Treasure In Jars of Clay: Humble Service in the Age of Celebrity (2 Corinthians)

Second Corinthians paints a detailed portrait of God’s servants that stands in stark contrast with the world’s superficial snapshot of leadership. In this letter, Paul teaches us that God works through humble servants, the weak and the frail, to display the glories of his power and sufficiency of his grace.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14, Duty, Solidarity, and Dependence

Paul concludes his letter in a familiar way. He lists a series of final commands, offers greetings, and pronounces a benediction in the form of a prayer. Though familiar, his words are neither routine nor wasted. They give both direct and indirect guidance to help the church move past the immaturity and disobedience that made…

2 Corinthians 13:1-10, Truth or Consequences

The apostle Paul brought the letter to a conclusion in 2 Corinthians 13:1-10. He spoke directly, warning of discipline for those who reject the truth. He called for self-examination, counseling the Corinthians to implement biblical change or face severe consequences. He desired the former outcome but stood prepared to launch the latter. From this passage…

2 Corinthians 12:11-21, Preaching Christ in the Sight of God

September 15, 2019
Steven Thomas
Discipline, Leadership, Ministry, Repentance, Service
2 Corinthians

The sermon text (2 Corinthians 12:11-21) for this Lord’s Day serves as an “epilogue” to Paul’s “fool’s speech” (chapters 11-12). He summarizes the main point of the lengthy speech just concluded (11-13), declares his devotion to them (14-16a), insists on the integrity of his ministry among them, corrects their misconception of his “defense,” and begins…

2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Sufficient Grace

In the sermon text this Lord’s Day, Paul concludes what some call his “fool’s speech.” Since 11:1, he has “boasted” about his credentials as an apostle. However, unlike his opponents in Corinth, his boasting focuses on his own weakness. At the climax of this speech, he explains why weakness is his supreme credential.

2 Corinthians 11:16-33, “The Theology of Glory”—A Fool’s Boast

September 1, 2019
Steven Thomas
Leadership, Obedience, Philosophy of Ministry
2 Corinthians

In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Paul advances his argument against the false teachers troubling Corinth. The section that has been called “The Fool’s Speech.” He steps into his opponents’ arena, laying out his credentials in contrast to theirs. Like them, he foolishly “boasts,” however, he does not boast about his heritage, character,…

2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Jealousy, Humility, and Warfare

In 2 Corinthians 11:1, the apostle Paul pleads with the church in Corinth, “bear with me in a little foolishness.” As he closed out chapter 10, he rejected self-commendation. Yet, the situation in Corinth was such that Paul could not defend his authority, and thus his message, without presenting his own credentials. He calls his…

2 Corinthians 10:12-18, Seeking the Lord’s Commendation

With biting sarcasm, Paul calls out his opponents in Corinth for their self-promotion. In contrast, Paul’s desire for commendation from Christ alone shaped his philosophy of ministry in ways that we will explore this Lord’s Day

2 Corinthians 10:7-11, Lordship, Leadership, and Love

Paul launched a defense of his authority in the church in the tenth chapter of 2 Corinthians. In the first six verses, he revealed the true nature and power of his authority. In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day (2 Corinthians 10:7-11), Paul explained that the Lord gave him this authority and he exercised…

2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Band of Brothers

August 4, 2019
Steven Thomas
Church, Perseverance, Scriptural Authority, Spiritual Warfare
2 Corinthians

This Lord’s Day we will focus on 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. This passage begins Paul’s renewed defense in which he takes aim at his opponents in Corinth who were trying to undermine his authority and his message in the church. His defense will occupy the rest of the letter. In it, Paul encourages the Corinthians to…

2 Corinthians 9:6-15, The Inexpressible Gift

This Lord’s Day we will complete Paul’s discussion of the collection he was taking for the believers in Jerusalem. His instruction to the Corinthians is important for our understanding of stewardship in the age of the New Testament mission.