Church-to-Church Diaconal Ministry (1) [Biblical Theology of the Diaconate #41, 2023.07.09 Sabbath School]

In addition to overseeing person to person ministry in material things, deacons administer that temporal ministry that must be done corporately, including church-to-church ministry.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How Does the Triune God Bless Us? [2023.02.05 Evening Sermon in 2Corinthians 13:14—Theology Conference Session 5]

The nature of benedictions. Churches often replace them or they omit them entirely. State why the Trinitarian blessing is vital and relevant as a closing chapter. The Triune God himself is the highest blessing of His people.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Blessing One Another in and by the Blessedness of the Triune God [Family Worship lesson in 2Corinthians 13:11–14]

Where do believers learn to bless one another? 2Corinthians 13:11–14 looks forward to the p.m. sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the people of God learn to bless one another from the God Who blesses them with the blessing that is in Himself. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.02.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 13:11–14

Read 2 Corinthians 13:11–14

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the apostle begin by saying in 2 Corinthians 13:11? What does the apostle tell them to become? What three things does he tell them to do? What will be with them as they do this? How does he tell them to greet one another (2 Corinthians 13:12)? Who greet them (2 Corinthians 13:13)? What is the first article of the blessing of this benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14)? From Whom, especially, does this grace come? What is His identity? What is His Name? What is His title? What is the second article of blessing? From Whom especially? What is the third article of blessing? From Whom especially? How is this Spirit identified as God? Unto which Corinthian believers is this blessing pronounced? How does this blessing conclude? 

Where do believers learn to bless one another? 2 Corinthians 13:11–14 looks forward to the p.m. sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the people of God learn to bless one another from the God Who blesses them with the blessing that is in Himself. 

For someone who has just pleaded with them that he not have to come in sharpness to make a painful visit, the apostle’s closing to this letter is very affectionate. He calls them brethren. He reminds them of his stated goal for them from the end of 2 Corinthians 13:9—that they would come to be everything that Christ has called them to be. It is not his own honor at which he aims but theirs.

The word that is translated “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 13:11 is that ‘parakaleo’ word that we hear so much about. He is encouraging them that in the Spirit, in the Word, and in the Lord’s ministry to them through each other, they have called-alongside-them all that they need in order to arrive at this completion.

Of course, if we are to be used in this way in one another’s lives, we cannot be in continual disagreement on important things. As elsewhere in Scripture (and especially in the Corinthian letters), the apostle calls us here to be of one mind. To think the same things. Theological diversity is never praised in the Bible. Unity is attained by the perfecting of each one’s doctrine according to Scripture, so that all come to agree.

Yet, we know that if we all have doctrinal precision, this is not the same as having ‘good’ doctrine. For, the Bible presents itself as a book not just to be believed but especially to be lived. They are not only to be of one mind, but as each practices what he learns from Scripture, they are to live in peace.

How is it possible for a sinful church like Corinth to do this? Their wickedness is not so great as God’s love. Their tendency for strife is not so great as God’s peace. Ultimately, this is one of those arenas of grace—opportunities for His strength to be displayed in the midst of our weakness. It is God’s love and God’s peace that will be with them.

And it is that peace which they are to have with one another in their local congregation (2 Corinthians 13:12), which they are to enjoy and extend to all the congregations of Christ’s church (2 Corinthians 13:13). Indeed, our fellowship is not only with one another; it is with the triune God. Upon His grace, it all rests. From His love, it all came. And in fellowship with Him, it is all done. Amen!

He is the God Who is ever-blessed in His triune Self in love and fellowship. And He blesses us by bringing us into His own love and fellowship, as He brings us into dependence upon Him in His grace.

How are you being prepared for glory? Becoming of one mind with others of comprehensively Scriptural doctrine? Expressing and enjoying love and unity with other believers? 

Sample prayer: Lord, You are the ever-blessed God in Whom we live and move and have our being. Forgive us for the disunity and selfishness in which we live in our sin. As You have toned for us in Christ and joined us to Him, so now grant that in Him, we would have the blessing of the triune God. Bless us with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we ask in Christ’s Name, Amen!

 Suggested songs: ARP197 “Christian Unity” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Supplemental Hopewell @Home ▫ 2Corinthians 13:11–14

The following was written for the Hopewell @Home devotionals before I realized that the congregation probably didn't know the tune to TPH563. However, it dovetails nicely with what we've been learning about God the Holy Spirit, so I thought putting it here might be of some use.

Read 2Corinthians 13:11–14

Questions from the Scripture text: How does v11 begin? What does the apostle call them? What is the first command (in the English)? What is the second? The third? The fourth? What does he call God? What will this God do? What command does v12 give? Who does what in v13? And what comes from Whom in v14a? And what from Whom in v14b? and what from Whom in v14c? How does this compare to the last part of v11? How many of them have these things from Him? How does the apostle conclude his letter?

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, and first song all come from 2Corinthians 13:11–14 so that we will see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with May the Grace of Christ My Savior.

Rather than jump immediately into the benediction itself in v14, we start back in v11 where the apostle begins by firing off five commands. Our English translation says “farewell” for the first one, which is actually the command, “rejoice!” The closest we have in our (un)common usage would be if someone said goodbye by saying, “cheers!”

The second command is to be complete. Be perfect. Be mended/fixed. All those problems that the apostle has addressed in the two canonical letters (and probably others)? Overcome them. It’s quite a command. Sometimes, we deludedly think that there are commands of God that we can more easily obey. The Spirit teaches us to know better: that no commands can be kept in the flesh, and that all of them shall at last be kept by those who are in Christ by Spirit-given faith. But here is a command that would be right up there as the “hardest” if there was such a thing. Be perfect.

The third command, “be of good comfort,” is that word by which the Lord calls His Spirit “another Helper.” The verb form can be translated comfort, rebuke, exhort, help, etc. In this context, it means something along the lines of, “receive everything that you need along the way.” Another impossible command.

The final two commands are to think the same and to peace (“live in peace” translates one word that more strongly emphasizes the peace that he is commanding them to have). It doesn’t just mean peace with one another but also with God. The two commands taken together mean that they are to have right attitudes and emotions.

What a series of commands! How can they hope to obey? The answer echoes 12:9. The God of peace and love will be with them (v11)!

Therefore, the ultimate greeting of the letter is the greeting of God Himself. He does command them to greet one another as saints (v12). The holiness belongs not to a particular style of kissing, but to the people who are giving one another the kiss of greeting. Their kiss is to come out of genuine recognition of one another as saints, “holy ones,” who are treasured for the sake of God having set them apart to Himself. And the other saints greet them too (v13).

But our fellowship is not just with one another but with God Himself. And that’s the great greeting with which the letter concludes. The grace of God is His blessing in place of our curse, His strength in place of our weakness (cf. 12:9), really it is all that God Himself is to compensate for and overcome all that we would be in ourselves. It is the grace of the Father and the grace of the Spirit too; these things cannot be separated in God. But “all that God is for all that we need Him to be” is especially associated with the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (v14a). What a benediction this would be by itself, “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ”!

The love of God is the love not only that is from God, but the love that is in God Himself. As the Person Who eternally begets the Son, and from Whom (with the Son) the Spirit eternally proceeds, we might associate this love especially with the Father. And certainly, the naming of the other two Persons implies this to some extent. But it is probably significant that the apostle says “the love of God” not “the love of the Father.” It is especially in the giving of the Son and of the Spirit that the Father has made known His love to us. Each of the Persons loves us with the love that exists among the triune Godhead! What a benediction this would be by itself, “the love of God”!

Finally, and most rarely experienced and perceived, the Lord commands here the blessing, “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” The Lord Jesus has not left us like orphans (Jn 14:17–18). The Father and the Son have come and made their home with us (Jn 14:23). And it is especially in the companionship of the third Person of the Godhead that they have done so. We have no life in ourselves. We have no love in ourselves. But our receiving the life of Jesus Christ by grace has happened by the companionship of the Holy Spirit. And our knowing God as our Abba and the giving of Himself in His Son has happened by the companionship of the Holy Spirit. The more we grow in this life of God and this knowledge of the love of God, the more we realize and rejoice over the Spirit’s companionship with us. Oh how the Spirit has loved us! And is always with us! And even in us (Jn 14:17)! And communicates God Himself to us! We ought to love Him and rejoice over Him. What a benediction this would be by itself, “the communion of the Holy Spirit”!

But we do not have merely one of these benedictions by themselves, much in the same way that it is impossible to have any one Person of the Trinity by Himself. We receive a Triune blessing, because we live in a Triune blessedness from a Triune God!

How can you obey God’s “impossible” commands? How is this sweeter than if He had just given you power? At the end of worship how does God prompt that sweetness?

Sample prayer:  Our glorious, triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—make us to know You Yourself as all of our life and goodness and blessedness. Make us to know Your love, by the fellowship of Your Spirit, in the grace of Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH563 “May the Grace of Christ Our Savior”

WCF 16.2.4, Good Works Edify the Brethren by Displaying the Fruit of God's Effectual Grace (2021.10.31 Sabbath School in Matthew 5:13–16 and 2Corinthians 9:1–5)

When good works are done by those who start out poor in spirit, it points to their Father and encourages the rest of His children. These children encourage one another by their good works precisely because they know that one another's good works come not from them but from their Father.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2021.10.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 9

Read 2 Corinthians 9

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the apostle say that he doesn’t even really need to write about (2 Corinthians 9:1)? About what has he boasted to the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 9:2a)? Whom has their zeal stirred up (verse 2b)? Why has he sent the brethren (2 Corinthians 9:3)? When would the apostle like for the Corinthians to have their part of the gift ready (2 Corinthians 9:4-5)? Of what Proverbs 11:24 principle does he remind them in 2 Corinthians 9:6? How much does he tell each to give (2 Corinthians 9:7a)? To which two ways of giving does he assume this will be opposite (verse 7b)? Which way of giving should be the result (verse 7c)? Who loves that kind of giver? What about what we need—who will supply that (2 Corinthians 9:8)? How often? How much sufficiency? In what situations? For what purpose? What does Psalm 112 say that god-fearing man does (2 Corinthians 9:9)? Who is the One who enables him to do this? For what kinds of people does the Lord supply and multiply what they need (2 Corinthians 9:10)? What does the apostle say is God’s reason for richly supplying the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:11)? What does he repeatedly say abounds back to God (verse 11, 2 Corinthians 9:12, 2 Corinthians 9:13)? And what do the recipients of the gift end up doing for the givers of it (2 Corinthians 9:14)? What gift created these connections and makes all of this giving and praying and thanking and praising possible (2 Corinthians 9:15)?

Those who sincerely profess Christ would genuinely like to be people in whose actions and lives the glory of Jesus is seen and known. However, we imagine to ourselves that it requires some heroic effort that is always just out of our reach.

That’s not the picture given in this passage from which comes part of our upcoming Sabbath School lesson. Rather, the Scripture tells us that God has already abundantly supplied us, and He will continue to abundantly supply us. We have only to be generous with whatever He has given us, and follow His law.

Now, that last part is important. The text describes this as the fruit of “righteousness”—a word and idea that can’t just be defined as what people think is right, but only as what God Himself says is right. And here, as in other places, God prioritizes the needs of the saints in the supplying of material neediness. Did they have no poor in Corinth? It was a major city, with major sin; of course they did! But it was the saints in Judea who were the aim of “every good work.” And other parts of the Scripture, such as 1 Timothy 5 and the requirement to care for one’s own house, must direct the amount and target of our sacrificial giving.

We can see the ultimate reason why this is: the purpose of this giving is “thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11)… many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:12)… they glorify God (2 Corinthians 9:13).”

Here is both a reason that such giving is primarily to believers (only they know the true God in Jesus Christ, so that their thanksgiving abounds readily and properly), and also a reason that giving to unbelievers must always always be drowned in gospel announcement of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done (not just a compulsory word or two—for, how else will they connect it to the indescribably gift?)!

It is actually God’s gift to us in Christ that all that we have and all that we are can genuinely belong to Jesus—that we can act in every moment as if it belongs to Jesus and use every possession as if it belongs to Jesus. We don’t deserve to live such lives of worship unto Him. And this is a glorious fellowship beyond what we deserve to have with one another. But even these are just side benefits to the great and indescribable gift—Jesus Himself.

What part does thanksgiving have in your life? Who sacrificially gives of himself for you, and how/when do you pray for him/her? What time/possessions could you really be giving?

Sample prayer:  O Lord, grant that the seeds we sow in service to You would increase the fruits of our righteousness from You. Make us to see how this makes thanksgiving to abound unto Your glory. And make us to love Your glory, so that we will be eager to abound in good works. Forgive us for when we are selfish toward others, desiring to keep for ourselves what could better be used for their good. And forgive us all the more for when we are selfish toward You, not considering or desiring Your glory in our actions. By Your Spirit, make us to be like Christ, Your indescribable gift, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP112 “O Praise the Lord” or TPH187 “I Belong to Jesus”

“Of Repentance unto Life” part 14, WCF 15.6.4, The Duty of Reconciliation (2021.09.12 Sabbath School in 2Corinthians 2:3–11)

The duty of encouraging one another, reconciling, and reaffirming affection is as much of an apostolic command as church discipline.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

WCF 15.2.1, pt3, What Real Repentance Looks Like (2021.07.04 Sabbath School Lesson in Jer 31, Joel 2, Amos 5, Psa 119, 2Cor 7)

▫ Restoration and New Covenant section in Jeremiah ▫ Yahweh gives repentance and restoration ▫ This repentance includes both bemoaning self and a view of God's tender and persistent 'affections' and actions ▫ Intensity, sincerity of turning ▫ Character of God and promise of God ▫ Laying hold of His willingness ▫ Not only turning from evil, but turning to good ▫ Turning to good a necessary component of turning to God ▫ Not all sorrow is repentance. ▫ Evidences of godly sorrow include: diligence, re-earning trust/honor, indignation/renewed hatred of sin, vehement desire, zeal. These are the things that vindicate (justify or prove/declare true) the sorrow as godly and repentant.

Afflictions and Weakness that Glorify Jesus's Work and Keep Us Looking to Him in Faith (Family Worship Lesson in 2Corinthians 4:8–18)

Why is the Christian life so hard? Pastor leads his family in today's "Hopewell @Home" passage. 2Corinthians 4:8–18 prepares us for the first part of the morning worship service on the coming Lord's Day. In these eleven verses of Sacred Scripture, we learn that our troubles and ongoing weakness make it plain that all of the good that comes out from us in the midst of it is only from Jesus. By using this means to fit us for eternally weighty glory, and bring us into eternally weighty glory, Jesus is much glorified in our lives. How blessed, then, is the usefulness of our many troubles and increasing neediness!

2021.06.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 4:8–18

Read 2 Corinthians 4:8–18

Questions from the Scripture text: What four things have happened to the apostle and his companions in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9? What four accompanying results have not ended up happening? What are they carrying about (2 Corinthians 4:10)? How often? For what reason—what does this display in them? What are they currently doing (2 Corinthians 4:11a)? But what is always happening to them? What does this display in their mortal flesh (verse 11b, cf. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10)? In whom else, then, does the life of Jesus operate (2 Corinthians 4:12)? What do those who believe do (2 Corinthians 4:13)? What will He who raised up the Lord Jesus also do (2 Corinthians 4:14)? Why does God save so many by grace (2 Corinthians 4:15)? What do we not lose (2 Corinthians 4:16)? What is perishing? What is being renewed day by day? What kind of affliction do we have (2 Corinthians 4:17)? For how long? What is it working for us? How much and for how long? What do we look at (2 Corinthians 4:18)? What is the difference in how long the seen lasts vs. how long the unseen lasts?

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, Song of Adoration, and Prayer of Confession all come from 2 Corinthians 4:8–18, so that we will see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with My Faith Looks up to Thee. 

In the first part of this chapter, the apostle defends a plain, biblical ministry by the fact that this is the kind of ministry through which the Lord reveals His glory to and in the hearts of believers. And he concludes in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that our being earthen vessels ensures that the power of the glory will obviously belong only and all to God.

Well, that’s something that continues for the rest of the Christian life: many, various troubles and trials, so that as the Lord sustains us through them all, it will be plain that whatever is happening in our lives is His glorious work (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). 

We have a Savior Who suffered and died, and we too suffer as we proceed toward our death in this life (2 Corinthians 4:10a, 2 Corinthians 4:11a). But, just as He has risen from the dead, it is His resurrection and not our impending death that drives how we go through our troubles (2 Corinthians 4:10b, 2 Corinthians 4:11b). 

And now he brings this reasoning back to his ministry: he doesn’t try to appear as anything more than a mortal man (2 Corinthians 4:12a), because God Himself will employs such a ministry to produce resurrection life in the Corinthians themselves (verse 12b). So we live as those who depend upon Him to save us by faith (2 Corinthians 4:13a), and we speak as those who depend upon Him to use it by faith (verse 13b). We expect God to get all the glory, as He presents us all rejoicing and giving thanks (2 Corinthians 4:14-15).

As in ministry, so also in death. We are afflicted for a while now, and we will die. But how eternal and how weighty is the glory that this affliction and death brings us to (2 Corinthians 4:17)! So, we are encouraged and invigorated by being pushed into increasing dependence upon Him (2 Corinthians 4:16), looking forward to a glory that can only be “seen” by faith (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Whether in conversion, throughout life, in the ministry, or facing death, this is our creed: my faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary!

In what ways are you feeling your weakness and mortality? How does this glorify God?

Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH466 “My Faith Looks up to Thee”

2021.05.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 3:17–4:7

Read 2 Corinthians 3:17–4:7

Questions from the Scripture text: To whom do we turn, when we turn to Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17)? And what does the Lord, the Spirit, give us? And what do we see, when our blindness is removed (2 Corinthians 3:18)? And what effect does this have upon us? What have Paul and his companions received for their ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1)? What do they not lose? What does he call the things that they have renounced in 2 Corinthians 4:2? In what do they refuse to walk? How do they refuse to handle the word of God? Instead, what do they do with the truth? To what aspect, then, of every man, do they commend themselves? In whose sight? What may happen to their gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3a)? But to whom would it be veiled (verse 3b)? What does 2 Corinthians 4:4 call the devil? What has he done to those who are perishing? What do they not do? What does this veil keep them from seeing? Who is Christ, according to 2 Corinthians 4:4? What, then, do Paul and his companions not preach (2 Corinthians 4:5)? What do they preach? How do they consider themselves? Who does the work (2 Corinthians 4:6)? What else has He done about 4000 years prior? In whom else has He already done this spiritual counterpart to that work? Where does He shine? What light does He give? In whose face is the knowledge of this glory received? By what kind of vessel is this treasure conveyed (2 Corinthians 4:7)? What does this show?

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, Song of Adoration, and Prayer of Confession all come from 2 Corinthians 3:17–4:7, so that we will see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. 

Here, the apostle explains why his ministry is not generally impressive to all. One might have (wrongly) expected that the ministry of an apostle would be impressive to anyone.

Paul’s ultimate response is that God alone is the impressiveness of the work, and those who are not impressed with Him are not going to find anything else to be impressed with in his ministry (2 Corinthians 4:7). This doesn’t bother him, because his ministry is not his idea or his pride. It as an assignment of God by the mercy of God. It may seem to be going poorly, but if it is of God, then there is no reason to lose heart!

Ironically, the apostle refers to superficially impressive ministry as “the hidden things of shame.” There is a way of handling the Word of God that looks impressive on the outside, but what you cannot see is that it is man-derived and man-dependent. But the apostles are not concerned with commending themselves to men’s admiration. They are concerned with commending themselves to men’s consciences. O that we would learn to see our life as an assignment from God and deal earnestly with others as those who will have to stand before Him!! How this might help us to stop living for their applause!

Will such a ministry have a hundred percent conversion rate? No and yes. In one sense, no. There are those who are perishing. And if the Lord has not atoned for them, and is not going to regenerate them, then what exactly are we supposed to be able to do about that? It is not just that they are unable to see God’s glory. It is also that they are not permitted. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that God has set things up this way because He refuses to shine the light of the gospel upon them. 

But in another sense, yes. Such a ministry will have a hundred percent conversion rate. For, the Lord is all powerful. He spoke light itself into existence. And He can speak spiritual light into existence in the hearts. And He does, because in the case of His elect, He is determined to give them the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ! It is the Lord, the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17a) who frees sinners from their blindness (verse 3:17b) so that they may not only see the glory of the Lord in the first place (2 Corinthians 3:18a), but also grow in our sanctification until He has at last conformed us to His own glorious image (verse 3:18b)!

What kind of ministry should we look for in the church? Whom should we be looking to make it effective? With whom should we aim at being impressed? What aims and approaches are incompatible with this?

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH465 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

"Of Saving Faith" part 1, WCF 14.1.1–2 — Faith the Alone Means of Salvation, and the Spirit the Giver of Faith (2021.03.07 Sabbath School Lesson)

I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,(a) is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts;(b)
(a) Heb. 10:39.
(b) II Cor. 4:13; Eph. 1:17, 18, 19; Eph. 2:8.

A Theology of Faces: Unmasking the Defacing of God's Image in Christ and the Redeemed (2020.08.23 Evening Sermon in 2Cor 3:12–4:6)

Why do we have faces at all? What has God intended to communicate, by our faces, about Himself and about His purposes in our creation and redemption? What is lost if we must cover our faces, and what is being cheaply sold if we willingly yield to it without good warrant for it?

2020.08.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 3:17–4:7

Read 2 Corinthians 3:17–4:7

Questions from the Scripture text: To whom do we turn, when we turn to Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17)? And what does the Lord, the Spirit, give us? And what do we see, when our blindness is removed (2 Corinthians 3:18)? And what effect does this have upon us? What have Paul and his companions received for their ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1)? What do they not lose? What does he call the things that they have renounced in 2 Corinthians 4:2? In what do they refuse to walk? How do they refuse to handle the word of God? Instead, what do they do with the truth? To what aspect, then, of every man, do they commend themselves? In whose sight? What may happen to their gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3a)? But to whom would it be veiled (verse 3b)? What does 2 Corinthians 4:4 call the devil? What has he done to those who are perishing? What do they not do? What does this veil keep them from seeing? Who is Christ, according to verse 4? What, then, do Paul and his companions not preach (2 Corinthians 4:5)? What do they preach? How do they consider themselves? Who does the work (2 Corinthians 4:6)? What else has He done about 4000 years prior? In whom else has He already done this spiritual counterpart to that work? Where does He shine? What light does He give? In whose face is the knowledge of this glory received? By what kind of vessel is this treasure conveyed (2 Corinthians 4:7)? What does this show?

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, and Confession of Sin come from 2 Corinthians 3:17–4:7 in order that we will see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with Spirit of God, Dwell Thou within My Heart.

Here, the apostle explains why his ministry is not generally impressive to all. One might have (wrongly) expected that the ministry of an apostle would be impressive to anyone.

Paul’s ultimate response is that God alone is the impressiveness of the work, and those who are not impressed with Him are not going to find anything else to be impressed with in his ministry (2 Corinthians 4:7). This doesn’t bother him, because his ministry is not his idea or his pride. It as an assignment of God by the mercy of God. It may seem to be going poorly, but if it is of God, then there is no reason to lose heart!

Ironically, the apostle refers to superficially impressive ministry as “the hidden things of shame.” There is a way of handling the Word of God that looks impressive on the outside, but what you cannot see is that it is man-derived and man-dependent. But the apostles are not concerned with commending themselves to men’s admiration. They are concerned with commending themselves to men’s consciences. O that we would learn to see our life as an assignment from God and deal earnestly with others as those who will have to stand before Him!! How this might help us to stop living for their applause!

Will such a ministry have a hundred percent conversion rate? No and yes. In one sense, no. There are those who are perishing. And if the Lord has not atoned for them, and is not going to regenerate them, then what exactly are we supposed to be able to do about that? It is not just that they are unable to see God’s glory. It is also that they are not permitted. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that God has set things up this way because He refuses to shine the light of the gospel upon them.

But in another sense, yes. Such a ministry will have a hundred percent conversion rate. For, the Lord is all powerful. He spoke light itself into existence. And He can speak spiritual light into existence in the hearts. And He does, because in the case of His elect, He is determined to give them the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ! It is the Lord, the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17a) who frees sinners from their blindness (verse 3:17b) so that they may not only see the glory of the Lord in the first place (2 Corinthians 3:18a), but also grow in our sanctification until He has at last conformed us to His own glorious image (verse 3:18b)!

What kind of ministry should we look for in the church? Whom should we be looking to make it effective? With whom should we aim at being impressed? What aims and approaches are incompatible with this? 

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH393 “Spirit of God, Dwell Thou within Our Hearts”

2020.03.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 5:12–6:3

Read 2 Corinthians 5:12–6:3

Questions from the Scripture text: What opportunity was Paul giving the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 5:12)? What kind of people were the Corinthians dealing with? What did the Corinthians need to be able to say about Paul, for their own sakes (2 Corinthians 5:13)? Whose love was pressing and pushing Paul to speak this way (2 Corinthians 5:14)? What is true if One died for all (verse 14)? How does 2 Corinthians 5:15 describe the life of those who have died in Christ—for whom do they live? According to what are they not to regard anyone, including Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16)? If someone is in Christ, what is true about him (2 Corinthians 5:17)? Who has done this (2 Corinthians 5:18)? What is this change called a ministry of? What was it necessary not to impute to them, if they were going to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:19)? What do Christ’s ambassadors plead (2 Corinthians 5:20)? For what reason did God make Him who knew no sin to be sin (2 Corinthians 5:21)? What are Paul and his companions pleading with them not to do in 2 Corinthians 6:1? What day is the day when you hear how Jesus died so that we could be forgiven and begin to live for Him instead of ourselves (2 Corinthians 6:2)? 

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, and Song of Adoration come from 2 Corinthians 5:12–6:3 in order to sing God’s thoughts after Him with O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.

Here, we learn that a critical part of the gospel is the good news that we no longer have to live for ourselves. Yes, forgiveness is entirely by grace alone—by that glorious substitution in 2 Corinthians 5:21. God made Christ, who had not sinned at all, to be punished on the cross as sin itself, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. This is why when we believe in Jesus, our sins are not imputed—that is, not counted—against us (2 Corinthians 5:19).

But this is just the beginning. It was the guilt of these sins that kept us from receiving the glorious gift of being made new creatures. Jesus took the guilt, and He makes us new creatures.

This is why 2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us that the reason that He died for us was that we should no longer live for ourselves but for Him. To be made holy is a gift that we don’t deserve. So Jesus took upon Himself what we deserve, so that we could be made holy!

This is why someone who claims to be forgiven but not holy is literally playing with the fire of Hell. 2 Corinthians 6:1 calls this kind of thinking “to receive the grace of God in vain.” The word translated “vain” here is the same as the word translated “foolish” in most translations of James 2:20, and both are describing the same person: the one who claims to have a saving faith that doesn’t produce serving faithfulness.

Paul is literally begging the Corinthians not to think this way. It’s a salvation issue. “Today is the day of salvation!” he says. “Live like those whose chief desire is to please the Lord before whom you will one day stand!”

This is a word that aims at the perfection of His finished work in us, but knows that we will not have that perfection in this life. For us in the here and now, it’s a word about priorities. What are your priorities? For whom are you living? Is your sin an enemy whose days are numbered? Or is thinking about Christ an irritation or inconvenience to you because you’d really like to just keep living for yourself?

What is one way that you could be living for Him who died for you and rose again?

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH446 “Be Thou My Vision”

2019.10.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

Questions from the Scripture: What have Paul and his companions received for their ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1)? What do they not lose? What does he call the things that they have renounced in 2 Corinthians 4:2? In what do they refuse to walk? How do they refuse to handle the word of God? Instead, what do they do with the truth? To what aspect, then, of every man, do they commend themselves? In whose sight? What may happen to their gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3a)? But to whom would it be veiled (verse 3b)? What does 2 Corinthians 4:4 call the devil? What has he done to those who are perishing? What do they not do? What does this veil keep them from seeing? Who is Christ, according to verse 4? What, then, do Paul and his companions not preach (2 Corinthians 4:5)? What do they preach? How do they consider themselves? Who does the work (2 Corinthians 4:6)? What else has He done about 4000 years prior? In whom else has He already done this spiritual counterpart to that work? Where does He shine? What light does He give? In whose face is the knowledge of this glory received? By what kind of vessel is this treasure conveyed (2 Corinthians 4:7)? What does this show?

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, Song of Adoration, and Confession of Sin all come from 2 Corinthians 4:1-7. Here, the apostle explains why his ministry is not generally impressive to all. One might have (wrongly) expected that the ministry of an apostle would be impressive to anyone.

Paul’s ultimate response is that God alone is the impressiveness of the work, and those who are not impressed with Him are not going to find anything else to be impressed with in his ministry (2 Corinthians 4:7). This doesn’t bother him, because his ministry is not his idea or his pride. It as an assignment of God by the mercy of God. It may seem to be going poorly, but if it is of God, then there is no reason to lose heart!

Ironically, the apostle refers to superficially impressive ministry as “the hidden things of shame.” There is a way of handling the Word of God that looks impressive on the outside, but what you cannot see is that it is man-derived and man-dependent. But the apostles are not concerned with commending themselves to men’s admiration. They are concerned with commending themselves to men’s consciences. Oh, that we would learn to see our life as an assignment from God and deal earnestly with others as those who will have to stand before Him!! How this might help us to stop living for their applause!

Will such a ministry have a hundred percent conversion rate? No and yes. In one sense, no. There are those who are perishing. And if the Lord has not atoned for them, and is not going to regenerate them, then what exactly are we supposed to be able to do about that? It is not just that they are unable to see God’s glory. It is also that they are not permitted. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that God has set things up this way because He refuses to shine the light of the gospel upon them.

But in another sense, yes. Such a ministry will have a hundred percent conversion rate. For, the Lord is all powerful. He spoke light itself into existence. And He can speak spiritual light into existence in the hearts. And He does, because in the case of His elect, He is determined to give them the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ!

What kind of ministry should we look for in the church? Whom should we be looking to make it effective? With whom should we aim at being impressed? What aims and approaches are incompatible with this?

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH271 “Blessed Jesus, At Your Word”

2019.07.11 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Read 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Questions for Littles: What does the apostle begin by saying in 2 Corinthians 13:11? What does the apostle tell them to become? What three things does he tell them to do? What will be with them as they do this? How does he tell them to greet one another (2 Corinthians 13:12)? Who greet them (2 Corinthians 13:13)? With what three things does he bless them in 2 Corinthians 13:14?

For someone who has just pleaded with them that he not have to come in sharpness to make a painful visit, the apostle’s closing to this letter is very affectionate. He calls them brethren. He reminds them of his stated goal for them from the end of 2 Corinthians 13:9—that they would come to be everything that Christ has called them to be. It is not his own honor at which he aims but theirs.

The word that is translated “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 13:11 is that ‘parakaleo’ word that we hear so much about. He is encouraging them that in the Spirit, in the Word, and in the Lord’s ministry to them through each other, they have called-alongside-them all that they need in order to arrive at this completion.

Of course, if we are to be used in this way in one another’s lives, we cannot be in continual disagreement on important things. As elsewhere in Scripture (and especially in the Corinthian letters), the apostle calls us here to be of one mind. To think the same things. Theological diversity is never praised in the Bible. Unity is attained by the perfecting of each one’s doctrine according to Scripture.

Yet, we know that if we all have doctrinal precision, this is not the same as having ‘good’ doctrine. For, the Bible presents itself as a book not just to be believed but especially to be lived. They are not only to be of one mind, but as each practices what they learn from Scripture, they are to live in peace.

How is it possible for a sinful church like Corinth to do this? Their wickedness is not so great as God’s love. Their tendency for strife is not so great as God’s peace. Ultimately, this is one of those arenas of grace—opportunities for His strength to be displayed in the midst of our weakness. It is God’s love and God’s peace that will be with them.

And that which they are to have with one another in their local congregation (2 Corinthians 13:12), they are to enjoy and extend to all the congregations of Christ’s church (2 Corinthians 13:13). Indeed, our fellowship is not only with one another; it is with the triune God. Upon His grace, it all rests. From His love, it all came. And in fellowship with Him, it is all done. Amen!

How are you being prepared for glory? Becoming of one mind with others of comprehensively Scriptural doctrine? Expressing and enjoying love and unity with other believers?

Suggested songs: ARP197 “Christian Unity” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

2019.07.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Read 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Questions for Littles: Whom does the apostle ask for the Corinthians to do no evil (2 Corinthians 13:7)? What is not the reason for this? What is the reason for this? What is the apostle willing to have happen to himself in order that the Corinthians would do what is good? What can the apostolic ministers do nothing against but only for (2 Corinthians 13:8)? When are the apostolic ministers glad (2 Corinthians 13:9a)? What else do they pray (verse 9b)? When does the apostle write these things (2 Corinthians 13:10a)? What does he not want to do when present (verse 10b)? Who has given him authority? For what is this authority? For what isn’t it?

From Whom does believers’ resistance to sin come? Not from themselves but from God. The apostle is no believer in a libertine free-will over which God refuses to be sovereign. He prays to God for what he wants the Corinthians to choose: “I pray to God that you do no evil.”

There’s always the temptation to want those under our leadership to do well so that they will make us look good. But, the apostle asserts that this is not what is going on. In 2 Corinthians 13:5-6, he’s been discussing “passing the test” of genuineness. But he actually doesn’t care so much for his own appearing genuine as he does for the Corinthians’ actually being genuine.

“It’s ok with me if we look bad,” he says, “just so long as you are actually doing good!” Why? Because the truth prevails. Nothing can be done against it.

In fact, 2 Corinthians 13:9, the apostle is actually glad not only when the Corinthians are strong through being made adequate to pass the test, but in particular when he himself is weak. Why? Because then it is seen that all the strength and glory belong to the Lord (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:5-10).

So, the apostle does not wish to appear strong, like he has done something. To be sure, he will take strong action when he comes if he has to (2 Corinthians 13:10). The authority isn’t his, but Christ’s, and he must follow Christ. He doesn’t have the option of destroying them by going along with their sin.

But, if they respond to what is written while he is absent, then he can continue displaying himself in weakness (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:3-4), and all the strength behind their changing can be seen clearly as God’s alone!

In what situations are you in danger of appearing strong in your own strength? 

Suggested songs: ARP32A-B “What Blessedness” or TPH32B “How Blessed Is He Whose”

2019.06.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 13:1-6

Read 2 Corinthians 13:1-6

Questions for Littles: How many times has Paul been to Corinth (2 Corinthians 13:1)? What does he tell them about resolving the discipline cases that he plans to address? What will he not do, this time around, when he comes (2 Corinthians 13:2)? Of what were they seeking proof (2 Corinthians 13:3)? What did they think about Paul? What should they have thought about Christ instead? What happened to Christ in His weakness (2 Corinthians 13:4)? But what is His condition now? And what is the believer’s condition in this life? But what will their condition be in the future? How? What does the apostle tell them to do in 2 Corinthians 13:5? Of what are they looking for evidence? What would it mean if they don’t find any? What is he sure that they will know (2 Corinthians 13:6)? 

What difference does believing in the power of Christ make?

For one, it means taking sin seriously—both in the church (2 Corinthians 13:1) and in ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:2). The apostle insists that they proceed formally and judicially. Unrepented sin in the church demands formal discipline.

Just as before (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:1-6), the apostle reminds them that Christ has revealed the greatness of His power by what He has done in them (2 Corinthians 13:3-4). And, if He is so powerful, then we must not trifle with Him.

Sadly, there are many who never even consider whether there is evidence of their new life in Christ. If we confess that Christ is powerful, can we really be satisfied with completely unchanged lives?

But we have an apostolic command to assess and test ourselves. Some will speak against this. They think it is some kind of performance assessment. But it’s not performance that we are assessing, but reality. Not “how well are you doing for Christ,” but rather, “is Christ actually in you?”

If we don’t value Christ enough to care about the real answer to that question, then the temptation is to consider the one who calls us to task (or charges us with something before the church) as if they are claiming illegitimate authority. And, to be sure, there are people who really do abuse their authority in the church. But the apostle makes it clear here that there is also legitimate authority in the church—not just his own, but others’: “you will know that we are not illegitimate.”

This, then, is one of the purposes for which the Lord Jesus has established legitimate authority, discipline, and judicial process in His church. Christ is a legitimate Savior, who makes a legitimate difference in those whom He saves, and He wants us to know whether or not we are legitimate Christians!

When and how do you examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith?

Suggested songs: ARP32A-B “What Blessedness” or TPH32B “How Blessed Is He Whose”