Godly Jealousy, 1, 2a

• Dt 4:23-24
• Isaiah 48:11

Righteous Jealousy, 2b-4

• Hose 1-3
• A concern - they might be deceived form the simple Gospel
• A Standard - their is only ONE Jesus, One Spirit, One Gospel

Conclusion: Our Hope is in Christ

[For more sermons visit our Archives page: here]
Pastor Brinegar has just completed a series on Defining a Successful Ministry based upon 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. There are three sermons in these series and each one can be viewed below. What makes a successful ministry? It is in the end faithfulness to God and therefore a complete dependence upon the Bible, as the only rule of faith and practice. Paul answers his critics by point to his great endurance in the Gospel Ministry.

Part 1
The first message in the series deals with the 2 Corinthians 6:3. Pastor Brinegar discusses how in our cultural context, we must properly understand this verse of scripture. We must never change the Gospel, as spoken or lived, when we apply this verse. This opening message is important introduction to the topic. Paul is about to list the many afflictions that he suffered. He suffered these things not because he was offensive, but for the sake of the Gospel.
2 Corinthians 6:3
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
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On Octobery 7th and 8th, Western Reformed Seminary will be hosting a conference: Presbyterianism and Education.  This conference is the final celebration of WRS’s 25th anniversary.  The conference will be held at the seminary in Tacoma, WA.  For directions, click here.

The topics:

Tuesday night:
Presbyterians and the American university
Presbyterian tradition of an educated clergy
Presbyterians and the unity of truth
Wednesday:
Machen’s prediction about public education
Covenant theology, the family and the education of children

In our current Worship series - 2 Corinthians - Pastor Brinegar focuses in on the definition of a success ministry that the apostle Paul used to defend his ministry.  2 Corinthians 6:1-10.  In this first installment - preached on 9/14/08, Pastor Brinegar mediates on the fact that the Paul said:

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 2 Cor 6:3

To hear more sermons form 2 Corinthains, visit our Sermon Archive

Here is the application for the Northwest Presbytery Summer camp.

If you have any question, please contact Pastor Brinegar

Introduction: How hard is it to be the “prodigal son’s brother?

The Key:

• V 9 - Obedience to Christ in ALL things
• V 6 - Sufficiency of Christ’s Way

The Duties V 7-8

• Forgive
• Comfort
• Reaffirm love to

The Reasons

• 7b - to stop the “flood of sorrow” from not over the repentant one
• 11 - we NEED each other

Introduction: The major problem in 1 Cor 5:1-5

The Attitudes:

Sorrowful, verse 2

Confidence (in God’s will being done), verse 3

Affliction (great anguish of heart in doing it), verse 4

Grief (is caused by the sin NOT the one doing the discipline), verse 5

Conclusion: When applying a Bible truth: do it IN the name of Jesus and WITH the power of Jesus!

Introduction: Are you discouraged today?

In this passage, Paul defends his decision to not visit the Corinthians, as planned and appeals to a key concept about the promises of God.

Explanation of Paul’s decision:

Explanation of God’s Promises:

A Few Promises:

• John 4:14: “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst,. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
• John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me. Though he may die, he shall live.”
• Acts 1:11: “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.” Angel at the ascension of Jesus
• Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.
• Romans 8:37: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us
• I Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
• Hebrews 4:1: There since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
• James 1:12: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• 1 Peter 1:3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through tthe resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.
• I Peter 5:7: Casting all your care upon Him, for He care for you.
• 2 Peter 1:3: As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

Introduction: Acts 18 - the account of Paul’’s time in the city of Corinth. God commands Paul to speak: ““Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, or I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

2 Cor 1:12 - For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

“The Testimony of our Conscience”

“Simplicity”

“Godly Sincerity”

“Not BY fleshly wisdom but BY the Grace of God”

Conclusion: “Why do we do when we fail?”

Gossip is on the rise in our country - that is a fact. We can see it in the News media and talk shows. The faster information can spread, the more we see Gossip. While our world does that, we should not fall under the World’s influence and therefore need to practice God’s type of speech. This treatment is short, but powerful and builds the framework for our speech. The verses quotes are only a few of the many Bible verses of this most important topic. I know that I fail in this area far too often, so may the LORD help me practice Good speech.

Three principles of speech:

Speak Truth:
Exodus 20:16 - You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor
Ephesians 4:25 - Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

• What is your standard for truth?
  
• How does it compare to God’s?

God’s standard is two or three witnesses, if you have not met that standard, then you need to be careful how you present the facts of a case. This one eliminates almost all forms of gossip. Keep in mind, three sources who are all secondhand from the same primary source is not two or three witness to the real event. Two or three people who saw the actual events is the standard. We ought to always practice God’s standard.

Speak Love:
Ephesians 4:15: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ

• Is your speech done in love: both to the hearer and the one it is about?

It should be your goal to only speak in love and for love. This means that you have good intentions toward the person you are speaking about. The truth does hurt, but it can still be present in the Love of the Christ.

Speak edification:
Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

• How is your speech building up the hearer and the one it is about?
• What part of edification does the hear have toward the one you are speaking about?
  

Word can do much destroying - it is so easy to harm with your words. Instead, we - as believers in Christ - should be wholly committed to building other and ourselves up. There are times when we seek help on behalf of someone else, and therefore might share something sensitive about that person. Seeking advice is one thing, hurting the reputation of another as the goal is a problem.