Perseverance, Forgiveness, and the Aroma of Christ
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Let's begin with a prayer. Father, thank you for your goodness and mercy. We ask for your continued blessings and guidance. Help us to do your work and bless each one of us as we walk the path you've called us to. In Jesus' name, Amen. [47:03]
Today, we delve into the importance of persistence in our Christian walk. There are times when we walk a difficult path, but our perseverance can be a testimony to others. Even when we don't see the fruit of our labor, staying on the path God has set for us can bless others. For instance, there have been times when I came to church despite not feeling well, and those were the times when someone got saved. Our commitment, even in hardship, can be a powerful witness. [48:40]
Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 2 remind us that our actions and testimonies have a significant impact. He encourages us to stay the course, even when it's tough. Paul himself faced many challenges but continued to serve God faithfully. He knew that sometimes God calls us to back away from certain people and other times to embrace them. We must be sensitive to God's leading in these matters. [49:27]
Paul also speaks about the aroma of Christ. To some, our lives will be a fragrance of life, and to others, a fragrance of death. This duality is because our lives in Christ highlight the reality of eternal life and the consequences of rejecting Christ. We are called to live sincerely and not corrupt the Word of God for personal gain. Our lives should be a testament to God's truth and love. [45:09]
We must also be aware of the devil's devices. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but we are called to encourage and uplift one another. Paul warns against becoming partakers in the devil's plans by condemning others. Instead, we should strive to bring people back to God, showing them love and forgiveness. [40:47]
Paul's letter to the Corinthians was written out of much affliction and anguish of heart. He wanted them to understand the importance of forgiveness and love. When someone repents, we must forgive and comfort them, lest they be overwhelmed by sorrow. This act of forgiveness is crucial for the health of the church and our spiritual growth. [32:04]
Paul emphasizes that we must confirm our love for those who have repented. It's not enough to say we forgive; we must show it through our actions. This active love and forgiveness are essential for maintaining unity and preventing the devil from gaining an advantage over us. [35:15]
In conclusion, our Christian walk requires persistence, sincerity, and a heart of forgiveness. We must be vigilant against the devil's schemes and always strive to uplift and encourage one another. By doing so, we will triumph in Christ and be a testament to His love and power.
### Key Takeaways
1. Persistence in Faith: Staying on the path God has set for us, even when it's difficult, can be a powerful testimony to others. Our perseverance can lead to the salvation of others, even when we don't see immediate results. This persistence is a testament to our faith and commitment to God's calling. [48:40]
2. Impact of Our Testimony: Our lives as Christians serve as a fragrance of life to some and a fragrance of death to others. This duality highlights the reality of eternal life and the consequences of rejecting Christ. We must live sincerely, not corrupting the Word of God for personal gain, but as a true testament to God's truth and love. [45:09]
3. Awareness of the Devil's Devices: The devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but we are called to encourage and uplift one another. By being aware of his schemes, we can avoid becoming partakers in his plans and instead focus on bringing people back to God with love and forgiveness. [40:47]
4. The Importance of Forgiveness: When someone repents, it is crucial for us to forgive and comfort them. This act of forgiveness prevents them from being overwhelmed by sorrow and is essential for the health of the church and our spiritual growth. Holding onto grudges only gives the devil a foothold in our lives. [32:04]
5. Active Love and Unity: Confirming our love for those who have repented is not just about words but actions. This active love and forgiveness are essential for maintaining unity within the church and preventing the devil from gaining an advantage over us. By showing genuine love and forgiveness, we strengthen our community and our faith. [35:15]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[10:49] - Introduction and Evangelism
[17:19] - Prayer and Opening Remarks
[19:10] - Determining Our Course of Action
[23:42] - Paul's Affliction and Anguish
[28:20] - Standing Against Sin
[32:04] - The Importance of Forgiveness
[35:15] - Confirming Our Love
[40:02] - The Devil's Devices
[43:20] - Triumph in Christ
[45:09] - The Aroma of Christ
[47:03] - Closing Prayer and Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 2:1-11
2. John 13:34-35
3. Ephesians 4:31-32
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says he "determined this with myself" in 2 Corinthians 2:1? How does this reflect his approach to handling difficult situations? [19:10]
2. According to 2 Corinthians 2:6-7, what was the punishment for the man who caused grief, and what was Paul's instruction to the church after the punishment? [26:52]
3. How does Paul describe the duality of the "aroma of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16? What does this mean for believers and non-believers? [45:09]
4. What are some of the devil's devices that Paul warns against in 2 Corinthians 2:11? How can these devices affect the church community? [40:47]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of forgiving and comforting someone who has repented, according to 2 Corinthians 2:7-8? How does this align with the overall message of love and unity in the church? [32:04]
2. In what ways does Paul suggest that our lives as Christians can be a "fragrance of life" to some and a "fragrance of death" to others? How should this understanding impact our daily walk with Christ? [45:09]
3. How does Paul’s approach to dealing with the man who caused grief in the church reflect the balance between church discipline and forgiveness? What can we learn from this about handling conflicts within our own church community? [26:52]
4. Paul mentions that we must be aware of the devil's devices. How can being vigilant against these schemes help us maintain unity and love within the church? [40:47]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to persist in your faith despite difficulties. How did your perseverance impact others around you? How can you continue to be a testimony of persistence in your current circumstances? [48:40]
2. Think about someone in your life who has repented but whom you find difficult to forgive. What steps can you take to actively show love and forgiveness to this person, as Paul instructs in 2 Corinthians 2:7-8? [32:04]
3. How can you be more aware of the devil's devices in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to avoid becoming partakers in his plans and instead focus on uplifting and encouraging others? [40:47]
4. Paul talks about the importance of confirming our love through actions, not just words. Identify one person in your church or community who needs to feel this love. What specific actions can you take this week to show them genuine love and support? [35:15]
5. How can you ensure that your life is a "fragrance of life" to those around you? What changes might you need to make in your behavior or attitude to better reflect Christ's love and truth? [45:09]
6. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was written out of much affliction and anguish of heart. How can you support someone in your church who is going through a difficult time? What practical steps can you take to offer comfort and encouragement? [32:04]
7. Reflect on the importance of forgiveness in maintaining the health of the church. How can you contribute to a culture of forgiveness and unity in your church community? What specific actions can you take to promote this culture? [32:04]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Persistence in Faith
Persistence in our faith journey is crucial, especially when the path is difficult. Our perseverance can serve as a powerful testimony to others, even when we don't see immediate results. Staying committed to the path God has set for us can lead to the salvation of others. For example, there have been times when attending church despite feeling unwell resulted in someone getting saved. This demonstrates that our commitment, even in hardship, can be a powerful witness to others. [48:40]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced in your faith journey. How did you respond, and how can you use that experience to encourage someone else today?
Day 2: The Impact of Our Testimony
Our lives as Christians serve as a fragrance of life to some and a fragrance of death to others. This duality highlights the reality of eternal life and the consequences of rejecting Christ. We must live sincerely, not corrupting the Word of God for personal gain, but as a true testament to God's truth and love. Our actions and testimonies have a significant impact, and we must be mindful of how we represent Christ to the world. [45:09]
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (ESV): "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?"
Reflection: Reflect on how your daily actions and words serve as a testimony to those around you. Are there areas where you need to be more sincere and authentic in your walk with Christ?
Day 3: Awareness of the Devil's Devices
The devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but we are called to encourage and uplift one another. By being aware of his schemes, we can avoid becoming partakers in his plans and instead focus on bringing people back to God with love and forgiveness. Paul warns against condemning others and encourages us to strive to bring people back to God, showing them love and forgiveness. [40:47]
Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Identify a situation where you might have been quick to judge or condemn someone. How can you approach this person with love and forgiveness instead?
Day 4: The Importance of Forgiveness
When someone repents, it is crucial for us to forgive and comfort them. This act of forgiveness prevents them from being overwhelmed by sorrow and is essential for the health of the church and our spiritual growth. Holding onto grudges only gives the devil a foothold in our lives. Paul emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and love, especially when someone has repented. [32:04]
Colossians 3:12-13 (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."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 5: Active Love and Unity
Confirming our love for those who have repented is not just about words but actions. This active love and forgiveness are essential for maintaining unity within the church and preventing the devil from gaining an advantage over us. By showing genuine love and forgiveness, we strengthen our community and our faith. Paul emphasizes that we must show our love through actions, not just words. [35:15]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Consider a way you can actively show love and support to someone in your church community today. How can your actions help to strengthen the unity and faith of your congregation?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Persistence. You have to stay on the path, even though you don't see the fruit of your labor. If God told you to walk down this path, stay on the path because you're actually blessing somebody else." [48:40]
2. "There are times in our Christian walk where we have to determine our course of action based on God’s will and based on what God’s calling us to do. You have to have a pastor right so I would say a meeting with yourself what how am I going to handle this what am I going to do I really believe that an in our sinful life our carnal mind we did what we want to do when we wanted to do it we weren’t really thinking more on ourselves and more self-centric but as we come to know Christ and we come to be involved in the very work of God we’ve become more people-centric we’re trying to see souls saved not only that but we want to make sure we give our testimony." [19:10]
3. "If you’re going to be a Christian, you’re going to have to be a Christian. He said that if we’re going to be that Christian, walk in the light as he is in the light. For we are not as many which corrupt the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, and in the sight of God speak we Christ." [44:20]
4. "Brethren, if we just do things God’s way, we are going to be victorious. Sometimes it doesn’t always seem to be the easiest way out of a situation by doing what God wants you to do and sometimes we just flat out don’t want to do it, but I’ve always found out if you do it God’s way, it works out. If you do it God’s way, it works out." [42:42]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul said, who is sufficient unto these things? I can’t always try to figure it out. All I can do is live the best life I can that I can do. What does God require you to do? Just live the best life you can live. You can’t always figure God out. Has anybody ever tried to figure God out? Why is God doing this? Why am I having to do that?" [45:49]
2. "Paul said here, lest Satan should get an advantage of who? Not this man. Not this man. He said, lest Satan should get an advantage of who? Us. Of us. Lest we should become, God have mercy, partakers in the devil’s plan. Lest we should be joining forces with the devil. By condemning this man and putting him down. And then when he is out there walking around in sin, we have nobody to blame but ourselves." [40:47]
3. "Paul said, I could not come into you in heaven because if we came if I came what I had going on my mind my heart it was gonna be the same situation and I didn’t want to do that so he said for if I make you sorry who is he then that maketh me glad but the same which is made sorry by me his love was the people of God his love with the church he really loved these people just that they were not in a spiritual place and so some things had to be worked out." [22:29]
4. "Paul is driving home this point. I need you to confirm your love. Underline that. Don’t just say, okay, I agree with the preacher. I’m going to be loving. I’m going to be kind. That’s not confirming your love. You need to go up to that person, shake their hand, welcome them back into the church. You must take an active part in what Paul is saying here. Be comforting and be forgiving." [35:15]
5. "Paul said, but as of sincerity, but as of God in the sight of God, speak we in Christ. Many people corrupt the word of God because they want to use the word of God to their own ends. But for us, we’re just going to be real with it. We got to keep it real. We’re sincere. I don’t always understand what God’s doing. I admit sometimes I don’t even like what I’m having to go through. But I said I’m going to serve him." [46:21]
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