Examining Faith: Embracing Correction and Unity in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. It's wonderful to be back after my summer sabbatical. Today, we dive into the final chapter of 2 Corinthians, chapter 13. This chapter is a culmination of Paul's efforts to guide the Corinthian church, a community he dearly loved but one that struggled with immorality and division. Corinth was a city known for its immorality, so much so that a Greek word, "Corinthiazomai," was coined to describe living immorally like the Corinthians. Paul, along with Silas, Timothy, Aquila, and Priscilla, founded the church in this challenging environment, and he spent a year and a half teaching and preaching there.
Paul's letters to the Corinthians are filled with corrections and exhortations aimed at helping the church become a united, faithful, and spirit-filled community. However, the Corinthians often resisted correction, questioning Paul's authority and motives. This resistance is something we can all relate to; our first reaction to correction is often defensiveness. Paul, in his second letter, adopts a more severe tone, emphasizing the need for the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if they are truly in the faith.
Paul's harsh words are not meant to condemn but to awaken the Corinthians to their need for repentance and transformation. He urges them to test themselves, to see if they are living in the faith, and to confirm their calling and election daily. This is not about achieving perfection but about orienting our lives towards Christ, seeking His will, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Peter echoes this sentiment in 2 Peter 1:5-11, where he encourages believers to supplement their faith with virtues like knowledge, self-control, and love. These qualities, if practiced, will keep us from being ineffective and unfruitful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul and Peter both emphasize the importance of daily confirming our faith, living out our calling with joy and humility.
In conclusion, the church must be healthy to be effective in its mission to bring the transforming love of Jesus to the world. We are called to live out our faith daily, to be open to correction, and to strive for unity and love within the church. This is our time to shine the light of Jesus in a dark world, to be bold in our witness, and to live out our calling with joy and confidence.
### Key Takeaways
1. Examine Yourself: Paul urges the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if they are truly in the faith. This self-examination is not about achieving perfection but about orienting our lives towards Christ and seeking His will. It’s a call to humility and repentance, recognizing our need for Jesus' transforming love. [43:04]
2. Daily Confirmation of Faith: Peter encourages believers to supplement their faith with virtues like knowledge, self-control, and love. This daily confirmation of our calling keeps us from being ineffective and unfruitful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. It’s about living out our faith with joy and humility, continually reorienting our lives towards Christ. [46:40]
3. The Importance of Correction: Both Paul and Peter emphasize the need for correction within the church. Correction is not about condemnation but about growth and transformation. Being open to correction helps us become who God wants us to be, for the sake of our personal growth and the health of the church. [54:04]
4. Living Out Our Calling: Paul and Peter both stress the importance of living out our calling daily. This involves trusting Jesus, welcoming the Holy Spirit's guidance, and striving to live a life that reflects the love and grace of Jesus Christ. It’s about being effective and fruitful in our witness to the world. [47:43]
5. Unity and Love in the Church: Paul’s letters to the Corinthians highlight the importance of unity and love within the church. Division and immorality weaken our witness to the world. We are called to live in peace, comfort one another, and aim for restoration, reflecting the love and peace of God in our community. [01:05:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:24] - Introduction to 2 Corinthians 13
[33:29] - Paul's Final Warning
[34:41] - Prayer and Reflection
[35:55] - The Immorality of Corinth
[37:20] - Paul's Love for the Corinthians
[38:21] - Resistance to Correction
[39:07] - Paul's Stern Tone
[40:50] - The Urgency of Paul's Message
[41:36] - The Gift of Correction
[43:04] - Examine Yourselves
[45:08] - Peter's Insight on Faith
[46:40] - Confirming Your Calling
[48:14] - Living Out Your Faith
[50:16] - The Focus of Our Lives
[52:02] - Pursuing Jesus Daily
[54:04] - The Importance of Correction
[55:41] - The Role of Scripture
[57:53] - Daily Confirmation of Faith
[01:00:04] - Living Worthy of Your Calling
[01:02:17] - Invitation to Seek Jesus
[01:05:59] - Final Exhortation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 13:5-11 - "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."
2. 2 Peter 1:5-11 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
3. Philippians 4:8-9 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul urge the Corinthians to do in 2 Corinthians 13:5, and why is this significant? [43:04]
2. According to 2 Peter 1:5-11, what qualities should believers add to their faith, and what is the result of possessing these qualities?
3. In Philippians 4:8-9, what types of things does Paul encourage believers to focus on, and what is the promised outcome?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for self-examination in 2 Corinthians 13:5? How does this relate to the overall health of the church? [43:04]
2. How do the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-11 help believers confirm their calling and election? What might this look like in daily life?
3. What is the connection between focusing on the qualities listed in Philippians 4:8-9 and experiencing the peace of God? How can this focus impact a believer's life and witness?
### Application Questions
1. Paul calls for self-examination in 2 Corinthians 13:5. When was the last time you took a moment to examine your faith? What steps can you take this week to ensure you are living in alignment with Christ? [43:04]
2. Peter encourages believers to add virtues like self-control and love to their faith. Which of these virtues do you find most challenging to cultivate, and what practical steps can you take to grow in this area? [46:40]
3. Reflect on a recent situation where you resisted correction. How can you approach correction with a more open and humble heart in the future? [38:21]
4. Paul and Peter both stress the importance of living out our calling daily. What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith more effectively and fruitfully? [47:43]
5. Unity and love are crucial for the health of the church. How can you contribute to fostering unity and love within your small group or church community? [01:05:59]
6. Think of a person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to help you respond with love and self-control? [46:40]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable into your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to keep your mind focused on these things? [52:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Self-Examination in Faith
Paul urges the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if they are truly in the faith. This self-examination is not about achieving perfection but about orienting our lives towards Christ and seeking His will. It’s a call to humility and repentance, recognizing our need for Jesus' transforming love. Paul’s harsh words are meant to awaken the Corinthians to their need for repentance and transformation. He urges them to test themselves, to see if they are living in the faith, and to confirm their calling and election daily. This is about being honest with ourselves and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our walk with Christ. [43:04]
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: What areas of your life need honest self-examination today? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to reveal these areas and guide you towards repentance and transformation?
Day 2: Daily Confirmation of Faith
Peter encourages believers to supplement their faith with virtues like knowledge, self-control, and love. This daily confirmation of our calling keeps us from being ineffective and unfruitful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. It’s about living out our faith with joy and humility, continually reorienting our lives towards Christ. By practicing these virtues, we ensure that our faith is active and growing, making us more effective in our witness to the world. [46:40]
2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Which virtue (knowledge, self-control, love, etc.) do you feel called to develop more in your life? What practical steps can you take today to grow in this area?
Day 3: Embracing Correction for Growth
Both Paul and Peter emphasize the need for correction within the church. Correction is not about condemnation but about growth and transformation. Being open to correction helps us become who God wants us to be, for the sake of our personal growth and the health of the church. Embracing correction with a humble heart allows us to grow in our faith and become more like Christ. [54:04]
Proverbs 12:1 (ESV): "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you received correction. How did you respond? How can you embrace correction with a humble heart and see it as an opportunity for growth?
Day 4: Living Out Our Calling
Paul and Peter both stress the importance of living out our calling daily. This involves trusting Jesus, welcoming the Holy Spirit's guidance, and striving to live a life that reflects the love and grace of Jesus Christ. It’s about being effective and fruitful in our witness to the world. Living out our calling means being intentional in our actions and decisions, ensuring they align with God's will and purpose for our lives. [47:43]
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live out your calling in a way that reflects Jesus' love and grace? How can you be more intentional in seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance?
Day 5: Unity and Love in the Church
Paul’s letters to the Corinthians highlight the importance of unity and love within the church. Division and immorality weaken our witness to the world. We are called to live in peace, comfort one another, and aim for restoration, reflecting the love and peace of God in our community. Unity and love are essential for a healthy church that can effectively carry out its mission to bring the transforming love of Jesus to the world. [01:05:59]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: How can you contribute to unity and love within your church community today? Is there someone you need to forgive or reconcile with to help restore peace and unity?
Quotes
1. "Paul loved the Corinthians, and for a year and a half, Paul spent time there as a tent maker with Aquila and Priscilla, teaching and preaching, but it was a tough, tough go. They were a tough group, and so thus we get these two letters, the most that we see of any correspondence to any church in the New Testament, about issues within the church from the Apostle Paul, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, and through his visits and letters, Paul has continually tried to help the church become what God wanted it to be, tried to help the people become what God had intended them to be, a united faith." [37:20] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Isn't that often our first move, when somebody comes to give a correction, even a correction in love, as Paul has done over and over? Isn't it often our first move to kind of go, hey, what gives you the right? Well, who are you to say? Well, that's pretty judgmental, even. We'll turn it back on them. We question a person's motive and authority. Instead of listening and humbling and receiving the critique or looking at it and saying, what's right about that? Where in my heart, where do I need a heart change?" [38:21] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul says to those who are divisive and questioning his authority, questioning his corrections, he says, he says, examine yourselves to see whether you're in the faith. Isn't that interesting? Whoa. Like, test yourself. This is a really harsh word. I mean, a really strong word of discipline. Remember, he's lived with them. He's visited them. He's written letters. And things aren't changing. So it comes to this. Paul says to them, hey, heart check. Are you really a believer? Are you really, truly a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you? Are you in the faith or not? Ouch. Wow." [43:04] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "To confirm your calling is to live out your faith daily. Enjoy. To live a life focused on the Savior Jesus. It is to come under Jesus' rule and reign, to trust him, and to welcome the Holy Spirit's power into your life, even the spirit that God gives of correction and discipline at times. This is Paul's desire that every word and action let all your words and deeds each Christian that it would point to Jesus. And you see, when we live in this way, we continually confirm our calling and election." [48:14] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "To test one's faith is to see if you're in the faith, if you're saved, just ask do I know that I'm a sinner? Do I believe that Jesus died from my sins? Is Jesus my refuge and strength? Do I daily need to die to myself and allow the spirit to guide and fill me? Am I open to the correction for the sake of growing closer to Jesus and living deeper into his will for my life? If the answer to those questions is yes, you're saved. Amen? You're held in God's promises. He will never let you go." [53:31] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We have to be led by the Spirit. Open to correction. Seeking the Lord. He is so good. We have so much to give. No one will do Jesus but the church. Nobody is going to bring Jesus to the world. The creator of the world. The salvation and hope and life. Abundant and eternal. No one will do it but the church. Amen? This is urgent and powerful. This is our time and the world is spinning out of control. And the devil isn't reacting. Relaxing. And now is our time to forgive and love and pray and worship and reach out. Empowered by the Spirit to share Jesus." [01:04:52] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Paul will say it like this in Ephesians 4.1. He says, walk in a manner worthy of your calling. Live it out. You're saved. Go and shine the light of Jesus Christ in this dark world. Actively seek to confirm your faith to God, to the world, and to yourself for His kingdom's sake. Now, maybe you've come here today and you're just dipping your toe in the water, kind of unsure of the church, of Jesus, of who God is, or if there is a God, and if there is, if He's for you or against you. Maybe you're here seeking and questioning and uncertain if you are loved or saved." [01:00:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus is in you. Jesus is in us. And he wants to live through you and me together to bring hope and truth and life into a dying world. Peter and Paul are crying out to the church, confirm your calling and election every day. Live out your faith. The time is now. It is urgent. And it doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming." [01:02:17] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We come because we know we're broken. So that we can become who God wants us to be. For one another and for the hurting world. Paul's words are a bit harsh in 2 Corinthians. But it's because Paul understands the urgent, desperate situation that he's in and that we are in. The world needs Jesus. Amen? And the church must be healthy. If we're going to be as effective and impactful in saving the lost and transforming lives for Jesus' sake." [42:25] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We hear those words and we hear them kind of taken and brought out of context. In these beautiful places like weddings. But you know what that word actually is? It's a corrective. Paul is telling them about love in chapter 13 because they're not good at it. They've divided themselves over spiritual gifts and they're arguing and love isn't seen in their community in the way that God desires them. The way that God desires them to live out for one another. These letters are gifts to the church because they address this human condition." [41:36] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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