π “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:2-4
π “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:4
π “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:5-6
π “and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you…”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:7a
We need to be encouraging & celebrating the truth as it continues to go forth.
To have people encouraging us is so helpful to All Of Us!
π “and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:7
We have Tituses!
Do you see how important Tituses are?
π “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest,”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:5a
There are times we feel troubled and there’s other times where we feel like we are triumphant.
π “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 2:14
It's going to be a mind blowing revelation when we see what we have in God!
π “BUT…we are more than conquerors through [Christ] who loved us.”
~ Romans 8:37
Anybody feel cast down today?
π Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you…
2 Corinthians 7:6-7
When the comfort of God comes, He brings it through you!
Who does God want me to encourage today?
π “and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you…
~ 2 Corinthians 7:7
π When he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me;
~ 2 Corinthians 7:7b
π “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent:”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:8
π “The letter made you sad, but it was just for a season."
~ 2 Corinthians 7:8c
π “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:9
There's a lot of pain in the midst of correction.
When you shepherd people… some of the things that you’re going to say are going to be painful.
When you shepherd people… some of the things that you’re going to say are going to be painful. The result is that God is glorified and people are blessed.
π Even though it was for a season.
~ 2 Corinthians 7:8c
We share truth with grace, with the goal of restoration.
π Now I rejoice..
~ 2 Corinthians 7:9
π “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance:”
~ 2 Corinthians 7:9
There’s a difference between human regret & Godly repentance.
Genuine Repentance.
Repentance is not regret.
Repentance is not remorse.
Repentance is not resentment.
Repentance equals change.
Discussion questions Printable Copy
2 Corinthians 7: 2–9
Prerequisite to Revival
1. Read 2 Corinthians 7: 2–9. How much do you want encourage and celebrate someone else’s proclamation of the truth? What does that look like in a one-on-one context? In the Sunday morning space? During the worship/teaching experience? What would be the overall result?
2. Recently there’s been a lot of conversation surrounding revival, church unity, and spiritual awakenings. What do you see as a prerequisite[s] for the Holy Spirit to have freedom in these ways? In these places? In these people? What can our fellowship do in this regard? What can you do, personally?
3. Have you ever felt like your life was in the middle of this chapter [7]? Having to say painful words, but, at the same time, knowing you couldn’t have turned a blind eye to your own integrity? How did you/would you handle that?
4. This chapter has a lot to do with speaking the truth in love. How can we work together as a family to strengthen this value in our community? In making sure it is a part of our culture? What do you see as your specific responsibility in the midst of creating this culture?