Welcome! Today we finish reading 2 Corinthians together as a church! We’re encouraging everyone to read the passage, pray, and share with a few others what they felt God was pointing out to them in his word. Every day we’re going to be hearing from someone at Redeemer about what they felt God pointed out to them as they read the passage.
This morning JC is sharing with us, you can watch her video above. Read on to hear some more thoughts on the passage, and to get some ideas for further study.
Also, if you’re sad that this season of reading the bible together is over, then keep your eyes peeled for a special announcement later today!
It’s been amazing to read 2 Corinthians together over the last few weeks, I hope that these blogs and videos have really helped you to hear God’s voice and be encouraged and challenged by what he might be saying to you at this time! I know that for myself this has been a book of both reassurance in the sovereignty of God, but also a challenge as to how I am living out my faith right now, especially in the light of current circumstances.
Paul finishes this letter by giving off a similar vibe! He both emphasises that Christ has set the perfect example of strength in weakness by dying on the cross for us (verses 4-5), and also he calls on the church in Corinth to make sure that their faith is genuine and displayed in tangible ways!
In this chapter Paul’s words can seem harsh, especially in verse 2 when he says he will “not spare" those who oppose him! But in reality, it is not through harshness that Paul uses these words, instead it is clear that he cares for each one of them, that he won’t risk a single one of them slipping away from the truth of the gospel by failing to discipline them, even if that is a painful process!
Paul again in this passage refers to his own weakness, on two occasions, in verses 4 & 9. He just cannot get away from this main theme of the letter! But in this chapter he also encourages us that in our weakness we are made to be like Jesus Christ, who is alive today by God’s power! How transformative it would be for our lives if every time we experienced a reminder of our own weakness, we chose to celebrate the fact that we are alive today by the power of God, and that in our weakness we are reflecting more of Jesus to others!
Finally Paul finishes his letter with an inspiring picture of what church life should look like, and one which is a challenge to us today just as much as it was to the Corinthian church! I am lucky enough to be able to say that as part of the Redeemer family I feel I am part of a church which reflects Paul’s vision for the church in verse 11. But the reason that we are able to get close to this picture, is not because of our own strength, but because of the power of the gospel! As we experience the peace which comes from knowing Jesus and his victory, we are able to bring peace to others around us! One theme which runs through the entire New Testament is that our relationship with God should transform our relationships with one another. We are brought full circle at the end of chapter 13 as we are reminded of that verse that we read 2 weeks ago in chapter 1 - called to be those who “comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Cor 1:4
Again, I hope you have been blessed by these blogs and videos over the last few weeks, I would encourage you to go back over the book again soon if you can, as there will be many ways in which God will continue to speak through his word! For now though, I leave you with the final verse in the book…
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14
Further Study
You may indeed be a passionate, fully devoted follower of Jesus. Or, you may be just a fan who admires Jesus but isn’t ready to let him cramp your style. Then again, maybe you’re not into Jesus.
Not a Fan is a book written by Kyle Idleman, a teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church, in Louisville Kentucky, one of the largest churches in America. The book calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple. With frankness sprinkled with humour, Idleman invites you to live the way Jesus lived, love the way he loved, pray the way he prayed, and never give up living for the One who gave his all for you.
