2 Corinthians:  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

WK 9 – Encourage Others!

2 Corinthians 7

March 2, 2025

John Arobio

Bible Tip:

When you read the bible think how it applies to you.

NEED TO CLEANSE OURSELVES

2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

We will not lose our ______________, but we can put roadblocks in God’s way as he tries to guide and grow us in maturity and becoming more like him. By our sinful actions we are not letting him be our Father and letting him be able to fully bless us in the way he wants to. It even effects our prayer life as we try to talk to God.

Two types of defilement or filth. They are filth of the ________ and filth of the _______.

Hebrews 12:13-14 NIV

“Make level paths for your feet,,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

The problem is not _________, instead the problem is ____________.

KEEP EACH OTHER IN YOUR HEARTS

2 Corinthians 7:2-4 NIV

² Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. ³ I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. ⁴ My confidence in you is great; my boasting in your behalf is great. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

Paul does two things here. He wants them to keep him in their ____________and assures them that he did not do _______________,

COMFORT OF GOD

2 Corinthians 7:6-7 NIV

⁶ But God, who comforts the discouraged, comforted us by the arrival of Titus; ⁷ and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted among you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

Paul goes into the reasons that he is comforted and filled with joy. Just when things are at the lowest. Something good happens, Titus arrives there and has good news for Paul.

SORROW LEADS TO REPENTENCE

2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV

¹⁰ For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Paul explains that this is an example of true _______________under God’s will. He reminds them that they had gone through to time of trouble for a reason.

PAUL REJOICES

2 Corinthians 7:16 NIV

¹⁶ I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you.

Because of this his heart is very full of joy and he has been comforted. This had been God’s comfort in the heart of Paul.

Bottom line:

Friends bring comfort and encouragement in times of troubles.

4-Minute Challenge!!!!

Set a reminder on your phone for a part of the day when you are usually free and spend 4 minutes in the Word

• Dan Hall is the transition team lead.  Please contact him with any questions.
• Areas the church needs your help with:
  • Tech—Audio/Video and worship lyric technician.
  • IT/Hardware—manage the various connections of the service IT components/internet/wifi, etc.
  • Worship team/leader—play an instrument? Able to carry a tune?  Ready to use that gift for God?
  • Donut & Coffee Ministry—bring in donuts and make that oh so important drink for many of us, coffee!

• A Search Team will be put together to start the process of finding a new pastor.
• The typical time to replace a Pastor is 12-18 months. Please wait on the Lord with us!
• The team will update the church regularly

• Prayer is a critical part of this process! Please pray continually for the board’s guidance in seeking God’s will.

Bunco Fund Raiser!  March 7^th 6 PM

Bring your favorite appetizer to share.  $10 donation.  See Jen for details.

Worship Team Update Meeting

After service today in the main room.  Patty will give an update and answer any questions you may have.

Refresh Woman’s Bible Study

Series on “Personal Growth” continues this week. This week:  Spiritual gifts how to use them for His Kingdom.   Come out on Tuesday at 2:00 PM at the church to get the answers.

Also Wednesday night group 7:00 PM at the church, continuing to go through the  “New Believers Guide”.

Flocknote

Want to be more in tune with Church Events and Announcements? Text SSBRIDGE to 84576 and answer the prompts!  Get one or two text messages each week for updates to events.

Zelle

Zelle is up and running!  Zelle is a digital option for giving your tithes or offerings to support the church to fulfill the Great Commission. 1^st;   If you would prefer to give digitally:

Go to your bank app on your phone or computer.  Go to the payments section.  Go to the Zelle payment option. If available, scan the link below in the payment section that lists Zelle as an option.  There should be an icon asking to “scan the pay” or something similar.

Zelle Link

Account email is:  accounting@thebridgespanishsprings.com for the Account “The Bridge Church Spanish Springs”.  As a security measure, your bank may want to send you a text to verify your first payment.

1. Is Corinth a Greek or a Roman town? What are some things you can recall about Corinth or the church there?

2. How long did Paul spend in the city of Corinth during his first visit?

3. Read 2 Corinthians 7:1-4, what are some ways we can defile our soul and spirit? John mentioned we can put roadblocks in our relationship with God.  What are some ways we can put up these roadblocks?  What is “holiness”?

4. How do you think Paul can be “overflowing with joy” in their affliction?

5. Read Hebrews 12:13-14, what are some of the ways we can “make every effort to live in peace with everyone”? Who wrote the book of Hebrews?  When people ask us about things that are in the Bible is it OK to say that we don’t know?  If someone asks you a question about the Bible that you don’t know the answer for, what steps would you take to look for the answer?

6. What is sanctification? Is everyone sanctified?  Why or why not?

7. Read 2 Corinthians 7:5-9, how does God “comfort the discouraged”? When you are discouraged, do you have any go to Bible verses you turn to?  If so, are you willing to share them with the group?

8. Paul discusses repentance in verse 9. What does repentance mean?  Do you have to repent to be saved?  Why or why not?

9. Read 2 Corinthians 7:10-16, what are some things that bring us comfort? Would you say the Christian Walk is comfortable?  Why or why not.

10. Please continue to pray for Patty and the worship ministry. If God is putting it on your heart to participate in some way, give it a try!  No experience necessary, just a willingness to praise God!

Romans 10:17 NIV

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

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