Bethel Sunday School 3 JAN 2021
Text: 2 Corinthians 2:1 – 11

A HEART OF LOVE FOR THE CHURCH

1. Paul had a big heart of love for all the Churches

2. His love for the Corinthian Church was expressed here (2 Corinthians 2:1 – 4)

a. He chose not to go to Corinth because he did not want to make them sad

i. He was well aware of the sensitivity of relationships

ii. He wants to rejoice in seeing them do well in their faith

iii. He was concerned that his visit may bring sorrow instead of joy to them

b. He chose to write to them instead

i. To rebuke sin

ii. To resolve problems that hurt the church

iii. To reconcile relationships

c. Paul shared how he felt as he wrote to the Church

i. Out of much affliction

ii. Anguish of heart

iii. With many tears

d. His reasons for sharing

i. Not to grieve them

ii. But to share with them openly his heart of love for them!

A GLIMPSE OF HOW PAUL DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM OF SIN IN THE CHURCH

1. Exercising Church discipline (2 Corinthians 2:5 – 6)

a. The Church was grieved to some extent

b. The issue of sin has to be addressed

c. Discipline was meted out

i. Church discipline was carried out on the erring believer

ii. The Church must have met and decided on this matter

iii. The “punishment” was deemed sufficient

iv. The erring believer must have felt remorse and repented

2. When there is genuine remorse and repentance

a. Compassion is exercised

b. Reconciliation is the goal

3. Restoring a brother who has sinned (2 Corinthians 2:7 – 10)

a. Forgiveness is practiced

i. Forgiveness from the Lord

ii. Forgiveness from the Church community

b. Comfort him less he is swallowed up with too much sorrow

i. A true believer will be deeply sorrowful for their sins

ii. The concern is to be overwhelmed by too much sorrow

c. Reaffirm your love to him

i. Love is the expression of true forgiveness

ii. Love must follow forgiveness

4. Not being unaware of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11)

a. Paul was not ignorant of how Satan will take advantage of the Church

b. Satan’s desire is to hurt the Church and the name of God!

OUR CHALLENGE AS WE COMMENCE A NEW YEAR

1. To cultivate a deeper love for the Church

2. To care and support each other in our walk with the Lord!