This Sunday, we continue in our Advent worship services, continuing the theme "The Jesus We Celebrate." This Sunday, the Advent reading comes from Matthew 1:18-25, and we will be focusing on the name Immanuel, and lighting two of the Advent candles.

Life does not always go the way we think it will go. Things do not always turn out the way we may think they will turn out. This can sometimes lead to feelings of regret, thinking that where we are is solely the result of bad decisions. This can also lead others to think less of us, believing that our change of course is the result of character flaws or something that is lacking in us. If you have ever experienced this, you are not alone. The apostle Paul went through the same thing with the church in Corinth. Because he changed his travel plans, they thought he could no longer be trusted. He lacked integrity. So how does Paul respond to these accusations? This is what we look at in 2 Corinthians 1:15-22.

There will always be people who will misunderstand your best intentions, who will assume the worst in you, who will impute negative motives to your actions or to your decisions. When this happens, it can be difficult to endure, especially when you were honestly trying to do what was best for the other person. The apostle Paul went through a similar experience with the church in Corinth, and so in this passage we take a look at how he responded to them.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does it sometimes seem that no matter how hard we try to do the right thing, to please God, everything just seems to be falling apart all around us? Why does God allow suffering in the believer's life, and how can we make it through without losing our faith? These are the questions we will wrestle with from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, "The Blessings of Suffering."

Life is tough. Filled with trials, tribulations, and suffering. Sometimes this suffering is the natural consequence of our own actions, but often we suffer simply from living life in a fallen world. Often, we experience physical suffering, emotional suffering, and even spiritual suffering through no fault of our own (think Job). But how do we survive suffering without losing our minds, or worse, without losing our faith? This passage from 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, will give us the tools we need to avoid a crisis of faith when we walk through the fires of life.

Why does God allow suffering in the believer's life? The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of suffering and pain during his lifetime. Was there a purpose for it? Did God have a reason? If so, what are those reasons?

The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of suffering, both at the hands of unbelievers and fellow Christians. Paul writes 2 Corinthians in response to a painful visit he had with the church in Corinth where he was severely and personally attacked by the church he planted and ministered to. Thus, 2 Corinthians is a book about suffering, and how God comforts believers in the midst of that suffering.

Biblical, God-honoring, Christ-exalting, love is a love that is steadfast and immovable because this is the kind of love with which God loves his people. This is the kind of love with which Christ's loves the Church.

What does it mean that love "hopes all things" or that love is always hopeful? Does it mean that love always hopes for a good outcome in the way one hopes it will rain tomorrow? Hoping for good, but not certain it will happen. Or, does it mean something deeper, something more concrete, something more encouraging? Listen, as Pastor Hexon explains from 1 Corinthians 13:7.

What does it mean that love believes all things? It cannot mean that love is naive or gullible as there has never been anyone more loving than Christ, and he was neither naive nor gullible. Then what does it mean? Listen to find out.