Acts - The Unstoppable Church - 2 Corinthians 6-7

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     A-4                                          Passage: 2 Corinthians 6-7

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Authentic ministry sees beyond hardships to the reality of God’s grace  (2 Corinthians 6:1-13) a. Immediacy for authentic believers receiving salvation and grace (6:1-2) b. Authentic ministry endures  (6:3-5) c. Authentic ministry through Holy Spirit, and love  (6:6-7) d. Authentic ministry attitude of enduring (6:8-10) e. Call for Authentic affection as response ministry (6:11-13)

Perfecting holiness brings gracious reverence to God   (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4 ) a. Holiness requires clear separation; don’t be yoked to unbelievers  (6:14-16a) b. Holiness as a temple of the living God, separate the unclean to be His own (6:16b-18) c. Perfect holiness out of reverence to God (7:1) d. Holiness demonstrated in gracious hearts (7:2-4)

Godly sorrow producing results, delight and are cause for boasting (2 Corinthians 7:5-16) a. God comforts  (7:5-7) b. No regret in truth that leads to repentance (7:8-10) c. Godly sorrow produces encouraging visible results (7:11-13) d. Faithful followers delight and are cause for boasting (7:14-16)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Authentic Ministry sees beyond hardships to the reality of God’s grace	2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Perfecting holiness brings gracious reverence to God	2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4
Godly sorrow producing results, delight and are cause for boasting	2 Corinthians 7:5-16

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words

Paul delights in God’s favor received, holiness and changed hearts.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT our authentic ministry brings visible results.  Ministry can be difficult, but the results God produces is cause to be thankful.

Specific Application Questions

1	What attitude to you have in ministry?  Is there something that needs to change?
2	What are the things that muddy your testimony?  How can you demonstrate God in you more clearly?
3	How has God blessed you in serving Him?  In what ways can you praise Him for using you?

Principles to Remember

1	Authentic ministry endures
2	Authentic faith stands out
3	Authentic results delight

Characteristic of God

God with us

Theme

Ministry is tough times but visible results in holiness and changed lives delight.

God’s Word  - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?

Acts - The Unstoppable Church - 2 Corinthians 4-5

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     A-3                                          Passage: 2 Corinthians 4-5

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Light shining out of darkness from Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:1-12) a. Word of God proclaimed without distortion (4:1-2) b. Those perishing are blinded to the gospel  (4:3-4) c. Christ-focused preaching giving light of God’s glory  (4:5-6) d. God’s treasure in us challenged but not overwhelmed (4:7-9) e. Life of Jesus is “death to self” for glory of God (4:10-12)

Our purpose is to please God; living by faith not sight   (2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10 ) a. Same Spirit of faith will raise us with Jesus (4:13-15) b. Fix our eyes on eternal and daily inward renewal  (4:16-18) c. Earthly tent will pass and eternal heavenly dwelling is life (5:1-4) d. Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing what is to come (5:5) e. We make it our goal to please God; living by faith not by sight (5:6-10)

Compelled to God’s ministry of Reconciliation  (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) a. It is Christ’s love that compels us to ministry (5:11-15) b. If in Christ a new creation (5:16-17) c. Reconciled through Christ to ministry (5:18-19) d. Ambassadors appealing to be reconciled to God (5:20-21)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Light shining out of darkness from Jars of Clay	2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Our purpose is to please God; living by faith not sight	2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10
Compelled to God’s ministry of Reconciliation	2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words

Fragile Jars pleasing God living by faith bringing reconciliation

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT we are to live by faith and not by sight bringing Christ’s reconciliation to dark world.

Specific Application Questions

1	What distorts the message you share about Christ?  What specifically needs to change?
2	How can I fix my eyes more on eternal things?  What gets in the way?
3	What things compel you? Is your message of Christ clearly presented in you?

Principles to Remember

1	Power is from God
2	Our goal is to please God
3	The New is here

Characteristic of God

Righteous Lord

Theme

God guarantees what is to come to those who live by faith.

God’s Word  - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?

Acts - Unstoppable Church - 2 Corinthians 2:5-3:18

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     A-2                                          Passage: 2 Corinthians 2:5-3:18

Content (List of Topics or Events)

When offended our forgiveness affirms love (2 Corinthians 2:5-11) a. Don’t pile on in punishment of an offender (2:5-6) b. Forgive and comfort to show love (2:7-8) c. Be faithful followers reflecting Christ  (2:9-10) d. Don’t let Satan get a foothold (2:11)

Opportunities to be the sweet aroma of Christ to perishing   (2 Corinthians 2:12-17 ) a. Open Doors (2:12-13) b. To the used of God to spread the sweet aroma of Christ to perishing  (2:14-15) c. The response brings life or death (2:16) d. Sent by God to present Christ with sincerely without personal profit (2:17)

God’s Spirit brings greater lasting glory  (2 Corinthians 3) a. Spirit of living God written on hearts (3:1-3) b. Confidence and Competence to minister comes from God (3:4-6) c. Ministry of the Spirit brings glory that lasts  (3:7-11) d. Transformed with the Lord’s glory to be more and more like Him (3:12-18)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

When offended our forgiveness affirms love	2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Opportunities to be the sweet aroma of Christ to perishing	2 Corinthians 2:12-17
God’s Spirit brings greater lasting glory	2 Corinthians 3

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words

Spirit working in us is sweet aroma bringing everlasting glory

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT the Spirit of God brings life and transforms us into His image.

Specific Application Questions

1	How do you act when offended?  What should change in our response for the sake of Christ?
2	Where can you be a sweet aroma of Christ to the perishing?  What should be your motivation?
3	What boldness demonstrates your hope in God’s glory?

Principles to Remember

1	Forgiveness demonstrates love
2	Spreading knowledge of Christ is a sweet aroma bringing life
3	Spirit of God transforms

Characteristic of God

Transforming Spirit

Theme

Spirit of God brings heart change and transformation to be more like Christ

God’s Word  - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?

Acts - Unstoppable Church - 2 Corinthians 1-2:4

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     A-1                                                   Passage: 2 Corinthians 1-2:4

Content (List of Topics or Events)

God’s compassionate comfort (2 Corinthians 1:1-11) a. Paul’s greeting to Corinthians (1:1-2) b. Praise for God who comforts in troubles (1:3-4) c. Comfort abounds in Christ; he is our salvation (1:5-6) d. Hope is found as share in sufferings and comfort (1:7-8) e. Rely on God; he has delivered us from death sentence (1:9-10) f. Prayers of many grants gracious favor (1:11)

Reliance on God’s grace is a reason to boast (2 Corinthians 1:12-15 ) a. Our conscience testifies to our conduct (1:12) b. Conduct of Christians in faith is reason to boast (1:13-14)

Anointed and God’s Ownership sealed with yes in Christ  (2 Corinthians 1:16-2:4) a. “Yes” in Jesus Christ God’s Son and promises made (1:17-21) b. God allows us to stand firm as anointed followers (1:22) c. It is by faith we stand firm  (1:23-24) d. Paul’s decision not to grieve Corinthians and place confidence in them (2:1-4)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

God’s compassionate comfort	2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Reliance on God’s grace is a reason to boast	2 Corinthians 1:12-15
Anointed and God’s Ownership sealed with yes in Christ	2 Corinthians 1:16-2:4

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words

Paul reminds Corinthians of compassionate comfort with ownership in Christ

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT with troubles God provides comfort.  We can stand firm in Christ  who guarantees what is to come.

Specific Application Questions

1	How do you need God’s comfort right now?
2	What ways have you seen God’s grace and what ways can you boast in His grace?
3	How can you stand firm in Christ and live out your faith?

Principles to Remember

1	Jesus father of compassion
2	Gracious favor in the prayers of many
3	We are Christ’s anointed.

Characteristic of God

Source of Abounding Comfort

Theme

In troubles and distress comfort abounds as we hold fast to Christ Jesus.

God’s Word  - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?