DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration 26 NOVEMBER, 2017

LESSON 670: THE PURSUIT OF PURITY IN THE CHURCH MEMORY VERSE: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God’’ (2 Corinthians 7:1) TEXT: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

SUMMARY (1) From our last study, we learnt the following lessons: God forbids intimate relationship between believers and unbelievers. Excessive love for man or material, impatience, disobedience, worldliness, covetousness and ignorance are some causes of the unequal yoke. Unequal yoke leads to compromise, weakens spiritual strength and cools off fervency of the spirit. The believer should come out urgently! The study of today touches on three points: The pursuit of a concerned minister of the gospel. The power of transformation in the gospel. The joy and blessedness of an obedient church.

SUMMARY (2) The pursuit of a concerned minister of the gospel (2 Cor. 7:1-7): Believers must be diligent in godliness to remain holy unto the Lord. We must avoid pollution from what we think, see, watch, say, hear and do. Christian workers should be interested in the growth and progress of the Church. The power of transformation in the gospel (2 Cor. 7:8-11): The pure gospel has the power to convict and convert souls that have gone astray. Godly sorrow brings repentance while the sorrow of the world leads to destruction. The joy and blessedness of an obedient church (2 Cor. 7: 12-16): To remain an obedient church, we must uphold God’s stand against sin. We can reciprocate the labour of our leaders over us through reverence, godly affection and obedience to the word and making corrections like the Corinthians.

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 What do you understand by “filthiness of the flesh and spirit”? 2 Corinthians 7:1 (b) How can the church be cleansed from it? 1 John 3:1-3

QUESTION 2 What should be the pursuit of every genuine Christian? 2 Corinthians 7:1 Hebrews 12:14

QUESTION 3 Differentiate between “Godly sorrow” and “the sorrow of the world” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Matthew 27:3-5; Luke 22:61-62

QUESTION 4 From 2 Corinthians 7:11, mention evidences of transformation that the gospel brought to the Corinthian church?

QUESTION 5 How can you describe a blessed church? Hebrews 13:17 2 Corinthians 7:15-16

CONCLUSION When discipline is carried out with the right motive and received with the right attitude, it brings about repentance and restoration. The believer must put off agents of pollution of the flesh and spirit through purging, consecration, meditation, prayer and watchfulness. Leaders and workers must consistently evaluate the effect of their labours on the physical and spiritual wellbeing of the flock. The gospel has the power to change and convert sinners! Sorrow for sin is not enough, sorrow must lead to repentance! Obedience to the word of God without aiding sin makes us a blessed church.