by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: SPIRITUAL LEADERS EXERCISE THEIR GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOVING EDIFICATION (INCLUDING DISCIPLINE WHEN NECESSARY) (Preparations for Paul’s Third Visit to the Corinthian Believers) INTRODUCTION: Scott Hafemann: Second Corinthians 12:14–21 is...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: BASIS FOR HIS BOASTING IN HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY — SEVERE PRESSURES IN THE MINISTRY MAKE WEAKNESS THE PLATFORM FOR EXALTING CHRIST’S GRACE AND POWER INTRODUCTION: George Shillington: With the rationale for this Fool’s Speech now in place (11:1-15),...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: (BASIS FOR HIS BOASTING IN HIS AUTHORITY = THE MARKS OF HIS APOSTLESHIP) HUMILITY IN MINISTRY (DEMONSTRATED HERE BY PREACHING THE TRUTH WITHOUT CHARGE) DIFFERENTIATES THE TRUE FROM THE FALSE APOSTLE INTRODUCTION: John MacArthur: Beginning in chapter 11, Paul...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE REALITY OF PAUL’S AUTHORITY – WHEN NECESSARY, SPIRITUAL LEADERS MUST DEFEND THEIR LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY AGAINST MISREPRESENTATIONS BY FALSE LEADERS INTRODUCTION: Beginning of a new section: VINDICATION OF PAUL’S APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY (10:1 –...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: GOD GUARANTEES A RETURN ON SPIRITUAL INVESTMENTS – THE PROMISES OF GOD PROMOTE GENEROUS GIVING WHICH BINDS BELIEVERS TOGETHER IN GLORIFYING GOD INTRODUCTION: Have you ever made a really bad investment?? Discouraging to throw your money away. How generous...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST BE ADMINISTERED WITH FINANCIAL INTEGRITY AND OFFERED FROM PREPARED HEARTS INTRODUCTION: Charles Swindoll: For us today, the principles Paul shares in these last verses apply primarily to the recipients of financial gifts: Christian...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: GOOD INTENTIONS IN GIVING MUST BE CONSUMMATED ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITY – OR IDEALLY BEYOND YOUR ABILITY INTRODUCTION: Principle: you can never out give the Grace of God Paul Barnett: The transition from chapter 7 to chapter 8 is marked by a change of tone....
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: SPIRITUAL LEADERS REJOICE WITH COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE OVER GENUINE REPENTANCE INTRODUCTION: R. Kent Hughes: Depression actually has apostolic precedent — in the experience of the Apostle Paul. Paul’s self-description says that he was “downcast” (cf. v. 6),...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: AVOID INTIMATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNBELIEVERS THAT WOULD HINDER YOU FROM GROWING CLOSER TO YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND MANIFESTING YOUR CHRISTIAN DISTINCTIVENESS CALL TO CHRISTIAN SEPARATION AND HOLINESS INTRODUCTION: Charles Swindoll: Oh, the irony! Though the...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: TRANSPARENT INTEGRITY OF MINISTRY REMOVES ALL OBSTACLES TO PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL INTRODUCTION: John MacArthur: The most difficult, painful experience for a faithful minister is to be misrepresented, to be falsely accused, to have one’s integrity unfairly...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: GOD’S WORK OF RECONCILIATION IN CHRIST MOTIVATES US TO PURSUE A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION WITH INTEGRITY INTRODUCTION: Talking both about reconciliation of the unsaved (many of Paul’s opponents who were putting themselves forwards as teachers were actually...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE LONGING FOR THE RESURRECTION BODY MOTIVATES US TO FOCUS ON SPIRITUAL MINISTRY EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF PHYSICAL SUFFERING – FUTURE GLORY INSPIRES COURAGE AND COMMITMENT IN LIVING TO PLEASE OUR LORD INTRODUCTION: This passage has taken on special...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE PROSPECT OF THE MINISTRY — FUTURE RESURRECTION AND REWARD — ENABLES US TO ENDURE PRESENT PHYSICAL SUFFERING IN THE MINISTRY WITHOUT LOSING HEART INTRODUCTION: In what ways are you physically challenged? Paul experienced such severe suffering...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE GOSPEL MINISTRY (PROCLAIMING THE GLORY OF CHRIST) IS TOO PRECIOUS TO GIVE IN TO DISCOURAGEMENT PREPARATION SKIT: Here is a simple skit to introduce today’s topic — with apologies to C.S. Lewis – The Screwtape Letters – The Setting: Satan’s war room...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT (NEW COVENANT) FAR SURPASSES THE MINISTRY OF THE LAW (OLD COVENANT) INTRODUCTION: Key Questions: How to solve a crisis of confidence in the ministry? Who is adequate to be a minister of the Gospel? How can anyone really have a...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE COMMENDATION FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS CHANGED LIVES INTRODUCTION: Anthony Thiselton: Self-promotion was the curse of notions of leadership in Corinth. . . Corinth had achieved a remarkable prosperity in commerce and business. This led to a culture of...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: GOD GUARANTEES VICTORY IN PROCLAIMING CHRIST — OUR SUFFICIENCY IN MINISTRY DOES NOT DERIVE FROM PERCEIVED SUCCESS INTRODUCTION: 2:12-13 was a Transition Passage – wrapped up the issue of the explanation of Paul’s change of plans and his heart for...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE GOAL OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION – NOT EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT INTRODUCTION: George Shillington: This section alludes to the cause of Paul’s pain on his interim visit, and why he wrote the tearful letter in response. Someone in...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: A CHANGE OF PLANS DOES NOT NECESSARILY COMPROMISE ONE’S SINCERITY AND COMMITMENT INTRODUCTION: Charles Swindoll: Because of the turmoil in Corinth caused by the schisms, insubordination, and tolerance of immorality, Paul had written 1 Corinthians....
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: INTEGRITY IN MINISTRY LEADS TO THE TESTIMONY OF A CLEAR CONSCIENCE INTRODUCTION: Key passage in Paul’s defense against attacks on his integrity as a minister of the Gospel. John MacArthur: Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to defend himself against the assaults of...
