Rejoice, Restore, Encourage: Living United in Christ’s Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Rejoice in All Circumstances

Joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is a command and a gift that we are called to embrace, even in the midst of trials and difficulties. True rejoicing is not about ignoring pain or pretending everything is perfect, but about recognizing that God is sovereign and present with us, giving us reason to praise Him regardless of what we face. When anxiety and stress threaten to overwhelm, choosing to rejoice becomes an act of faith that shifts our focus from our problems to the One who holds us. [40:47]

2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Reflection: What is one difficult circumstance you are facing right now, and how can you intentionally choose to rejoice in God’s presence and goodness today, even if your feelings haven’t caught up yet?

Day 2: Pursue Full Restoration with God and Others

Restoration is at the heart of the Christian life—restoration with God through repentance and faith, and restoration with one another through humility, forgiveness, and honest conversation. We are called to seek out those we have hurt or who have hurt us, to pursue reconciliation, and to be quick to ask for and extend forgiveness, reflecting the grace we have received in Christ. This pursuit of restoration is not always easy, but it is essential for unity and spiritual health within the body of Christ. [43:36]

2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life—either in your family, church, or elsewhere—with whom you need to seek restoration? What is one step you can take today to move toward reconciliation?

Day 3: Live in the Assurance of God’s Presence, Love, and Peace

God’s presence is not a distant theological concept but a daily reality for every believer; He is with us, offering His love and peace in every moment. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, reminding us of our identity, convicting us of sin, and assuring us that we are loved unconditionally by the Father. Even when we struggle to believe that God could love us, His promise remains true, and His peace is available to steady our hearts both now and for eternity. [46:55]

2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Reflection: When you struggle to believe that God truly loves you, what truth from Scripture or past experience can you hold onto today to remind yourself of His unchanging presence and peace?

Day 4: Be United as Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Unity in the body of Christ is rooted in our shared identity as brothers and sisters, co-heirs with Christ, and is modeled after the perfect unity of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This unity is expressed in mutual acceptance, encouragement, and vulnerability, as we support one another, share our struggles, and refuse to walk alone. God calls us to be a family that stands together, prays for each other, and lives out our faith in community, not isolation. [52:29]

2 Corinthians 13:12-14 (ESV)
"Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Reflection: Who in your church family or Christian community could you reach out to this week to encourage, support, or simply remind them that they are not alone?

Day 5: Embrace Your Purpose to Strengthen and Pursue Others

Every believer is called to the same purpose: to strengthen the faith of those who have gone astray and to pursue those who do not yet know Jesus, inviting them to repentance and new life. This mission is not just for pastors or leaders but for all who have received grace, as someone once did for us. In the midst of busyness and chaos, we are challenged to remember and live out this calling, making intentional efforts to reach out, invite, and walk alongside others in their journey toward Christ. [55:51]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Who is one person God is putting on your heart to reach out to—whether to encourage in their faith or to invite to know Jesus—and what specific action can you take this week to pursue them with Christ’s love?

Sermon Summary

Grace is the foundation of our life together as God’s people. We gather as brothers and sisters, not because we are perfect, but because we are recipients of a gift that changes everything: the grace of Jesus Christ. This grace not only promises us eternity, but it transforms us here and now, shaping us into the likeness of Christ. As we come to the end of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we find a series of reminders—simple, yet profound—about how we are to live out our faith and our purpose in the world.

Paul’s heart for the church in Corinth is the same as our heart for those we love: that they would turn from sin, repent, and come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. This is the core of our calling as followers of Christ—to strengthen the faith of those who have wandered and to pursue those who do not yet know Him. Paul’s final words are like sticky notes for our journey: rejoice, strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be united in mind, and live in peace. These are not just commands, but invitations into a deeper, richer life together as God’s family.

Rejoicing is not reserved for when life is easy; it is a discipline for all circumstances, a declaration that God is good even when life is hard. Restoration is both vertical and horizontal—seeking reconciliation with God and with one another. Encouragement is a ministry we owe each other, especially in a world that often tears down rather than builds up. Unity is rooted in our shared identity as brothers and sisters, heirs together of God’s promises. And peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ in the midst of it.

Paul reminds us that we do not go alone. The God of love and peace is with us. The presence of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—surrounds and indwells us, empowering us to live out our calling. As we move into seasons of busyness and distraction, we must not lose sight of our purpose: to be agents of grace, restoration, and invitation in a world that desperately needs it. Someone once did this for us; now we are called to do the same for others.

Key Takeaways

1. Rejoice in all circumstances Joy is not dependent on our situation, but on the unchanging character of God. Even in hardship, rejoicing is an act of faith that declares God’s goodness and sovereignty. This kind of joy is a witness to the world and a source of strength for our souls. [41:55]
2. Pursue full restoration with God and others Restoration is not just about personal peace, but about mending relationships—with God and with our brothers and sisters. It requires humility, honesty, and a willingness to seek forgiveness and offer it. True restoration brings healing and unity to the body of Christ. [42:45]
3. Encourage one another intentionally Encouragement is a spiritual discipline that breathes life into weary hearts. It is easy to focus on what is wrong, but the call is to build each other up, to notice and affirm God’s work in one another. This kind of encouragement fosters resilience and hope in the community. [43:36]
4. Live united as brothers and sisters Unity is not uniformity, but a deep commitment to one another as family in Christ. We are called to walk together, to share burdens, and to celebrate joys. This unity is rooted in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and is a powerful testimony to the world. [52:29]
5. Rest in the presence and peace of God God’s presence is not a distant promise, but a present reality. His love and peace are with us, anchoring us in the midst of life’s storms. This assurance frees us to live boldly and compassionately, knowing we are never alone. [46:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Opening Prayer
[02:30] - The Heart of Grace
[05:15] - Paul’s Purpose for the Church
[08:40] - Our Shared Calling
[12:00] - Sticky Note Reminders from Paul
[15:20] - Brothers and Sisters in Christ
[18:30] - The Call to Rejoice
[21:00] - Restoration and Reconciliation
[24:10] - The Power of Encouragement
[27:00] - Unity and Living in Peace
[30:15] - The Presence of God with Us
[33:00] - The Trinity and Our Unity
[36:00] - Living Out Our Purpose
[39:00] - New Members and Baptism
[42:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living as Agents of Grace (2 Corinthians 13:11-14)

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### Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (ESV)
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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### Observation Questions

What are the five instructions Paul gives to the church in 2 Corinthians 13:11?
According to the sermon, what does Paul mean when he calls the church “brothers and sisters”? How does this shape the way we relate to each other? [[40:47]]
In verse 14, Paul mentions the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. How does the sermon explain the importance of the Trinity in our life together? [[52:29]]
What does the sermon say about the kind of peace God gives? Is it the same as having no problems? [[46:55]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul ends his letter with these “sticky note” reminders? What does this say about what he wants most for the church? [[37:29]]
The sermon says rejoicing is a discipline for all circumstances, not just when life is easy. Why is this kind of joy important for Christians, especially when things are hard? [[41:55]]
Restoration is described as both “vertical and horizontal”—with God and with others. Why is it important to pursue both, and what happens if we neglect one side? [[42:45]]
The sermon talks about unity not being the same as uniformity. What does true unity look like in a church family, according to the message? [[52:29]]

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### Application Questions

Think about a recent situation where it was hard for you to rejoice. What would it look like to practice joy as an act of faith in that moment? [[41:55]]
Is there a relationship in your life that needs restoration—either with God or with another person? What is one step you could take this week toward making things right? [[42:45]]
The sermon says encouragement is a ministry we owe each other. Who in your life could use encouragement right now? What is a specific way you can build them up this week? [[43:36]]
When you think about unity in our church, what is one thing you can do to help someone feel more like a brother or sister in Christ? [[49:45]]
The message says God’s peace is not the absence of trouble, but His presence with us. Where do you need to experience God’s peace right now? How can you remind yourself of His presence in that area? [[46:55]]
The sermon challenges us to be “agents of grace, restoration, and invitation.” Who is someone in your life who has wandered from faith or doesn’t know Jesus? What is one way you can reach out to them this week? [[55:51]]
As we enter a busy season, what is one practical way you can keep God’s purpose in front of you, instead of getting lost in distractions? [[55:51]]

Sermon Clips

As we look at the Corinthian church, they had a terrible reputation in the world. They were unruly, hard drinking, fast living, promiscuous bunch, and Paul had brought the message of the gospel to them and they formed into people that weren't perfect. They formed into people that recognized that Jesus had died on their behalf. They formed into a church and he taught them and he showed them what it was like to be a Christian, he showed them what it was like to live for Jesus. [00:35:56] (33 seconds) #TransformedByGrace

What's interesting about this is this is exactly, exactly, exactly what our purpose is as well. This is exactly what we are called to do, to take the good news of Jesus Christ into the world, to tell the world about Jesus. Why? That those who have fallen astray would repent and those who do not yet know Jesus would repent. Remember what John the Baptist said, his message was very simple: repent and believe. [00:37:29] (29 seconds) #CallToRepentance

There's something about a brother and there's something about a sister and Paul’s encouraging them as we go in with this purpose into the world, we go through as brothers and sisters united. And so when one of you goes through something, we go through it. When one of you is working through something, we're praying for you through it. This is not something we just go and live off on our own and say no, no, I got that. [00:40:46] (25 seconds) #UnitedInFaith

When we get lonely and we go off on our way, what we're really saying is I don't want to be a brother or a sister. And I want to tell you this morning that we can't live this life alone and those that are trying are struggling, they just may not even know it yet because we're brothers and we're sisters together and Paul says that to us: finally brothers and sisters, finally loved ones. [00:41:10] (26 seconds) #JoyInAllCircumstances

You'll notice when we talk about rejoice, never in scripture is there a qualification for joy. It never says listen, rejoice or be joyful when everything's going your way. It never says rejoice or be joyful when you get what you want, that's called happiness. He's saying rejoice, rejoice in the difficult times, rejoice when you're being attacked, rejoice in all circumstances. [00:41:42] (28 seconds) #PraiseThroughStruggles

I struggle with this, completely honest, I struggle with this. When one bad thing happens, another bad things happen, and my anxiety is creeping up and I'm overwhelmed and I'm stressed that it just begins to heap on me and it's hard for me to get to a place where I'm able to say praise God for these struggles, but I believe that's what he's reminding us of: to rejoice. [00:42:11] (23 seconds) #StriveForRestoration

Then his departure after he dies and rises from the grave and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and we are now God's living temples here on earth and wherever we go the presence of God is within us. This is huge for us. It's that Holy Spirit in us that reminds us of that sin that we did, it reminds us of the ways in which we were not faithful, the ways in which we could have been faithful but neglected to do so. [00:46:30] (30 seconds) #SeasonOfPurpose

You see yourself as despicable, you see yourself as corrupt and broken, you see yourself in such a negative view that it's hard for you to wrap your head around the sovereign God of all creation has chosen to love you. So when you were singing that it became difficult, there's probably something in there that you got to work out a little bit because he does and I stand before you today with the assurance, the promise that he loves you. [00:47:41] (28 seconds) #SpiritualMentorship

He’s patient with you, that no matter what you've ever done, what you're doing, or what you will do, he still loves you without condition. He also promises you a peace. Now this peace has levels too, and I talked about a little bit ago, but the peace of in the midst of circumstances that are difficult, knowing in the circumstance that he's got us puts us this peace, but also looking to the future and acknowledging that our future is secure and certain in heaven is also a peace. [00:48:11] (32 seconds) #GraceAndFellowship

What I hear most common, and you probably have too, is you Christians are all hypocrites and we're hypocrites if you don't understand what we're really saying. What we're really saying is I'm jacked, I'm in need of a savior and God sent his son to die on my behalf and so because of that gift of grace in Jesus Christ, I'm able to live and then God sent his Holy Spirit with his fellowship to be with us and in us so that it reminds me to repent and to believe. [00:53:55] (28 seconds)

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