2 Corinthians 6-13 daily bread by Kevin E. Jesmer 2010

Tuesday, April 12

 

OPEN WIDE YOUR HEARTS

 

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Key Verse 6:13

 

I.   Paul appeals for reconciliation (1-10)

Paul made a great effort to reconcile with the Corinthians. His goal was to bring about reconciliation in Christ. We too are Christ’s ambassadors who carry the message, “Be reconciled to God,” to the world. To facilitate reconciliation, we should avoid doing anything that discredits our ministry and be Christ’s ambassadors at home, at school, and at work with a Christ-like character.
2.  “Open wide your hearts” (11-13)

Paul wanted to make a heart to heart relationship with the Corinthians. He took the initiative. If they responded, they could have deep fellowship with Christ and one another and experience the kingdom of God as a community. For the sake of reconciliation, we must learn to open our hearts first. After all, God came to us first and finally sent his one and only Son Jesus Christ into the world to die for our sins. Jesus reached out to us, though we had offended him.

 

Prayer: Lord, it is so hard for me to be reconciled to anyone. Grant me great endurance so that I can promote reconciliation with others in Christ.

 

One word: Be reconciled to God and one another

 

Wednesday, April 13

 

BE YOKED WITH BELIEVERS

 

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Key verse 6:14

 

1.   Do not be unequally yoked (14-16)

Paul warns believers not to be yoked with unbelievers. In primitive farming, two oxen are yoked together for a common purpose. For people, it means working together to accomplish a common goal. To do so they need a shared value system and direction. If we are yoked with unbelievers we are going in opposite directions, and have opposing value systems. There is no harmony or agreement and no way for them to co-work together. This is especially true in marriage.

 

1. God will be a father to us (6:17-7:1)

Some think they will be empty and lonely without worldly idols and unbelieving friends. But not so! God Almighty will be their father. God’s Spirit will fill their hearts with love and grace. They become God’s temple. They have true peace. Their souls are satisfied and enjoy life with God. How is this possible? The blood of Jesus makes us holy for God to dwell with us. Then we can enjoy fellowship with God and with his people.

 

Prayer: Lord, there is so much pressure in this world to be yoked with unbelievers. Please dwell in my heart and help me to be yoked to you and other Christians bringing glory to Jesus.

 

One Word: Be yoked with Jesus and God’s people

Thursday, April 14

 

REJOICE ABOUT REPENTANCE

 

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Key Verse 7:6-7

 

1.    Restore a trust and a love relationship (2-4)

Paul loved the Corinthians enough to live or die with them (3). Though they had caused him trouble, Paul trusted them with great confidence and hoped in them. Paul built them up in faith in Christ.
2.  Joyful over the church’s repentance (5-12)

Paul’s companions had difficulties in the mission field. But God comforted Paul with good news. The Corinthians repented and were longing for him. Paul had written a letter rebuking their sin not knowing how they would respond. But they discovered Paul’s holy love for them. They experienced godly sorrow for their sin that led them to repent and restore their love relationship with God. This was the fruit of Paul’s reconciliation ministry and he was full of joy. Praise God!

 

3.  Titus, a faithful co-worker (13-16)

Titus was a very faithful coworker. He was very happy when the Corinthian believers repented. Paul was greatly encouraged by his report. In this way, they worked together in reconciliation.

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you, that when there seems to be no hope, you come through by helping us to see the beautiful fruit of repentance.

 

One Word: Rejoice at the fruit of repentance

Friday, April 15

 

THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Key Verse: 9

 

1. The grace God had given (1-5)

The Macedonian church had hearts full of thanks, which they had expressed in generous offering. This is possible for anyone who experiences the grace of God. What is the grace of Jesus? While we were still sinners, Christ died for us and forgave all our sins and made his precious children. They revealed their personal relationship with Jesus through offering.
2.  You know the grace of our Lord Jesus (6-9).
Jesus gave up his rights and privileges as the Creator God and came down to this world, taking the very nature of a man and made himself nothing for our sake. Jesus served all kinds of people until they were changed into new persons. Jesus was also sacrificed on the cross for our sins. We receive the grace of forgiveness, a clear mission, an absolute meaning and purpose in life. We live under God’s protection and enjoy his provision. We also inherit the kingdom of God. This grace transforms our lives. We become rich, generous, willing to share, and willing to serve.

 

Prayer: Lord, may your deep grace always be before me and may it be reflected in my life through giving.

 

One Word: The marvelous grace of Jesus!

Saturday, April 16

 

HONOR THE LORD

 

2 Corinthians 8:10-24

Key Verse: 8:19

 

1.  Finish the work and offer willingly (10-15)

Paul encouraged them to finish the work and offer willingly. Christians work hard and live frugally. It is easy to accumulate more than we need and not give. But we should not strive to live luxurious lives. Rather we should willingly give to others who are in need. Later, when we are in need, those who have plenty will share with us. This is equality.

 

2.  The administration of the offering (16-24)
Paul did not try to administer the offering all by himself. He raised up offering servants and co-worked with them. One of them, Titus, realized the deep spiritual meaning of the offering. He was bold and clear in serving this mission. The second servant was chosen by the churches as a trustworthy man of godly integrity. They knew this offering was God’s money, dedicated for relief of the JerusalemChurch. They took pains to make sure things were done right in the eyes of God and man.

 

Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me with so much. Help me to offer to you so as to help others in need. Please raise up trustworthy servants of God who can administer the offering.

 

One Word: Takes pains to do what is right in God.

 

Sunday, April 17

 

EXPRESSIONS OF THANKS TO GOD

 

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Key Verse: 12

 

1.   Finish the arrangements for the gift (1-5)

Paul wrote this letter to ensure that their offering would be ready. To this end, Paul sent the brothers in advance. He made sure that it would be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. Then everyone could be happy and encouraged, and God would be pleased.

 

2.   God will make you rich and a blessing (6-15)

Paul explained the Biblical basis for generous offering. First, sowing. Offering to God is like planting a seed which produces a harvest. Those who sow generously will reap generously. Second, our offering is an attitude of heart. God wants us to give willingly and cheerfully. Third, God blesses those who give. God blesses us generously. Why?  So that we may abound in good works, reflect God’s generous character and be a blessing to the world. When God’s people offer generously, it moves those who receive it to give thanks to God. They lifted their heads toward heaven and thanked God.

Prayer: Lord, may I always remember the purpose for which you blessed me. Help me to use it to please you and bless others.

 

One Word: Thank God for his indescribable gift!

 

Monday, April 25

 

PRACTICE THE MEEKNESS OF JESUS

 

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Key Verse: 1

 

1.  The meekness and gentleness of Jesus (1-6)

Paul had served God’s flock with the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He was compassionate and tender like a mother. Jesus, the Son of God, the Almighty Creator, came into the world and suffered as a man. Jesus understood our weaknesses and embraced us with compassion. Finally Jesus died to forgive our sins and give us new life. The meekness and gentleness of Jesus allows the weary and burdened to find rest in him.

 

2.  The gentle and meek don’t boast (7-18)

People boast for their own glory out of their pride. Paul confined his boasting to the field God assigned to him. His only hope was that the faith of his flock may continue to grow and that his area of activity among them would expand. Paul conceded that he had nothing good in himself and that God had done a mighty work. So he boasted about what God had done. Our Lord God is worthy to receive all our boasting, that is, all glory and honor and praise, now and forever. Only the meek and the gentle in Jesus can do this.

 

Prayer: Lord, I am far from meek and gentle. Mold in me the image of Jesus so I reveal Jesus to others.

 

One Word: The meek and gentle boast in the Lord.

Tuesday, April 26

 

NO OTHER GOSPEL

 

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Key Verse 6

 

1.  Stick to the Bible (1-6)

Satan was trying to lead the Corinthians astray through false apostles who used the words “Jesus” and “gospel,” but didn’t stick to the Bible. The Bible says that there is one God and one mediator, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim 2:5). There is only one way to come to God. It is through Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6). Only through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again, can our sin and death problems ever be solved. And only through Jesus can we be delivered from the dominion of darkness and be brought into the kingdom of light. This is the gospel that we must hold on to.

 

2.  Paul, a true apostle of Jesus (7-15)

The motive of false prophets is money. Paul, knowing the Corinthian’s spiritual youth, taught the gospel free of charge. He was not a trained speaker, but he had knowledge of the gospel, which he shared with them. His motive was his love of Christ and love for them. So he served them sacrificially. He was a good shepherd and not a false apostle.

 

Prayer: Lord, how easy it is to get too busy and drift away from Jesus and your beautiful gospel. Protect my heart. Help me to be true to you and your word.

 

One Word: There is only one Savior; he is Jesus!

Wednesday, April 27

 

BOAST IN THE THINGS THAT GLORIFY GOD

 

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Key Verse: 30

 

1.  Paul boasts about his sufferings (16-29)

Paul knew that he was foolish to boast. But he wanted the flock to have spiritual discernment and liberate them from the teachings of false apostles. Paul points out that a true servant of Christ is one who suffers for Christ. (False apostles don’t want this.) Paul’s trials came from hard work, persecution, threats of danger, various bodily sufferings and inner anguishes. It is our natural tendency to want to live an easy and secure life. But we cannot avoid suffering. We can either suffer for no reason (for our sins) or we can suffer for the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom. Suffering for Christ grows us and shapes us to be like Christ.

 

2.  Paul boasts about his weaknesses (30-33)

We like boasting of our successes. Sometimes our boasts are not factual. Paul boasted about his weaknesses based on facts, for the glory of God.  There were times when Paul could do nothing except depend on God and be helped by others. These facts revealed God who rescues.

 

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my prideful boastings. May I simply reveal how you save sinners like me.

 

One Word: Boast about our weaknesses

 

Thursday, April 28

 

GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

 

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Key Verse 9

 

1.  It is not about visions (1-6)

False apostles shared mysterious visions, claiming spiritual authority. To silence them, Paul shared his vision which was not inferior to theirs. Yet he remained humble with only a desire to reveal Jesus. That is why he spoke as if the vision happened to another person. In order to have sound faith, our authority and faith should be based on obedience to the word of God, as it is lived out in Christian community, and not on mysterious experiences.

 

2.  Why boast about his weaknesses? (7-10)

Paul would rather boast about his weaknesses.  Paul’s disease was inflicted by Satan within the bounds of God’s permission. God loved Paul and it was given to help him from becoming conceited. When we receive God’s blessings, we have to learn Jesus’ humility. The most important thing to hold onto is the grace of God. When we hold onto God’s abundant grace and live by faith, God’s resurrection power is manifest in our lives.

 

Prayer: Lord, I seem to want to reveal my human strengths only. But, thank you for working through my weaknesses. Use me to show the world your grace and power.

 

One Word:  God’s grace is more than enough.

Friday, April 29

 

A FATHER-LIKE SHEPHERD

 

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Key Verse: 15a

 

1.  Paul wanted them, not things (11-18)

Paul did not burden the Corinthians financially, as did the “super-apostles.” Nor did he disappear after preaching. He stayed and loved and served them. He was interested in them and would gladly spend all he had to raise them, establish them, and make them fruitful and successful. Paul was a spiritual father to the Corinthians through the gospel. He could do so because he had Christ’s heart toward his children. God sent his one and only Son Jesus to this world to die on a cross for our sins while we were sinful, weak and helpless. God’s love is unconditional and sacrificial.

 

2.  Father-like Paul urges them to repent (19-21)

There were many problems in the Corinthian church. Paul wanted them to repent before he arrived. Though Paul loved them, he did not compromise with their sins. A true father also helps a child to repent before God. As forgiven sinners must forgive each other and encourage one another to stand in God’s truth and grow spiritually.

 

Prayer: Lord, too often I only think about “what is in it for me?” Help me to know your love and be a father-like shepherd to your flock.

 

One Word: Know and practice the heart of Jesus.

 

Saturday, April 30

 

EXAMINE YOURSELVES

 

2 Corinthians 13:1-13

Key Verse: 5,6

 

1.   Examine ourselves (1-10)

In the church, slander, rumors and gossip obscured the truth. Paul warned those who refused to repent that he was coming in the authority of Christ. He challenged them to examine themselves. When we examine ourselves, we will surely find sins to repent of. Each Bible study, testimony, and prayer can be a time for examination. If we are faithful to engage in this continuous quality improvement then we will gradually bear the fruits of the Spirit: which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. Our goal is to be perfect like Jesus, by the grace of God.

 

2.   Paul’s final greeting

Nowadays we don’t greet each other with a holy kiss. How about greeting each other and saying, “Let’s pray together”? Paul wanted them to overcome all their differences and become one in the Lord. It is only because of the grace and love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that we can stand as a people of God.

 

Prayer: Lord, I am so quick to point a finger. Help me to examine myself everyday and repent before you and your word.

 

One Word:  Pass the test