Sufferings and Consolations The Aftermath of Pauls Preaching

Sufferings and Consolations The Aftermath of Paul’s Preaching to Corinth 2 Corinthians 1: 5

2 Corinthians 1: 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Problems at Corinth • Divisions in the congregation • Worldly wisdom • Immature Christians • Arrogance • Immorality • Legal Problems • General Questions

The Issue at Hand • The issue of taking a brother to court we studied last month was representative of a much larger concept that the Corinthian brethren needed to learn – the Church was to be different than the world! • In a nutshell: Follow God’s teachings or seek approval from the city of Corinth?

2 Corinthians 6: 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. ”

Harsh Preaching 1 Corinthians 11: 17 • “…I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. ” • Paul gave strict instructions for the Corinthians to clean up their act and he would set in order other issues “when I come” (1 Cor. 11: 34)

So was he effective? 2 Corinthians 7: 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.

Isaiah 55: 8 -9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, ” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Legal Matters in the Church CORINTHIAN WAY GOD’S WAY Allow the pagan courts to arbitrate any and all disputes Matthew 18 • One-on-one • 2 or 3 witnesses • Entire Church • Treat as a publican

Sexual Immorality in the Church CORINTHIAN WAY GOD’S WAY “Live like a Corinthian” “Flee sexual immorality!” (1 Cor. 6: 18)

Sin in the Church (1 Cor. 6: 9 -10) CORINTHIAN WAY GOD’S WAY

Immediate Results of Obedience CORINTHIAN WAY GOD’S WAY NOT QUITE THAT SIMPLE! SUFFERING CONSOLATION

21 st Century Facebook Philosophy

A New Issue to Deal With – Suffering for Christ 2 Corinthians 1: 3 -5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

2 Corinthians 4: 8 -12 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

2 Corinthians 4: 8 -12 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

Paul’s Sufferings (11: 24 -33) • 39 Stripes on five separate occasions • Beaten with rods three times • Stoned once • Shipwrecked three times • Spent one night and day in the water • Various perils • Escaped from Damascus

2 Corinthians 1: 6 -7 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Summary • Doing what is right will not cause us to avoid suffering! • In fact, it might cause suffering. • The Corinthians (and us today, by extension) must not lose heart. • Our eternal reward will far exceed any temporal suffering.

2 Corinthians 4: 16 -18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2 Corinthians 4: 16 -18 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Conclusion • The life of a Christian will be filled with both suffering and consolation. • Heaven will surely be worth it all.

Revelation 21: 3 -4 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. ”