Shining Forth

How well are you representing Christ today? Are your words, works, and will pleasing unto the Lord?

This week’s lesson reminds us of our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ. The key verse, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20), formally appoints us as an ambassador and requiring us to be right with God.

Every born again believer is appointed as an ambassador. The challenge for us is to accept the role and faithfully perform the ministry of reconciliation, which is to spread the message of the goods news of the Gospel. We are to be a beacon to the lost world – shining forth the light of the life-changing and soul-saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mat 5:16).

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” reminds us of the awesome transforming power of Christ’s work on the cross. A true believer, not a pretender, is genuinely changed from the inside out. Holiness is not an option for the sincere believer – mere head knowledge of salvation is insufficient, there must be evidence of spiritual growth and the pursuit of holiness. There is no such thing as a carnal believer. (Mat. 7:20—23; Luke 6:46—49; Luke 13:23—28; John 15:8; 1 Peter 1:15,16). Let it not be one of us who should hear the Savior say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat 7:23).

We are blessed by the Apostle Paul’s excellent example of being an effective representative of Christ throughout his ministry. His ministry was characterized by purity; spiritual wisdom or knowledge; kindness; long-suffering; empowered by the Spirit; genuine love; upheld the word of truth; relied on the power of God; and used the armor of righteousness – may our ministry be characterized by the same qualities.

Change of Address

It’ll be movin’ day! Are you ready?

One day, we will be with our Lord for all eternity.

This week we ponder the question, “How do we anticipate eternity?”

In our text, 2 Corinthians 5:1-15, we are reminded of the truth that someday believers will be free of physical ailments, trials, and troubles. Every Believer will receive a glorified body when Jesus raptures the church. Knowing that we will see the Savior and that our deeds and motives will be evaluated ought to motivate us to serve Him faithfully.

At the Judgment Seat of Christ, it might surprise us who will be rewarded for faithfully serving the Lord. We will witness sincere, humble and diligent servants of God receiving their just rewards. You see, they toil faithfully behind the scenes for the glory of God rather than seeking their own or man’s approval. And then we will be blessed to see how they lay their crowns at the feet of Jesus.

Maybe we can catch a glimpse of believers’ faces full of shame because they served with improper attitudes and motives. Yet still, we may witness embarrassed believers who are unable to look into the eyes of the Savior due to their lack of service – they were simply hearers of the Word, but not doers.

As your life is reflected in the glowing image of Christ, you may be witnessing yourself. Will you be found faithful?

“And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” (2 Cor 5:15)

Hidden Treasure

Our lesson this week focused on the "Hidden Treasure" and 2 Corinthians 4. The treasure is the soul-saving and life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. We are challenged not to hide the treasure but to share it despite hardships, doubts, and fears within and around us.

What if no one was willing to share with you the gospel of Jesus Christ?

We are reminded of the "heart " of the apostle Paul for souls, the "hardships" he endured while passionately devoted to spreading the gospel, and the "hope" he cherished knowing there is a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17). In light of eternity, the hardships of this life is but a fleeting moment of time. Someday, we will see our blessed Savior in all His splendid radiant glory.

Everyday people pass us by who do not know the Lord and are on their way to a Christ-less eternity. Who will tell them of the good news of the gospel? Will you go? (Matthew 28:19).

Give Me Liberty!

According to our key verse for this week, 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,” we are set free from the law of sin and death by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and made alive through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Various spiritual nuggets we can gather from our lesson this week in 2 Corinthians 3 include:

1. The testimony of changed lives is the strongest evidence of any ministry (verse 3).
2. Our sufficiency can only be found in Christ (verse 5). Spurgeon writes, ““Our sufficiency is of God; let us practically enjoy this truth. We are poor, leaking vessels, and the only way for us to keep full is to put our pitcher under the perpetual flow of boundless grace. Then, despite its leakage, the cup will always be full to the brim.”
3. In Christ there is freedom from the law (verse 17).
4. With the New Covenant (“testament” or “Gospel of Christ”) – verse 18:
1. All Believers can come before God;
2. All Believers can speak directly to God;
3. By spending time in God’s presence we are being changed from glory to glory, from one stage of glory to another; and
4. The better we get to know Him, the closer we resemble Him.

Praise God we have complete and direct access to all the resources of heaven to live holy, righteous, confident and spiritually successful lives. We are at liberty to do God's will and live as we ought because of His abounding grace.

Freedom that Truly Liberates

The 4th of July has always been a special day for me since I became a naturalized US citizen 20 years ago as a freshman in college. My family and I fled the ravages of the Vietnam War 33 years ago. Having to flee the onslaught of communism, I have a tremendous appreciation for the freedom and liberty of my adopted country.

I am a living testimony to the greatness of our God and the blessings He bestowed upon our land. With vast opportunities to succeed through hard work, dedication, and God's abounding grace, I have been wonderfully blessed. Growing up without an earthly father, facing financial as well as language and culture barriers, by God's grace I am enjoying the fruits of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Above all, I have the only freedom that really matters - being set free from the bondage of sin through Jesus Christ.

Even though we were few in numbers tonight in our Wednesday evening Bible study and prayer time, we had a blessed time in God's Word. Matthew 18:20 reminds us of Jesus' words, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Truly, Christ was in our midst tonight. I appreciate the folks who made an effort to gather in God's house when there were other Independence Day festivities to enjoy.

We were challenged to define and apply the principle of true freedom. True freedom is the acceptance of God's sovereignty in our lives to produce spiritual fruits. When we totally surrender to God Almighty, we are free from uncertainties, fears, and doubts. God is in control and we simply need to trust Him and be faithful in all things. We can dare to dream and accomplish great things for the glory of God. He can then use us in marvelous ways to impact our world.

To be free from the bondage of sin, live victoriously, and bear spiritual fruits, we must first and foremost accept Christ as Lord and Savior, know God through His Word, die daily to sin, submit continuously to His will, vigilantly maintain a pure heart, and determine to serve the Lord all our days.

True freedom is found only in submitting to Christ. Political, economic, or religious freedom is temporal; however, spiritual freedom is eternal and is not contingent on our circumstances - only on the condition of our heart.

Lesson 2: Sincerely Yours

Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 1:12 - 2:17.

Key Verse: "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:17).

Summary: Some members of the church at Corinth disputed Paul's claim to be an apostle. We examined Paul's claim to sincerely be an apostle of Jesus Christ on behalf of the Corinthian believers.

Theme: A godly life is the best answer to criticism.

Challenge to believers: Live sincerely in the sight of God. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

To ensure that you are living in God's eyes and not in the eyes of others:

1. Ask God to examine your heart
2. Deal with sins of the heart
3. Patiently endure criticism
4. Do not seek man's opinion as a stamp of approval

The Apostle Paul dealt with criticism and accusations leveled at his character with patience, wisdom, confidence and love. His patience and wisdom was in the sufficiency and trustworthiness of God's Word. His confidence was in the faithfulness of God's abounding grace through Jesus Christ. His love was for the Corinthian church and the ministry of God's Word in their lives.

Is the Word of God enough for you? Is His grace sufficient for you?

Hold eternity's view before your eyes.

Lesson 1: Comfort in Uncomfortable Trials

Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11.

Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:3 and 4.

Theme: "God's gracious comfort makes it possible to respond to trials with peace and confidence."

Overview: The Apostle Paul offered praise to God for His gracious comfort. Paul explained that trials never exhaust God's comfort. Because He comforts us in our trials, we can respond to them properly.

Reflections:
Grace is divine favor bestowed upon us. Peace is the rest made possible by grace.

As followers of Christ, He is our only true source of lasting peace during the storms of life because He is "the Father of mercies" and "the God of all comfort."

Purposes for sufferings might include opportunities for us to help others, be reassured of Christ's ever presence in our lives, be an example for others, rely whole-heartedly upon God, pray, and give thanks.

Why do you value grace? peace?

What is significant about God as being the God of all comfort?

Application: Respond to trials with peace and confidence.

Assignment: Share how God's grace impacted you during trials and Bible verses that provided you comfort.