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:Deffinbaugh: “Paul’s closing argument”I. (12:14-18)...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: BASIS FOR HIS BOASTING IN HIS AUTHORITY — THE MARKS OF HIS APOSTLESHIPSEVERE PRESSURES IN THE MINISTRY MAKE WEAKNESS THE PLATFORM FOR EXALTING CHRIST’S GRACE AND POWER(11:16-21a) INTRODUCTION: BOASTING IN THE LORD’S GRACE AND POWER CAN LOOK LIKE...
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 APOSTLEI. (:1-4) REALITY CHECK –DISCERNMENT SHOULD ANCHOR BELIEVERS...
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 LEADERSINTRODUCTION: 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 GODINTRODUCTION: Have you ever made a really bad investment?? Discouraging to throw your money away. How generous are...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST BE ADMINISTERED WITH FINANCIAL INTEGRITY AND OFFERED FROM PREPARED HEARTSI. (8:16-24) CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST BE ADMINISTERED WITH FINANCIAL INTEGRITYCommending the CollectorsA. (:16-17) Commending Titus (for His Earnestness) 1. (:16)...
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 ABILITYINTRODUCTION: Principle: you can never out give the Grace of GodII. (8:1 – 9:15) POVERTY OF FELLOW BELIEVERS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD’S GRACE AND...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: SPIRITUAL LEADERS REJOICE WITH COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE OVER GENUINE REPENTANCEPERSPECTIVE: We need some perspective on the overall process of Reconciliation before beginning this study. There was a serious problem between Paul and some of the believers in...
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 DISTINCTIVENESSCALL TO CHRISTIAN SEPARATION AND HOLINESSI. (:14-16a) SEPARATION IS A NO-BRAINER Separation =...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: TRANSPARENT INTEGRITY OF MINISTRY REMOVES ALL OBSTACLES TO PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPELI. (:1-2) SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPELA. (:1a) Example of Paul Working in Fellowship with Christ “And working together with Him”B. (:1b) Exhortation to...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: GOD’S WORK OF RECONCILIATION IN CHRIST MOTIVATES US TO PURSUE A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATIONINTRODUCTION: Talking both about reconciliation of the unsaved (many of Paul’s opponents who were putting themselves forwards as teachers were actually unsaved) as well...
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 LORDI. (5:1-5) PRESENT SUFFERING SHOULD INTENSIFY THE LONGING...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE PROSPECT OF THE MINISTRY — FUTURE RESURRECTION AND REWARD ENABLE US TO ENDURE PRESENT PHYSICAL SUFFERING IN THE MINISTRY WITHOUT LOSING HEARTINTRODUCTION: In what ways are you physically challenged? Paul experienced such severe suffering that he...
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 DISCOURAGEMENTPREPARATION 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 GLORY OF THE MINISTRY OF THE LAW (OLD COVENANT)INTRODUCTION: 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 vision...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE COMMENDATION FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS CHANGED LIVESI. UNNECESSARY TYPES OF COMMENDATIONA. (:1a) Personal Boasting “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?”Prov. 27:2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth” How did Christ demonstrate His...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: GOD GUARANTEES VICTORY IN PROCLAIMING CHRISTINTRODUCTION:2:12-13 was a Transition passage – wrapped up the issue of the explanation of Paul’s change of plans and his heart for the Corinthian church – introduced the forward advance of the New...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: THE GOAL OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION – NOT EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENTI. (2:5-6) ENOUGH IS ENOUGH — WARNING AGAINST OVER-PUNISHINGA. (:5) There Has Already Been Sufficient Sorrow (difficult verse to exegete) 1. To the Apostle Paul “But...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA: A CHANGE OF PLANS DOES NOT NECESSARILY COMPROMISE ONE’S SINCERITY AND COMMITMENTI. (1:15-16) PAUL MADE PLANS TO VISIT CORINTHA. (:15a) Good Intentions “And in this confidence I intended at first to come to youB. (:15b-16) Mutual Benefit 1. Paul...
by Paul Apple | Apr 11, 2020 | Bible-NT
BIG IDEA:INTEGRITY IN MINISTRY LEADS TO THE TESTIMONY OF A CLEAR CONSCIENCEINTRODUCTION: Key passage in Paul’s defense against attacks on his integrity as a minister of the Gospel. (cf. my thesis from college on Sincerity in the writings of John Bunyan)I. (1:12 –...
