you without dying? How can I still hold on to the things that make me comfortable? How can I still hold on to the things that make me feel safe? How can I love you and love what I have?" But I can't. That is a divided loyalty, and a house divided against itself cannot stand. Your eye must be singularly focused on Christ, not casting longing glances at the world along the way.

God says that He is making everything new. Jesus inaugurates a new covenant. You have gone through a new birth, and have new desires. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation.

Paul has a sense of duty that motivates him: it's the love of Christ. Christ died for all; I'll say it again, Christ died for all! All mankind, all nations, all cultures, all ages, all classes, everyone with a "weird" accent, He died for them as well. Christ died for all, Hallelujah!

We will have a body dominated by the Spirit. We are called now to please God in our bodies, and then we will be called to please God in our bodies as well. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit! Therefore, glorify God with your body.

If I live in Massachusetts and travel to Florida, I don't buy nice things for my hotel room. I don't decorate the cabin of the plane where I'm sitting to make it feel like home. I know its temporary, I know I'm just passing through. I'm not buying new furniture for my hotel room. We're just sojourners passing through. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Keep honest. Expect rejection and opposition. Proclaiming Christ.

The Old Testament was external--written outside the heart, as it were. But there was a great glory on the top of Mount Sinai, it was incredible, it was fantastic! Yet, Paul says, how much more glorious then when the New Covenant comes! The fulfillment of the law and a transformation of heart; not just an external thing, but an internal change.

Paul wants to show his readers that he is part of a winning team. So far he has talked about troubles and hassle and pressures and problems. But he wants to make it clear: that is not the whole story in ministry. Rather, he sees himself in a triumphal procession. Not of the emperor, but of Christ! Christ is the winner! He is in the chariot, coming in.

There is a time to discipline, a time to forgive, and a time to be an example for others. There are consequences to sin, there is forgiveness for sin. When you're sinned against, be an example of forgiveness.