Into the Ashes or out of the Ashes?

(Back to Study Home Page)   Sermon February 25, 2004
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February 25, 2004 - Ash Wednesday

Lessons: Psalm 51:1-17; Isaiah 58:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

This study guide is based on 2 Corinthians 6.6-13

Open It

  1. What do you consider to be distinctive about members of your family?

  2. What images does the word "hardships" bring to mind?

Explore It

  1. What is the connection between the credibility of Christianity and the people who call themselves Christians? (2 Corinthians 6:3)

  2. Whose authority did Paul claim? (2 Corinthians 6:4)

  3. What does this passage say about Paul's attitude toward the ministry of sharing the gospel? (2 Corinthians 6:4)

  4. What does this passage say about the cost of being Christ's disciple? (2 Corinthians 6:4-10)

  5. What price did Paul pay for following Christ? (2 Corinthians 6:4-10)

  6. What kind of weapons did Paul use? (2 Corinthians 6:7)

  7. How did the accusations against Paul differ from the reality Paul experienced as an ambassador for Christ? (2 Corinthians 6:9-10)

  8. In what way was Paul poor yet rich? (2 Corinthians 6:10)

  9. To what lengths did Paul go to show his love for the Corinthians ? (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)

Get It

  1. How do you think Paul was able to keep an attitude of sincere love for people when so many opposed him?

  2. What do you think caused the Corinthians to withhold their full loyalty from Paul?

  3. What can we learn from Paul's relationship with the Corinthians that can help us deal with friends who frustrate us?

  4. How can you guard against causing other Christians to stumble in their faith?

  5. When have you ever suffered for the sake of the gospel?

  6. How does God use hardships to strengthen our relationship with him?

  7. What can you learn from Paul's example that will help you endure suffering for the sake of the gospel?

  8. How can you rely on the spiritual weapons of the Holy Spirit more in your everyday life?

  9. How do Paul's words put a new perspective on wealth and poverty?

Apply It

  1. Of the virtues purity, understanding, patience, and kindness, which do you want to ask God to help you practice this week?

  2. What can you do this week to help another Christian persevere through hard times?

NOTES

2 Corinthians 6:3: In everything he did, Paul always considered what his actions communicated about Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, you are a minister for God. In the course of each day, non-Christians observe you. Don't let your careless or undisciplined actions be another person's excuse for rejecting Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:7: See Romans 13:2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; and Ephesians 6:10-18 for more about the weapons of righteousness. Weapons for the right hand are offensive weapons; those for the left hand are defensive. No soldier is fully prepared for battle without both.

2 Corinthians 6:8-10: What a difference it makes to know Jesus! He cares for us in spite of what the world thinks. Christians don't have to give in to public opinion and pressure. Paul stood faithful to God whether people praised him or condemned him. He remained active, joyous, and content in the most difficult hardships. Don't let circumstances or people's expectations control you. Be firm as you stand true to God, and refuse to compromise his standards for living.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13: "Opened wide our hearts to you" and "not withholding our affection from you" mean that Paul had told the Corinthian believers his true feelings for them, clearly revealing how much he loved them. The Corinthians were reacting coldly to Paul's words, but Paul explained that his message came from his love for them. We need an open rather than a closed heart toward God's messages to us.

(Back to Study Home Page)   Sermon February 25, 2004
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