2 Corinthians 2:12 – 3:6

Doing God’s work

2 Corinthians 2:12 – 3:6

• Paul is still defending himself– False apostles challenging:

• His love for the church• His authority as an Apostle• His personal integrity

– God’s comfort in his suffering for the gospel– The reason for Paul’s change of plan– Paul’s concern and love for them– Forgive, comfort, restore and love:

• For the good of the repentant sinner• To honour God & resist the devil

Overview

• Paul’s concern for the church

• God’s delight in faithful service

• The gospel spread everywhere

• Faithful ministry

• The results of faithful ministry

• The source of faithful ministry

• So what

Paul’s concern for the church

• In Troas, God “opened a door”– God moved them on (Acts 16:8)– No sense of neglect of the work

• Paul had “no peace of mind”– Titus had already visited Corinth (7:13)– Titus planned to return (8:16&17)– He expected to get news from Titus– No sense of “out of sight, out of mind”– Partnership in the gospel

God delights in faithful service

• How does verse 14 square with:– What we read in chapter 1:8 – 11– Chapter 11:21b-29

• The Roman “triumph”

• God sees, recognises and rewards

• Are we busy in faithful service– Is God delighting in what he sees in us?

The gospel fragrance spreads

• The fragrance of the knowledge of Christ– Is spread through us wherever we go– Indiscriminate and automatic

• Reactions to that fragrance– To unbelievers: the stench of death– To believers: the fragrance of life

• As a church and as individuals:– Are we like this?– How will we know?

Who is equal to such a task?

• This can not be done in human strength

• Need for pure motives and integrity of life

• This is a calling from God himself

• The fruit of ministry: – is evidence of God’s faithful work – is about changed lives not “education”

• Our competence is from God– Our work is spiritual

So what?

• Are we willing to do God’s work His way?

• Do we have a godly concern for the Lord’s people?

• Are we busy in faithful service in which God delights?

• Are we spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ everywhere, as individuals & as a church?

– Are we ready for the reactions to this?

• Are we trusting God for the strength for the task?

• Are our motives pure and our lives sincere?• Are we concerned about spiritual growth?

– Do we settle for mere head knowledge?

• Are we praying for real fruit?