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A Sermon Summary on 2 Cor 5:1-17

By Pastor Dave Hentschel

This Easter, churches around the globe echoed the same great truth: Christ is risen! But for some, that celebration feels distant. Maybe you’re carrying grief, facing uncertainty, or dealing with circumstances that feel like death. If that’s you, Easter isn’t irrelevant—it’s exactly for you.

Our Easter message this year was part of our series, The Resilient Life, and we focused on the resilience that comes through resurrection. The central question I posed was this:

“Is there a grave in your life that only God can turn into a garden?”

That’s not just poetic—it’s deeply biblical. In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul gives us a roadmap for how the resurrection reshapes our pain, our purpose, and our identity.

1. Face Your Mortality (2 Cor. 5:1–8)

Paul begins by reminding us that our bodies are like tents—temporary, fragile, easily torn. Anyone who’s ever gone camping in bad weather knows that longing for something more permanent.

That’s the Christian view of our life on earth. It’s a tent, not a mansion. But Paul tells us there’s good news: we have a building from God, eternal in the heavens.

This Easter, I shared a personal story from five years ago when my father-in-law, Adam, was hospitalized with COVID and nearly died. We were told—on Good Friday—that there was no hope. But three days later, on Easter Sunday, he came off the ventilator. A true miracle.

Today, he’s healthy and thriving. In fact, he used his old oxygen tube—once a symbol of near-death—to build a watering system for his garden. My daughter Felicity saw it and said, “That tube used to be a grave, and now it waters a garden.”

Isn’t that what God does?

2. Examine Your Morality (2 Cor. 5:9–11)

After facing the reality of death, Paul shifts gears: “We make it our aim to please Him.”

The resurrection not only offers hope for the future—it reshapes how we live today. We don’t live for ourselves anymore. We live to honor Christ.

Paul reminds us that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ—not to earn salvation, but to give an account of how we lived. That doesn’t create fear; it creates purpose. If we really believe in the resurrection, we’ll live with eternity in view.

So here’s the question: Who are you living to please?

3. Change Your Mentality (2 Cor. 5:12–15)

Paul challenges the Corinthians—and us—not to judge by outward appearance but to live from the heart. He says something radical: “The love of Christ controls us.”

This is what drives the Christian life: not guilt, not pressure, but love—Christ’s love for us. Paul had been seized by that love, and it reoriented everything.

He explains it this way: Christ died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him. That’s what Easter does—it invites us to die to ourselves and rise to a new purpose.

4. Embrace Your New Reality (2 Cor. 5:16–17)

And then we reach one of the most powerful verses in all of Scripture:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.”

Easter isn’t just about the future—it’s about right now. Resurrection life begins today.

To help our kids grasp this, we gave them Easter eggs with butterflies inside—a picture of transformation. The squirmy caterpillar becomes something entirely new: beautiful, light, free. That’s what Jesus does with our lives.

He doesn’t just clean us up—He makes us new.

Real Lives. Real Graves. Real Gardens.

And it’s not just biblical characters or kids with Easter eggs. This resurrection reality is happening today:

• Kat Von D, a former witch, is now a new creation in Christ.
• Josh Timonen, once Richard Dawkins’ right-hand man, now follows Jesus.
• Mohamad Faridi, once a jihadist, now preaches the gospel.
• Mike Burden, a former KKK member, is now a follower of Christ.

These stories—and so many others—are proof that no one is too far gone. Jesus really does turn graves into gardens.

And that includes ordinary people like me and you. My own life has been marked by brokenness and failure—but God, in His mercy, didn’t just improve me. He made me new.

What About You?

Maybe you’ve been around church your whole life, but you’ve never really trusted Jesus. Maybe your life is full of religious activity, but your heart is still heavy with shame, addiction, or fear. Or maybe you’re just tired—trying harder but still feeling stuck.

The good news of Easter is this:
Jesus died in your place, rose again, and now invites you to be made new.

You don’t need to patch up your old life—He offers you a new one.

You may think you’re too far gone. You’re not.

You may feel spiritually dead. That’s okay—He specializes in resurrection.

Today can be your new beginning.

Let the Resurrection Change You

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5 remind us that resurrection isn’t just an event—it’s a lifestyle. A mentality. A transformation.

So what grave in your life do you need God to turn into a garden?

• Is it your fear of death?
• A fractured relationship?
• A lifelong pattern of shame?
• A spiritual dryness that feels like a desert?

Whatever it is, Christ has already walked out of the grave. He invites you to do the same.

Let this Easter be more than a celebration. Let it be your resurrection.

Non-Resilient Relationships

How are relationships doing? Is our world marked by resilient love? While there are pockets of encouragement, I suspect most of us know people in at least three categories: (1) Broken Marriages. Now, I do need to add a caveat here: while divorce is an undesirable thing, there are challenging scenarios, such as abuse and abandonment, that must be addressed. The enemy would love nothing better than to wreck your marriage. Do you know the average length of a marriage in America today? In 2023 the average age of marriage was 32, and the national average of marriage length was 8.2 years. 8.2 years—your just getting started! Why are marriages less resilient? (2) Canceled Friends. Do you know how many conversations I’ve had with people who have lost friendships, or been blocked on social media by their “friends?” Quite a few. Why are our friendships less resilient? (3) Prodigal Kids. There is a growing phenomenon of kids wanting to cut off ties with their parents. This is extremely painful. Imagine losing a relationship with the child you invested so many years raising. Why does this happen? Is it possible we’ve been influenced by this romantic comedy-esque world where relationships must be “picture perfect” or we end them?

Why are we not resilient? I think there are at least three predators swimming in the culture waters that contribute to this problem.

First, contracts. Our culture has developed a contractual view of relationships. These are often unwritten contracts—but we have expectations for our romantic partner, our friends, and even family members. Once those people stop contributing to our happiness … the contract is broken and the relationship must end.

Second, conflicts. It might seem obvious that conflicts contribute to strained relationships—but the problem is that we don’t know how to weather conflicts. This is what we’ve been covering in our Peacemakers Course on Sunday morning at 9:00am. We don’t know how to disagree, without being disagreeable. We don’t know how to set boundaries. When the relational terrain gets murky, it is much easier to hit the cancel button than work it out in love.

Finally, conceit. I would argue that conceit, above all else, is the death of resilient relationships. This has been a recurring theme in 2nd Corinthians. Paul spent several chapters confronting the problem of “boasting.” A conceited person is often a selfish person. Conceit is the foundation for contracts and conflicts. It’s all about me! My needs, my viewpoint, my happiness! Contract, conflicts and conceit … they kill resilient love!

This is a modern problem, and it is an ancient problem. This is what Paul confronts in 2 Corinthians 12 and 13 as he closes the letter. Paul has opened his heart to these people he loves—his spiritual children. He wants relationship with them … over the long term. So … he concludes by outlining the marks of resilient love fueled by the Gospel. He writes this in 12:15,

I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.  (2 Corinthians 12:15, NLT)

This is Paul’s heart. Even though the Corinthians have questioned his authority, even though they have turned their backs on Jesus at times … he still loves them! There were plenty of conflicts and lots of conceit in the Corinthian church. Maybe their relationship with Paul was contractual. Paul didn’t see it that way. He would do anything for them! His love was resilient—and he wants the same in return.

Resilient Love Builds The Body

What are the marks of resilient love? First, resilient love seeks to build the body. But to build the body of Christ … sometimes that resilient love needs to weather a storm. I want to challenge us all, including myself—make a choice to BUILD the body of Christ and not TEAR it down. Say this with me:

I choose to BUILD the body … I refuse to TEAR DOWN the body.

It might be helpful to think of the church as a SAND CASTLE. When was the last time you built a sand castle? How long did it take? All afternoon! You had to work hard to craft the towers, to dig out the moat, to fortify the walls. It takes a long time to build a sand castle. But, what you didn’t notice while you were building … is the tide started to come in. And in a flash … the sand castle is destroyed. Or in another scenario, some kids playing on the sand can run through your castle and destroy it instantly—anyone??

Similarly, it takes a lot of time and effort to build a healthy church … but it doesn’t take much to destroy the church if you are not watching. In Paul’s situation—it was gossip; it was words. What does James warn us about?

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell […] no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:5-10, NLT)

Friends, you can spend years, decades building a healthy church … and it only takes the spark of a tongue to start a wildfire that tears it down. Churches have been demolished by the tongue.

DECIDE TODAY: will you be on the Building Team … or the Demolition Team?

Are you building? You will be marked by the truth of the Gospel and resilient love.

Are you tearing down? You will be marked by the Lies, Gossip and Licentious living that Paul describes.

Resilient Love Confronts The Sinner

In chapter 13 of 2 Corinthians, Paul presses in on the theme of confrontation. I’d like to offer two categories of confrontation for you to consider. First, people can confront with CRITICISM. We don’t like something someone said or did … we criticize them. Some of us have a critical spirit—and we confront harshly. Criticism often tears people down. But there is a second, better way to confront: CRITIQUE. When someone critiques you, they do it out of a heart posture of love. They want to push you to be better. Criticism tears down … but critique seeks to build up.

The truth is—most churches are not good at confronting people in their sin. But genuine, resilient love includes confronting sin. As Christians, we think we need to be nice. We’ll shake our heads behind people’s backs, but then smile at them to their face. Paul says, “NO! That is not what resilient love looks like!” Resilient love breaks your heart for the sins of others because you care about them. As such—you will lovingly confront them for their good.

Paul gets serious in 13:1-2,

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them. (2 Corinthians 13:1-2, ESV)

“I will not spare them.” Wow! Ok Paul, we heard you—shots fired! However, I want us to recognize the unrepentant sin is a big deal. When Jesus entered Jerusalem during the final week, he eventually made his way to the temple. He had been warning the people of Israel to turn from their ways and not desecrate the temple. But they did not repent … and Jesus started to flip over tables.

Resilient love confronts the sinner. This is challenging for many Christians. We don’t like to confront. We think we’ll lose friendships … or it will become awkward. It might be … but this should not stop us from doing the right thing. In point #1, we had a choice to build up the body or tear it down. Here, we have another choice: will we avoid the problem … or confront it? I imagine if I polled the audience, there would be a divide between avoiders and confronters. I won’t ask for a show of hands, but I do want you to consider:

Am I an avoider … or a confronter?

Avoidance can be marked by passive agressive tendencies—we make light of problems, we hint at problems, or we give peopel the silent treatment. Avoidance is a problem … because it doesn’t bring the problem into the light. It is actually not very loving and can ultimately lead to distrust. Confrotation can also be misused when done callously or too often—but when used properly it leads to great health.

Resilient Love Is Saturated With Exhortation

Resilient love is saturated with exhortation! Think about saturation for a moment …

What is the difference between a sponge and a brick? If you were leave both on your driveway in a rain storm what would happen? The sponge would absorb all the water and be dripping wet. You would have to wring it out—water would gush from it. The brick? It would resist all the water. Friends, resilient love is like the sponge … it is saturated, it is dripping with exhortation.

Exhortation is a specific form of encouragement. I could also say, “resilient love is saturated with encouragement.” We need more encouragement in this world. There are a few people in our church I know who love to encourage—they are dripping with encouragement. You’ve probably received a kind word, a text message, or a big hug from these people. We need to model them. If you want someone to know you love them—encourage them! Exhortation is a little broader—“it is speech that encourages, incites, or earnestly advises.” Put another way—exhortation is a call to action!

Paul concludes with five exhortations:

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11, ESV)

Do you see what I mean? Resilient love is saturated with exhortation. Paul is encouraging them … but he is inciting them to action. He could only get to this point because he addressed all the hard realities first. This is his whole reason for writing the letter. What should they do?

First, REJOICE! It could be translated—“be happy” or “cheer up!” This is a bit of a left hand turn at the end. Paul just spent most of chapter 13 delivering warnings to the church … but to conclude he says, “cheer up … it will be alright.” And this is true no matter what we are walking through.

Second, AIM FOR RESTORATION. What does that mean? A better translation is “mend your ways.” This fits better with what Paul argues in 13:5-8. The Corinthians need to make sure that their life actions match their beliefs.

Third, COMFORT ONE ANOTHER. After chapter 12-13 this is an astonishing exhortation. How can they receive comfort knowing their sin will be exposed? But God has done the same thing for Paul in the past and he is trusting in God’s grace and mercy here.

Fourth, AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER. This means, “be of one mind.” The idea is that of unity. The Corinthian church was plagued by factions and quarrels. Paul is calling for unity and for the Corinthians to encourage one another toward this end.

Fifth, LIVE IN PEACE. This goes long with the call for unity. If the church cannot live in peace, we will not be attractive to the world and will hurt our witness. This is what Paul is calling for.

As the church lives out those exhortations … the God of love and peace will be with you. And that is good news, even during troubled times.

The Snow White Axiom

I would argue that, as 21st-century Americans, we have been conditioned to accept two axioms: (1) First, strength is developed in isolation—self-made individuals are to be admired. How many stories do you know of people who reached the top of their field with no help from anyone? Impressive, right? (2) Second, the pinnacle of life, our main aspiration, is to live happily ever after. No one likes a bad ending. Yet, when you read the Bible, many people face dire consequences, including being stoned to death for their faith in Jesus.

A recent example of these cultural axioms is the movie Snow White. The original animated classic from 1937 helped launch Disney. In recent years, the studio has made a habit of creating live-action remakes of its classics while reimagining their stories. This particular film received criticism due to public statements made by its star, Rachel Zegler, and changes to the narrative. Snow White no longer needs saving; instead, she leads a “kindness revolution” to overthrow the evil queen! And of course, there is a happily ever after, even if it’s different from the original.

If you’ve been watching the House of David series on Amazon, another prime example is King Saul. He is obsessed with his own strength, but the Lord abandons him, leaving him tormented in isolation. He is portrayed as a strong king, yet it is David, the shepherd boy, who bravely faces the giant Goliath—and, spoiler alert, David wins! His victory comes because he understands that the battle belongs to the Lord!

This raises important questions: Where does our strength come from? From ourselves or from God? Are we guaranteed a “happily ever after” life free from persecution? When we confront our giants, the prophet Zechariah offers comforting words: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

The Bible tells a different story. It is a narrative of divine rescue, where God reaches down to us—weak sinners—and saves us from ourselves. True strength, then, comes from reliance on God’s grace. We are not strong … we are weak … and when we are weak … we are strong. Paul expresses this in 2 Corinthians 12:10:

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10)

Friends, resilient weakness is cultivated when we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities.

Ironically, leaning into our weaknesses provides a strong foundation for life. How can you foster resilient weakness in your own life? As a culmination of Paul’s argument in chapters 10 and 11, he urges us to examine our tendency to boast. The fruit of resilient weakness arises from three key actions: (1) Diagnose the ILLNESS. (2) Drink the MEDICINE. (3) Proclaim the CURE. We must put an end to boasting about OUR strength and instead thrive by embracing our weaknesses.

Diagnose The Illness

2 Cor. 12:1 continues Paul’s argument from chapter 11, where he concluded with a discussion on boasting. However, he isn’t finished yet. We read:

This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. (2 Cor. 12:1, NLT)

Read that verse again. Paul has been engaged in a sarcastic critique since chapter 11, verse 21. He mocks the “super apostles” that Pastor Dave mentioned. His strategy resembles a competitive boasting match, much like the famous song from Annie Get Your Gun: “Anything you can do I can do better, I can do anything better than you!”

What issue is Paul addressing here? He is carefully rebuking the spiritual boasting of the Corinthians and offering a gentle admonition to us as well. You may feel offended by my suggestion that you have an issue. “What do you mean, Pastor Bob—I’m not sick … how dare you?” I humbly encourage you to examine your heart and ask: Do I have a boasting problem? If you believe you don’t have a problem, beware. Self-deception can easily blind us; we may think we are doing something good when, in fact, it is a sickness. Acknowledging the illness is the first step toward finding the cure.

Maybe a second question to consider is this: What is motivating my boasting? We can boast about worldly things—such as our careers, money, or education. Our motivation might stem from a desire for acceptance or a need to please others. We can also boast about spiritual matters—like the length of our prayer time, our ability to memorize Bible verses, or the number of service hours we contribute. We must examine our motivations and ensure they do not stem from a mindset of works-righteousness. Our works do not save us; we still need God’s grace. All of us suffer from a spiritual sickness and require a Savior.

If you’ve never read these verses before, you might find them a bit confusing. Why is Paul using such complex spiritual language? What illness is he addressing? To clarify, let’s look back at verse 1 in the ESV translation:

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it. (2 Cor. 12:1, ESV)

There is nothing to be gained by boasting. That is the issue. Many people mistakenly believe that boasting is the solution. Our 21st-century culture encourages us to brag about various aspects of our lives—our careers, our children, our cars, our future plans, our degrees, our intelligence or business skills, and our talents. We are often conditioned to think, in our hearts, that when someone shares their accomplishments, we should respond with, “Anything you can do … I can do better!”

Let me clarify, competition itself isn’t inherently bad—it can motivate us to improve and excel in our God-given callings. However, if we are constantly boasting… it resembles a bad first date. Have you ever experienced one of those? You go to dinner with someone you think you’ll really like, but then they start talking. For two hours, all they discuss is themselves, their opinions, and their achievements. Not once do they ask you a genuine question about yourself. That’s the kind of boasting that Paul is warning us about.

Drink The Medicine

Just because you can boast—let me gently remind you—doesn’t mean you should. Instead, your entire life—all your skills and talents—should direct others to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now that Paul has set the stage, he shares his own experience with this treatment:

Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 2 Cor. 12:7, NLT

The context of this statement is important. Paul wants to prevent anyone from thinking he is more than human or more spiritual than those around him; he openly acknowledges his own struggles and humanity. However, this profound spiritual experience comes with a cost: it makes him vulnerable to pride. God knows the remedy he needs. What does He do?

He gives Paul a thorn in the flesh, a well-known verse. What is this thorn in the flesh? Many commentators have explored this topic, so let’s delve into it. First, recognize that this thorn was actively given to Paul. Did God directly give it to him? That remains uncertain. Second, the Greek word for thorn is SKOLOPS, which refers to something pointed. And no, I am not talking about scallops … I mean SKOLOPS! This term has various meanings: it can refer to a stake in the ground, a thorn, a surgical instrument, or a fishhook. Most commentators believe it refers to some form of physical or emotional ailment. The ambiguity in the text makes it difficult to pinpoint—it could be persecution, troublesome people, spiritual snares, or carnal temptations.[1]

Regardless of what the SKOLOPS was, it caused torment in Paul’s life. The Greek text suggests that this was not a one-time issue but rather a persistent struggle with this adversary. He was being plagued, like a schoolyard bully lurking nearby. Commentator David Garland observes that “the verb ‘to torment’ implies humiliating violence—being slapped around; and the present tense suggests that it was persistent—something that happens over and over again”[2]

What about Satan? Is this truly his messenger? It is certainly possible that Satan intended this for evil in Paul’s life, but God transformed it into something good. What was the positive outcome? It prevented Paul from becoming proud. The ESV states it kept him from becoming conceited. Sometimes, suffering can serve as the remedy for our tendency to boast.

It reminds us that we build resilience through our weaknesses. So let me ask you: What is your thorn in the flesh? At some point in our lives, we all have one. The various possibilities for Paul’s thorn are certainly relevant to us: What is your thorn? Perhaps you struggle with a chronic medical condition that causes you constant pain. Maybe it involves a difficult person; today, we might call such individuals a “pain in the neck.” In ancient times, they would have been referred to as “a thorn in the side.” Your thorn likely represents ongoing suffering.

Is it possible to view this thorn in the flesh as a form of medicine from God? Is it teaching you about your weaknesses? Is it leading you to rely on God? Maybe it serves as a reminder that our pride is getting the better of us. I propose that our thorns, whatever they may be, are acts of God’s mercy and grace. They are, in a sense, medicine. Take a moment to reflect on this: What if God wants you to Drink the Thorns to find healing? It may sound painful, but we must embrace it. I challenge you today to embrace the thorns that God has allowed in your life.

Proclaim The Cure

This is the kind of struggle in which we can boast … in our weakness … about God’s power. Yet, during this process, it’s natural to plead, “Lord … take it away! Take it away! Take the medicine away! It’s too painful!” In the Garden of Gethsemane, on Thursday night of Holy Week, what did Jesus pray? “Lord … let this cup pass from me. Yet not my will … but your will be done.” Even Jesus asked His Father to remove His suffering! But He ultimately submitted to the Father’s plan. Paul writes,

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 2 Corinthians 12:8, NLT

Take it away, Lord! Whatever this thorn was, it was excruciating. Can you relate? This brings us back to our earlier discussion: we always want a happily ever after. When we don’t get our version of a “happily ever after,” we assume something is wrong. We resist suffering. Yet, if we don’t face resistance and build our spiritual muscles—like the trees in Biosphere 2—we risk toppling over. To cultivate resilience in our lives, we must embrace the answer God gives Paul in verse 9. Here we return to our starting point:

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.(2 Cor. 12:9, NLT)

“My grace is all you need.” Other translations say, “My grace is sufficient for you.” The word “Need/Sufficient” comes from the Greek word ARKEO, which means to satisfy with the sense of being enough. “The promise is that whenever the messenger of Satan afflicts him, he will be given sufficient strength to bear up.”[1] No matter your tormentor, God’s grace is enough to satisfy you. It is sufficient.

Do you believe that God’s grace is sufficient for you? Do you believe that His grace is all we need? I would suggest that most of us don’t. In some evangelical circles, there’s a belief that God should guarantee us a happy life—a happily ever after. But that’s not what the Bible promises; God promises grace in the midst of hardship.

Some believe we have to do more, be more, earn more, achieve more … God is most glorified when we are powerful. Is that what Paul says? No. God’s power works best in weakness. Let’s personalize that and say it together: God’s power works best in my weakness. Do you believe that? Paul states, “I will gladly boast about my weaknesses … so that the power of Christ can work through me.” Look how Paul concludes:

That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:10, NLT)

When I am weak, then I am strong. This is a countercultural message, my friends. The world tells us, “If I am not strong and put together, I am weak.” However, God’s Word presents a different perspective. He says, “I can’t use people like that because they don’t think they need me.” Do you recognize your need for God today?

Three Questions

I’d like to offer you three diagnostic questions to reflect on during your prayer time this week. Approach the Lord and ask Him these honest questions, and He will reveal your heart’s needs.

First, am I sick? Many of us suffer from a boasting disease. We believe that to be liked, accepted, and successful, we must engage in boasting. What many fail to realize is that this behavior shows we are relying on ourselves rather than on God. Once you acknowledge your sickness, you can move on to the next question.

Second, do I have the correct prescription? If you don’t diagnose the disease accurately, you won’t seek the right treatment. For instance, I should not undergo chemotherapy if I don’t have a condition that requires it. Similarly, I shouldn’t take Motrin for a simple stomachache. Spiritually speaking, if you have a boasting problem, you need to recognize that you require a humility prescription. You need the Gospel. Now, one more question…

Have I told others about the cure? After you embrace the Gospel, you will experience joy like never before. Even amidst trials and hardships, you will possess resilience and stamina. You will know your direction and feel compelled to share this cure with others.

Is that you today? Have you experienced the Gospel cure? If not, you may not even realize that you are sick. Diagnose the Illness. Drink the Medicine. Proclaim the Cure. Only then will you cultivate resilient weakness in your life.

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[1] Linda L. Belleville, 2 Corinthians, vol. 8, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 2 Co 12:7–10.

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[1] Ibid, 12:7-10.

[2] David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians, vol. 29, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 522.

 

A Sermon Summary on 2 Cor 10:1-11:33

By Pastor Dave Hentschel

In a world craving strong leadership, it can be difficult to distinguish between true, godly leaders and those who only appear to be leading well. Leadership is often judged by outward success, charisma, or personal influence, but Scripture offers a deeper, more discerning lens. In 2 Corinthians 10-11, the apostle Paul provides a blueprint for identifying resilient, Christ-centered leadership in contrast to the arrogance and deception of false leaders.

As we explore three key principles from Paul’s defense of his ministry, let’s ask ourselves: Are we following leaders who reflect Christ, or are we drawn to those who serve themselves?

Principle 1: Good Leaders Lead with Spiritual Authority; Bad Leaders Lead with Worldly Arrogance (2 Cor. 10:1-18)

Paul’s critics in Corinth dismissed him as weak and unimpressive. They claimed he was bold in his letters but timid in person (10:1). These so-called “super-apostles” (11:5) measured leadership by worldly standards—charisma, rhetorical skill, and outward appearance. Paul, however, asserts that true spiritual authority is not about external power but about God’s strength working through humility and obedience.

He reminds the Corinthians that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (10:4). True leaders do not rely on manipulation, self-promotion, or human wisdom. Instead, they lead by the authority of Christ, taking every thought captive in obedience to Him (10:5).

How to Apply This Today:

• Examine the leadership you follow. Are they drawing people to Christ or to themselves?
• Look for humility. Do they seek personal recognition, or do they boast only in the Lord?
• Assess their impact. True spiritual leaders focus on building up others, not tearing them down (10:8).

A leader’s influence should not be measured by outward strength but by their faithfulness to Christ. If a leader is boasting in themselves, they are not leading with spiritual authority.

Principle 2: Good Leaders Serve Others; Bad Leaders Use Others (2 Cor. 11:1-15)

One of the clearest marks of false leadership is self-serving ambition. Paul contrasts his sacrificial service with the deceitful actions of the false teachers infiltrating the Corinthian church. Unlike these impostors who financially exploited the congregation, Paul refused to be a burden (11:7-9). He worked tirelessly, even at personal cost, to serve God’s people.

In contrast, the false teachers were “disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (11:13). Their leadership was built on deception and self-interest rather than love and truth.

How to Apply This Today:

• Beware of leaders who demand loyalty but refuse accountability. Do they serve others, or do they expect to be served?
• Pay attention to how leaders handle money. Are they generous and transparent, or do they manipulate people for financial gain?
• Look for leaders who elevate others. Do they seek to empower and equip, or do they keep people dependent on them?

Paul’s example shows us that true leadership is marked by sacrificial service, not self-preservation. The best leaders are those who give freely, expecting nothing in return.

Principle 3: Good Leaders Step Into Danger; Bad Leaders Step Aside (2 Cor. 11:16-33)

Perhaps the most striking mark of Paul’s leadership is his willingness to suffer for the sake of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, he lists the countless trials he endured: beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, hunger, and danger on all sides. While false teachers sought comfort and admiration, Paul embraced hardship because his ultimate goal was faithfulness to Christ.

Rather than boasting in his achievements, Paul declares: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (11:30). This stands in stark contrast to leaders who seek power, prestige, or security.

How to Apply This Today:

• Recognize that godly leadership often comes with suffering. If a leader avoids hardship or refuses to take risks for the gospel, they may be more concerned about self-preservation than truth.
• Ask yourself: Is my faith prepared for difficulty? Following Christ is not always easy, but true leaders step into hardship rather than running from it.
• Follow leaders who rely on God’s strength, not their own. The best leaders are those who admit their weaknesses and point to the sufficiency of Christ.

Paul teaches us that godly leaders don’t seek comfort—they seek faithfulness. A resilient leader is willing to endure trials because they trust in God’s sustaining power.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Leaders

Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 10-11 serves as both a warning and an encouragement. Not everyone who claims to be a leader is worthy of being followed. The world often elevates those who are charismatic, self-confident, and powerful, but Scripture calls us to a different standard:

• Good leaders lead with spiritual authority, not personal arrogance.
• Good leaders serve others instead of using them for personal gain.
• Good leaders step into difficulty rather than avoiding it.

Call to Action: How Will You Respond?

As you reflect on these principles, ask yourself:

1. Am I following leaders who reflect Christ or those who seek their own glory?
2. Am I personally leading with humility, service, and resilience?
3. Am I willing to endure hardship for the sake of Christ, trusting in His strength?

Resilient leadership is not about power or popularity—it is about faithfulness to God. May we seek to follow and become the kind of leaders who serve, sacrifice, and stand firm in Christ.

Why Don’t We Give More?

Why don’t we give more? Here are four reasons I have found to be true in my own life:

• Scared. We don’t give more because we fear not having enough. You might say, “Pastor Bob, I have a mortgage, I’m trying to save for my kids’ college, and I’m trying to put food on the table. How can I give more?” Personally, I know that when my bank account is lower than I desire, it makes my heart race a bit.
• Skeptical. We don’t give more because we are skeptical about what the recipient will do. We live in an era where trust in institutions has eroded. It often feels like everyone is taking advantage of us and misusing financial gifts. Skepticism is a natural response.
• Short-Sighted. We don’t give more because we can’t see the eternal impact. As Americans, we tend to focus on immediate returns. We want to know that our money is making a difference right now. However, some investments—like mission work—may not yield visible results for years.
• Selfish. Finally, we don’t give more because, at some level, we are selfish. We could give more, but we want to keep it for ourselves and our pursuits. Do any of these reasons resonate with you?

It’s the act of giving that makes us pause because we think we need more for ourselves. I would challenge us by highlighting the difference between what we NEED and what we WANT. While indulging our wants from time to time is not wrong, that gap between our NEEDS and our WANTS presents an opportunity to give if the Lord is leading us. Let’s call it the GIVING OPPORTUNITY GAP. What is your gap … and where is God calling you to GIVE MORE for His kingdom?

A Model For Generosity

Paul begins this section by offering a model of generosity. 2 Corinthians 8-9 is the longest treatment of giving in the entire New Testament and, in many ways, serves as its model. The Old Testament approach to giving was centered around the tithe within the nation of Israel. However, the tithes and offerings of the Old Testament were intertwined with the civil life of the Israelites. The church, on the other hand, is not bound to the state—this is a different era. How should that affect our giving? In many ways, we should be more generous because of the grace we have received from God. Paul begins his challenge in 8:1:

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 8:1, NLT)

Paul gets right to the point in this opening verse: “I want you to know something.” Or, if he were from New Jersey, “Let me tell you something …” This phrase often introduces new information. Specifically, he wants to tell the Corinthians how God worked through the Macedonian churches, which Paul planted during his second missionary journey, as recorded in Acts. The principle I want you to see is this: God works through the Church. He accomplishes His purpose through the people of God. He was generous to us, so we should be generous to others.

This should encourage us at MBC. God wants to work through us. What can God do through the generosity of MBC? I’ll offer one example: Last week, a few of us visited the new headquarters of City Relief. They have a wonderful new site in Clifton where they can launch outreach efforts to the poor in the NYC area, particularly in Newark, NJ, which has been underserved. They previously had an outreach site there, but it was closed down. City Relief aims to re-launch that site to reach the poor in Newark, and we, the church, are helping to fund that effort. Look at what God, in His kindness, can do through the churches.

Paul continues,

They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:2, NLT)

This verse captures the essence of resilient giving. They gave even though they were “tested.” The ESV describes their situation as a “severe test of affliction.” Despite their struggles, they still chose to give. That is resilient giving. The Greek noun “dokime” refers to a testing that “proves someone’s genuineness.” Their willingness to give despite their problems demonstrated their authenticity. It was resilient. The phrase “very poor” indicates that they were in “rock bottom poverty.”

Moreover, when they gave despite their affliction, they were filled with “abundant joy” and overflowed in “rich generosity.” Wow. What does it mean to be richly generous? Picture this: imagine reaching the end of the month and not knowing how you will pay your bills. Money is tight. Yet, you choose to give what little you have to help others. That is what Paul is illustrating here. Would you feel happy about this? If your household is anything like mine, when finances are tight, joy is not the word I would use! And yet, Paul says they gave joyfully and generously. They trusted God! That is a model of resilience!

Our Motivation for Generosity

This is where it gets real. Some of us don’t give because our hearts are not in it. What is your motivation for generosity? Here are a few reasons why God calls us to give:

• First, God wants to build our FAITH. Some of us struggle with faith regarding our finances. We may have faith in many other areas of life, but when it comes to money, we falter. God wants us to give, even when it’s hard, because He wants us to trust Him to provide for our needs. What does Paul say in 2 Cor. 5:7? “We walk by faith and not by sight.”
• Second, God wants to teach us DEPENDENCE. As we exercise faith in our giving, we learn that we must depend on God. Like a good father, God desires our dependence on Him. What does Jesus say in Matthew 7:11? God is a “good father who gives gifts to those who ask Him.” He wants us to rely on Him for our resources.
• Finally, God calls us to OBEDIENCE. The Bible discusses money and giving because God wants us to establish a pattern of generosity in our lives. He desires us to be generous because He is generous. He aims to use the resources He has given us to build His kingdom. Where is God calling you to give?

In 2 Cor. 8:8, Paul outlines the primary motivation for giving. Much of 2 Corinthians focuses on the tension between the temporal and the eternal. Which are you living for? Which do you treasure? Paul writes:

I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. (2 Corinthians 8:8, NLT)

This is an intriguing motivational strategy that Paul employs. In the preceding verses, he clearly calls the Corinthians to generous giving. He has spent most of the letter defending his authority as an Apostle. Yet here, he seems to set aside that authority. He is not “commanding” them to give; instead, he is “testing” them. This raises an interesting question. Imagine you approach your child and say—(1) I want you to clean your room. It would be helpful to everyone in the house if you cleaned your room. (2) I am not commanding you to clean your room. (3) Instead … I am using this as a test. How would your child respond?

What is Paul doing here? He is giving the Corinthians an opportunity to demonstrate their genuine love for their fellow believers through the Jerusalem relief fund. He begins his appeal by presenting the Macedonians as an example, and now he turns to the ultimate example of generosity in verse 9:

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9, NLT)

This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible. It serves as the primary motivation for the Christian life and Christian generosity. Let’s break down this verse.

(1) First, it appeals to the “generous grace” of Jesus Christ. This is a gift bestowed upon sinners who don’t deserve it. You and I do not deserve salvation. We are poor, wretched sinners who deserve condemnation. But God, rich in mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place for our sins and satisfy the penalty. That’s amazing! What did Jesus have to do to offer this gift?

(2) Though He was “rich.” Jesus Christ possessed all the riches in the heavenly realms, seated at the right hand of the Father. He did not have to come to earth. He did not have to leave His riches. But He did … He became poor.

Why? Why did Jesus do this? So you could be rich. So you could be rich. Church, do you realize that Jesus Christ opened up the riches of heaven for you? No matter what your life is like right now, you have riches beyond compare! Amen!

The Measure of Our Generosity

And because Jesus did this for you, shouldn’t that change how you live … and give? Nothing we have is ours—it’s all His! Give … give … give generously … excel at giving … out of gratitude to God. Resilient givers are resilient because they know what they have received. In fact, their hearts say, “How can I NOT give because of what I have been given?” The Gospel is our motivation for giving. What does this look like? Paul finishes by offering a charge:

Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. (2 Corinthians 8:10-12, NLT)

He’s offering a test, but he is also giving some unsolicited advice: finish what you started. Apparently, some time had passed since they last contributed. Paul is reminding them that we still need your support! Be eager to give. Give in PROPORTION to what you have. That word, “PROPORTION,” is key when it comes to New Testament giving. Circle it, underline it, highlight it.

What is proportionate giving? This concept elevates the Old Testament principle of the tithe. In the Old Testament, the people of God were called to give a TITHE, or a tenth, of their income to support the Levites working in the tabernacle or temple. The Levites, in turn, gave a tenth of their income to support the priests. Interestingly, this command is not repeated in the New Testament. Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 9 that Christian workers deserve their wages, but that specific temple tithe language is absent. Instead, we see the concept of “PROPORTIONATE GIVING.” In other words, giving should be related to your earnings. If you make $10,000 a year, you would not be expected to give $100,000. Taken together with his previous point, Paul is calling the believers to give in proportion to their income while also encouraging them to give more generously than they think they are capable of. Excel in giving, motivated by the Gospel generosity of Jesus Christ. He concludes with a caution:

Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. (2 Corinthians 8:13-15, NLT)

So he clarifies—he is calling the Corinthians to give what they can. He is not asking them to go into debt for the sake of giving, nor is he urging them to bring hardship upon themselves. Instead, he challenges them to strive for sacrificial giving. Many times, we can sacrificially give more than we think we can.

Are you giving sacrificially? Allow me to offer a challenge: Easter is one month away. Over the next month, I challenge you to assess your giving opportunity gap. What lies in the gap between your needs and your wants? Assess it … and see how much money you can free up to give to the Kingdom. Consider giving to Feeding Hands, City Relief, or MBC. As you do this, ask yourself, Am I giving proportionately and sacrificially to God’s kingdom work?

God doesn’t need your money … but He wants to use your money.

A Harvest of Generosity

God will provide all you need … not necessarily all you want. One reason we don’t give is that we are concerned about our own needs. However, when we recognize that God is our provider … when we trust that He knows our needs … it frees us to have faith and grow in generosity. Look at verse 10:

In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (2 Corinthians 8:10b, NLT)

When you are generous, He will bless you by increasing your resources. Why? So that in you God will produce a harvest of generosity. A harvest of generosity. I love that phrase. That is a phrase to circle, underline, AND highlight. Does God want to harvest generosity from us today? Lord, we have a congregation of generous people—I pray you move on hearts to bring about the generosity you have called us to. Lord, tell them how much and where you want them to give. Holy Spirit … would you do Your work?

What if God has increased your resources … so you can bless others? This is the mind-blowing paradigm shift you need to embrace, church. God has blessed you … to bless others … with whatever He has given you! Some have a lot … others a little … but the call of 2 Corinthians 8-9 is this—God wants radically generous, resilient givers. And when that happens … we can change the world!

Church, here is the question you need to answer: What is the harvest of generosity God wants from me? I don’t know everyone’s financial situation, how much you make, or what opportunities lie ahead. But I do know this: God wants you to be MORE generous than you are today. He wants you to go deeper in generosity!

A Sermon Summary on 2 Cor 7:2-16

By Pastor Dave Hentschel

Life is filled with setbacks, failures, and moments of regret. But what happens when the obstacles we face are of our own making? When we stumble, not because of external hardships, but because of our own sin, how do we recover? The Apostle Paul gives us a powerful blueprint in 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 for how to be resilient after we mess up.

A Story of Transformation

Rosaria Butterfield’s testimony is a striking example of repentance after sin. Once a tenured professor in feminist theory and a committed advocate for LGBTQ rights, she lived in a lesbian relationship and spent years shaping the cultural conversation around sexuality.

But then, through the persistent love of Christian neighbors and the convicting power of Scripture, she was confronted with the reality of sin. The Bible, particularly its teaching on the nature of sin and redemption through Christ, led her to an agonizing but ultimately transformative repentance. She realized that her past was not just a set of personal choices but rebellion against a holy God. Her story serves as a modern-day example of what Paul addresses in this passage: how to respond when we recognize we’ve gone astray.

The Reality of Sin

Paul was writing to the Corinthians, a church that had seriously messed up. Their struggles included immorality, division, pride, and even substance abuse. Yet in this passage, Paul doesn’t just condemn them; he shows them the path to restoration.

The key question we must all ask is: What does God want us to do with our sin? We all have areas where we fall short—whether it’s pride, lust, gossip, or manipulation. The issue is not whether we will sin, but how we will respond when we do.

Godly Grief vs. Worldly Grief

Paul highlights an important distinction in 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Worldly grief is self-focused. It’s regret over getting caught, embarrassment over damage to our reputation, or frustration over lost opportunities. It leads to despair, bitterness, and ultimately spiritual death. A biblical example of this is Judas Iscariot. He felt remorse for betraying Jesus, but instead of repenting, he allowed his grief to consume him, leading to his tragic end.

Godly grief, on the other hand, is God-focused. It is sorrow over sin because it offends a holy God. It produces a genuine desire to change. King David exemplifies this in Psalm 51 after his sin with Bathsheba. He doesn’t make excuses—he fully owns his sin and cries out to God for mercy. True repentance leads to life, restoration, and transformation.

What True Repentance Looks Like

In verse 11, Paul outlines seven characteristics of godly sorrow that produce real change:

1. Earnestness – A sincere desire to make things right.
2. Eagerness to clear yourself – Not in a self-justifying way, but in a way that seeks true reconciliation.
3. Indignation – A holy anger over sin and its consequences.
4. Fear – A reverence for God and His righteousness.
5. Longing – A desire for restored fellowship with God and others.
6. Zeal – A passion for righteousness.
7. Readiness to see justice done – A willingness to take the necessary steps to make amends.

True repentance doesn’t just mean feeling bad—it results in a changed life. When we truly repent, we don’t just say, “I’m sorry.” We take action to correct our course.

Steps to Godly Repentance

If we want to be resilient after we mess up, Paul’s words give us a roadmap.

1. Recognition: Acknowledge Your Sin

We cannot change what we refuse to acknowledge. One of the greatest barriers to repentance is self-deception. We justify our actions, blame others, or downplay the seriousness of our sin. But true repentance begins with seeing our sin for what it is—an offense against a holy God.

Adam and Eve’s response to sin in Genesis 3 was to hide and shift blame. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. We do the same thing today. But instead of running from conviction, we need to embrace it. Only when we admit our sin can we truly begin the process of healing.

2. Remorse: Let Your Heart Be Broken

Paul says that godly sorrow is a grief according to God. It means we are not just sad about the consequences of sin, but about the sin itself.

The prophet Ezekiel describes a remnant of Israel who were marked for salvation because they “grieved and lamented” over the sin in their city (Ezekiel 9:4). Do we grieve over our sin? Does it break our hearts when we displease God?

This kind of sorrow isn’t comfortable, but it is good. It is a gift from God that leads us to deeper intimacy with Him.

3. Repentance: Turn and Change

Repentance is not just an emotion—it’s an action. The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, means a complete change of mind and direction. It’s not just about feeling bad; it’s about choosing to live differently.

True repentance means:

• Owning your sin without excuses.
• Confessing it to God (and to those you’ve wronged if necessary).
• Taking concrete steps to turn away from it.

David did this after his fall. Peter did this after denying Jesus. In contrast, Saul repeatedly expressed regret but never truly repented. One path leads to restoration; the other to destruction.

Restoration and Rejoicing

Paul ends this section with joy. He is overjoyed that the Corinthians responded with true repentance. Just as Jesus said in Luke 15:10, “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Repentance brings joy—not just in heaven, but in our own lives. When we repent, we are freed from guilt and shame. We no longer have to carry the burden of sin. Instead, we walk in the light of God’s grace.

A Call to Action

Where do you need to experience godly sorrow today? Is there an area of your life where you’ve been making excuses, blaming others, or ignoring conviction? Now is the time to recognize your sin, let your heart be broken over it, and truly repent.

As we close, let’s remember the words of the old hymn:

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.

Come home. Come home.

God’s grace is waiting. Will you respond?

Resilient Decisions Defined

What are resilient decisions? They are decisions, guided by God’s wisdom, which have lasting positive effects. You might ask, what is a non-resilient decision? Those are decisions, which seem good at the time, but flame out or have negative effects. For example, it might seem like a good idea to eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. After all, you had a hard week—you deserve it. But later that night … you will discover that decision LACKS resilience!

From a spiritual standpoint, a non-resilient decision would be embracing ungodly cultural narratives. Like the ice cream, it may seem good at the time but you will pay for it later. This was the danger facing the Corinthians—they wanted to be loved by the surrounding culture … and it influenced their decisions. God wants us laser focused on the Gospel. The last verse of 2^nd Corinthians 5, famously, tells us the effect of God’s decision to send his son to die for us …

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

That is the Gospel! He died in our place. He took our sin … we got his righteousness. Now … Paul appeals to us in 2 Corinthians 6. This is the heart of the letter. Paul spent 5 chapters presenting his credentials as a minister. Now … he is calling for a decision. Are you with me, or not? It is a make or break moment. Look at 6:1,

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. (1 Corinthians 6:1, ESV)

“Working together with him” means Paul is focused on God’s objective, God’s mission. Notice, in chapter 5:20, Paul calls us ambassadors—God wants to make his appeal (to the world) through us. Now, in chapter 6, he makes an appeal to us.

He appeals to us so he can work through us. This is what David Wood was doing with Nabeel Qureshi. That word, “appeal,” can mean to strongly urge you. Paul is calling for a decision to follow Jesus and God’s call on the Corinthian’s lives. Which raising that question for us:

How do you make resilient DECISIONS? This section of scripture is filled with imperatives. I’ll offer four commands to keep our decisions resilient: (1) Go BIG! (2) Go LONG! (3) Go DEEP! (4) Stay TRUE! If we obey those commands, resilient decisions follow.

Go Big!

Resilient decisions cause us to GO BIG! For many—that is  a scary thought. You might say, “Pastor Bob, I’m not a risk taker! I don’t need to go big … I’m happy going small.” Well taken. Going “big” is relative to the person. However, my point is this: we cannot be afraid of decisions requiring that we step out in faith … and trust God.

Are you buying a house (No matter the size)? At some level, you have to step out in faith and trust God.

Are you starting a business? Success is a NOT a guarantee, you have to step out in faith and trust God.

Are you getting married? You don’t know how that person will change over a lifetime … you have to trust God.

You want to have kids? Oh boy, do you need to trust God. And … Go Big—don’t be afraid of having more!

You want to go back to school? Go big, go bold … trust God if he is calling you!

Go big! Resilient decisions are often BOLD decisions that require total dependence on God. The opposite of going big is living in fear. Or taking matters into our own hands. In both scenarios, we are not trusting God. God’s involvement makes the decision resilient. It is amazing how many times we make decisions without even thinking to consult God. Let’s return to 6:1 …

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. (1 Corinthians 6:1, ESV)

The word, “then,” signifies a major shift in the letter. He spent five chapters explaining himself. Now, he is taking it to the Corinthians: “Working together with him.” Someone say, “I working with God!” Louder! You know why so many of us have problems … we’re working alone. We need to work with God. The Greek word, synergountes, can be translated, “As God’s fellow workers.”[1] That is a BOLD statement. It is a Go Big statement. We are God’s people, called to accomplish God’s purposes. And what are his purposes? 5:20—be an ambassador. However, before you can be an ambassador, you have to COMMIT to the appeal made to you. You have to experience and receive the grace of God!

So… what does it mean to receive God’s grace in vain? That phrase means “without effect or result. Paul’s concern is that God’s grace will not have any meaningful impact on their lives.”[2] Additionally, the Greek grammar suggests there is a particular danger faced by the Corinthians. What is the danger? Circle the word, grace. This word produces well-being for the recipient. In this context, it is the unmerited favor of God, which comes through Jesus Christ. Does Paul think the Corinthians will lose their salvation? Let’s look at the next verse:

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV)

This quotation comes from Isaiah 49:8. In that context, the divine favor happens when God answers the prayers of his servants. In 2 Corinthians, Paul seems to be equating himself with the Isaiah servant. Which means, rejecting Paul and his teaching is equivalent to rejected God’s grace.[3] This is a proverbial, “come to Jesus moment.” Paul wants no distractions … he wants effective ministry that extends the Gospel.

We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, (2 Corinthians 6:3, ESV)

This is an evangelistic call right at the beginning of this section. Today … today … today … is the day of Salvation! Don’t wait … Go big! Make a decision. In the rest of the chapter, this is what Paul does: (1) In vv. 4-10 he defends the seemingly contradictory nature of his ministry. (2) The in vv. 11-13, he asks for their hearts in the mission. (3) Finally, he calls them to sever their ties with unbelievers who are distracting them from Gospel mission. Paul’s main concern, as we will see, is that the Corinthians were succumbing to “peer pressure” from the world. Linda Belleville notes, “To cave in to peer pressure, Paul says, would be in effect to receive God’s grace in vain.”[4] Paul wants the Corinthians to TRUST HIM and the God he serves.

Go Long!

Following Jesus … it is all about the long game. It’s about endurance. Imagine right now that you are the quarterback on God’s team. You see an opportunity for the Gospel and you ask your Wide Receiver to go long. What does it take for that receiver to get down the field as long and hard as he can? Endurance. Stamina. Following Jesus takes endurance. Let’s read vv. 3-10—you can feel the endurance in this section:

We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:3-10, ESV)

Wow … can you feel the endurance? Paul is screaming—GO LONG! He returns to the commendation of his ministry. Remember, much of chapters 1-5 have been focused on Paul validating his credentials as a Gospel minister. In these seven verses, he launches into an explanation about the paradoxical nature of his ministry. He is talking about endurance.

But Paul is not talking about any old endurance … he says it requires great endurance. The word, used here, is about handling adversity. It could be translated, “stand firm,” or “hold one’s ground.”[5] When the trials, come, Paul says, HOLD THE LINE! How do we do that?

A.J. Gordon once said, “We do not stand in the world bearing witness to Christ, but stand in Christ and so bear witness to the world.”[6]

Did you see what he did? We stand in Christ … and that is our witness to the world. Now, Paul launches into one of his famous, “Catalog of Deeds.” He offers 28 reasons … 28!! To endure, to go long!

What’s the lesson of this section? Paul is saying, suffering can take us off track. Suffering can cause us to give up … even on the faith. Suffering can cause us to question our calling.  Suffering can cause us to lose heart. To comabt this, Paul says, “Go Long!” Even in the suffering … TRUST GOD! When we do that and focus on our future hope, it changes the calculus of our decisions.

What are some examples? Maybe we choose to delay gratification for the sake of the kingdom. We might intentionally buy less so we can give away more. Maybe we have an ethical issue with our work. Even though the pay is good, we might choose to leave and take a lower paying position for the sake of our conscience. Maybe we end that dating relationship, even thought we really like the other person, beacuse our values are not aligned. That might seem like a big decision … but going long means we are following Jesus first for the long haul.

When you recognize this, you will make resilient decision that allow you to GO LONG!

Go Deep!

This point is brief, but important. Resilient decisions are rarely made in a vacuum. We need solid, Christian brothers and sisters around us, helping us make decisions. This is what Paul appeals to now,

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13, ESV)

We’ve opened our hearts to you … open your hearts at us. What is Paul talking about here? He senses there is some awkwardness between him and the Corinthians. Yet, this has not changed his approach or his love. “We have spoken freely” indicates his honesty. David Garland writes this, “means here that he has spoken freely or frankly to them and continues to do so […] He cannot stay silent when they stand on a dangerous precipice where one false step will lead to their spiritual ruin.”[7]

Paul’s thrust in these verses is authentic, honest community with the Corinthians. He “heart is wide open.” However, this has not been reciprocated. Have you ever been in a relationship where your feelings were not shared? It’s awkward. Underline the phrase, “you are restricted in your own affections.” What does that mean? It could be translated “withholding your affection.” This is an important phrase, which is lost in the English. Belleville writes, “Here the sense is that the Corinthians have become constrained in their feelings for Paul, so that he is finding himself gradually squeezed out of their hearts.”[8]

Did you hear that? They are squeezing Paul out of their hearts. Wow. Why? They are having an issue with Paul’s leadership. This happens all the time in the church. Even today, people are afraid to fully commit to a church, because it involves submitting to leadership or being known at a deep level. That is a form of withholding you affection for the church body. This is why membership is an important component of church life. We make commitments to each other.

Friends, if you are here at our church, I would encourage you … don’t withhold your affection. Open your hearts wide. If you do not … you are missing out on community. But we are also missing out on knowing you. Go Deep! Resilient decisions are made within community. Don’t hold back.

Stay True!

In this final section, Paul clarifies why he is concerned about the Corinthians—they are opening their hearts to the wider world. They are falling in love with false gods. The first verse will be familiar to church goers. Paul writes in v. 14:

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV)

If you attended youth group as a teenager, and you ever heard a dating talk, this verse was probably familiar. Don’t date non-Christians! And certainly don’t marry non-Christians … if you are a Christian. While there is truth to that application, that is not Paul’s primary reason for writing.

The word, “yoked,” is a funny word any he is not talking about eggs! I don’t want you runny yolks! The yolks on you friends! No. The term literally says don’t be “other yoked.” It is an agrarian term for cattle. The word, heterozygeo, referred to the practice of yoking to a plow, two unequal animals—an ox and a donkey for example. That would make it hard to accomplish the work. It would be counterproductive.

Certainly, this can pertain to dating, marriage and friendship … but it’s more likely he is primarily concerned with business and working partnerships. If you go back and read 1 Corinthians 8-10, this was chief in Paul’s arguments. There he tells the Corinthians to avoid meat sacrificed to idols because it impacts their worship of Jesus. The primary place this practice happened was in pagan temples during business meetings. The Corinthians did not avoid these meetings because it might cut off their business dealings. They gave in to cultural peer pressure, and their walk with the Lord was impacted.

This was the chief concern of Paul is 6:1. He was concerned the Corinthians were going to walk away from the faith because the money was good on the other side. He was concerned they would sin and think it wasn’t a big deal. He was concerned that the idols of this world would capture their hearts and make them ineffective for the kingdom. He was concerned they would not make resilient decisions … because they were listening to people who didn’t have the same values. In v. 14, he has a righteous explosion of truth …

For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; (2 Corinthians 6:14-16, ESV)

He does more compare and contrast … but he ends with the pointed statement: “We are the TEMPLE of the Living God!” He has used this language before and it is intentional. You cannot worship in the temple of Aphrodite, and think you won’t be influenced by Aphrodite. You cannot worship in the temple of Amazon, and think you won’t be influenced by Amazon. The values are opposite!

Application

Now, you can see the application for our lives. You can see why Paul is concerned about people rejecting the grace of the Gospel as certain partnerships take root in your life.

• Marriage and Dating: This is a perfect example. Why would someone do this? Maybe you are settling out of insecurity. Maybe you’ve become emotionally entangled too quickly. When this happens, I’ve always seen the Christian struggle. Why? How many of you would be willing to admit, your partner has influenced you? For good or bad. Whom you marry is one of the most important decisions you will make. You cannot be in a sexual union with someone, and not have that impact you emotionally. If you go and read 1 Kings, this was Solomon’s downfall. He had all these foreign wives and concubines … and his heart turned from the Lord. So … if you date or marry a non-Christian … yes, that will impact your spiritual life. You allegiance will be torn.
• Friendships: To a lesser extend this impacts friendships. Teenagers, this is why your parents may be concerned about your friends. They will influence you. Whom you follow on social media will influence you. If your closest friends are not Christians, your decisions may not be totally Biblical if they are influenced by people who don’t know the Bible. Those decisions might not be resilient.
• Business Relations: Finally, business. This is not one we speak about much. I would argue, this is the primary point of this section. I know a number of people who have been put in ethical dilemmas at their job … because their boss, or the company, was engaged in shady behavior. But because they were not Christians … they didn’t care. Why? Money and cultural influence are at the center of this problem. It was a big problem in both 1 and 2 Corinthians. Paul is seeing Christians walk away from the Gospel because to stay true would cause them to lose money and influence in the wider society. So … that does not necessarily mean you need to quit your job … but it does mean you need to pray about who you go into business with. Who you work for. If that company does not align with your values … it might need to give you pause. Or you might need to count the cost. Will that partnership influence you away from the Gospel? Will is cause you to be ineffective for the Gospel? Will it cause you to receive the grace of God in vain?

All these relationships can take you away from following God … from committing your life to Jesus! God doesn’t want that for us … he doesn’t want His grace to be received in vain! He wants you to Go Big … he wants you to Go Long … he wants you to Go Deep … and he wants you to STAY TRUE to Jesus. He wants you to have a RESILIENT FAITH!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

[1] David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians, vol. 29, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 303.

[2] Linda L. Belleville, 2 Corinthians, vol. 8, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 2 Co 6:1–3.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Belleville, 2 Corinthians, 6:4-10.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Garland, 2 Corinthians, 328.

[8] Belleville, 2 Corinthians, 2 Co 6:11–13.

A Sermon Summary on 2 Cor 4:1-18

By Pastor Dave Hentschel

Life can be exhausting. Trials come like waves, and discouragement often knocks at our door. At times, it may seem as if the burdens we carry are too heavy, and the flame of our faith flickers in the wind. Yet, in 2 Corinthians 4, Paul gives us a powerful reminder: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16)

How do we develop resilience in the Christian life? How do we press on when circumstances seem overwhelming? Paul lays out seven key principles that will help us endure and strengthen our faith. Let’s explore them together.

1. We Remember God’s Mercy

Paul begins by reminding us that we serve by the mercy of God (2 Cor. 4:1). Our ability to stand firm is not based on our own strength but on God’s kindness and grace toward us. Because we have received mercy, we are called to extend it to others. This perspective shifts our focus from our struggles to God’s sustaining power.

However, Paul also warns against tampering with God’s Word to make it more palatable (v.2). The temptation to soften the message to gain approval is real, but the gospel does not need our modifications. It is the truth that transforms lives.

2. We Exalt Christ, Not Ourselves

In a world obsessed with self-promotion, Paul declares: “We proclaim not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (v.5). Ministry and Christian living should never be about making ourselves look good—it should always be about lifting up Christ.

Billy Graham once met C.S. Lewis, who advised him, “Don’t forget we’re sinners.” In other words, don’t try to match the scholars. Just preach the cross. We know we’re sinners, and that’s what we need to hear. That’s our mission: to proclaim Christ, not ourselves. The power of the gospel does not rest on human eloquence but on the Spirit of God opening blind eyes (v.6).

3. We Surrender Your Weakness as Part of God’s Plan

Paul describes us as jars of clay—fragile, ordinary, and weak—yet holding within us the treasure of the gospel (v.7). Why does God choose to work through weak vessels? So that His power is displayed, and He receives the glory.

We often think strength is about self-sufficiency, but God’s power is revealed through our weakness. Paul was afflicted but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed (vv.8-9). His hardships made it clear that the power sustaining him was not his own—it was God’s.

4. We Overcome Because Others Have Gone Before You

Paul draws from Psalm 116, saying, “I believed, and so I spoke” (v.13). He saw himself as part of a long line of faithful believers who endured suffering yet held fast to their faith. Hebrews 11 speaks of saints who endured trials, looking forward to the reward God had promised.

Likewise, we are not the first to suffer for the gospel. Throughout history, Christians have faced imprisonment, persecution, and even martyrdom. Their faithfulness reminds us that we, too, can endure.

5. We Live in the Midst of the Battle

Paul acknowledges that life is a constant battle. “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (v.16). He does not pretend that suffering is easy or that following Christ guarantees a trouble-free life. Instead, he emphasizes daily renewal—the need to be refreshed spiritually just as we need physical nourishment.

This is why spending time with God daily is crucial. We cannot rely on yesterday’s renewal for today’s struggles. Jesus taught, “Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34), meaning we must seek fresh strength from God every day.

6. We Value What is Eternal More Than the Present

Paul calls our suffering light and momentary compared to the “eternal weight of glory” being prepared for us (v.17). This is a radical perspective! How could Paul, who endured shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment, call his suffering light and momentary? Because he had an eternal mindset.

C.S. Lewis, in The Weight of Glory, wrote about our deep longing for something greater than this world can offer. Our true home is not here—it is in eternity with Christ. When we view suffering through the lens of eternity, we realize that the worst the world can do to us is temporary. The pain of today will be eclipsed by the joy of tomorrow.

7. We Embrace That Everything is Meaningful in God’s Hands

Perhaps the most profound truth Paul shares is that our suffering is not meaningless. He doesn’t say trials are simply followed by glory—he says they are preparing us for glory (v.17). God is using everything we endure for His purposes.

John Piper once said, “Nothing in your pain is meaningless. It is all preparing something—a weight of glory beyond all comparison.” This means that even when we don’t understand why we are suffering, we can trust that God is working through it.

At the end of his life, Paul sat in a Roman prison awaiting execution. From a worldly perspective, his suffering seemed pointless. But from God’s perspective, Paul’s faithfulness in the face of death was producing eternal glory. His life was not wasted, and neither is ours when we trust God with our trials.

So, We Do Not Lose Heart

Paul’s message is clear: Do not lose heart. The Christian life is not easy, but it is worth it. Our suffering is temporary; our reward is eternal. The trials we endure now are shaping us for the glory to come.

If you are feeling weary, know this—your suffering is not in vain. One day, you will stand before Jesus, and every struggle will make sense. Every tear will be wiped away. Every burden will be lifted. And in that moment, you will know—it was all worth it.

Until that day, hold on. Keep going. Keep trusting. Because the weight of glory waiting for you is beyond all comparison.

Say it with me: We. Do. Not. Lose. Heart.

I Can’t Do This!

Do you have resilience in your life? If you cannot answer that question, perhaps you have not been tested yet. It is during trials, hardships, and obstacles that resilience is tested. We learn to endure. You must reach a point where you shout: “I can’t do this!”

Has anyone in the audience experienced an “I can’t do this” moment? It’s that moment when you want to throw in the towel. This term originated in boxing matches—when the trainer senses the fighter can no longer take any more punches, he throws in the towel to stop the fight.

For some of us, we’ve been going a few rounds with life: cancer treatments, a child walking away from the faith, losing a job with immense financial burdens, another romantic breakup, and the exhaustion of repeated rejection, or receiving another low grade after trying so hard. The list could go on and on … but they all lead us to the same phrase: “I can’t do this!” Have you been there? Let’s shout it together!

I’d like to expand our definition this morning. Resilience is … “The ability to recover quickly from illness, change, or misfortune; buoyancy.” This is what Paul will discuss today in 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18. Last week, Dave provided an overview of the book. In the remainder of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2, Paul outlines the challenges of ministry life, including the need to forgive. Now, in chapters 2-3, he will answer the question:

How do you build a RESILIENT life? In this section of Scripture, I suggest he offers three steps: (1) Assess Your SMELL. (2) Source Your SUFFICIENCY. (3) Walk In The SPIRIT. When you take these steps, resilience follows.

Assess Your Smell

First, if you want to build a resilient life, you must assess your smell. Paul states that those who follow Christ will smell like Christ! Later in the passage, he makes the point that, to non-believers, the Gospel is a foul odor. By extension, for those who don’t follow Christ, our lives will be a foul stench. Their minds, and noses, are blinded! We carry a Gospel stench—and that’s a good thing!

Yet, we must preach while trusting God with those souls around us. This is what Paul did at Troas:

When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. (2 Cor. 2:12-13, ESV)

Before Paul delves into his exhortations, he addresses his recent travels in these two verses. He expresses his love and concern for the Corinthians as he recounts his experience after leaving Ephesus for Troas. A door opened for him to preach the Gospel, and he took it. However, his spirit was troubled because Titus was not there. Titus was carrying the “severe” letter to the Corinthians, and Paul wanted to know if they had repented of their sins. Thus, he left this ministry situation in search of Titus.

Despite his discouragement over a missed Gospel opportunity in Troas, Paul gives thanks …

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (2 Cor. 2:14, ESV)

Notice the word, “fragrance.” This is our first smell word in this section. “The term in verse 14 for fragrance (osmē) is used for both pleasant and unpleasant odors. In verse 15, however, Paul shifts to euōdia, which refers only to agreeable smells, further defining this odor as an aroma of Christ to God.”[1] This shift emphasizes that, first and foremost, our lives must be a pleasing aroma to God himself.

The context of this section of 2 Corinthians centers on Paul’s validity as an Apostle. People were questioning him. Paul’s point is this: some people react to our smell. However, that reaction is more about them than us—it points to their heart. Our goal is to please God.

To further illustrate, Paul draws from a familiar Roman spectacle called the “pompa triumphalis.” This was a victory parade for successful generals. “Over 300 of these events are recorded in Greco-Roman literature. Most commentators and translations agree that this is what this passage refers to. What isn’t so clear is where we fit into this scene.”[2] There were some key components to these “parades.” Imagine seeing this come down Main Street, the center of Basking Ridge, in your town:

• First, a group would carry a picture of the battle, along with a board displaying the names of the conquered cities and nations.
• Second, white bulls were sacrificed to Jupiter.
• Third, the conquered peoples, including key leaders, followed.
• Fourth, came the incense-bearers, wafting clouds of smoke.
• Fifth, at the heart of the parade, was the successful general, ready to receive all his accolades.
• Finally, following the general came two more groups: (1) the Romans he had rescued from the barbarians, and (2) the general’s own troops brought up the rear.[3]

Why does Paul include this scene here? Usually, commentators argue that we belong to one of the groups. How do you discern which one? The answer lies in the next verse:

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. (2 Cor. 2:15-16, ESV)

Notice that in verse 14, it says that Christ leads us in this triumphal procession. We, however, are the “fragrance” and “aroma” of Christ. The combination of these words suggests a pleasing smell to God. Christ is depicted as the victorious general, setting the captives free through his work on the cross. That is a picture of the Gospel! However, we are the ones going before Him, spreading the incense, the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere! To those who are saved, the Christians, this fragrance brings life. But to those who don’t know Christ, the unrepentant rebels, this smell brings death.

Perhaps a real-world example would help. There is a reason the “fragrance industry” is so lucrative. When someone smells pleasing, we are drawn to them. What is your favorite fragrance? Chanel? Gucci? Hugo Boss? Who loves walking into Bath and Body Works? Even they have wearable fragrances. The smell can attract us or repel us.

Now, think about the worst smell in the world. Consider garbage. I have to take the garbage out every night—anyone else? I still have kids in diapers. Let’s just say changing the diaper genie doesn’t make me lean in for another whiff; it puts me on my heels! Good fragrances make us lean in, while bad fragrances put us on our heels.

Poopy diapers… trash… this is how we may smell to non-Christians when we share the Gospel message. We stink like garbage… we have a Gospel stench about us!

This brings us back to the question: How do you smell? Does your life have a Gospel stench? Go ahead, take a whiff of yourself right now. Did you use the Jesus deodorant this morning? Do you smell like life… or death?

Source Your Sufficiency

When you assess your smell, you will know the source of your sufficiency. Remember the context in 2 Corinthians, where Paul was challenged by so-called “Super Apostles.” These individuals attended the best schools and seminaries—they were highly regarded by the world. They looked down on Paul and his meager education. Paul now turns to the proof of his calling, which is seen in the lives he has influenced.

As you read this section, ask yourself, “Who in your life is proof you are a Christian?” Are there people you have influenced for the Gospel? Paul raises this question in 2:16: “Who is sufficient for these things?” However, he continues this thought into chapter 3. Paul writes:

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:1-3, ESV)

When was the last time you applied for a job or a school and did not have to provide letters of recommendation? Most places require up to three recommendations because they want to assess who you are and your skill set. It is very easy for people to interview well, but they may be terrible workers or students. This was also true in Paul’s day. The people in Corinth were questioning Paul’s credentials as an Apostle. “Itinerant speakers, in particular, were expected to carry letters of reference with them as they traveled from place to place. It was often the only means by which they received hospitality and provisions for the journey ahead.”[4]

This is what Paul is doing in this section. Notice that in verse 2, Paul states that this is not a physical letter; rather, it is a letter “written on our hearts. “What does that mean? The term “heart” is used in the Semitic sense—it represents the inmost self and the center of personality.[5] In other words, his letter of recommendation is the transformed lives of the people he has ministered to; it serves as evidence of his calling. His true resume, the one that matters, is the Spirit of God working in the hearts of those he has evangelized. Paul is appealing to a divine reference here.

Now, in the next few verses, he points to this as his confidence:

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Cor. 3:4-6, ESV)

During our “I can’t do this” moments, when we feel deflated, we often place our confidence in the wrong things. What does Paul say here? We have confidence through whom? Christ! He admits that we are not sufficient to claim that anything comes from us! What an admission. How many of us would be willing to say, “I am not sufficient”? However, this does not mean that God can’t use us. What is Paul doing? He is sourcing his sufficiency. Paul almost shouts to us: Our sufficiency is from God! Church, do you know that today?

Walk In The Spirit

You have the Spirit inside you; now walk with Him! Walk with Him, talk to Him, and trust Him with whatever life brings your way. Paul begins the final section by outlining the implications of this:

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. (2 Cor. 3:12-13, ESV)

Does everyone out there know that we have hope? I’m going to tell you this right now: Satan doesn’t want you to have hope. He wants you to be like a deflated balloon, with the air taken out of your sails. Why? Because bold Christians are a threat to him. If you possess a boldness for the Gospel that comes with unshakeable hope in Christ, you are a threat to Satan.

In verse 13, Paul again refers to the scene in Exodus 33-34, where Moses approaches God on Mt. Sinai while receiving the Ten Commandments. God passed by Moses, and the glory was so overwhelming that Moses could only see His back. When Moses descended from the mountain to the Israelite encampment, his face was so radiant that he had to wear a veil to protect the people. In verses 14-15, Paul explains that the veil symbolizes hardened minds. They are spiritually blind. The Jewish people who have not come to Christ, along with all unbelievers, have a veil over their hearts. They can hear the Old Testament read but cannot see that it points to Christ. Only when Christ saves someone through the power of His Spirit is the veil removed. Verse 16 states:

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Cor. 3:16-17, ESV)

Verses 16-17 are complex. In the Exodus account, Moses removes his veil, but here it seems God removes the veil. This highlights the tension in Scripture where human responsibility and divine intervention both appear to be active. Verse 17 makes a profound theological point: YHWH God removed Moses’ veil, but now, in the new covenant, the Spirit performs this work. He is indicating that something NEW is happening in salvation history. What is the result? Freedom.

Now, in the United States, we are a freedom-loving country. We often equate freedom with, “I can do whatever I want. No one tells me what to do.” However, that is not how the Bible discusses freedom. The “freedom” Paul refers to is not “inalienable rights.” What is he talking about? He is referring to freedom from death, sin, the law, and condemnation. As Linda Belleville writes, “Here it means to be free of barriers that would impede spiritual understanding. It is the work of the Spirit to remove such spiritual impediments.”[6]

Friends, Biblical Freedom means we are free to live as God designed us. God made us to be ruled by Him. So, when Scripture says we have been set free, it means we are free from the power of sin … so we can live for Christ. Since the Holy Spirit has removed the veil from our hearts, we now have a deep spiritual understanding of the world. We know that God is in control … and we can trust Him. With the veil removed, we can walk with Him.

Three Questions

What does this all mean for us? Throughout this post, we have been discussing building a resilient life in Christ. If we are going to follow Jesus for the long haul, if we are going to stick with Him and not give up, we must instill practices in our lives that strengthen our faith. We must constantly fight against the veil that seeks to cover our hearts. How do we do that?

I suggest that this week we begin to ask three questions during our prayer time—three questions that align with our three points:

• How do I smell? I know this sounds silly, but it is a profound spiritual question. Do people sense the aroma of Christ in my life? We all have good days and bad days, and life is not always easy. However, our lives serve as a testament to Christ working in us. If people notice something different about us, they may become interested in the ingredients. Conversely, if we detect a foul odor in our lives, we should ask the second question:
• Is Christ sufficient for me? I often find that when I don’t reflect the character of Jesus, it is because I am placing my trust in something else. I desire something different or believe I need something else to feel successful, secure, or strong. If I feel off … it is because, in that moment, I don’t think Jesus is sufficient for me. When this happens, the third question becomes crucial.
• Where do I need the Spirit’s help? Jesus tells us in John 6 that he is sending the Spirit as a helper and guide. Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that the Spirit intercedes for us. Friends, many of us struggle … because we are too prideful to ask the Spirit for help. If you are a Christian, he is your power source. Why would you resist him? Ask for his assistance.

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[1] Linda L. Belleville, 2 Corinthians, vol. 8, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 2 Co 2:12–17.

[2] Gary Millar, 2 Corinthians for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2020), 46–47.

[3] Ibid, 47.

[4] Belleville, 2 Corinthians, 2 Co 3:1-3.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid, 2 Co 3:16–17.

A Sermon Summary on 2 Cor 1:1-11

By Pastor Dave Hentschel

As we study 2 Corinthians, we recognize suffering is an unavoidable part of life. No matter how much we try to avoid it—through careful planning, education, financial security, or even technology—trials will come. The Bible doesn’t promise a life free from pain, but it does offer us something far greater: resilience.

Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians opens with a profound truth: suffering is a part of the Christian life, but so is the comfort of God. And not only do we receive comfort, but we are also called to pass it on to others. Let’s explore three key truths from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 that teach us how to build resilience in the face of suffering.

1. Christ Suffered, So We Will Suffer

In 2 Corinthians 1:5, Paul reminds us, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” The Bible never sugarcoats the reality of suffering. Jesus Himself suffered deeply—born in poverty, rejected, beaten, and crucified. His entire earthly life was marked by hardship. If the perfect Son of God endured suffering, we should expect to experience it as well.

Yet many of us have absorbed an unspoken philosophy: avoid suffering at all costs. In our culture, success is often measured by how much hardship we can prevent—whether through career choices, health plans, or financial security. But when suffering inevitably comes, we’re often left unprepared, wondering why things have gone wrong.

Paul is clear: suffering is not a sign of failure or a lack of faith. It is part of our journey with Christ. And in this suffering, something remarkable happens—we are drawn closer to Him, shaped into His likeness, and given a testimony that can encourage others.

2. Christ Was Comforted, So We Will Be Comforted

Paul calls God “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). This means that God sees our pain, He walks with us in it, and He offers real comfort.

But comfort doesn’t always mean an immediate escape from hardship. Sometimes, God delivers us from suffering. Other times, He sustains us through it. Jesus Himself received comfort during His ministry—through angels in the wilderness, through moments of solitude in prayer, and even through the words of the repentant thief on the cross.

As Christians, we have access to this same divine comfort. And this comfort is not just for our benefit—it is meant to be shared. Paul writes that we are comforted “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Cor. 1:4). God’s comfort is not meant to stop with us; it is meant to flow through us to others.

3. Christ Comforted Others, So We Must Comfort Others

When we go through suffering, God is shaping us into people who can bring comfort and hope to others. Think about the people who have made the biggest impact in your life. Chances are, they’ve endured trials and come out stronger on the other side. Their suffering gave them a depth of understanding that allows them to minister to others in a unique way.

Consider the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob. Their struggles with alcoholism allowed them to help countless others find freedom. In the same way, the trials we endure can become the very thing God uses to help someone else.

At our church, we’re launching a ministry called GriefShare—a support group for those who have lost loved ones. Why? Because people who have experienced loss are often the best ones to walk alongside those who are grieving. If you’ve gone through suffering, you have a ministry waiting for you—you can be the hands and feet of Christ to someone in need.

Building Resilience: A Practical Guide

So how do we cultivate resilience when suffering comes? Here are six biblical principles to help us stand firm:

1. You Rest in God – Take time to be still before the Lord. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Let His presence renew you.
2. You Trust His Sovereignty – God does not allow anything in your life without a purpose. Romans 8:28 reminds us that He works all things for good.
3. You Ask for Wisdom – James 1:5 promises that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask.
4. You Read Scripture – The Bible takes on a new depth when we’re in pain. Turn to the Psalms and see how David poured out his heart to God.
5. You Confess and Reflect – Psalm 139:23-24 invites us to ask God to search our hearts and reveal anything that needs to change.
6. You Obey – Keep doing what you know is right, even when it’s hard.
7. You Wait – Isaiah 40:31 promises that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.”

A Final Illustration: Standing Strong Under Pressure

Let me leave you with a visual reminder. Imagine two soda cans. One is full and sealed, the other is empty. If I apply pressure to the empty can, it crushes instantly. But if I apply pressure to the full, sealed can, it holds firm.

The difference? One is filled and sealed.

The same is true in our lives. If we try to endure suffering in our own strength, we’ll collapse under pressure. But if we are filled and sealed by the Holy Spirit, we will stand firm. The pressures of life won’t destroy us—they will refine us.

As we begin this journey through 2 Corinthians, here’s my challenge: don’t just listen—lean in. Ask God to shape you into someone who not only endures suffering but grows through it. Someone who doesn’t just receive comfort but gives it. Someone who doesn’t just survive but stands firm in Christ.

Because in the hands of God, your suffering is never wasted. It is the very thing that will make you resilient.