Fellowshipmtz

History (and Assessment) of Church Liturgy

I love history, and I especially love church history!  There are valuable lessons to be learned from the Church history that is already of tremendous benefit to us (though you may not have realized it!)  You likely are familiar with the quote: "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it" (George Santayana, 1863-1952) -- so let's consider the role of LITURGY in the Church Universal and our own local churches.

Self-Examination (contextually, in Corinthians!)

2 Corinthians 13

Paul's instruction in 2 Corinthians 13:5 -- "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" -- commonly serves as the basis for a topical sermon on assurance of salvation.  There IS some value for self-examination (in light of the Bible's teaching).  All too often salvation is presumed by persons for a wide variety of (religious and/or cultural) reasons.  In this final teaching from 2 Corinthians, we will examine (pun intended) the context and terms of Paul's command.

Paul's Warning -- "Get Ready, 'Cause Here I Come!"

2 Corinthians 12:20-21 and 13:1-6

In light of his expressed fears as to what he might find upon his third visit to Corinth, Paul offers the proverbial "word of warning to the wise is sufficient".  When he arrives, witnesses will have the opportunity to verify any wrong doings; and if necessary, Paul will use the authority given to by Christ for tearing down rather than (what he wants to do) building up (see 13:10).

A Church with a Personality Disorder

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

As we have seen throughout Paul's "second" letter to the Corinthian church, his relationship with the church is strained, less than what it ought to be.  Though Paul has expended unprecedented time and energy on the church, the church has progressed more slowly than what one might normally expect.  Nearing the end of this letter, and anticipating his third visit to the church, Paul expresses several fears -- of a church that needs sharp correction, discipline.

A Church with a Personality Disorder

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

As we have seen throughout Paul's "second" letter to the Corinthian church, his relationship with the church is strained, less than what it ought to be.  Though Paul has expended unprecedented time and energy on the church, the church has progressed more slowly than what one might normally expect.  Nearing the end of this letter, and anticipating his third visit to the church, Paul expresses several fears -- of a church that needs sharp correction, discipline.

A Church Adrift

2 Corinthians 11-21

The Apostle Paul is nearing the end of his letter.  At chapter 12:11 the reader might envision Paul saying, "I have said all that (chapters 1-12:10) to say this (chapters 12:11-13:10).  Paul's heartfelt letter to the Corinthians was prompted by his deep disappointment in church's loyalty to his apostolic ministry.  Paul's disappointment is summarized by the question he posits in verse 15b: "If I love you more, am I to be loved less?"

We Are Weak, But He Is Strong (Paul's Thorn - Part 3)

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Martin Luther (explaining violations of the First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me"):
"He who blames his misfortunes and tribulations on the devil or on wicked men, and does not accept them with praise and love, as good and evil [adversity, hardship, affliction] which come from God alone, and who does not ascribe them to God with thanksgiving and willing patience... here, too, belong all forms of unbelief, despair, and misbelief."

We Are Weak, But He Is Strong (Paul's Thorn - Part 2)

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Today's message answers and explores the question: What was the source of Paul's tormenting thorn?  The (correct!) answer to this important question has crucial implications for every Christian who considers his/her own hardships and disappointments.

We Are Weak, But He Is Strong (Paul's Thorn - Part 1)

2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Theodore T. Munger (1830-1910): "This experience of the thorn in the flesh is both interesting and valuable, or would be, if we would come at it. But it has been buried under such a mass of comment and conjecture that the simple lessons it contains are hard to reach. The main object seems to have been to discover what the secret nature of the thorn was. The strife is typical of much study of the Bible -- infinite scrutiny of the form without much thought of the end. Now it matters little what the thorn was -- but how it pierced the Apostle, how he bore it, and how it affected him are the real questions."

Paul's "Classified" Secret Revealed!

2 Corinthians 12:1-6

Even the most basic biographical summary of Paul's life is certain to include terms like: "Apostle" - "saint" - "missionary" - "church planter" - "theologian".  BUT, does Paul have something to hide that could jeopardize all of those accolades?  In today's text Paul discloses an incident from his life that he has never before shared with anyone on any other occasion (of which we are aware).