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Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.

5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together and they were bewildered, because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were jeering and saying, “They are full of sweet wine!”

Peter’s Sermon
14 But Peter, taking his stand with the other eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this, and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
And your young men will see visions,
And your old men will have dreams;

18 And even on My male and female [r]servants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days,
And they will prophesy.

19 And I will display wonders in the sky above
And signs on the earth below,
Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man [u]attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 25 For David says of Him,

‘I saw the Lord continually before me,
Because He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue was overjoyed;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;

27 For You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

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Acts, Chapter 1 - Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 

-          In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up into heaven.

-          it seems this book was written by doctor Luke; Therefore, this would be a follow on to the book of Luke.

-          Theophilus means "friend of God" or "loved by God."

-          Luke tells us that in his former book that he wrote all that Jesus began to do and to teach not some.  in other words in Luke's mind it was a complete work with sufficient information for us to understand the whole story.

-          He told us about the day he was taken up to heaven

o   this is a major event worthy of study, prayer and contemplation

o   notice this: after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen

o   Jesus didn't go back up to heaven before he gave these instructions!

3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

-          Here Luke tells us that after His suffering

o   we must never forget the suffering that Christ went through for us

o   they put a bag on top of his head and they beat him until he was almost unrecognizable

o   they pulled out his beard from his face and his neck

o   they flogged his back with the cat of nine tails

§  it was said that 40 lashes with a cat of nine tails would be sufficient to kill someone

§  with each slash the pieces of bone that were attached to the leather whip would rip out chunks of muscle eventually nerve and then even finally get to the very bone in your back

§  then they drove nails through his feet and his hands on the cross

§  that is a lot of suffering my friends| Jesus must really love us more than we can ever know in this life.

-          he presented himself to them and gave them many convincing proofs that he was alive.

o   so after the suffering Jesus rose from the dead

o   and he gave many convincing proofs that he was alive

o   this means in the flesh not as a spirit

-          He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the Kingdom of God

o   imagine all the things that he could do in 40 days after being risen from the dead

o   This is why Luke says he provided them many proofs

o   It is said that over 500 people saw Jesus or interacted with him after he was risen from the dead

§  this is significant because in a federal court of law in the United States of America it would only take two witnesses to establish a fact; there would be no question about the facts should there be 500 witnesses!

 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

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2 Corinthians Chapter 13 - Examine Yourselves

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 

Paul starts of by stating … this is the third time I am coming to you.

We learned in Chapter 12 that Paul saw an incredible vision and revelation so awesome that he did not speak about it for 14 years.  God allowed him to have a thorn in the flesh so he would not become boastful, famous and go off the righteous rails.  Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorn (3) times.  Just like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane asked the Father to remove the cup from Him three times. See Mat 25:36-43.  Jesus was manifested (3) times to his disciples John 21:14 and then Jesus asks Peter (3) times if He Loves Him more than these John 21:15-17

It seems God has created a pattern of (3) when he wants to make absolutely sure you don’t, I don’t, we don’t miss it…

When you pray earnestly about something.  Don’t quit after the first or second try. Keep praying!

Be willing to accept God’s answer with a humble heart but look for confirmation by the testimony of two or three witnesses (believers willing to testify).

2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 

I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, if I come again I will not spare anyone (Paul plans to let them have it spiritually speaking if they have not repented by the time he comes again).  So too, when Christ comes a 2nd time, he will judge all those who have not repented…  Let us make sure we are ready to meet the Lord.

You might have sinned just like the those in Achaia but you can be completely forgiven, made white as snow as if you never sinned.  How you ask?  Just believe on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you shall be saved.  Repent of your sins; just ask God to forgive you in Jesus name and mean it in your heart – and it’s done.

.. since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.  Many people are still seeking proof of the Christ whom they have not seen.  This is the mighty power of faith.

4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

For indeed He was crucified because weakness (not Jesus’s weakness, because of the weakness of our flesh to sin; therefore, Christ offered his flesh as full payment for our sins.  However, the story did not end there.  Jesus rose again the 3rd day in victory over sin & death.  This happened by the power of God.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will raise us up too!

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 

Test yourselves to see if you are the faith (Do you believe in believe in Jesus Christ?; do you believe He died on the cross to pay for your sin?; do you believe He rose again the 3rd day proving He was and IS God’s son come in the flesh, sacrificed for you and raised in power and victory?

If you believe this in your heart, you are born again and you are going to Heaven and all hell cannot stop you

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2 Corinthians Chapter 12 - The Third Time (3rd Heaven; 3rd Prayer; 3rd Trip)

1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

Boasting is necessary, thought it is not profitable (Paul was boasting about the church in Achaia through the eyes of faith that they would send the money to the poor in Jerusalem as they had promised a year earlier.  Paul was making a confession of faith that these Christian brothers and sisters would follow through)…

I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.  Now Paul is going to talk about something far more intriguing.  “visions and revelations” of the Lord.

“visions and revelations” were not new in the new testament:

·          Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, had a vision of an angel (Luke 1:8-23).

·          Jesus’ transfiguration is described as a vision for the disciples (Matthew 17:9).

·          The women who came to visit Jesus’ tomb had a vision of angels (Luke 24:22-24).

·          Stephen saw a vision of Jesus at his death (Acts 7:55-56).

·          Ananias experienced a vision telling him to go to Saul (Acts 9:10).

·          Peter had a vision of the clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:17-19 and 11:5).

·          Peter had a vision of an angel at his release from prison (Acts 12:9).

·          John had many visions on Patmos (Revelation 1:1).

·          Paul had a revelation of Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11 and 26:12-20).

·          Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia, asking him to come to that region to help (Acts 16:9-10).

·          Paul had an encouraging vision while in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11).

·          Paul had a vision of an angel on the ship that was about to be wrecked (Acts 27:23-25)

 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (Paul is about to share a vision and revelation from the Lord that he had but it so amazing he doesn’t want to reduce the story to include himself.  He wants the Lord to be in center focus)

Such a man was caught up into the 3rd heaven.  The Jewish teaching was that the first heaven was earths atmosphere; the second heaven where home to the stars and moon; the third heaven was where the thrown of God was…  Think high, higher, highest.

Paul heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak (He was speechless)

… so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me (Paul is explaining that he doesn’t want people to think more highly of himself because of the vision and revelation God gave to him.  Paul did not want be like the false super-apostles trying to fleece the sheep.

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2 Corinthians Chapter 11 - Beware of False Prophets & Teachers

11 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness (Paul is admitting his fault)

.. but indeed, you are bearing with me (they are putting up with Paul even when tempted not to)

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy (what is a godly jealousy? – God is jealous if you put anyone or anything ahead of Him)

.. for I betrothed you to one husband (committed you and prepared you)

.. so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin (like a father presenting his daughter)

Paul was preparing the church in Corinth to be wed to Jesus Christ.  His correction was to make sure the bridge had not spot or blemish…

3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness (how did the serpent deceive Eve? – by his craftiness.  He said did got really say that you cannot eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge.  He got Eve to question God’s word.  Then he lied to her.  If you eat the fruit you will not die but you will be like God knowing both Good and Evil)

This is the same pattern he uses today.  First he gets us to question God’s word.  Then he lies to use and says its not the way God said its this other way.  Satan gets us to question and then tries to get us to believe a lie.. Don’t fall for it.

.. your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Paul preached a message of repentance and salvation through faith not of works.  Evil men want to add to it.  They say faith in Jesus Christ alone is not enough..  Paul was afraid that the church in Corinth would be easily led astray from this simple yet powerful truth.

4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. 

It seems the church in Corinth was willing to listen and entertain other variations of the faith because the word says “you bear this beautifully”.  If someone preaches salvation other than through faith Jesus Christ crucified and raised again on the 3rd day – don’t listen, don’t even be willing to entertain these false preachers / teachers.  They are merely trying to fleece the sheep.

5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.

Paul consider himself “not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles”.  In other words he was every bit as the apostles who dress well, looked good and spoke well.  Their out appearance was more in line with the world said “important people looked like, talked like, acted like, etc.

Paul said he might be “unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge”.  He knew God’s word and he knew God’s will and was walking and talking according to Godly knowledge not worldly.  His understanding of God’s will was evident in all things.

Let our words, actions, humility and acts be evident that we conduct ourselves according to a knowledge of God and His word as well.

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2 Corinthians, Chapter 10 - Take Every Thought Captive

10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

7 You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

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2 Cor 9 - God Gives Most

9 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

-          Superfluous (abundance; in excess)

o   For I know your readiness (to serve)

o   Prepared since last year

o   Zeal has stirred up most of them

 3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; 4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.

-          Sent brethren 

-          Be prepared (prep is important)

-          Previously promised bountiful gift (from God; from us)

-          Ready as a bountiful gift (not affected by covetousness)

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,

“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
 His righteousness endures forever.”

-          Sow sparingly = reap sparingly

-          Sow bountifully = reap bountifully

-          Just as he has purposed in his heart (not grudgingly or under compulsion)

o   The heart attitude matters (not the amount)

-          God loves a cheerful giver (notice God’s loves a cheerful giver)

-          God is able (never forget his ability) to make all grace abound (not some)

-          Always having all sufficiency in everything (what a promise)

-          You may have abundance for every good deed (God will provide the need)

-          His righteousness endures forever (His gift is eternal)

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 

-          He who supplies seed to the sower

12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

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2 Corinthians Chapter 8 - Grace Compels Generosity

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

Now brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given …

GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

.. that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy (which came from Grace) and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality (they we in deep poverty and yet they wanted to give to the ministry because of their exceeding joy).  (they didn’t wait until their financial position improved, the just had to give out of their gratitude for the grace given).

Paul testified, that according to their ability and beyond their ability, they have of their own accord. (it was their idea, Paul was not soliciting anything. They wanted to give…)

… begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in support of the saints (begging us with much urging (they begged to give! With much urging… not willing to take no for an answer or persistent. This is the right attitude of heart when it comes to giving.  Never give out of compulsion or because someone promises you blessings in return..

… the favor of participation…  Why is it a favor to participate?  Because when you give to a ministry, you share in the fruit of the ministry.  God loves a cheerful giver and the rewards are always greater than the gift.  This is why it was a favor to get to participate…

.. not as we had expected, but first gave themselves to the Lord and to us…  They gladly received salvation, grace & mercy by making Jesus Christ their Lord.  Then they volunteered to help.  You can also give of your time.  Serving the ministry in any way possible.  When you dedicated time or effort, God will multiply your time back to you.  Ministries always need volunteers…

Be gracious with your time and money and the Lord who sees what you do we will reward you in ways that only He can…  Man is not capable of giving rewards like God.  It’s awesome!

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. 

8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. 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. 10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 

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2 Corinthians Chapter 7 - Paul Reveals His Heart

7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Therefore, having these promises (the promises of Chapter 6: God made an acceptable time to listen to us, to help us on our day of salvation; God said “I will dwell in them and walk among them” And, I will be their God, and they shall be My People”, “I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me”.)

Therefore having these AWESOME PROMISES, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all…

Clean the interior of your body and soul, heart and mind, make ready for the Holy Spirit to dwell inside you – living in you!  This is your chance to have God Almighty dwell in you and walk with you personally !!!  And God will be your father and you will be His son or daughter.

2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. 3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. 4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

Make room for us in your hearts – for who?  Your brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Paul wanted to be with his Christian family in Corinth for Life!  “die together & live together”.

How about me, you, us?  Do want to brothers and sisters for life?

Paul saw the Corinthian Christians already repentant, fixed, blessed and in the family for all eternity.  He did not keep bringing up their faults.  This shows that Paul had eyes of faith so he could have great confidence in in them and even boast about them.  Paul was so sure, he was filled with comfort; he was overflowing with joy even in all his affliction as well 

How precious the seeds planted, when the Father causes them to grow. 

 5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. 

… afflicted on every side (pressure and problems of the world)

… conflicts without (conflicts are between people of opposing views, goals, purposes)

… fears within (this is what happens when you forget to let God handle things and you think its your problem to solve or that plans of evil men will succeed)

Psa 27 Fear not the plans of evil men.  Phi 4:6 Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication let your requests be known to God with thanksgiving, and the peace that surpasses human comprehension will rule in your heart through Jesus Christ our Lord

 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 

But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us !!!

Are you depressed today?  Cry out to God and He will comfort you!

He will send people like Titus, He will send the Holy Spirit, He will send others who have a zeal for you!

 8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 

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2 Corinthians Chapter 6 - Co-laborer with Christ

1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says, 

“At the acceptable time I listened to you, 

 And on the day of salvation I helped you.”

 And working together with Him (with Who?)  Remember God is reconciling the world to Himself through Christ.  We have been made ambassadors for Christ.

We are working together with Christ…  (co-laboring … co-workers … partners)

We also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain (it’s urgent, don’t waste time)

… At the acceptable time I listened to you (during the age of grace, the current time)

And on the day of salvation I helped you (when was the day of salvation?)

The day of salvation is the day you confessed Jesus Christ is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.

Romans 10:9-10

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— 

Behold, now is the acceptable time (right now, don’t wait, you don’t know how much time you may have left to make this choice)

Now is the day of salvation (today can become the day you get saved if you have not confessed Jesus as Lord and believed in your heart – today is the day to do it !)

 3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited (don’t give any cause for offense; or you might lose someone who will discredit the message of reconciliation because your own behavior)

4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God (if you work for God what manner of work should do? How should you conduct yourself?)

As a co-laborer with Christ, Paul was willing to work hard and suffer much (read below)

In much endurance

Endurance is the ability of an organism to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue.  Endurance will be required in your new job as an ambassador!

In afflictions

1: a cause of persistent pain or distress

2: great suffering

In hardships

1: PRIVATION (DEPRIVING), SUFFERING

2: something that causes or entails suffering or privation  (depriving oneself)

In distresses

a: pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind : TROUBLE

    severe emotional distress

b: a painful situation : MISFORTUNE

c: a state of danger or desperate need

Intro to Outbless Weekly

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