A Call to Generous Giving (Part 2)

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A Call to Generous Giving (Part 2)

2 Corinthians 8:10-15 NLT
A Call to Generous Giving (Part 2)
The Patterns of Giving
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say,
“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 8:10-15 NLT
A Call to Generous Giving (Part 2)
The Patterns of Giving
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started.

1 Corinthians 16:2 NLT
2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

The Corinthian church most likely stopped the process because they were influenced by false teachers.

2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT
17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. …

Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving.

  • Good intentions and eagerness are no substitute for good deeds.

James 2:15-16 NLT
15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

 1 John 3:18 NLT
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 

Give in proportion to what you have. 

1 Corinthians 16:2 NLT
2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

  • The New Testament never mentions set amounts or percentages for giving.
  • Give in proportion to what you have. 

12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. 

2 Corinthians 9:7
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 

And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.  

Don’t go into debt to give.

  • God loves a person who gives cheerfully. 

13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 

The word equality used here could be translated “balance” or “equilibrium”.

Help other believers meet their basic needs.

  • Scripture does not promote a welfare mentality.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 NLT
An Exhortation to Proper Living
6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” 

14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.  

  • Balance: When you have plenty, help those who are in need. Later, when they will have plenty, they can share with you when you need it.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT
17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 

  • Be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 

15 As the Scriptures say,
“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

Exodus 16:16-18 NLT (Divine pattern)
16 These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.”
17 So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. 18 But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.

Final thoughts:

Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT
7 O God, I beg two favors from you;
let me have them before I die.
8 First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

Luke 6:38 NLT
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

 

Joseph Reveals His Identity

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Joseph Reveals His Identity

Review:

    • God is gradually preparing Joseph’s brothers to be leaders of his chosen people.
    • God’s testing is having a significant impact on Jacob and his sons.

Lives are being changed.

Genesis 45:1-15 NLT
Joseph Reveals His Identity
45 Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace.
3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.
9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! 10 You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 11 I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.’”
12 Then Joseph added, “Look! You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph! 13 Go tell my father of my honored position here in Egypt. Describe for him everything you have seen, and then bring my father here quickly.” 14 Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. 15 Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him. 

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 45:1-15 NLT
Joseph Reveals His Identity

1 Joseph could stand it no longer.

Moved by Judah’s speech and all of the events leading up to this point, Joseph is unable to control his emotions.

There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers

Joseph would have been 39 years old, and away from his brothers for 22 years.

when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept.

This was the third of five times Joseph wept over his brothers.

  • Reasons for Joseph’s tears:

Genesis 42:21-24 NLT
21 Speaking among themselves, they said, “Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his anguish when he pleaded for his life, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this trouble.”
22 “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?” Reuben asked. “But you wouldn’t listen. And now we have to answer for his blood!”
23 Of course, they didn’t know that Joseph understood them, for he had been speaking to them through an interpreter. 24 Now he turned away from them and began to weep. … 

    • Joseph was overcome with emotion when he sensed his brothers’ remorse.

Genesis 43:27-30 NLT
27 After greeting them, he asked, “How is your father, the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?”
28 “Yes,” they replied. “Our father, your servant, is alive and well.” And they bowed low again.
29 Then Joseph looked at his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother. “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Joseph asked. “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother. He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept. 

    • Joseph was overcome with emotion for the welfare of his father and his brother Benjamin.

This verse (Genesis 45:2)- God’s sovereignty

    • Joseph was overcome with emotion as he experienced God’s sovereignty in the life of his family.

The verse at the end of this passage:

Genesis 45:14-15 NLT
14 Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. 15 Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.

Reconciliation  (after decades)

    • Joseph was overcome with emotion as he experienced the reconciliation taking place between him and his brothers.

Genesis 50:14-17 NLT
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 

    • Joseph was overcome with emotion as he witnessed repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace. 

3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?”

Joseph’s love and concern for his dad are evident.

But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 

  • The brothers were experiencing amazement and fear.

If Joseph had not been submissive to the sovereignty of God he may have readily had his brothers executed.

4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.  

  • The process of reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers is coming to a climax. 

5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 

Joseph recognized that God, not his brothers, had sent him to Egypt.

  • Joseph saw, understood, and verbalized the sovereignty of God at work throughout this entire process.

***Because of Joseph’s understanding of the sovereignty of God, he was able to forgive his brothers.

  • We miss out on so many of God’s blessings when we do not recognize God’s sovereignty at work in our lives.

***Pray that God will help us see, understand, and be able to verbalize his sovereignty at work in our lives.

Genesis 50:20 NLT
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 

Conditions will be getting a lot worse.

7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 

  • Joseph understands, at least in part, the Abrahamic covenant and its promise of a nation.

Pray for an understanding of the bigger picture of God’s plan for our lives. 

8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.

  • God had put Joseph, an Israelite, in the position of governor of Egypt. (God can certainly do similar acts in 2020.)

9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! 10 You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 

The region of Goshen was a fertile region, suited for grazing the herds of Jacob.

Separate from the populated areas in Egypt.

Genesis 46:33-34 NLT
33 Then he said, “When Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation, 34 you must tell him, ‘We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.’ When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, for the Egyptians despise shepherds.” 

11 I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.’”

If Joseph’s family did not move to Egypt, they would not survive the famine.

12 Then Joseph added, “Look! You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph! 13 Go tell my father of my honored position here in Egypt. Describe for him everything you have seen, and then bring my father here quickly.” 14 Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same.  

15 Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him. 

Genesis 43:34 NLT
34 And Joseph filled their plates with food from his own table, giving Benjamin five times as much as he gave the others. So they feasted and drank freely with him. 

In Genesis 43 the brothers were drinking freely with the Governor of Egypt.  Here they are talking freely with their brother Joseph. 

  • Joseph and his brothers experienced the joy of reconciliation.

Nothing is too hard for God!

A Call to Generous Giving

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A Call to Generous Giving

The Patterns of Giving

Examples of Generosity (Liberality)

Paul is challenging the Corinthian Church to excel in the gracious act of giving.

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 NLT
A Call to Generous Giving
The Patterns of Giving
Examples of Generosity (Liberality)
1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 NLT

A Call to Generous Giving

The Patterns of Giving

Examples of Generosity (Liberality)

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters,  

Paul is speaking to the Corinthian Church.

  • Paul is challenging the Corinthian Church to excel in the gracious act of giving. (v. 7) 

what God in his kindness has done 

What God has done. 

through the churches in Macedonia.  

Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea

2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy,

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 NLT1
 This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May God give you grace and peace.
2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul knew that the abundant joy of the Macedonian believers came from their relationship with the Lord.

Psalm 28:7 NLT
7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. 

More about this in verse 5 

which has overflowed in rich generosity. 

Tested by many troubles and are very poor.

Filled with abundant joy.

Joy overflowed in rich generosity.

  • Paul’s model: The churches in Macedonia.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more.

  • They gave far more than they could afford.

Biblical principles for giving:

Proverbs 3:9 NLT
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce. 

Don’t give your leftovers!

1 Corinthians 16:2 NLT
2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 

And they did it of their own free will. 

  • They did it of their own free will.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.  

  • They begged for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers. 

5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

  • The #1 priority of the Macedonian believers was to give themselves to the Lord.

Romans 12:1 NLT
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Mark 12:30-31 NLT
30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
3 …. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 

  • Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to others. 

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 

Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian Church.

Finish what you started.

Follow through.

7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

God has blessed the Corinthians church in so many ways, the least they could do is to give generously to Christians in need.

8 I am not commanding you to do this.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 

  • God loves a person who gives cheerfully. 

But I am testing how genuine your love is 

Love is only expressed through giving. If there is no giving, there is no evidence that love exists. The only proof of love is giving. Giving is the action that demonstrates love.

  • Giving is the action that demonstrates love. 

John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 

  • For this is how God loved the world: He gave … 

by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 

Comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

Comparing it with Jesus.

Luke 6:38 NLT
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

 

  • Paul is challenging the Corinthian Church to excel in the gracious act of giving. (v. 7)
  • Paul’s model: The churches in Macedonia.
    • They gave far more than they could afford.
    • They did it of their own free will.
    • They begged for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers.
  • The #1 priority of the Macedonian believers was to give themselves to the Lord.
  • Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to others.
  • God loves a person who gives cheerfully.
  • Giving is the action that demonstrates love.
    • For this is how God loved the world: He gave …

Joseph’s Silver Cup

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Joseph’s Silver Cup

Review:

  • God is gradually preparing Joseph’s brothers to be leaders of his chosen people.
  • God’s testing is having a significant impact on Jacob and his sons.

Lives are being changed.

Genesis 44:1-34 NLT
Joseph’s Silver Cup
1 When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to his palace manager: “Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man’s money back into his sack. 2 Then put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother’s sack, along with the money for his grain.” So the manager did as Joseph instructed him.
3 The brothers were up at dawn and were sent on their journey with their loaded donkeys. 4 But when they had gone only a short distance and were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his palace manager, “Chase after them and stop them. When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid my kindness with such evil? 5 Why have you stolen my master’s silver cup, which he uses to predict the future? What a wicked thing you have done!’”
6 When the palace manager caught up with the men, he spoke to them as he had been instructed.
7 “What are you talking about?” the brothers responded. “We are your servants and would never do such a thing! 8 Didn’t we return the money we found in our sacks? We brought it back all the way from the land of Canaan. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? 9 If you find his cup with any one of us, let that man die. And all the rest of us, my lord, will be your slaves.”
10 “That’s fair,” the man replied. “But only the one who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go free.”
11 They all quickly took their sacks from the backs of their donkeys and opened them. 12 The palace manager searched the brothers’ sacks, from the oldest to the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack! 13 When the brothers saw this, they tore their clothing in despair. Then they loaded their donkeys again and returned to the city.
14 Joseph was still in his palace when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him. 15 “What have you done?” Joseph demanded. “Don’t you know that a man like me can predict the future?”
16 Judah answered, “Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we explain this? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves—all of us, not just our brother who had your cup in his sack.”
17 “No,” Joseph said. “I would never do such a thing! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back to your father in peace.”
Judah Speaks for His Brothers
18 Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.
19 “My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ 20 And we responded, ‘Yes, my lord, we have a father who is an old man, and his youngest son is a child of his old age. His full brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him very much.’
21 “And you said to us, ‘Bring him here so I can see him with my own eyes.’ 22 But we said to you, ‘My lord, the boy cannot leave his father, for his father would die.’ 23 But you told us, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes with you, you will never see my face again.’
24 “So we returned to your servant, our father, and told him what you had said. 25 Later, when he said, ‘Go back again and buy us more food,’ 26 we replied, ‘We can’t go unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We’ll never get to see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’
27 “Then my father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife had two sons, 28 and one of them went away and never returned. Doubtless he was torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have never seen him since. 29 Now if you take his brother away from me, and any harm comes to him, you will send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave.’
30 “And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life. 31 If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave. 32 My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’
33 “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!”

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 44:1-17 NLT
Joseph’s Silver Cup
1 When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to his palace manager: “Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man’s money back into his sack. 2 Then put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother’s sack, along with the money for his grain.” So the manager did as Joseph instructed him.

The testing continues.

Joseph (God) was testing the brothers’ concern for both Benjamin and Jacob.

  • If Joseph’s brothers failed to demonstrate a concern for Benjamin (and Jacob) they would not be the kind of men God wanted as leaders for His chosen people.

Deuteronomy 11:27-28 NLT
27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. 28 But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.

Exodus 32:7-10 NLT
7 The Lord told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”
9 Then the Lord said, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. 10 Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation.”

3 The brothers were up at dawn and were sent on their journey with their loaded donkeys. 4 But when they had gone only a short distance and were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his palace manager, “Chase after them and stop them. 

When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid my kindness with such evil? 5 Why have you stolen my master’s silver cup, which he uses to predict the future?

“My master’s silver cup, which he uses to predict the future.”

Verse 15: “What have you done?” Joseph demanded. “Don’t you know that a man like me can predict the future?”

In the Egyptian culture, Egyptian viziers practiced divination or hydromancy.  This cup would have been used in the process of pouring water into oil, interpreting the results, predicting the future, and passing new revelations on to the Pharaoh.

Joseph was continuing his ruse, he knew that only God grants revelation.

  • The silver cup found in Benjamin’s sack would have been extremely valuable to an Egyptian vizier.

Without this cup, the vizier could have felt handicapped in performing his duties. 

What a wicked thing you have done!’” 

The testing would be reaching a climax. 

6 When the palace manager caught up with the men, he spoke to them as he had been instructed.

 7 “What are you talking about?” the brothers responded. “We are your servants and would never do such a thing! 8 Didn’t we return the money we found in our sacks? We brought it back all the way from the land of Canaan. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? 9 If you find his cup with any one of us, let that man die.

This may be a foolish statement to make, but it was normal at this time to stake your life on what you said.

  • For a moment, the brothers were feeling confident and believed they were making things right with Joseph.

Genesis 43:34 NLT
34 And Joseph filled their plates with food from his own table, giving Benjamin five times as much as he gave the others. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

And all the rest of us, my lord, will be your slaves.” 

10 “That’s fair,” the man replied. “But only the one who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go free.” 

11 They all quickly took their sacks from the backs of their donkeys and opened them. 12 The palace manager searched the brothers’ sacks, from the oldest to the youngest.

They all quickly took their sacks from the backs of their donkeys and opened them.

The palace manager created tension by starting with the oldest and ending with Benjamin, knowing the silver cup was in Benjamin’s sack.

And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack! 13 When the brothers saw this, they tore their clothing in despair. 

  • In an instant, the brother’s confidence and hopes were crushed.

The brothers were experiencing despair similar to the despair Jacob experienced.  A feeling that “all was lost”.

Genesis 37:31-34 NLT
31 Then the brothers killed a young goat and dipped Joseph’s robe in its blood. 32 They sent the beautiful robe to their father with this message: “Look at what we found. Doesn’t this robe belong to your son?”
33 Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. 

This would be a “new” feeling for the brothers.  They were beginning to “care”.

This was certainly a roller coaster experience for the brothers, but the brothers were “passing” the test. 

  • The tearing of one’s clothes is an ancient tradition among the Jews, and it is associated with mourning, grief, and loss. 

Then they loaded their donkeys again and returned to the city. 

14 Joseph was still in his palace when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him. 

They did not just bow politely,

They fell to the ground before him. This could be an indication of true remorse.

(Joseph’s dreams)

  • The brothers appeared to be demonstrating genuine remorse. 

15 “What have you done?” Joseph demanded. “Don’t you know that a man like me can predict the future?”

The ruse continues.

Joseph was still disguising himself as an Egyptian official.

16 Judah answered, “Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we explain this? How can we prove our innocence?

Judah (not Reuben, the firstborn) was once again the spokesperson for the brothers.

God is punishing us for our sins.

Judah recognizes the hand of God in these events.

Hebrews 12:11 NLT
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

  • God is working in the lives of Joseph’s brothers and they are responding in a positive way. 

My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves—all of us, not just our brother who had your cup in his sack.”

  • Judah is recognizing and confessing the sins of all of the brothers.

17 “No,” Joseph said. “I would never do such a thing! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back to your father in peace.”

The testing continues.

Joseph is giving the brothers an “out”.  He is letting them “off the hook”.

If the brothers take Joseph up on this offer, they would be failing the test.

  • Joseph gives the brothers “an out”.

Judah Speaks for His Brothers
18 Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.
19 “My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ 20 And we responded, ‘Yes, my lord, we have a father who is an old man, and his youngest son is a child of his old age. His full brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him very much.’
21 “And you said to us, ‘Bring him here so I can see him with my own eyes.’ 22 But we said to you, ‘My lord, the boy cannot leave his father, for his father would die.’ 23 But you told us, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes with you, you will never see my face again.’
24 “So we returned to your servant, our father, and told him what you had said. 25 Later, when he said, ‘Go back again and buy us more food,’ 26 we replied, ‘We can’t go unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We’ll never get to see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’
27 “Then my father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife had two sons, 28 and one of them went away and never returned. Doubtless he was torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have never seen him since. 29 Now if you take his brother away from me, and any harm comes to him, you will send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave.’
30 “And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life. 31 If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave. 32 My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’
33 “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!”

Judah interceded for Benjamin with a lengthy plea to Joseph, offering to be imprisoned in the place of his younger brother.

This plea clearly demonstrated his concern for his father who would surely die if Benjamin did not return home.

  • The brothers demonstrated a genuine concern for their father and their younger brother, Benjamin. 

 

Notes on Judah:

Genesis 49:8-10 NLT
8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you.
You will grasp your enemies by the neck.
All your relatives will bow before you.
9 …
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants,
until the coming of the one to whom it belongs,
the one whom all nations will honor.

1 Chronicles 5:2 NLT
2 The descendants of Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation …

Judah is included in the lists of the ancestors of Jesus found in Matthew 1 and Luke 3.

A Feast at Joseph’s Palace

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A Feast at Joseph’s Palace

Review:

    • God is preparing Joseph’s brothers to be leaders of his chosen people.
    • God’s testing is having a significant impact on Jacob and his sons.
    • The brothers were terrified (again).

Lives are being changed.

Was it Godly Sorrow or Worldly Sorrow?

Genesis 43:19-34 NLT
A Feast at Joseph’s Palace
19 The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace. 20 “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt once before to buy food. 21 But as we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that each man’s money—the exact amount paid—was in the top of his sack! Here it is; we have brought it back with us. 22 We also have additional money to buy more food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.”23 “Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks.
I know I received your payment.” Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.
24 The manager then led the men into Joseph’s palace. He gave them water to wash their feet and provided food for their donkeys. 25 They were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon.
26 When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him, then bowed low to the ground before him. 27 After greeting them, he asked, “How is your father, the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?”
28 “Yes,” they replied. “Our father, your servant, is alive and well.” And they bowed low again.
29 Then Joseph looked at his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother. “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Joseph asked. “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother. He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept. 31 After washing his face, he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered, “Bring out the food!”
32 The waiters served Joseph at his own table, and his brothers were served at a separate table. The Egyptians who ate with Joseph sat at their own table, because Egyptians despise Hebrews and refuse to eat with them. 33 Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them according to age, from oldest to youngest. 34 And Joseph filled their plates with food from his own table, giving Benjamin five times as much as he gave the others. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 43:18 NLT
18 The brothers were terrified when they saw that they were being taken into Joseph’s house. “It’s because of the money someone put in our sacks last time we were here,” they said. “He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”

From the previous lesson.

    • The brothers are terrified (again).

Genesis 43:19-34 NLT
A Feast at Joseph’s Palace
19 The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace. 20 “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt once before to buy food.  

21 But as we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that each man’s money—the exact amount paid—was in the top of his sack! Here it is; we have brought it back with us. 

  • The brothers are completely vulnerable and feeling the weight of God’s judgment on their consciences.
  • God’s testing is having an impact on Jacob and his sons.

The brothers displayed:
Honesty
Desire to settle their debt.

  • Were the brothers experiencing Godly Sorrow or Worldly Sorrow?

2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT
10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 

Psalm 51
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
    blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
    Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion;
    it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
    I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
    and your judgment against me is just.
5 For I was born a sinner—
    yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb
    teaching me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
    you have broken me—
    now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
    Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
    and they will return to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
    then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,
    that my mouth may praise you.
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
    You do not want a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
    You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 

  • Worldly sorrow provides opportunities for teaching Godly sorrow.

22 We also have additional money to buy more food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.” 

23 “Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father,

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was being active in this story, and that fact was recognized by the Egyptian household manager. 

must have put this treasure into your sacks.

This is a powerful statement.

Treasure (most translations) implies more than just a payment for a purchase.
Put the money in your sack as a gift. (ERV)

Isaiah 45:3 NLT
3 And I will give you (Cyrus) treasures hidden in the darkness—
secret riches.
I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

I know I received your payment.”

  • The Egyptian household manager recognized that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was active in this narrative. 

Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them. 

24 The manager then led the men into Joseph’s palace. He gave them water to wash their feet and provided food for their donkeys. 

Usual Eastern hospitality.

An act of courtesy to a traveler.

  • The brothers are treated with courtesy by the Egyptian household manager.

25 They were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon.

Guests of the governor of Egypt.

26 When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him, then bowed low to the ground before him. 

Joseph’s boyhood dream (37:5-8)

27 After greeting them, he asked, “How is your father, the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?”

28 “Yes,” they replied. “Our father, your servant, is alive and well.” And they bowed low again.

  • Joseph was no longer treating his brothers harshly.

29 Then Joseph looked at his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother.

The son of his own mother. 

“Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Joseph asked. “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 

“May God”

Elohiym – the supreme God – same name as in Genesis 1:1

A demonstration of favoritism.

An answer to Jacob’s prayer.

Genesis 43:14 NLT
14 May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it.”

  • Joseph recognized the fact that God played a significant role in this narrative. 

30 Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother.

Painful memories.

Joy and thanksgiving.

Joseph and not seen Benjamin for 20 years.

He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept. 31 After washing his face, he came back out, keeping himself under control.

Joseph was not ready to reveal his identity.

Then he ordered, “Bring out the food!” 

32 The waiters served Joseph at his own table,

Joseph’s rank was clearly displayed with a table set just for him.

Since Joseph was not ready to reveal his identity, he could not sit with his brothers since Egyptians would never sit with Hebrews.

 and his brothers were served at a separate table. 

The Egyptians who ate with Joseph sat at their own table, because Egyptians despise Hebrews and refuse to eat with them.  

  • Egyptians normally despise Hebrews.

33 Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement,

he seated them according to age, from oldest to youngest.  

“to their amazement” indicates that the brothers took note of Joseph’s seating arrangement.

How could the Egyptian governor have known this?

More divine intervention?

Genesis 42:21 NLT
21 Speaking among themselves, they said, “Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his anguish when he pleaded for his life, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this trouble.” 

34 And Joseph filled their plates with food from his own table, giving Benjamin five times as much as he gave the others.

A clear demonstration of favoritism.

The brothers were confronted with generous and gracious dealings from God through Joseph, who tested their tolerance by reenacting the favoritism toward Rachel’s son that had galvanized their earlier hostility.

  • The brothers did not appear to react negatively to Joseph’s demonstration of favoritism toward Benjamin. 

So they feasted and drank freely with him. 

From terrified (verse 18) to feasting and drinking freely.

  • The brothers appeared to experience some degree of comfort feasting and drinking with the governor of Egypt. 
  • God is gradually preparing Joseph’s brothers to be leaders of his chosen people.

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

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Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

Introduction:

Review:

2 Corinthians 6:14 & 17 NLT
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers.

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,

(These statements were directed to members of the Corinthian Church)

Why was Paul making these statements?

    • The Corinthians were siding with (believing) false teachers and they were rejecting Paul.

Paul’s appealed for reconciliation.

Paul’s had a burning desire for a restored relationship with the Corinthian Church.

    • Paul’s rivals were cunning.
    • Paul experienced deep discouragement.

2 Corinthians 7:8-16 NLT
Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance
8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. 16 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 7:8-16 NLT
Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance 

8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you (with Titus), though I was sorry at first,

(Refer to the note at the end)

What was the issue?

Paul had to defend his apostleship.

Paul’s character was being assaulted.

 for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 

Hebrews 12:11 NLT
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

  • No discipline seems pleasant at the time. Later on, however, it produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways.

A sorrow that led to repentance.

Pain or sorrow that causes repentance and change is a good thing.

  • Paul talks about two kinds of sorrow.

It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.  

10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. 

There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow.

2 Timothy 2:25 NLT
25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 

  • The first kind of sorrow is a sorrow God wants us to experience. It is a sorrow that leads us away from sin and results in salvation.

But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

Sorry for getting caught.

  • The second kind of sorrow is worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow lacks repentance and results in spiritual death. 

11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! 

Such earnestness,

Earnestness, diligence, or eagerness to pursue righteousness and make amends.

such concern to clear yourselves,

To explain and clear yourselves of the charges that you tolerate sin. 

such indignation,

At sin (the man who opposed Paul)

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 NLT
Forgiveness for the Sinner
5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
9 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

such alarm,

Fear of offending God.

such longing to see me, 

such zeal,

To do what is right. 

and such a readiness to punish wrong.

To punish those who sin and those who tolerate sin.  To see justice done.

 

Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! 

Earnestness,      a concern to clear yourselves,      indignation,      alarm,

a longing to see me,     zeal,     and a readiness to punish wrong. 

You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 

 

12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged.  (Paul may be referring to himself as the one who was wronged. 2 Corinthians 2:5) I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 

  • Paul’s primary purpose in writing the letter was to benefit the Corinthians. The primary focus was not on the one who did the wrong.
  • Paul had a burning desire for a restored relationship with the Corinthian Church.

13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.

You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. (v.11) 

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. 16 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you. 

  • Overall, the outcome of Paul’s “severe” letter was positive.

 

 

 

Note added:

Four Letters, Three Visits

1st visit

A.D. 48-51      1 ½ years
Acts 18:1 (NLT)
Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth
Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

1st letter – now lost  From Ephesus – misunderstood by the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 5:9 (NLT)
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 

2nd letter  (1st Corinthians)  From Ephesus –  A.D 53-55 

2nd visit  A painful visit 

3rd letter – now lost   Tearful, severe letter

2 Corinthians 2:3-4 (NLT)
3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. 4 I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you. 

2 Corinthians 7:8-9 (NLT)
8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 

4th letter  (2nd Corinthians)  From Macedonia A.D. 55/56 

3rd visit  A.D. 56 -57

Acts 20:2-3 (NLT)
2 While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, 3 where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

ESV Study Bible                    NIV Study Bible                    The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Lindsell Study Bible               The MacArthur Bible Commentary

God Encourages Those Who Are Discouraged

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God Encourages Those Who Are Discouraged

Review:

2 Corinthians 6:14 & 17 NLT

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers.

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,

(These statements were directed to members of the Corinthian Church)

          • Doing the right thing can be very painful.
          • Paul experienced deep discouragement.

God Encourages Those Who Are Discouraged

Paul’s Appeal for Reconciliation.

Paul’s Burning Desire for a Restored Relationship with the Corinthian Church.

2 Corinthians 7:2-7 (NLT)
2 Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. 4 I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.
Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance
5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. 6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 7:2-7 (NLT)

Review:

2 Corinthians 6:14 & 17 NLT

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers.

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,

(These statements were directed to members of the Corinthian Church) 

  • The Corinthians were siding with (believing) false teachers and they were rejecting Paul. 

2 Please open your hearts to us.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NLT
11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us! 

  • Paul desperately wanted the Corinthian church to accept him as a spiritual leader. 

We have not done wrong to anyone,

2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT
17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us. 

nor led anyone astray,

2 Corinthians 4:2 NLT
2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 

2 Corinthians 6:3 NLT
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 

 nor taken advantage of anyone.  

A history of “hurt” with the Corinthian Church.

Some misunderstandings resulting from “the missing letter”.

2 Corinthians 2:1 NLT
So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.

Paul is defending his actions. 

3 I’m not saying this to condemn you.

Paul did not blame the Corinthians for their vacillation.  His rivals, the false teachers, were cunning.

Cunning: having skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion.

  • Paul’s rivals were cunning.

2 Corinthians 11:3-5 NLT
3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.5 But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. 

2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT
12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

  • Paul’s rivals are described as wonderful, important, “super apostles”. 

I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you.  

4 I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.

  • Paul was confident that God was at work in the Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 NLT
Paul Gives Thanks to God
4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance
5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest (no peace of mind) for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.  

  • Paul experienced deep discouragement.

6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 

  • God encourages those who are discouraged.

7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you.

2 Corinthians 2:3-4 NLT
3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. 4 I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

  • Doing the right thing can be very painful.

The Brothers Return to Egypt

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The Brothers Return to Egypt

Review:

Points from the previous lesson.

    • The sense of divine retribution is beginning to awaken feelings of remorse in the brothers that they had not experienced up to this time.
    • God is convicting the brothers of their unconfessed sin.
    • Jacob is holding his sons accountable for the loss of Joseph and Simeon.
    • God is preparing Joseph’s brothers to be leaders of his chosen people.

These points continue through today’s lesson.

Genesis 43:1-18 NLT
The Brothers Return to Egypt
43 But the famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan. 2 When the grain they had brought from Egypt was almost gone, Jacob said to his sons, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
3 But Judah said, “The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send Benjamin with us, we will go down and buy more food. 5 But if you don’t let Benjamin go, we won’t go either. Remember, the man said, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”
6 “Why were you so cruel to me?” Jacob moaned. “Why did you tell him you had another brother?”
7 “The man kept asking us questions about our family,” they replied. “He asked, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ So we answered his questions. How could we know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”
8 Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise we will all die of starvation—and not only we, but you and our little ones. 9 I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever. 10 If we hadn’t wasted all this time, we could have gone and returned twice by now.”
11 So their father, Jacob, finally said to them, “If it can’t be avoided, then at least do this. Pack your bags with the best products of this land. Take them down to the man as gifts—balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 12 Also take double the money that was put back in your sacks, as it was probably someone’s mistake. 13 Then take your brother, and go back to the man. 14 May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it.”
15 So the men packed Jacob’s gifts and double the money and headed off with Benjamin. They finally arrived in Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside the palace. Then go slaughter an animal, and prepare a big feast.” 17 So the man did as Joseph told him and took them into Joseph’s palace.
18 The brothers were terrified when they saw that they were being taken into Joseph’s house. “It’s because of the money someone put in our sacks last time we were here,” they said. “He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 43:1-18 NLT
The Brothers Return to Egypt
1 But the famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan. 

The famine continued to ravage the land.  Jacob’s family would soon be facing starvation. 

2 When the grain they had brought from Egypt was almost gone, Jacob said to his sons, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

Jacob was unable, on his own, to provide food for his family.

  • God’s testing included Jacob.

3 But Judah said, “The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ 

Joseph’s warning was taken seriously.

4 If you send Benjamin with us, we will go down and buy more food. 5 But if you don’t let Benjamin go, we won’t go either. Remember, the man said, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” 

6 “Why were you so cruel to me?” Jacob moaned. “Why did you tell him you had another brother?”

  • Jacob is holding his sons accountable for the loss of Joseph and Simeon, and now the potential loss of Benjamin.

Dissension continues to exist between Jacob and (most of) his sons. 

7 “The man kept asking us questions about our family,” they replied. “He asked, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ So we answered his questions. How could we know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?” 

  • The brothers are now trying to pass the blame on to “the man”. (Sound familiar?) 

8 Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise, we will all die of starvation—and not only we, but you and our little ones. 

The famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan.

  • Starvation for Jacob’s family was a reality. 

9 I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever. 10 If we hadn’t wasted all this time, we could have gone and returned twice by now.”

Judah, Jacob’s fourth son, steps up to bat. (not Reuben)

Jacob had not agreed to let Benjamin travel with Reuben.

Genesis 42:37-38 NLT
37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may kill my two sons if I don’t bring Benjamin back to you. I’ll be responsible for him, and I promise to bring him back.”
38 But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down with you. His brother Joseph is dead, and he is all I have left. If anything should happen to him on your journey, you would send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave.”

Judah was the brother who came up with the plan to sell Joseph, when the other brothers, except Ruben, were planning to let Joseph die in the cistern in the wilderness.

Genesis 37:26-27 NLT
26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. 27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.

Judah was willing to take the blame if Benjamin were not returned.

Here in chapter 43 and also in chapter 44, we see Judah’s character maturing.

  • God’s testing is having a positive effect on Judah. (More about Judah in chapter 44.)

11 So their father, Jacob, finally said to them, “If it can’t be avoided, then at least do this. Pack your bags with the best products of this land. Take them down to the man as gifts—balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 

Apparently, these items were not available in Egypt.

12 Also take double the money that was put back in your sacks, as it was probably someone’s mistake. 13 Then take your brother, and go back to the man. 

Jacob was doing what he could to save Simeon and Benjamin.  (Bribe the Egyptian governor.)

  • Jacob resigned himself to the possibility of now losing his son Benjamin.

14 May God Almighty 

God Almighty – (Hebrew El-Shaddai) This name for God emphasizes His power.

Genesis 28:1-4 NLT
1 So Isaac called for Jacob, blessed him, and said, “You must not marry any of these Canaanite women. 2 Instead, go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your grandfather Bethuel, and marry one of your uncle Laban’s daughters. 3 May God Almighty bless you and give you many children. And may your descendants multiply and become many nations! 4 May God pass on to you and your descendants the blessings he promised to Abraham. May you own this land where you are now living as a foreigner, for God gave this land to Abraham.” 

Genesis 35:11-12 NLT
11 Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! 12 And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.”

Jacob appears to be putting some trust in God. (In case the bribe doesn’t pay off.)

  • God’s testing is having a significant impact on Jacob.

give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. 

But if I must lose my children, so be it.”

  • Jacob knew that the events going on around him were completely out of his control. 

15 So the men packed Jacob’s gifts and double the money and headed off with Benjamin. They finally arrived in Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “These men will eat with me this noon.

The feast was both a celebration and a test.

Joseph had to feel good about the fact Benjamin was alive and well.

Take them inside the palace. Then go slaughter an animal, and prepare a big feast.” 17 So the man did as Joseph told him and took them into Joseph’s palace. 

18 The brothers were terrified when they saw that they were being taken into Joseph’s house.

  • The brothers were terrified (again).

Genesis 42:28
28 “Look!” he exclaimed to his brothers. “My money has been returned; it’s here in my sack!” Then their hearts sank. Trembling, they said to each other, “What has God done to us?” 

Genesis 42:35
35 As they emptied out their sacks, there in each man’s sack was the bag of money he had paid for the grain! The brothers and their father were terrified when they saw the bags of money. 

  • The brothers were not seeing any good coming from the Egyptian governor’s invitation.

“It’s because of the money someone put in our sacks last time we were here,” they said. “He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”

  • The brothers’ guilt was overwhelming.

Numbers 32:23 NLT
23 … and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Jeremiah 16:17 NLT
17 I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me.

Luke 12:2 NLT
2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.

  • You may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Faithfully Presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ

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Faithfully Presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today’s lesson does not focus on the message of the Gospel.  The focus of today’s lesson is presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:3-13  (NLT)
Paul’s Hardships
Paul’s Faithful Ministry
Faithfully Presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (NLT)

Paul’s Faithful Ministry

Paul’s Hardships

Faithfully Presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

2 Corinthians 2:16 NLT
16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.  

  • The Gospel may be offensive or foolish to many people.

3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us,

Matthew 18:6 NLT
6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. 

1 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. (This verse was talking about eating certain foods.) 

1 Corinthians 8:9 Amplified Bible
9 Only be careful that this liberty of yours [this power to choose] does not somehow become a stumbling block [that is, a temptation to sin] to the weak [in conscience].

  • We must live our lives in such a way that no one will stumble because of us.

and no one will find fault with our ministry.  

  • We need to avoid behaviors that would negate our effectiveness as an ambassador for Christ. 

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. 

This principle does not just apply to Paul and his co-workers.

Philippians 1:27-30 NLT
Live as Citizens of Heaven
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 

  • Live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. 

The following is a description of Paul’s experiences.  We should anticipate some similar experiences. 

We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.  

5 We have been beaten
,been put in prison,faced angry mobs
,worked to exhaustion
,endured sleepless nights,
and gone without food. 

2 Peter 1:3-7 NLT
Growing in Faith
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 

  • Patiently endure troubles and hardships remembering that God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 

6 We prove ourselves by our purity
,our understanding
,our patience
,our kindness
,by the Holy Spirit within us,
and by our sincere love.  

  • Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

7 We faithfully preach the truth.
God’s power is working in us.
We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Ephesians 6:10-11NLT
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

  • God’s power is working in us.

8 We serve God
whether people honor us or despise us,
whether they slander us or praise us.
We are honest, but they call us impostors.
 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known.
We live close to death, but we are still alive.
We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.
10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.
We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others.
We own nothing, and yet we have everything. 

  • Living for God is challenging.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

  • Remember who you are serving.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 

11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.  

13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

Paul’s appeal to the Corinthian Church.  Open your hearts to us.

  • Invite others to be a part of your life.

Don’t Team Up With Those Who Are Unbelievers

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Don’t Team Up With Those Who Are Unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NLT)
The Temple of the Living God
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
7  1Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NLT)
The Temple of the Living God
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. (This is a summary of this entire lesson) 

  • Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. 

Interesting verses from the Old Testament:

Deuteronomy 22:9-11 NLT
9 “You must not plant any other crop between the rows of your vineyard. If you do, you are forbidden to use either the grapes from the vineyard or the other crop.
10 “You must not plow with an ox (clean) and a donkey (unclean) harnessed together. *
11 “You must not wear clothing made of wool and linen woven together.

*You will end up with crooked rows.

Leviticus 19:19 NLT
19 “You must obey all my decrees.
“Do not mate two different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two different kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of thread. 

  • Some partnerships, between believers and unbelievers, just do not work.

God knows what He is talking about!

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. 

This is not saying that we should end all associations with unbelievers.

We interact, we do not become yoked together.

We should not be:

yoked together, coupled, connected, hooked, interconnected, interlinked, joined, linked, partnered

This relates to:

Mixed marriages (Spiritually)

Improper business associates

False apostles

How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness?

How can light live with darkness? 

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil?

How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 

16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? 

  • It is impossible under certain partnerships for things to be done to God’s glory. 

For we (the church) are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people. 

Leviticus 26:12 NLT
12 I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.

Ezekiel 37:27 NLT
27 I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

John 14:16-17 NLT
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

  • Believers are the temple of the living God.
  • The temple of the living God cannot team up with those who are unbelievers.
  • “You must not plow with an ox (clean) and a donkey (unclean) harnessed together.

It just won’t work! 

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you. 

This applied to the Israelites.

Isaiah 52:11 NLT
11 Get out! Get out and leave your captivity,
where everything you touch is unclean.
Get out of there and purify yourselves,
you who carry home the sacred objects of the Lord. 

This applied to the church in Corinth.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NLT
3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 

But I (Paul) fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted.

This applies to us, today. 

  • Believers must separate themselves from unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT
33 … “bad company corrupts good character.” 

  • “Bad company corrupts good character.”

18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.” 

Ephesians 1:3-6 NLT
Spiritual Blessings
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 

Galatians 4:5-6 NLT
5 God sent him (Jesus) to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 

  • Believers are God’s children, adopted into his family. 

7  1Because we have these promises, 

      1. 6:16 & v. 6:18 

dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit.

1 John 1:9 NLT
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 

And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

2 Timothy 2:19-22 NLT
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

2 Peter 1:3 NLT
Growing in Faith
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 

Progressive sanctification:
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 

  • “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”