Category: 2 Corinthians

Reading

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SAA Notes

The Church treated the Apostles just as Israel treated Moses. We treat them just the same today – how often have you heard Paul denigrated? Our attitude should be: Paul is Jesus’ Apostle to me! Hear him!

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please teach us today so that we might know You better.

“But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”

Sometimes it’s hard not to look at others and compare yourself.

Sometimes we choose to make ourselves feel a little better by measuring ourselves against others. Sometimes we do this but alas it has the opposite effect.

Instead though we should be joining together in Christ.

Instead of comparisons, we are to be disciples of Jesus, walking this road together.

Because our identity is in Jesus, and nobody else.

Our identity is not in anything that a comparison or a measurement of others could give us.

It is only and always in Him!

* Father God,

Please help us point to Jesus, and away from ourselves.

Please help to grow in unity together with love, instead of driving apart with comparison.

Please fix within us a steady and sure hope, that one day we will be in the new heavens and the new earth – where You will dwell with us!

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Giving! While this is an area between each of us and the Lord, we should be challenged by verse 6 and look boldly at what motivates us. Thanksgiving to God for His indescribable gift is the motivation behind all true giving.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, may our hearts be open to hear Your word to us today.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

There is much encouragement and rebuke both for us in this passage, and in this single verse.

We can be found on the receiving end of someone compelling us even if we are reluctant to give of means/time/energy.

And we can be the ones trying to compel others into what we see as “giving”.

More time spent doing things at church! More effort needed in the activities! We’re not getting enough people and so we must not be putting in enough effort!

This truth from God’s word, that He loves a cheerful giver – It must resound through our lives.

Choose to give, and give cheerfully!

Jesus tells us in Luke 6,

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return,”

This is the heart-attitude we must have.

We can be a cheerful giver because we have been given so much!

* Father God,

Thank You for the gift of eternal life, a hope that cannot be taken away.

Thank You for the gift of salvation, our great debt paid in full.

Thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus, our great Saviour, King and Lord.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Generosity is an attribute that we gradually lose, as we possess more of this world’s goods. The Macedonian churches will always be a challenge to us of rich generosity in a time of most severe trial, extreme poverty, but overflowing joy. Joy is the key to generosity!

SJA Notes

* Dear God Above, thank You for this day, and for Your word to us today – Please teach us, open our hearts, that we might listen and obey.

“… But they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

There is good order here, and a good encouragement and exhortation to us.

We need to get the order right!

First to the Lord. Then to good works.

Our works do not (and should not) define us.

It is the Lord that matters, as Paul has pointed to again and again these two letters to the Corinthian church (and to us) – He is the center, the foundation, the pivot and crux.

When we give ourselves to the Lord, He will direct our hearts toward the good works that He has prepared for us beforehand.

This is a good and wonderful thing!

* Dear Lord God,

Please help us to remember the order – That You are first.

Please help us to put You first in our lives; in how we think, speak and act.

Please make us more like Jesus today and each day.

Amen.