(a study of 2 Corinthians)

God did not promise us peace and freedom from adversity on this earth Mt 10:34 Jn 15:18-21 He DID promise that he would not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure 1 Cor 10:13

He ALSO promised that all will one day die and stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to what we have done, whether good or bad Heb 9:27 2 Cor 5:10 Rom 2:6 Ps 62:12 Eccl 12:14

The question becomes, what will we hear the Lord say? (Mt 7:23) “depart from me, you workers of iniquity, I never knew you…” (Mt 25:23) “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…..enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Challenge: Facing tribulation, trouble, sufferings, and affliction Response: (vs 4) Looked to God for consolation, comfort, and acknowledged Him as “the” source of all comfort (Ch 1:8-11) Challenge: Life threatening trouble, burdened beyond measure even to the point of fear of death Response: (vs 9-10) Unwavering trust in God and belief that He “can” and “will” deliver him

Challenge: Charged by opponents of being unreliable & untrustworthy (1 Cor 16:5-9; 2 Cor 10:2) Response: (vs 12) Reemphasizes his sincerity & “pure” motives; Openly and patiently explains his change of travel plans and desire for them (Ch 2:1-4) Challenge: In emotional anguish & turmoil over an unpleasant visit Response: (vs 4) Reinforced with tears, his great love for them

Challenge: Dealing with an unpleasant & difficult discipline problem in the church Response: (vs 7-8) Urged forgiveness & comfort for the repenting one *after the discipline & repentance, not instead of (Ch 2:17, 4:2-5) Challenge: Motives for preaching Gospel are questioned Response: (v17) Clarified his sincere motives (4:2-5) insisted that he preached “openly”, never preached “themselves” but ONLY Christ, and considered himself a slave of the Gospel

Challenge: Numerous trials, pressure, and persecutions Response: (vs 14) confidence in God’s power to deliver (vs 16) didn’t lose heart (vs 17) focused on the eternal prize (vs 2) longed for heaven (vs 6) always remained confident (vs 7) walked by faith (Ch 6:3-10) Challenge: Apostleship & credibility questioned Response: (vs 4-10) recited his long record of faithfulness in a large number of challenging situations *tribulation & distress *beatings & prison

Challenge: Accused of wrongdoing Response: (vs 2) avidly maintained his innocence and reaffirmed his love and joy in them (Ch 7:5-7) Challenge: Faced much conflict, fear, trouble, and discouragement Response: (vs 6) Comforted by other brethren (Titus) and by hearing encouragement, love, and zeal for him by others

Challenge: Discuss uncomfortable topic of giving Response: - Gave examples to follow & be encouraged by - Told them how to give: *willingly (8:12) *generously (9:5) *cheerfully/as purposed (9:5-7) *to their ability & beyond (8:3) *be handled by trustworthy men (8:16) - Told them why to give: *glorifies God (9:13) *shows sincerity of love for God (8:7-8) *shows where our heart is (Mt 6:19-21)

Challenge: Criticism from false teachers & authority questioned Response: (vs 11) stated his consistency (writing vs person) (vs 12) refused to be compared to false teachers (vs 15) never boasted in own or other’s labors (Ch 11:5-33) Challenge: Compared to false prophets & apostleship questioned Response: (vs 7-11) states long record of sacrificial service (vs 12-18) difference in him & false prophets (vs 19-20) rebukes for accepting false prophets (vs 22-23) restates ALL the things he endured

Challenge: Dealt with a “thorn in the flesh” Response: (vs 8) Prayed three times that it be removed (vs 9-10) accepted God’s response, rejoiced in his grace, and relied on Him for strength

Because of the way Paul responded to the challenges he faced in this life, he was able to say to Timothy (2 Tim 4:7-8) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…..there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day…”

We Know……. Jesus did not come to bring peace (Mt 10:34) By following Christ, we will be hated by the world because the world hated Christ (Jn 15:18) We may potentially face many challenges to our faith & bodies, even to the point of death (2 Cor) God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to endure (1 Cor 10:13) We will all die once and after that, stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Heb 9:27; 2 Cor 5:10)

What will His answer be to us? Depart from me…I never knew you (Mt 7:23) OR Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord (Mt 25:23)