We are called to align ourselves with the truth
- We have all authority because of Jesus
- We are called to reconcile the world back to a relationship with Jesus
- We are ambassadors in this world
- Christ who knew no sin, became sin. 5:21
- This would line up with the cry of Matthew 27:46 My God why have you forsaken me
- He once had the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34)
- Close intimacy with the father was now separated.
- Some who thought he was crying out for Elijah to save him. (Mark 15:35)
- Could be because Eli and Eliyahu sound so much alike.
- Elijah had to come before the coming of Messiah
- They were mocking Jesus to see if Elijah would come and save Jesus proving that he is the Messiah.
- Again, The answer to life’s problems is the Messiah becoming sin for us.
2. Be reconciled to God 6:1-3
- Do not receive this grace in vain.
- Don’t know what the specific problem was in the Corinthian church that they were receiving the grace in vain.
- How we can receive the grace of God in vain.
- When we Come under its influence, but fail to respond to it.
- (Example: Jehoiakim listening to word Jeremiah 36:22 – 25)
- Even after Jesus had done all of these things, they still refused to believe in Him John 12:37
- When we fail to live by the grace we profess.
- Add to the grace we profess Galatians 3:3
- Grace of God able to change us. Titus 2:12 Example: Henry Ward Beecher preached on serving others and putting others in front of ourselves. Tears then dinner pushing in line and talking about what a great sermon it was that morning.
- When we Come under its influence, but fail to respond to it.
- Why it is good not to receive the grace in vain. Vs 2
- Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8. Notice he doesn’t say Like Isaiah said 700 years ago but God says.
- Isaiah would have thought back to the year King Uzziah died.
- Paul would have thought back to the time he was on the road to Damascus
- Don’t let satan try and convince you that those times were not real.
- Now is the accepted TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR
- This favor is not just a time of salvation, but also a time of living in the salvation of God.
- Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8. Notice he doesn’t say Like Isaiah said 700 years ago but God says.
- When we don’t live in grace, we become a stumbling block to others Vs 3
- satan works hard to make people stumble and be a bad example of the grace of God.
- How many don’t believe in God because of the example of others who have lived before them.
- Ministry here is the calling each of us have upon our lives.
3. Ministry lived out in front of others. 4 – 10
- Grace is lived out in the hardships we encounter each day. Vs 4, 5
- Patience in Vs 4
- tribulations
- In this world you will have affliction John 16:33
- Through many afflictions we must enter…Acts 14:22
- Hardships
- Things we need to do (Duties)
- calamities
- perplexities Paul faced.
- tribulations
- Patience in Vs 5
- Stripes (5 times 39 whippings three times rods)
- put in prison
- Angry mobs
- Exhausted
- sleeplessness (Not insomnia)
- Fasting because of work
- Patience in Vs 4
4. Grace working in him 6, 7a
- Purity (thought and action)
- Understanding (Scriptures)
- patience (no anger at problems coming upon them)
- Kindness (with patience how we respond)
- Holy Spirit working this grace out in us.
5. Power of righteousness working in Paul’s life 7b – 10
- Righteousness is like an armor surrounding Paul.
- Many people had opinions about Paul wether good or bad.
- We always ache, but we have joy. Vs 10
- Joy is in knowing who we are and aligning with that truth.
- Joy is a sign of real love (See John 15: 9, 10)
If we are truly abiding in the Love of Christ and not taking the Grace of God in vain, then we will be filled with joy.