September 18, 2016 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: 2 Corinthians 6:1-18
Something Greater - “Safeguarding Christ’s Testimony” 2Corinthians 6:1-18
Vs 1-2: “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
- That which is entrusted, salvation by grace, is now to be a sacred trust.
Vs 3: “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be
discredited.” 1 Timothy 4:16
- The platform by which we live is the platform from which we minister and we speak.
Vs 4: “Rather, as servants of God we ‘commend’ ourselves in every way...”
- To embrace the Christian life at all cost and at any cost!
To Safeguard Christ’s Testimony:
Vs 4-5: “we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships…”
- We embrace with great e the hardships of living for Jesus Christ.
- James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance….”
Vs 6-7: “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand…””
- We embrace and commit to seeking the fruit of the r life in Christ.
- Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Vs 8-10 “through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on…”
- We embrace that we live d by the world but regarded by God.
John 15:19 "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
Vs 11-13: “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.”
- We embrace love and give our h to believers in the body of Christ.
- John 15:13 “No greater love than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”
- Greatest truth men need: To give their hearts to other men! Proverbs 23:26
Vs 14-18 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…For we are the temple of the living God. “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.”
- We embrace the s life for one purpose and for one use – a holy God’s!
- 1Corinthians 15:33-34 “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- If I am to succeed in my Christian walk, I must walk with the wise. Proverbs 13:20
The greatest good in life is to commend myself to the testimony of Jesus Christ.