Giving Satan an Advantage, Part I, 2 Cor 2:11
Satan is a vicious, clever enemy. Nevertheless, Jesus successfully defended himself against the temptations of the devil [Matt 4:1-11], cast him out of every person he possessed, who came to Jesus for healing [Acts 10:38], spoiled him and openly triumphed over him on the cross [Col 2:15], and will destroy him after his millennial reign […]
Balance in the Ministry, 2 Cor 2:1-17
Notice in 2 Cor 2:1-16 the balance of: Sorrow and joy – 2 Cor 2:1-3 – when Paul wrote to the Corinthians about what to do with the fornicator in 1 Cor 5, he was “in heaviness.” He didn’t want to come to them in heaviness [v.1]; rather, he wanted them to get this thing […]
Manifestations of Spiritual Joy, Prov 15:13
Spiritual joy is not an emotion like natural joy. As we saw in last week’s study, natural joy is the feeling derived from some pleasure, delight, success, accomplishment, etc. Spiritual joy, on the other hand, is derived from the Lord. However, as natural joy is manifested in your feelings and emotions, so spiritual joy […]
The Fountain of Life, Ps 36:7-9
Jesus said that he came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly [Jn 10:10]. I believe that many Christians miss out on the abundant life of the Lord because they don’t avail themselves of the fountain of life. For some folks this is tragic because they turn to sin and the world […]
Lift Him Up, Jn 8:28
When Jesus was crucified, very few people who witnessed his crucifixion believed that he was the Son of God, the King of the Jews. But as they saw him lifted up, some realized that he was, in fact, the King of the Jews. Like Jesus said in Jn 8:28, “When ye have lifted up the […]
Paul’s Dealings with the Corinthians, 2 Cor 1:12-24
In 2 Cor 1:12-24, Paul declared how he maintained his relationship with the Corinthians. He had been very hard on them in the first letter, which was filled with rebukes and corrections. So, Paul assured them about his relationship with them. In dealing with them: He had a good conscience – 2 Cor 1:12 – […]
Spiritual Joy, Gal 5:22
Joy is defined in the dictionary as an emotion. Merriam-Webster defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires” or “the expression or exhibition of such emotion.” Joy is also described by some as “an agreeable affection.” But an affection is also defined […]
Tell Them, Mk 5:18-20
When Jesus cast the devils out of the man who had the Legion, the “whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them,” [Lk 8:37]. When Jesus got into the ship to leave, the man “prayed him that he might be with him,” [Mk 5:18]. Jesus refused to […]
Where Is Your Faith? Lk 8:22-25
Years ago, Homer Smith preached a sermon on this text and I copied his outline in my Bible. I’m going to use his outline to preach this text today. The question Jesus asked his disciples is a great question for us to answer today, “Where is your faith?” Is your faith in your craft? […]
Consolation Aboundeth, 2 Cor 1:1-11
In 2 Cor 1:1-11, Paul wrote to the Corinthians about consolation. Consolation is comfort; it is the act of consoling; it is also the state of being consoled. Consolation aboundeth: Because it comes from God – 2 Cor 1:3 – Paul said that God is “the God of all comfort.” When consolation comes from God, […]