Fellowshipmtz

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).

Dr. Richard Bargas

Men! (especially)
Dr. Richard Bargas is this year's keynote speaker at the March 15-16 TRUTH FOR EVERY MAN CONFERENCE in Springfield, IL.  You can check the details here: https://truth4men.org/
Because I was unfamiliar with Dr. Bargas I randomly searched and chose an audio message for my own listening (Acts 17) -- it's excellent!  I am posting the message as an incentive for you to consider attending/registering for this nearby conference.

"Behold, I am with you always" -- Lord's Supper Thoughts

Matthew 28:16-20

Many/most Baptists shun speaking of the Lord's Supper as a sacrament -- preferring the term, "ordinance" instead.  From my perspective, I think the Baptists' understanding of the Lord's Supper has largely been shaped by their (rightful) rejection of Roman Catholic doctrine concerning the mass.  But has the proverbial baby been thrown out with the bath water?

Don't Try Harder!

James 4:1-10

Brian Baker is guest speaker this morning!  For those who don not know him, Brian grew up in our church; he currently serves as a Regional Director with Word of Life Student Ministries in Schroon Lake, New York.  You can find out more about their ministry here: http://www.wol.org/

Today's message from James provides answers to two key questions:

• Why do we struggle?
• What should we do when we struggle?

Wise Men: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh

Who were the wise men who came from the east looking for the one who had been born "King of the Jews"?  What is the significance of the gifts they offered?  These questions (and several others) are addressed in this Sunday message two days before Christmas.