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2 Corinthians 7

Mark Howdeshell (15 July 2007)

2 Corinthians 7:8--- Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it.  Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while…

Questions to Ponder

1.       If you compare modern day America to historical Corinth, who is worse?

2.       If you look at your life, how do you compare?

3.       Does it matter who is worse?  (Sin is sin is sin is sin!!)

4.       Have you ever said this quote?  “This is going to hurt me more than it will you…”

5.       Has God ever told you that?

Heart of the Matter

America is in a funk.  We are killing over 1 ¼ million babies per year by abortion.  (Worldwide number is 46 million.)  Around 15,000 murders occur every year.  15 years ago, the average age of exposure to pornography for males was 15 years old.  (Uncle Freddie’s girlie magazines)  Today, the average exposure is 8 years old!!!  (Hardcore internet version)  We need to seriously look at how Paul addressed these issues with the Corinthians and how they responded.  Who will approach America today with some “Tough Love”?

History of Corinth 

During Paul’s time…

·         Population of about 250,000 free persons and as many as 400,000 slaves

·         Good argument for being the “chief” city of Greece

·         Crossroads for travelers and traders

·         Placed high premium on wisdom and Greek philosophy

·         12 temples including one to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, where they practiced “religious prostitution”

·         Corinth was center of immorality evidenced by up to a 1000 “sacred prostitutes” served Aphrodite’s temple

·         Greek verb “Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality” 

Review of Last Week 

Last week we reviewed 1 Corinthians 12 and 14

·         God has given you a specific measure of faith

·         Though there are different kinds of gifts given to each person, the same Spirit is working in us all.

·         Holy Spirit is “manifested” to each believer.  He’ll be along for the ride.

·         God’s desire for us is to “get promoted” and eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was in response to reports of rampant sexual immorality and serious problems in the church of Corinth.  He was also replying to the letter sent to him from the church requesting council on several subjects. 

Second Letter to the Corinthians 

1 Corinthians written in the spring of A.D. 55 before Pentecost.  2^nd Corinthians written later that year before the onset of winter.

 Wrote to explain a change in itinerary where he would be able to make one long visit to Corinth.

 The Word

2 Corinthians 7

7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.   

 2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.    3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.   4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.    5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn — conflicts on the outside, fears within. 

 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,   7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.   8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it — I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.    10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.   11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.  

 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.     13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.    14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.  

 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.

The Meat of the Message

1. We are obligated to purify ourselves from “everything that contaminates body and spirit” because of God’s promises to us (2 Corinthians 6:16-18). 

7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.   King James version

a.        “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit

                                                               i.      Drunkenness, fornication, and adultery are all sins of the flesh

                                                              ii.      Impure thoughts, desires, and polluted imagination are all sins of the spirit

2. God’s promises come from Isaiah and Ezekiel.  God promises to walk and live with us and we will be his people.  He wants to be a Father to us and claim us as sons and daughters. 
3. Do you walk each day like Jesus was walking with you?  Would you be ashamed if He was?    

2. Corinthians held a special place in Paul’s life.  “In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.”  Paul’s troubles included prison, beatings, earthquakes, and more.  In fact, verse 5 tells of the harassment from the time they entered Macedonia.  More importantly it states that Paul was fearful in his ordeals.  There is nothing wrong with being fearful…except maybe not admitting it and drawing strength from the Father.  Through all of this, Paul’s joy was founded in the security of the Father and drawn from the encouragement and confidence of the Corinthian church.  What/ whom do you draw your joy from?  Is it dependent upon earthly things or upon the Father?
3. Sometimes “Tough Love” is the only way to get the message across.  His first letter was quite harsh.  It spelled out things in black and white and addressed serious issues that needed attention.  It “hurt” the members of the church…but only for a little while.  It made them “see themselves in a mirror.”  They didn’t like what they saw and they repented and got on the right track.    Paul regretted that he had to write the letter…not that he wrote it.  He was happy that they repented and didn’t become bitter and angry.  How well do you take constructive criticism?  V 10:--- Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.  Be eager to repent and clear your name.
4. Confidence in the ones you love allows you and them to practice Tough Love.  If you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your wife, your husband, your brother, your sister, your father, your mother or anybody else that you love dearly will be honest and tell you what you need to hear, that confidence will continue to grow and mature.  Getting to a point of complete confidence occurs when Tough Love results in a Godly sorrow.  A Godly sorrow that results in repentance honors the Father.

The Bottom Line

God has promised nothing but good things for us if we continually honor Him.  It is impossible for us, because of our sinful nature, to walk a sinless, perfect life.  The Father has put people in our lives to help us walk the narrow path…if we would only listen and react with a Godly sorrow.  A God that grieves when he cannot walk beside us because we push him away with the filth of the flesh and spirit, wants us to repent and walk with Him again.  How do you respond with the Tough Love from God or from your friends and family?  Don’t get mad, get God!!!

The Take-Away

Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense.
Mark Overby

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Last modified: 08/04/08