Gollihue Family Discipleship

Romans 9:22-24, Delayed wrath leads to mercy 
 
What if God was like us? What if as soon as something went wrong, he flew off the handle and began to retaliate or seek vengeance? We are not always the greatest at showing mercy when our toes get stepped on, but I am so thankful that God is. In verse 22, Paul lets us know that we are all deserve the wrath of God to be poured out upon us for our rebellion, but God is longsuffering towards us and delays his punishment. 
 
 If you read through the Bible you see that God is patient with His creation and gives them time to see the error of their ways and return to Him. His delayed wrath against humanity is an act of love and mercy that none of us deserve. Most of us look at time as our enemy as age creeps upon us and steals our health and vigor but time is a gift from God. If we have breath in our lungs, we have an opportunity to turn to God and repent of our sinful ways. This is the reason Jesus, paid the price for our sin and the reason God gives us time; He doesn’t want any of his creation to perish but wants all to reconcile with Him. The delayed wrath of God is mercy being shown to all mankind.

Romans 9:22-24, Delayed wrath leads to mercy

What if God was like us?  What if as soon as something went wrong, he flew off the handle and began to retaliate or seek vengeance?  We are not always the greatest at showing mercy when our toes get stepped on, but I am so thankful that God is.  In verse 22, Paul lets us know that we are all deserve the wrath of God to be poured out upon us for our rebellion, but God is longsuffering towards us and delays his punishment.

  If you read through the Bible you see that God is patient with His creation and gives them time to see the error of their ways and return to Him.  His delayed wrath against humanity is an act of love and mercy that none of us deserve.  Most of us look at time as our enemy as age creeps upon us and steals our health and vigor but time is a gift from God.  If we have breath in our lungs, we have an opportunity to turn to God and repent of our sinful ways. This is the reason Jesus, paid the price for our sin and the reason 

Romans 9:22-24

Romans 9:9-18, God will show mercy on whoever He wants 
 
Do you know what the great thing about owning your own home is? You can do what you want to with it. If you want to paint a room or redecorate you can do it any time you want. If you want to knock a wall down and make a room larger you can do it any time you want. If you want to add onto your home a new addition you just must plan it out and make it happen. Why? Because it is yours and you can do what you want to do with your property. In verses 9 through 18, Paul gives us some insight into the fact that world belongs to God and God can do what He wants with what belongs to Him. Verse 15, reveals what God spoke to Moses in Exodus 33:19. It says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 
 
Psalm 24:1 tells us that the earth is the Lord’s and everything and everyone that dwells in it belongs to him. Shouldn’t we expect God to be able to do whatever He wants to with what belongs to Him. The problem is that our minds view things skewed through the lens of democracy. We feel like we should have a say in what is going on, share our opinion and cast our vote on what is going to happen. This is true in our nation, but this is not true in a kingdom. A kingdom is ruled by a king who has all power and all authority in what is done within their kingdom. God doesn’t need our vote or opinion to make moves upon the face of this earth yet for some odd reason He accepts them in the form of our prayers. Our right standing with Jesus Christ gives us access to the very ear of God, something we shouldn’t take lightly. Yet we still come before Him with understanding that He is sovereign and has the power and authority to do what He sees fit with is possessions.

Romans 9:9-18, God will show mercy on whoever He wants

Do you know what the great thing about owning your own home is?  You can do what you want to with it.  If you want to paint a room or redecorate you can do it any time you want.  If you want to knock a wall down and make a room larger you can do it any time you want.  If you want to add onto your home a new addition you just must plan it out and make it happen.  Why? Because it is yours and you can do what you want to do with your property.  In verses 9 through 18, Paul gives us some insight into the fact that world belongs to God and God can do what He wants with what belongs to Him.  Verse 15, reveals what God spoke to Moses in Exodus 33:19. It says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Psalm 24:1 tells us that the earth is the Lord’s and everything and everyone that dwells in it belongs to him.  Shouldn’t we expect God to be able to do whatever He wants to with what be

Romans 9:9-18

Romans 5:2-6, Tribulation = patience = experience = hope 
 
There are some things that don’t seem like they are a benefit to you when you are going through them, in fact they are painful. As a child I could remember hating to take certain medicine because of the nasty tasty taste and side effects they would cause. We all dreaded the instant we knew that a shot was going to have to be administered to deliver a medication. When these things where administered to me as I child, I couldn’t see any benefit to adding to my sorrows by taking the meds or receiving the shot and they didn’t give instant relief. The seemed to make things worse for a while but eventually they began to turn things around in my body and they help me heal and overcome my sickness. There are things in life that occur and the moment we are going through them we can’t see how they will possibly ever benefit us, but Paul says in these verses that they will turn in a believer’s favor. He says tribulation will build the Godly character of patience, patience will lead to experience in life, and experience give us hope that removes our shame. 
James said something similar in James chapter 1 when he says that we should be joyful when troubles come our way because it is perfecting us and teaching us patience. It is one thing to say it, but it is another thing to do in our lives and I believe that in our family God has showed this to be true. God has had a way of turning tragic and trying moments into experiences where we have learned to trust in Him and help lead others through similar circumstances. We have learned that our hope is never to be placed in the people or things of this world and that we always place it firmly in God’s hands. We may not have seen how we would benefit from the pain we found ourselves in, but God has always used it as away for us to grow closer to Him.

Romans 5:2-6, Tribulation = patience = experience = hope

There are some things that don’t seem like they are a benefit to you when you are going through them, in fact they are painful.  As a child I could remember hating to take certain medicine because of the nasty tasty taste and side effects they would cause.  We all dreaded the instant we knew that a shot was going to have to be administered to deliver a medication. When these things where administered to me as I child, I couldn’t see any benefit to adding to my sorrows by taking the meds or receiving the shot and they didn’t give instant relief.  The seemed to make things worse for a while but eventually they began to turn things around in my body and they help me heal and overcome my sickness.  There are things in life that occur and the moment we are going through them we can’t see how they will possibly ever benefit us, but Paul says in these verses that they will turn in a believer’s favor.  He says tribulation will build the

Romans 5:2-6

Romans 4:23-25, For our sake it was written 
 
Why go through all the trouble of sharing Abraham's story with the church of Rome? Why go into detail about obstacles that he had to face and over come with faith? Paul said that the story of Abraham was not written to simply record historical information about a founding father, it was written of our sake. It was written and recorded as a blueprint for mankind to know what type of behavior is expected to please God. He goes on to say that if we place our faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ the way that Abraham did in Jesus then we also will be saved from our sins and stand justified before God. Abraham didn’t earn his salvation by acts of obedience or service; he obtained his salvation through his unwavering faith in God. We must do the same. 
The 66 books of the Bible that we have are not simply a collection of stories to entertain us with or occupy our time, they are a collection of God’s dealings with mankind. Just like the story of Abraham these stories are recorded for our benefit so that we can have knowledge of the character of God and what He expects of His creation. There are stories like Abraham’s that inspires us to believe in the impossible, stories that let us know God is always with us, stories that give us hope for a future, and stories that warn us of behaviors that are not pleasing to God. They are there for our sake and we should value and honor them for the truths of existence that they reveal to us. The word of God (Bible) should be esteemed in every home and should be thoroughly study by all because it is a gift from God to His creation. A gift that gives us the keys to eternal life.

Romans 4:23-25, For our sake it was written

Why go through all the trouble of sharing Abraham's story with the church of Rome?  Why go into detail about obstacles that he had to face and over come with faith?  Paul said that the story of Abraham was not written to simply record historical information about a founding father, it was written of our sake.  It was written and recorded as a blueprint for mankind to know what type of behavior is expected to please God.  He goes on to say that if we place our faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ the way that Abraham did in Jesus then we also will be saved from our sins and stand justified before God.  Abraham didn’t earn his salvation by acts of obedience or service; he obtained his salvation through his unwavering faith in God.  We must do the same.
The 66 books of the Bible that we have are not simply a collection of stories to entertain us with or occupy our time, they are a collection of God’s dealings with mankind.  Just like the story

Romans 4:23-25

Romans 4:11-17, Father Abraham (grafted in, adopted) 
 
Paul continues to reason with the those of Jewish decent in the Roman church on the fact that keeping the Law (works) has nothing to do with salvation. He continues to use the Jewish patriarch Abraham to expose the fault in reasoning. The entire Jewish people referred to Abraham as their father because their nation and people began with his family. Paul let them know that Abraham wasn’t the father of those who had been circumcised (kept the law), he was the father of all those who had faith in God regardless of their heritage. In Genesis 22:18 God told Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed and Paul references this to make those in Rome aware that Abraham was the father of those who believe in God not those who ritualistically serve God. Both Jew and Gentile are considered figurative children of Abraham if they have placed their faith firmly in God. 
Later, in the book of Romans (chapter 11) Paul uses a farming analogy to further explain to the church of Rome that what started with Abraham and his seed was expanding to include all who are willing to believe. He says that Israel is like olive tree that has a branch grafted into from a wild olive tree symbolizing that God allowed others to be partakes of his blessing from outside Abraham’s linage. It is the spirit of adoption and something that Paul understood greatly because he was appointed by God to head up the recruiting effort outside of Jews. Acts 9:15 says that Paul was God’s chosen vessel to carry His message to the Gentile nations. The Jewish people had developed an elitist and exclusive attitude toward God in their lives. They thought that because of linage and their behaviors that God found favor in them and Paul wanted them to understand that this wasn’t the case. God is, was, and always will be satisfied only with those who place their faith solely in Him for their existence and salvation.

Romans 4:11-17, Father Abraham (grafted in, adopted)

Paul continues to reason with the those of Jewish decent in the Roman church on the fact that keeping the Law (works) has nothing to do with salvation.  He continues to use the Jewish patriarch Abraham to expose the fault in reasoning.  The entire Jewish people referred to Abraham as their father because their nation and people began with his family.  Paul let them know that Abraham wasn’t the father of those who had been circumcised (kept the law), he was the father of all those who had faith in God regardless of their heritage.  In Genesis 22:18 God told Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed and Paul references this to make those in Rome aware that Abraham was the father of those who believe in God not those who ritualistically serve God.  Both Jew and Gentile are considered figurative children of Abraham if they have placed their faith firmly in God.
Later, in the book of Romans (chapter 11) Paul uses a farming an

Romans 4:11-17

Romans 4:9-11, Abraham had faith before he had the law 
 
Which came first the chicken or the egg? Paul poses the same sort of question to the church of Rome as he tries to get them to understand that salvation does not come by the keeping of the law or works. He asks if Abraham was perceived as righteous in God’s eye before or after he was circumcised. Paul doesn’t leave them hanging to debate the answer like the chicken vs. egg debate, he lets them know that Abraham was righteous in God’s eyes before he took upon himself circumcision. As we have seen in earlier teachings from the Apostle Paul the Law of God was never what brought about salvation, it was simply in place to show everyone what sin truly was. The keeping of the law never brought about salvation to anyone, it was always their faith in God and their faith that God would make a way for those who truly loved and served Him 
Early in the book of Genesis, God promises to send a savior that would take care of our sin problem for ever. This Savior was Jesus Christ. Just like we are saved by our faith in a promise that has been fulfilled, Old Testament believers was saved by their faith in a promise that had not yet been fulfilled. There ability to keep the law didn’t make them righteous in God’s eye but instead their faith in God to provide for them just as Abraham did was their salvation. They looked forward to the day that the messiah would arrive and lived their life in expectation that it would any time just as we live our modern lives with the expectation that Jesus will return for us at any time. Abraham’s faith alone made him righteous in the eyes of God and our faith does the same today. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

Romans 4:9-11, Abraham had faith before he had the law

Which came first the chicken or the egg?  Paul poses the same sort of question to the church of Rome as he tries to get them to understand that salvation does not come by the keeping of the law or works.  He asks if Abraham was perceived as righteous in God’s eye before or after he was circumcised.  Paul doesn’t leave them hanging to debate the answer like the chicken vs. egg debate, he lets them know that Abraham was righteous in God’s eyes before he took upon himself circumcision.  As we have seen in earlier teachings from the Apostle Paul the Law of God was never what brought about salvation, it was simply in place to show everyone what sin truly was.  The keeping of the law never brought about salvation to anyone, it was always their faith in God and their faith that God would make a way for those who truly loved and served Him
Early in the book of Genesis, God promises to send a savior that would take care of our sin problem 

Romans 4:9-11

Romans 3:25-26, The payment for sin 
 
Every legal system in the world is set up to where there must be payment for breaking the law. This may come in the form of a fine, community service, probation or even the loss of your freedom or life but is stands that payment must be made if someone is found guilty of a crime. More server crimes have the harsher and the strictest penalties while lesser crimes carry less of a burden on the guilty. Paul deals with the payment for breaking God law in verses 25 and 26; this is a crime that carries a heavy punishment for all who break it. It is a crime that carries the death penalty. Ezekiel 18:20 says that the soul that sins shall die and Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. The law has been broken and someone must pay the debt that is owed, their life. In these two verses, Paul reveals that God made a way to pay the debt for all sin by shedding the blood of His Son Jesus. Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life without sin so that he could be the sacrifice of atonement for all sin. 
 
In 1 Peter 1:18-19 the Apostle Peter deals with the reality that that this is a debt that we could not pay. He says that we are not redeemed by the works of our own hand, traditions, or even with silver or gold. We are only redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ who knew no sin yet became sin on our behalf. We can’t work hard enough to pay off the debt, we can’t accumulate enough wealth to pay off the debt, and we can’t do enough good to pay off the debt. The only way the debt of our sins can be covered or erased is by the blood of Jesus Christ. Through the shedding of the righteous blood of Jesus Christ we can escape the debt that was to be paid with our own life and eternity in Hell separated from God. Jesus paid the debt for all but only those who accept Him as Lord and Savior have the payment applied to their account, those who refuse to accept the sacrifice must pay their debt with their own lives.

Romans 3:25-26, The payment for sin

Every legal system in the world is set up to where there must be payment for breaking the law.  This may come in the form of a fine, community service, probation or even the loss of your freedom or life but is stands that payment must be made if someone is found guilty of a crime.  More server crimes have the harsher and the strictest penalties while lesser crimes carry less of a burden on the guilty.  Paul deals with the payment for breaking God law in verses 25 and 26; this is a crime that carries a heavy punishment for all who break it.  It is a crime that carries the death penalty. Ezekiel 18:20 says that the soul that sins shall die and Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death.  The law has been broken and someone must pay the debt that is owed, their life.  In these two verses, Paul reveals that God made a way to pay the debt for all sin by shedding the blood of His Son Jesus.  Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life without sin so

Romans 3:25-26

Romans 2:25-27, Obedience is better than ritualistic sacrifice 
 
So, what does God want from you? Does He want a mindless robot who does everything He wants when He wants it? Or, does He want you to love Him as much as He loves you? Paul address this directly with those in the Roman church by telling them it really doesn’t matter if you keep all the religious rituals if your heart isn’t right with God. He addresses the Jewish ritual of circumcision and says that it has its benefits but if someone uncircumcised is more obedient to God’s commands then they are then they are the one in right standing with God. Just going through the motions and doing religious rituals because we know we are supposed to, is not what God wants from His creation. God wants fellowship and communion with His creation, which drives us to be obedient out of love and not commitment. God only wants what is best for His creation. 
 
This is something that Samuel the prophet had to let Saul the King of Israel know in 1 Samuel 15 when Saul offered a sacrifice to God out of disobedience. It cost Saul his kingdom and it can cost us our souls if we are not careful. It is easy to get trapped into the idea that God only wants sacrifice from us. He wants us to go to church regularly, He wants us to volunteer our time, He wants our money in the offering plate, and so on and so on. We can begin to tie our salvation to what we are doing for God instead of what God has done for us. God desires simply that we are lovingly obedient to His calling and purpose for our life because we know that God only wants what is best for us, so we want what He wants for us. Our hearts must be in line with the heart of God, when that happen, we don’t do things out of ritual we do them out of love, adoration, and gratitude for the One who gave up everything for us.

Romans 2:25-27, Obedience is better than ritualistic sacrifice

So, what does God want from you? Does He want a mindless robot who does everything He wants when He wants it? Or, does He want you to love Him as much as He loves you? Paul address this directly with those in the Roman church by telling them it really doesn’t matter if you keep all the religious rituals if your heart isn’t right with God. He addresses the Jewish ritual of circumcision and says that it has its benefits but if someone uncircumcised is more obedient to God’s commands then they are then they are the one in right standing with God. Just going through the motions and doing religious rituals because we know we are supposed to, is not what God wants from His creation. God wants fellowship and communion with His creation, which drives us to be obedient out of love and not commitment. God only wants what is best for His creation.

This is something that Samuel the prophet had to let Saul the King of Israel know in 1

Romans 2:25-27

2 Corinthians 13 
 
V. 7-9, We want you fully restored 
 
In verses 7 through 9 Paul makes it perfectly clear that he has no ulterior motive for this letter that he has written to the church. It is not so that he looks good or even that he will get credit for the great church in Corinth, it is all done because he wants to see them restored to God. Restoration is the heart of Paul in every situation and circumstance, he wanted to see people connected to God no matter what it cost himself. The heart of Paul is the heart of God as well, 2 Peter 3:9 says that God wills that none should perish but that all come to repentance. 
 God doesn’t want any of us to be separated from him despite our rebellious and sinful behavior that caused the separation. Romans 5:8 says that while we were yet sinners God showed His love toward us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of this world. God loved us so much that He made a way for His creation to reunite in fellowship with Him, but it meant the death of His only Son to make it happen. Restoration to God should be the goal of every Christian for their friends, loved ones, and acquaintances. We should want what God wants that every man, woman and child comes into a loving and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ that guarantees them eternity in the presence of their Lord and Creator.

2 Corinthians 13

V. 7-9, We want you fully restored

In verses 7 through 9 Paul makes it perfectly clear that he has no ulterior motive for this letter that he has written to the church. It is not so that he looks good or even that he will get credit for the great church in Corinth, it is all done because he wants to see them restored to God. Restoration is the heart of Paul in every situation and circumstance, he wanted to see people connected to God no matter what it cost himself. The heart of Paul is the heart of God as well, 2 Peter 3:9 says that God wills that none should perish but that all come to repentance.
 God doesn’t want any of us to be separated from him despite our rebellious and sinful behavior that caused the separation. Romans 5:8 says that while we were yet sinners God showed His love toward us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of this world. God loved us so much that He made a way for His creation to reunite in fellowship with Him, but it meant the dea

2 Corinthians 13:7-9

2 Corinthians 13 
 
V. 5-6, Don’t fail the test 
 
We have all experienced this at least one time in our life during our education process. Occasionally, the teacher will have a test and leading up to the test they tell you exactly what questions will is be and the answers to them. Essentially, it is a given, just study the material and there will be no surprises and you will ace the exam no problem. Even with the answers to the exam being given ahead of time there will still be some students in the class who will fail the exam. There is no excuse for a student failing an exam that they were provide all the answer too beforehand. Paul continues his line of thinking on self-examination and in verses 5 and 6 and says we don’t want to fail the test spiritually. The NIV versions translates it as “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you- unless of course, you fail the test.” (V5) 
Life can be complicated, and people can make it more complicated than it needs to be but there is no reason for failing a test that you have the answer to. When you stand before God on judgment day there will be one question asked and you have already been given the answer. 
 Was Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life? You can make excuses and say you didn’t know that was going to be on the test but only those who can sincerely answer yes will pass the exam. Jesus said in John 14:6 that no one comes to the Father (God) but through Him, He is the way the truth and life. You can’t cheat on the exam and say yes if your life didn’t live it out, God already knows whether Jesus was the Lord of your life or not. A loving and faithful relationship with Jesus Christ is the only answer to the debt created by the sins of your life. It is the only hope any of us have and I sincerely hope you discover this in your heart before it is too late, and you stand fully exposed before the Creator of the Heavens and Earth.

2 Corinthians 13

V. 5-6, Don’t fail the test

We have all experienced this at least one time in our life during our education process. Occasionally, the teacher will have a test and leading up to the test they tell you exactly what questions will is be and the answers to them. Essentially, it is a given, just study the material and there will be no surprises and you will ace the exam no problem. Even with the answers to the exam being given ahead of time there will still be some students in the class who will fail the exam. There is no excuse for a student failing an exam that they were provide all the answer too beforehand. Paul continues his line of thinking on self-examination and in verses 5 and 6 and says we don’t want to fail the test spiritually. The NIV versions translates it as “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you- unless of course, you fail the test.” (V5)
Life can be complicated, and people can make it more complicated than it needs to be but there is no reason f

2 Corinthians 13:5-6

2 Corinthians 13 
 
V. 4, Jesus died in weakness but lives by the Power of God 
 
Paul throws out an oxymoron in verse 4 when speaking of Jesus Christ. He says that Jesus died in weakness but lives in power and in our lives, we are weak in ourselves yet powerful through him. Jesus humbled Himself and came to this earth for the sole purpose of restoring what our sins destroyed, fellowship with God. Isaiah 53:7 says that Jesus was as a lamb led to the slaughter, is there an image any weaker than of a helpless baby lamb being led by a leash to the place where it is going to be slain and sacrificed. Jesus willingly in weakness was led to the cross to be sacrificed for sins that He did not commit so that through His act of sacrifice. The weakness showed by Christ was by choice not because he was overcome by this world. In John 10:18 Jesus says, no man takes His life but that he lays it down of His own will. He was weak by choice. 
 
By his sacrificial act of weakness, we are given power. By Jesus willingly overcoming death, Hell, and the grave we are given the power to do so as well when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The same power of God that rose Jesus from the grave lives within us as believers. (Romans 8:11) As Christians we realize that we are weak and have no power outside what Jesus has placed in our lives. We no longer depend upon our physical strength, health, or wisdom to be successful in this life, we rely solely upon the Power of God dwelling inside of us. Our strength to overcome and have internal piece while everything is falling apart around us comes from the Holy Spirit, but all this would be impossible if Jesus didn’t willingly walk in weakness on our behalf.

2 Corinthians 13

V. 4, Jesus died in weakness but lives by the Power of God

Paul throws out an oxymoron in verse 4 when speaking of Jesus Christ. He says that Jesus died in weakness but lives in power and in our lives, we are weak in ourselves yet powerful through him. Jesus humbled Himself and came to this earth for the sole purpose of restoring what our sins destroyed, fellowship with God. Isaiah 53:7 says that Jesus was as a lamb led to the slaughter, is there an image any weaker than of a helpless baby lamb being led by a leash to the place where it is going to be slain and sacrificed. Jesus willingly in weakness was led to the cross to be sacrificed for sins that He did not commit so that through His act of sacrifice. The weakness showed by Christ was by choice not because he was overcome by this world. In John 10:18 Jesus says, no man takes His life but that he lays it down of His own will. He was weak by choice.

By his sacrificial act of weakness, we are given power. By Jesus

2 Corinthians 13:4

2 Corinthians 12 
 
V. 14-18, Children do not care for their parents 
 
One of the things that a parent does is take great pride and joy in providing for every need of their children and then some. Mommy’s and Daddy’s will work long hours to sacrifice for their children because they want the best for them. They will do with out what they want so their children can have what they want. Paul tells the church of Corinth that as a spiritual father to them they should know that he is not expecting anything in return from them. He says a child does save up to care for the parent but instead the parent for the child. He goes on to further say that he not only didn’t want anything but that he would give up everything so that they may have more. Paul wasn’t your ordinary everyday run of the mill person, he loved with all his heart and he wasn’t afraid to give up everything he had to show it. 
In our society, it is sometimes hard to not look for the motives behind people’s actions, what are they going to get out of doing this? Spiritually Paul wanted the church of Corinth to know that he wasn’t in it for his profit but for their profit. He would gladly give up all that he had to see them come into a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. He took great pride and joy in being able to provide for his spiritual children of Corinth but also great heart ache in knowing that they had strayed from their original path. A parent wants nothing more than for their child to have everything they need in life, Paul understood, and we should too that there is no greater need in this world than Jesus. Without Jesus there is no hope and the last thing a parent wants are to give their child is no hope. Jesus is a treasure worth giving up everything for others to obtain but are we willing to give up the things of this world to obtain things not of this world.

2 Corinthians 12

V. 14-18, Children do not care for their parents

One of the things that a parent does is take great pride and joy in providing for every need of their children and then some. Mommy’s and Daddy’s will work long hours to sacrifice for their children because they want the best for them. They will do with out what they want so their children can have what they want. Paul tells the church of Corinth that as a spiritual father to them they should know that he is not expecting anything in return from them. He says a child does save up to care for the parent but instead the parent for the child. He goes on to further say that he not only didn’t want anything but that he would give up everything so that they may have more. Paul wasn’t your ordinary everyday run of the mill person, he loved with all his heart and he wasn’t afraid to give up everything he had to show it.
In our society, it is sometimes hard to not look for the motives behind people’s actions, what are they goin

2 Corinthians 12:14-18

2 Corinthians 11 
 
V. 30-33, Boasting in weakness 
 
A wise individual once said that bravery wasn’t doing something in the absence of fear it was doing something in the presence of fear. There is something to be said for an individual that can overcome fear and not allow it to control or stop them from completing their mission. Paul says in verse 30 that if he is going to brag then he is going to brag about his weaknesses. What Paul was saying is that with everything he has working against him the fact he is able to accomplish anything shows God’s power working in his life. Paul never allowed his weakness to keep him from accomplishing the mission that God had given him, on the flip side his weakness caused him to rely more upon God for success.When Paul came to an obstacle in life that he knew was too great for him to handle, he simply let God handle it for him. 
God loves to use us in areas we are weak because this give him all the glory for our success. Moses was a horrible public speaker, yet God chose him to go convince Pharaoh to release the children of Israel from bondage. 
 
Jeremiah though he was youth was an obstacle to being successful, but God said otherwise. Gideon had a severe inferiority complex and didn’t feel worthy, God made him the leader of an army who claimed victory after victory. We can choose to let our weakness hold us back or we can do like the apostle Paul and let God use our weakness for his glory.

2 Corinthians 11

V. 30-33, Boasting in weakness

A wise individual once said that bravery wasn’t doing something in the absence of fear it was doing something in the presence of fear. There is something to be said for an individual that can overcome fear and not allow it to control or stop them from completing their mission. Paul says in verse 30 that if he is going to brag then he is going to brag about his weaknesses. What Paul was saying is that with everything he has working against him the fact he is able to accomplish anything shows God’s power working in his life. Paul never allowed his weakness to keep him from accomplishing the mission that God had given him, on the flip side his weakness caused him to rely more upon God for success.When Paul came to an obstacle in life that he knew was too great for him to handle, he simply let God handle it for him.
God loves to use us in areas we are weak because this give him all the glory for our success. Moses was a horrible public spea

2 Corinthians 11:30-33

2 Corinthians 11 
 
V. 12-15, Satan as an angel of light 
 
Our world is full of things that not quite as them seem. Nature like to fool us by giving animals camouflage, like a bug that looks exactly like a stick or lizards that can change color to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Then there are the ones who have a more sinister and deadly approach like we have here in the Appalachian Mountains. The copperhead has a color pattern that makes it almost completely unnoticeable as it lays on the fallen leaves that cover the ground. The poisonous snake just lays blending in waiting to pounce on unexpected prey and the occasionally hiker who gets to close. Things are not always as they seem, and Paul wants the church of Corinth to know this especially with those who are trying to influence them spiritually. Paul warns them of false prophets and teachers who will come in the name of Jesus but really, they are workers of the devil. 
Paul says in verse 14 that we shouldn’t be surprised that satan masquerades himself as an angel of light. Our culture tells us that satan is a fiery red individual with pointy horns coming from his head, but Paul says this isn’t true. Satan is an expert in deception and will come to you as someone or something that is appealing and attractive in order to bait you in. We only must look at how he tempted Jesus in Matthew 4 to see this is true. Satan didn’t come to Jesus demeaning God or speaking ill of the scripture, instead he came quoting the scripture to deceive and mislead Jesus. He tried to use the truth of God’s word out of context to mislead Jesus and he will do the same today with you and me. Jesus gave us a warning in Matthew 7:15-20 that we should be on the lookout for wolves who are dressed in sheep sheep’s clothing. He said the only way we cannot be deceived is to closely watch the fruit that they bear in their lives and we need to follow the same rule today. Are they leading others in closer fellowship with God or are they consumed with self-interest and numbers?

2 Corinthians 11

V. 12-15, Satan as an angel of light

Our world is full of things that not quite as them seem. Nature like to fool us by giving animals camouflage, like a bug that looks exactly like a stick or lizards that can change color to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Then there are the ones who have a more sinister and deadly approach like we have here in the Appalachian Mountains. The copperhead has a color pattern that makes it almost completely unnoticeable as it lays on the fallen leaves that cover the ground. The poisonous snake just lays blending in waiting to pounce on unexpected prey and the occasionally hiker who gets to close. Things are not always as they seem, and Paul wants the church of Corinth to know this especially with those who are trying to influence them spiritually. Paul warns them of false prophets and teachers who will come in the name of Jesus but really, they are workers of the devil.
Paul says in verse 14 that we shouldn’t be surprised th

2 Corinthians 11:12-15

2 Corinthians 10 
 
V. 17-18, Give credit where credit is due 
 
There is an old saying, “Give credit where credit is due.” It is a saying that means we should give someone credit who deserves it, even if we dislike something about them. A lot of times things we see things happen all around us and yet the people responsible for getting the actual job done never receive credit. Politicians love to take credit for the hard work of their constituents, CEO’s take the credit for the work of their employees, and so on and so on. This happens in the natural daily, but it should never happen in the church (spiritual). The one who deserves the credit should always get the credit in the church, Jesus deserves all credit. 
In verse 17 and 18 Paul notes this fact by simply saying if you are going to boast you better be boasting in the Lord and not yourself. He continues to say that someone who commends themselves are not worthy of honor, instead those who the Lord commends are. I have a problem with the prideful heart of many in the modern church. It seems that most every ministry or church has a front man (or woman) that is the face of their franchise. This person is on every advertisement and bulletin and seems to be more of a celebrity than a spiritual leader. They publicize attendance numbers, baptisms, salvations, and offering statistics like ESPN lists sports statistics. I am not saying they are bad or not Christians, what I am saying is I wish more of the focus was on Jesus instead of them. As believers everything we do should be to magnify Jesus to this world and minimize ourselves. Like John the Baptist said in John 3:30, He must increase, and we must decrease. The less they see our hands in it the more they see His hands on everything.

2 Corinthians 10

V. 17-18, Give credit where credit is due

There is an old saying, “Give credit where credit is due.” It is a saying that means we should give someone credit who deserves it, even if we dislike something about them. A lot of times things we see things happen all around us and yet the people responsible for getting the actual job done never receive credit. Politicians love to take credit for the hard work of their constituents, CEO’s take the credit for the work of their employees, and so on and so on. This happens in the natural daily, but it should never happen in the church (spiritual). The one who deserves the credit should always get the credit in the church, Jesus deserves all credit.
In verse 17 and 18 Paul notes this fact by simply saying if you are going to boast you better be boasting in the Lord and not yourself. He continues to say that someone who commends themselves are not worthy of honor, instead those who the Lord commends are. I have a problem with th

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

2 Corinthians 10 
 
V. 15-16, Our goal is to get the Gospel out to more 
 
Have you ever seen one of those videos online that starts with an individual knocking over a single domino that sets of a chain reaction that seems to go on forever? Dominos just keep falling into other dominos as they follow a path that was preset by the designer of the set. Domino 1000 can’t fall if dominos 1-999 don’t fall in sequence as planned out by the designer. Did you know that spiritual life works in the way? Paul says in verse 16 tells the people of Corinth that their goal in sowing into them continually is that they want to open the door to share the gospel of Jesus with others in their region. In other words, the Corinth domino must fall before the other dominos in the region can fall. Christianity is all about expanding the gospel, the great commission (Matthew 28:16-20) tells us to go unto all the world making disciples and Acts 1:8 tells us the very reason we are given the Holy Spirit is to empower us to be witnesses to this world. 
So, do you see yourself as a domino? One of the things that I tell men all the time when I discuss the discipleship of their family is that they wife and children will never be who God wants them to be if you are not the man God has called you to be. If your domino doesn’t fall, then their domino isn’t going to fall and hit who it was supposed to hit. We look at our life as unimportant or not reaching many, but Christianity is a heritage marathon not a one-person sprint. Our obedience to and love for Jesus Christ can be the domino that literally effects generations to come, carrying on long after we have left this earth. So, look at your now as a domino, is it going fall, is it going to fall in the right direction, is it going to hit the next domino it is supposed to hit. All questions we should be looking to answer daily.

2 Corinthians 10

V. 15-16, Our goal is to get the Gospel out to more

Have you ever seen one of those videos online that starts with an individual knocking over a single domino that sets of a chain reaction that seems to go on forever? Dominos just keep falling into other dominos as they follow a path that was preset by the designer of the set. Domino 1000 can’t fall if dominos 1-999 don’t fall in sequence as planned out by the designer. Did you know that spiritual life works in the way? Paul says in verse 16 tells the people of Corinth that their goal in sowing into them continually is that they want to open the door to share the gospel of Jesus with others in their region. In other words, the Corinth domino must fall before the other dominos in the region can fall. Christianity is all about expanding the gospel, the great commission (Matthew 28:16-20) tells us to go unto all the world making disciples and Acts 1:8 tells us the very reason we are given the Holy Spirit is to empower u

2 Corinthians 10:15-16

2 Corinthians 10 
 
V. 12-14, We boast in our service to God, not ourselves 
 
We all know someone who is a little too proud of themselves. They are constantly bragging on how great they are at everything and no matter how the conversation starts they will find a way to twist it around to where it finishes about them. They one up everyone on every accomplishment and somehow are a master of every skill set in existence. In verse 12-14 Paul wanted to make sure that any time he has referred to their success in ministry that they are not bragging on themselves but instead they are boasting on the fact that God empowered them to be successful. As believers in Christ it is important that we get a hold of what Paul is saying here, we deserve none of the credit. God deserves it all. 
It is human nature for us to want to receive a pat on the back for a job well done but this is not the nature of a true believer in Christ. We want Jesus to receive the credit for everything because we know that He is the only one that truly deserves it. As a part of the denomination in which I am ordained, I must turn in a monthly report to keep my license active. On this report it has things like, how many times did you teach, how many times did you preach, how counseling hours did you have, did you pay your tithes, etc. Then there are questions that are more about ministry successes like how many were saved under your ministry this month? I always put zero in these sections of the report because I know that I didn’t do anything, if salvation or break throughs occurred it was because of God and not because of me. I am not knocking the reporting process set forth but what I am saying is God will do what God is going to do regardless of if He uses me or someone else to get it done. We are just a tool in the hands of a Master Craftsman, the tool doesn’t get the credit job the craftsman completes. Paul had this heart and as the modern church we should too, we don’t deserve any of the credit, it all goes to God. So, any boasting shouldn’t revolve around ourselves, our churches, our denominations, etc., it should always revolve around Jesus

2 Corinthians 10

V. 12-14, We boast in our service to God, not ourselves

We all know someone who is a little too proud of themselves. They are constantly bragging on how great they are at everything and no matter how the conversation starts they will find a way to twist it around to where it finishes about them. They one up everyone on every accomplishment and somehow are a master of every skill set in existence. In verse 12-14 Paul wanted to make sure that any time he has referred to their success in ministry that they are not bragging on themselves but instead they are boasting on the fact that God empowered them to be successful. As believers in Christ it is important that we get a hold of what Paul is saying here, we deserve none of the credit. God deserves it all.
It is human nature for us to want to receive a pat on the back for a job well done but this is not the nature of a true believer in Christ. We want Jesus to receive the credit for everything because we know that He is 

2 Corinthians 10:12-14

2 Corinthians 10 
 
V. 3-6, Pulling down strong holds 
 
In verses 3-6 Paul gives us a quick lesson as to how we are different from the world in which we live. He says we may have a fleshly body, but we don’t handle things in the flesh we handle them in the spirit. As Christians we have an understanding that we can’t do it upon on our own and that we must rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us to overcome the sinful nature of this world. We enter warfare with this world and our flesh not with earthly weapons but instead with heavenly assistance. This is the way that we can tear down the sinful strong holds in our lives that has controls our behavior pre-salvation. A strong hold is something in your life that is has power and authority over you because you have allowed it to have such power. When we submit to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to have control strong holds in our lives come tumbling down. They no longer have power of us because we no longer have power over ourselves, as we have given all authority to God when we surrendered our hearts to Jesus. 
He goes on in verse 5 to say that with the power of God we can overcome everything that stands against the knowledge of God in our life. So much so that our every thought is brought into obedience with the will of Jesus Christ for our life. As our hearts are drawn nearer to our Lord and Savior, we stop pursuing things in this world that doesn’t draw us nearer to God and we shun things that draw us away from Him. The process of sanctification begins in our hearts and we set aside the things of this world and place our flesh under subjection to the authority of God by denying it what it wants with the power of the Holy Spirit making us more than overcomers. If you have strong holds in your life that are still weighing you down and distancing you from God, know that there is an escape and His name is Jesus.

2 Corinthians 10

V. 3-6, Pulling down strong holds

In verses 3-6 Paul gives us a quick lesson as to how we are different from the world in which we live. He says we may have a fleshly body, but we don’t handle things in the flesh we handle them in the spirit. As Christians we have an understanding that we can’t do it upon on our own and that we must rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us to overcome the sinful nature of this world. We enter warfare with this world and our flesh not with earthly weapons but instead with heavenly assistance. This is the way that we can tear down the sinful strong holds in our lives that has controls our behavior pre-salvation. A strong hold is something in your life that is has power and authority over you because you have allowed it to have such power. When we submit to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to have control strong holds in our lives come tumbling down. They no longer have power of us because we no longer have power over ourselves, as we have

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

2 Corinthians 10 
 
V. 1-2, With the humility and gentleness of Christ 
 
Paul new that another visit to the church of Corinth was a God given desire placed upon his heart. In the beginning of this chapter he makes a plea to the church of Corinth to clean up their spiritual lives before his next visit because he doesn’t want to have to discipline them face to face. His hope was that they would take his written reprimand in this letter would bring conviction to their hearts and they would see the error of their way. This way upon his next visit he would be able to just focus on showing them love and wouldn’t have to boldly rebuke their behavior. In verse one he says that he appealed to them by the humility and gentleness of Christ. This should be the desire of every believer that we can always walk in the humility and gentleness of Jesus towards this world. 
Can there be anything humbler than a King abandoning their throne to serve His people. Giving up a throne to become the sacrifice for the sins of the world is the ultimate showing of humility but Jesus magnified this behavior His entire earthly life. He served everyone he encountered to the point of washing His disciples’ feet moments before being taken to the cross for crimes He did not commit. Scripture bears out that His interaction with the world was full of gentleness as well. In Matthew 12:17-21 the words of the prophet Isaiah are used to describe the Messiah (Jesus). It says he would break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick, implying that he came to lift and restore the broken hearted of this world. May we all attempt daily to live up the humility and gentleness of Jesus in our lives, our world needs it more today than ever before.

2 Corinthians 10

V. 1-2, With the humility and gentleness of Christ

Paul new that another visit to the church of Corinth was a God given desire placed upon his heart. In the beginning of this chapter he makes a plea to the church of Corinth to clean up their spiritual lives before his next visit because he doesn’t want to have to discipline them face to face. His hope was that they would take his written reprimand in this letter would bring conviction to their hearts and they would see the error of their way. This way upon his next visit he would be able to just focus on showing them love and wouldn’t have to boldly rebuke their behavior. In verse one he says that he appealed to them by the humility and gentleness of Christ. This should be the desire of every believer that we can always walk in the humility and gentleness of Jesus towards this world.
Can there be anything humbler than a King abandoning their throne to serve His people. Giving up a throne to become the sacrifice for t

2 Corinthians 10:1-2

2 Corinthians 9 
 
V. 12-15, Giving effects the gospel 
 
A simple definition of faith is that you have complete trust or confidence in someone or something. You may not realize this, but do you know faith is strongly tied to your giving. You must have faith in God to provide for your family as well as trust Him to use the funds given to multiply His Kingdom in the way he sees fit. When you give to God you don’t give with an agenda or a plan on how the money will be used, you simply place it in God’s hands and trust him to use it as he sees fit. (Or at least you should.) Any time I have had the privilege of praying over an offering I always ask God to use it for the expansion of His Kingdom, in other words may more people come to know Jesus because of this offering. 
Paul lets the church of Corinth know in verses 12-15 that their gift would not only supply the needs of those in need but that I would lead to an overflow in thanksgiving to God. He continues to say that their generosity would reach many because of the grace of God. You may not know exactly where your offering or gift goes or whom will receive it, but you still give it in faith that God will use it where it needs used. We trust in God to take our gift and bless the lives of others and ultimately use it to minister to those who are most in need. Once it leaves our hands in faith, we place it in God’s hands, and is there any better place that it could be.

2 Corinthians 9

V. 12-15, Giving effects the gospel

A simple definition of faith is that you have complete trust or confidence in someone or something. You may not realize this, but do you know faith is strongly tied to your giving. You must have faith in God to provide for your family as well as trust Him to use the funds given to multiply His Kingdom in the way he sees fit. When you give to God you don’t give with an agenda or a plan on how the money will be used, you simply place it in God’s hands and trust him to use it as he sees fit. (Or at least you should.) Any time I have had the privilege of praying over an offering I always ask God to use it for the expansion of His Kingdom, in other words may more people come to know Jesus because of this offering.
Paul lets the church of Corinth know in verses 12-15 that their gift would not only supply the needs of those in need but that I would lead to an overflow in thanksgiving to God. He continues to say that their generosity would 

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