aiming for restoration

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12589 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14.  Paul had visited Corinth two times: once to plant churches there, and then for a “painful visit” in which he had to make judgments and set right wrong behavior.  He is planning a third visit, and wants it to be a positive one, but (as his letter indicates) there are still problems that must be dealt with. He encourages the churches to obey his instructions so that when he returns he does not have to be harsh to them. His prayer and his goal is restoration (13:9), and he encourages the Corinthians to make that their aim as well (13:11). The word restoration suggests an end to the divisions that are crippling the church (1 Cor. 1:10), but it goes beyond that. It suggests repair toward usefulness, like the mending of a net (Matt. 4:21).  Paul sought unity in Corinth for the gospel’s sake.

LORD, help us to restore our unity in you, so that we can together share your gospel with a needy world.

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sometimes God says no

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

no 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.  As I write this, I am going through a severe spiritual battle.  Something that I really expected to happen has not happened.  Like Paul and his thorn in the flesh, I have prayed many times about this, and was confident that I would get what I prayed for. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.  I am starting to believe that I have missed God’s direction. I feel horrible. Yet, what can I do?  The LORD is the master. I am merely his servant. If he chooses to answer my prayer with a big fat NO, I can only submit to his will.  Perhaps, like Paul, I will have critics who will look at this point in my life and criticize my actions. I don’t know. What I do know is that Paul was eventually vindicated, in spite of the fact that his thorn in the flesh apparently remained unhealed. God’s grace was made perfect in  Paul’s weakness.

LORD, for your sake, make me content with this present answer to my prayers.

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proof of commitment

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12585 2 Corinthians 10:13-12:13.  Paul’s opponents in Corinth probably boasted that they were more committed to Christ and the churches than Paul was.  After all, he was only a part-time itinerant missionary, but they demonstrated their commitment by staying among the churches, and sharing their prophecies and visions. Paul — they would say — only writes the occasional letter. Begrudgingly, Paul defends himself against these accusations by pointing out 1) his pedigree — to be a Jewish Christian was to face trouble from Rome for being Jewish and from Jerusalem for being Christian.  2) his troubles — a sign that he is truly committed because he did not give up.  3) his vision — a sign that God is using him in the ministry. 4) his thorn in the flesh — a sign that he is not merely a “fair weather” apostle.  Key to the whole section is the statement: “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (10:18).  The real proof of Paul’s authenticity is the existence of the churches in Paul’s “area of influence.”

LORD, may we seek your approval alone, and follow your directions alone.

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mighty weapons

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12583 2 Corinthians 10:1-12.   Paul has been attacked and his ministry maligned by some within the churches at Corinth. He is careful not to respond in kind, because that would be waging war according to the flesh.  Instead, he writes this letter. He is confident that the words of his letter will convince the true believers in Corinth to repent of their rebellion against his authority. He defends that authority because it was given by Christ for building up believers, not for destroying them. By contrast, the rebels at Corinth were using their authority to suppress Paul’s influence. The words of Paul’s letter remind them of the commands of Christ and the principles taught in scripture. These are mighty weapons in the spiritual realm.

LORD, may we be loyal to those you have appointed as authorities in the church — who teach us your commands and principles.

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aiming at what is honorable

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12581 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15.   Paul is sending two men to collect a contribution from the believers in Corinth.  He has been collecting funds from the Gentile churches to help those in Jerusalem who have been hard hit by famine.  He is sending Titus because he trusts him and knows that he is passionate about the ministry, and he is also sending another man “who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.”  Paul does not mention the man’s name, but he assumes that the Corinthians would recognize him.  Paul explains that “We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man” (20-21).  When it comes to fundraising, believers should be extra cautious not to bring shame to the name of Christ or his church.

LORD, may we give generously, but be careful not to shame you by our fund-raising.

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things that defile

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12579 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16.  The temple under the old covenant was a building in Jerusalem, and it could be defiled by people who came in contact with certain things: a dead body, certain animals, etc.  Since the death of Christ on the cross, God has instituted a new covenant, in which the temple is now the lives of believers. That temple can be defiled as well.  Here, Paul points out two things that were defiling the temple at Corinth. 1) partnerships with unbelievers (6:14-7:1). 2) worldly grief [which the ESV Study Bible defines as “remorse brought about by losing the world’s approval”]. 

LORD, we resolve to cleanse ourselves of those things that defile, and serve you wholeheartedly.

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fully loaded

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

lrg_Sword_and_shield_icon 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10.  Paul described himself and the other missionaries who worked with him as having a weapon in each hand (6:7).  Perhaps he was picturing a Roman soldier with a sword in one hand and a shield in the other.  Maybe he was pointing out that both the times when the missionaries seem to be successful,  and the times when they had setbacks, God was at work.  Perhaps that is why he mentioned the death of Christ here.  In the flesh, the cross seemed a defeat, but in reality, God was reconciling the world to himself (5:19) making it possible for us sinners to become new creations and have his righteousness (5:17, 21).  In the same way, when the servants of God suffer hardship for Christ, they commend themselves because by suffering for him they honor him. 

LORD, use us how you see it. May we magnify you through our victories, and honor you in our struggles.

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from temporary to permanent

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

bedouin-400x300 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:10.  The context of Paul’s earthly tent passage is Paul’s jars of clay passage.  He is defending his speaking ministry by saying that he speaks by faith, “knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence” (4:14). His faith is not in a conscious intermediate state, but in the resurrection from the dead.  He does not want to be found naked (the intermediate state) but to be clothed with immortal life at the resurrection (5:4).  Since he has this hope, he is able to face tribulation and death confidently, knowing that anything he faces in this life is but a “light momentary affliction” (4:17).  His hope is in a permanent “building from God” (5:1).

LORD, we put our faith in you, and confidently expect you to bring us out of this temporary state and into a permanent one.

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trophies in tow

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12577 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18.  The idea of being led by Christ in triumphal procession sounds great — except for the small detail that in victory parades in Paul’s day it was captured enemies that were led in triumphal procession.  They were paraded around like trophies, and their presence at the parade meant two things: the victor was the champion, and the trophy was about to die.  Paul used this expression because it tied together two facts: the fact of his suffering (which some Corinthians had criticized him about) and the fact that everywhere he went Christ was glorified.  Paul’s entire post-conversion life was proof of Christ’s victory at the cross.

LORD, use us to magnify yourself — by whatever means you wish.

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stumped

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11877 Isaiah 6.  King Uzziah had lived his final ten years as a leper, with his son Jotham taking his throne instead. In contrast to the earthly king’s shame, Isaiah sees the glory of the heavenly king, who is always on the throne, and he is holy, holy, holy.  Isaiah considered himself unfit for service as a prophet. His lips were unclean.  In a vision, he sees God purify his lips with a coal from the altar.  Now he is ready to speak to God’s people. But God warns him that his words will be ignored.  Isaiah’s question: How long?  God’s answer: until the whole tree (Israel) is cut down, with only the stump remaining. That stump is the holy seed –a remnant that will survive by God’s grace.

LORD, thank you for being faithful even when we are not.

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