2 Corinthians “The Heart of an Apostle” Part Corinthians 7:2-16 “Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow”

12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 2 “I’m Sorry”

12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 3 I SAID I WAS SORRY…ISN’T THAT ENOUGH!

“I’m Sorry” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 4

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow In this morning’s passage, Paul describes for us what true godly sorrow looks like, and how we can differentiate it from worldly sorrow. 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 5

Big Idea “ if the sorrow is truly godly, it will result in the change of the sorrowful ” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 6

Change in Heart (7:2-4)

A Look Back “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.” (2 Cor 6:11–13 ESV) 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 8

2 Cor 7:2–4 “ 2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 9

Great Joy to Love and Be Loved “Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” (2 Cor 7:2–4 NIV) 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 10 There is no greater joy as a pastor then to pour your love into your flock and have them love you in return.

Change in Comfort (7:5-9)

Look Back Again “When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.” (2 Cor 2:12–13 ESV) 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 12

2 Cor 7:5–7 “ 5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 13

Two-Headed Enemy “ 5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 14 The two-headed enemy of ministry is those who oppose us from the outside, and those feelings of fear and incompetence that plague us within.

The God of all Comfort “ 5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 15 Paul pressed on by means of the God of all comfort.

The God of all Comfort “ 5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 16 Paul pressed on by means of the God of all comfort. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV)

Comfort Conductors “ 5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 17 God uses us to encourage and comfort others so that we become comfort conductors. God’s comfort UsUs Those needing comfort

2 Cor 7:8–9 “ 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 18

Sorrowful Letter “ 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 19 Paul apparently sent a “sorrowful” letter to the Corinthians in order to hurt them into repentance.

Allow People to Sin? “ 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 20 Why do we allow people to continue to sin, in the name of love?

Warn or Repair? 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 21 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal 6:1 ESV)

Change in Direction (7:10- 13a)

2 Cor 7:10–13a “ 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 23

Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance “ 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 24 True godly sorrow will always bring about repentance. Repentance (metanoia) = “to perceive after”. Godly sorrow leads us to God; this is where we’ve been designed to go! Hell Heaven

Worldly Sorrow Brings Death “ 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 25 Worldly sorrow never turns you around; it only seeks comfort and freedom from the guilt and consequence of sin. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matt 3:7–8 ESV

The Final Analysis Godly SorrowWorldly Sorrow Godly sorrow brings change Worldly sorrow avoids change Godly sorrow sees sin as a crime against God Worldly sorrow seeks to excuse sin and dodge its consequences Godly sorrow is God- focused Worldly sorrow is self- focused 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 26

Fruit of Repentance “ 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 27

Fruit of Repentance “ 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 28 “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psa 51:3–4 ESV)

Change in Others (7:13b-16)

2 Cor 7:13b–16 “In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 30

2 Cor 7:13b–16 “In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.” 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 31 True godly sorrow brings about not only a change in you, but also those who know you.

So What?

Godly sorrow must produce change. How so? 1.By the change in our hearts towards the people of God. 2.By the change in our ability to comfort others with the comfort we have received from God. 3.By the change in direction regarding our relationship to sin and how it is viewed by our Holy God. 4.By the change we see in others as a result of what God is doing in and through us. 12/13/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 33