2 Corinthians 5:11-15

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. -2 Corinthians 5:11-15

---

Our desire to serve others is proportional to our understanding of God’s love for us.  The more we understand how much Jesus loves us, the more we are inspired to love and serve others.  This is what Paul means when he writes “for Christ’s love compels us.”  When we feel totally loved and totally accepted by God, there is a natural inclination that we want others to feel the same way.  So, we allow God to use us to love others radically.  We allow God to use us as His hands and feet to bless the world.

Do you feel loved by God?  Are you serving others because Christ’s love compels you?  If you’re uncertain about any of these questions, talk to your youth pastor about it, or talk to an AYL leader, or talk with a Harvesters leader.  They would love to talk to you about it!

2 Corinthians 5:2-5

2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. -2 Corinthians 5:2-5

---

What’s with all the groaning in this passage?  The Apostle Paul is alluding to the fact that while we live in this fallen and broken world, there’s a sense that this is not how things should be.  Racism is not how things should be.  Covid-19 is not how things should be.  Cancer is not how things should be.  Bullying is not how things should be.  Broken relationships is not how things should be.  Death is not how things should be.

The “groaning” Paul mentions is an awareness we all have that something is deeply wrong with this world.  We try to distract ourselves with K-dramas, anime, video games, and relationships, but when we have a moment to really be quiet and reflect, that “groaning” returns.  It’s this dread that the world is messed up and there’s very little we can do about it.

The Christian writer and thinker C.S. Lewis aptly pointed out in his writings that this dread we feel about the state of our world is a sign that we really belong to another world—God’s world.  Check out this quote:

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

Our dissatisfaction with this world is a sign that we were made for another.  Instead of distracting ourselves from our dissatisfaction, we need to embrace it and recognize that where we are right now is not our true home.  Our better home is elsewhere with God and we are simply passing through here.

The thought of heaven and eternity with God gives us the strength to endure the temporary present.

2 Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. -2 Corinthians 5:1

---

There are so many things you can do with your youth.  Physically and socially, you’re at the peak of your game.  Our society has an obsession with youth.  So many of our shows and our commercials are geared toward youth.  But youth can also be deceptive.  There’s an illusion that you will always be young.  Take it from a 40 year old, that will not always be the case.

This is what this passage reminds us of—of our own mortality and the even greater future that awaits us.  Paul compares our bodies to temporary “tents” that can and will be destroyed one day.  But he encourages with God’s promise of a better “buildings” or bodies as we live in heaven with God.   To be young on earth is great, but to live forever with God for all eternity is infinitely better.

By keeping heaven on our minds, it helps us to properly order our earthly loves.  Being athletic on earth is great, but it’s not everything because when we get to heaven it’ll be better.  Being successful in the eyes of the world is fine, but it’s not everything because when we get to heaven it’ll be better.  Relationship with a significant other is great, but it’s not everything because when we get to heaven it’ll be better.

Ironically, thinking of heaven helps keep us grounded.  It doesn’t allow the things we have on earth to become an idol or a mini-god.

Are you keeping heaven on your mind?

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

---

Serving God and others can be tough.  It can drain you emotionally, mentally, financially and spiritually.  To love other is to allow them to drain you.  This is why the Apostle Paul writes that he is outwardly “wasting away” as he serves others.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.  This past week at Harvesters our founder Will talked about the importance of sacrifice in the Christian faith.  Yes, there’s sacrifice in Christianity, but there is also glory.  When we give ourselves to God and to others, we receive more of God, so much more that what we sacrifice doesn’t even seem like a sacrifice.  This is what Paul meant when he writes, “For our light and momentary troubles achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

It’s like God is asking us to sacrifice a Kia Rio so he can give us a Ferrari 812 Superfast.  Is giving up the Kia for a Ferrari even a sacrifice?  I heard one pastor say it this way: It’s like God asking us to sacrifice McDonald’s fries so that He can give us a steak dinner or a full sushi meal.  Is giving up fries for steak even a sacrifice?

What’s God asking you to give up right now?  Do you believe that having God is far better than what God is asking you to let go of?

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”  Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. -2 Corinthians 4:13-15

---

How much do you talk about Jesus or your faith?  When we’re excited about something, we talk a lot (or post a lot) about it.  I’ve seen students talk and post a lot about anime or video games like League, Minecraft, or Genshin Impact.  But how much do we talk about Jesus?  Are we more excited about anime than we are of Jesus?  Are we more excited about video games than we are of Jesus?

In this passage, the Apostle Paul talks about how he can’t stop but talk about Jesus.  We can’t help but talk about the things we love and if we love Jesus, we’ll talk about him.

I’m going to expose Will a little bit here.  Being newly married to Lovely, all Will talks about is Lovely.  He gave a Harvesters lesson this past week and Lovely was in it.  In our cabin time, the examples he used were of his relationship with Lovely.  It’s Lovely this and Lovely that.  But it makes sense.  Will obviously loves Lovely and so he can’t stop talking about her.

Are we like that we God?  Are we so passionate and so in love with Jesus that we can’t help but talk about him?

2 Corinthians 2:3-6

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. -2 Corinthians 2:3-6

---

We’ve just survived through a presidential election.  Now I want to share with you how the word “election” is used in Christianity.  “Election” in Christianity is the idea that God chose us.  It assumes that because of our sin we are so messed up that if left to ourselves we would never pick God.  In Romans 3:11 it actually says that “there is no one who seeks God.”  That’s how messed up we are!

So what is going on when we do sense a desire to seek God.  Many of us have made a commitment to Christ at a retreat or at church or even at Saranac camp.  This passage tells us that our DESIRE to even want God comes from God Himself.  That’s what election means.  It means God chose us to give us the desire to want Him.  This is why the Apostle Paul writes that God “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory.”  God gives us the ability and desire to want and know Him.

So if you’re reading this, it means that already is God is working in your heart and has given you a desire to read something spiritual.  That desire to read God’s Word came from God Himself!

Thank Him for working in your heart and choosing you to know Him and grow in Him.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. -2 Corinthians 4:1-2

---

Doing God’s work is tough.  Ministry is tough.  Recently I’ve been more acutely aware of this.  But here the Apostle Paul encourages us in the midst of trials and obstacles that come our way.  He tells us not to “lose heart” because God has given us the ministry.  In fact, it is God’s ministry and we’re just along for the ride.  The trials and obstacles are not a shock to Him.  He knows and He has a plan.  Our adversity is God’s opportunity to reveal more of Himself and more of His power.

When facing adversity and obstacles, Paul encourages to take the high road and to keep God’s commandments.  We shouldn’t cut moral corners when it comes to dealing with issues.  In fact, it requires us to be blameless before others.  Even the godly way we deal with adversity is a way to show God’s presence in our lives.

Are you facing something tough in your life?  Does it tempt you to compromise your integrity in the way that you deal with it?  Stand firm, friends!  Pray!  And honor God with your actions.  He will lead you through the difficulty to safety.

2 Corinthians 3:12-16

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. -2 Corinthians 3:12-16

---

Yesterday we talked about how the Old Testament teaches us that we can’t follow God because of our sinful nature.  Today’s passage reminds us that the Old Testament is just part of the story.  To focus just on the Old Testament is like putting a veil over your heart.  It doesn’t make sense without the solution to our sinful nature.

That’s where the New Testament comes into play.  The New Testament teaches us that Jesus took care of our sin problem by dying on the Cross for our sins.  Notice how Paul mentions our transformation as a process.  We are “being transformed” into God’s image.  While the promise of what we will be is guaranteed, there is a transformation journey we need to take with God in terms of dealing with our sin.

So when you first make commitment to Christ, it’s not like you don’t sin anymore.  But what happens is that God’s Spirit living inside of you begins to convict you and change you and transform you.  Over time you realize some of the sinful habits you have are no longer there.  Some of the things that use to tempt you no longer does.  But God’s work in you takes time.  Be patient.

2 Corinthians 2:7-11

7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! -2 Corinthians 2:7-11

---

The Bible has two parts: The Old Testament (39 books) and The New Testament (27 books).  What’s the difference between the two parts?  Bible scholars say that in the Old Testament, God gave us rules to show us how deep inside of our hearts we are all born with this sin that compels us to rebel from those rules.  

I know this is true just by looking at my 1 year old niece Taylor.  She’s so cute, but I can see how she is always trying to do things that her parents don’t want her to do.  The more you try to stop her, the more she wants to do them.  That’s the sinful nature the Old Testament is trying to point out.  Because the Old Testament points to how messed up we are, the Apostle Paul who wrote this called it “the ministry that brought death.”

Now the New Testament builds off of the Old Testament.  Now that we know we’re messed up, we need help.  The New Testament teaches us that help comes in the form of Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for our sins.  Paul calls this the “ministry of the Spirit” and it is even BETTER than “the ministry that brought death,” because it doesn’t just tell us that we’re messed up, it saves us from our messed-up-ness.

Hope that helps you to appreciate the Bible a bit more and the relationship between The Old Testament and The New Testament.  Both are important.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. -2 Corinthians 2:14-17

---

When I was in high school, there was a cologne by Japanese designer Issey Miyake the was super popular with the boys.  The guys wanted to smell good hoping to attract the girls.  Not sure if it worked, but whenever you travelled down the hallways of Tenafly High School, you can smell that Issey Miayke cologne.

As Christians, we also have a “spiritual” scent or aroma.  When we do good to others, our Christian scent becomes noticeable to others.  When we reach out to the outcast and the ostracized at our school, our Christian scent becomes stronger.  When we refuse to participate in academic dishonesty, the Christian scent can be detected.  And when we are kind and generous in our words toward others, that aroma of Christ is released into the spiritual air.

Do you carry the aroma of Christ with you?  Can people smell Jesus on you?  Are you drenched in cologne or perfume by designer Jesus Christ?  OR, do you smell just like everyone else?  People can’t even tell that you’re a Christian.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13

12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia -2 Corinthians 2:12-13

---

The heart of Christianity is  relationships.  The Apostle Paul here was concerned for one individual—his brother in Christ named Titus—so much so that Paul went looking for Titus everyone.  Travel back then wasn’t that easy so this was a huge undertaking.

Jesus cared so much about our relationship with God that he died on the Cross for it.  What Jesus went through was a huge undertaking.

Do we have concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do we go out of our way to love them?  Are we engaged in this huge undertaking of loving others?

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9 Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. -2 Corinthians 2:5-11

---

The end goal of rebuke is loving restoration.  The Christians at Corinth were ignoring one of their members sexual sin—he was sleeping with his step-mom.  Yes, it’s pretty messed up.  So Paul urged the church to do something about it.  Ignoring someone’s sin is not loving them.  It’s the opposite, it’s because you value comfort above that person’s spiritual health, you’re actually being very un-loving when you ignore the fact that someone is self-destructing spiritually or otherwise.

So it seems the church confronted this man about his behavior.  Presumably this man repented and turned from his sinful behavior so now Paul says it’s time to restore him back into the church community.  This always has to be end goal of any type of rebuke—restoration.  We can’t rebuke out of bitterness or ill-will.  That’s not godly rebuke.  Loving rebuke ALWAYS seeks restoration.

God does this to me all the time.  God will use circumstances or sometimes more directly like in a sermon about a sin that I’m committing.  And when it happens it hurts my heart!  But He always invites me to pray for repentance and to ask Him to help me to change.  He convicts me but he always restores me.  That’s the kind of God who loves us.

Have you ever been rebuked by God?  Have you ever felt His loving restoration?

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. -2 Corinthians 2:1-4

---

Love speaks the truth even when it hurts.  You can sense in these words that there’s an awkwardness between the Apostle Paul and the Christians in the church of Corinth.  Paul was pretty harsh with his rebuke of them when they ignored one of their own members committing a grave sexual sin—the man was sleeping around with his step-mom.

First, before you speak the truth in love, you must first evaluate your own heart.  You must pray and be certain that your motivations are to help the individual and not just to condemn them for revenge or your own ego depending on the situation.  Truth can be wielded as a weapon in the wrong hands and used to destroy and wound.  In the right hands, truth is healing salve that stings on the wound, but ultimately restores the person.

Second, before you speak the truth, you need to evaluate your relationship with the individual.  Have you earned the right to be heard in their lives?  Have you invested enough into this friendship where now your words have weight?  Are you the right person to speak this truth to this individual?

If your motivations are right and you have earned the right to heard in this person’s life, then out of love, you must speak the truth.  You must accept that however gentle you present this harsh truth, there will be wounds.  There ought to be wounds because you are helping to destroy an old way of thinking and hoping your friend will rebuild his or her mind to a new way of thinking.

Think of a time someone spoke a painful truth that you needed to hear and it was so helpful.  Now think of a time you did that for someone else.

Love speaks the truth even when it hurts.

2 Corinthians 1:15-24

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[c] and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

-2 Corinthians 1:15-24

---

When we come in conflict with other Christians, we must remember that we are bonded together by the blood of Christ.  It’s so easy these days to just write off another brother or sister in Christ, or even an entire church.  Church hopping has become even easier in an all-virtual type of setting.  If I have problems with one church, I can easily attend another.

The Apostle Paul is showing us how important is to maintain fellowship even in the midst of conflict.  In his early letter (1 Corinthians) to the Christians in Corinth, he exposed them for allowing sexual immorality to occur among the members of the church.  Specifically, one of the church members was sleeping with his own step-mom and no one at the church had an issue with it, or at least no one spoke up against it.  Paul told them straight up this was wrong.

Paul recognized that such a harsh rebuke could have strayed his relationship with the church so in this letter he reminds them that they all belong to Jesus and that he loves them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

A wise Christian always speaks truthful words to his or her friends even if it hurts.  But a wise Christian also works hard to maintain his or her relationships.  Paul here is speaking truth to the Corinthian church and also working hard to maintain his relationship with them.

What kind of friend are you?  Do you speak the truth?  Do you work hard to maintain your relationships?

2 Corinthians 1:12-14

12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. -2 Corinthians 1:12-14

---

There are a lot of people out there using religion, especially Christianity, for their own gain.  This is true today and this was true back int he Apostle Paul’s day.  There were those who preached Christ out of personal gain whether it be for reputation, for wealth, or for both.  Some of you might have heard for the Wealth & Health Gospel, a popular heresy (false teaching) taught by some of televangists that basically says that God wants to make you rich and never get sick.  And conveniently, you can achieve this by sending the televangists money.  Please, don’t send them money.

What they are teaching just simply isn’t true.  Jesus himself was poor and he died on a Cross, and the Bible tells us that Jesus lived the perfect life.  Yesterday in cabin time, one of the students mentioned that he is learning that the Christian life is actually filled with a lot of trials and obstacles.  That’s truth.

The Apostle Paul here is addressing the concerns that some people might think he is preaching for personal gain.  He’s assuring them that his sole purpose is to help them grow in the faith—not to get something from them.

When you serve God, are you doing it for God or are doing it for personal gain?  Are you trying to impress your church friends?  Are you trying to get some guy or girl to notice you?  Are you doing it to be in the spotlight?  If so, be very careful because you’re doing what the televangists are doing—using God for their own gain.

Are you using God or are you allowing God to use you?

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

---

God allows hardships in our lives to help us to grow in character and in faith.  At first, this might sound cruel, but it’s actually loving.  

My niece Taylor just turned 1 and her parents are trying to challenge her with her fine motor skills.  In the past, they would just bring the things she wants to her.  But now, they allow Taylor to struggle to walk to or grab what she needs.  They are being good parents because if they keep just giving Taylor what she wants without Taylor working for it, Taylor’s fine motor skills won’t develop as quickly or as well.

A baby needs to be challenged physically so the baby can mature.  This Saturday we watched Spirited Away, a classic Studio Ghibli anime and in the movie there is a character simply called “Baby.”  Baby is literally a giant baby who has been spoiled and shielded from all discomfort.  In fact, Baby has never even left his room until the protagonist Chihiro brought him out.  The Baby was emotionally and physically stunted because he was never challenged.

In the same way, we need to be challenged spiritually or else we will never grow.  The hardships God allows in our lives grant us opportunities to trust and rely on Him.  Check out verse 9 in this Bible passage when the Apostle Paul writes that “this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.”

Think about a challenge or a difficulty you’re experiencing right now.  Now allow this Scripture passage to transform your view of the situation.  It’s not just an annoying or inconvenient challenge, it’s another opportunity for you to grow in your faith.

2 Corinthians 1:5-7

5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. -2 Corinthians 1:5-7

---

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  King is known preeminently for his work as a civil rights activities and many forget that he was also a Baptist pastor.  King’s faith and his activism were inseparable.  From his faith sprung his activism.

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul talks about how he has suffered for his fellow Christians.  We know that Paul endured physical harm like stoning, being falsely jailed, and being ostracized by his community.  And Paul endured all of this powered by God’s love for him and for others.

Martin Luther King Jr. was profoundly impacted by the Christian mantra to “love your enemies.”  And in the same spirit as the Apostle Paul, King powered by his faith in God, endured suffering for the sake of his people and his enemies.

Check these words from a speech King gave on February 6th, 1966 at the Illinois Wesleyan University:

“I’ve seen too much hate to want to hate, myself, and every time I see it, I say to myself, hate is too great a burden to bear. Somehow we must be able to stand up against our most bitter opponents and say:”We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and we will still love you. We cannot in all good conscience obey your unjust laws and abide by the unjust system, because non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good, so throw us in jail and we will still love you. Bomb our homes and threaten our children, and, as difficult as it is, we will still love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence into our communities at the midnight hour and drag us out on some wayside road and leave us half-dead as you beat us, and we will still love you. Send your propaganda agents around the country and make it appear that we are not fit, culturally and otherwise, for integration, but we’ll still love you. But be assured that we’ll wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom. We will not only win freedom for ourselves; we will appeal to your heart and conscience that we will win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.”

That’s activism with Christ’s love.  

Is your activism powered by God’s love?  Are you filled with bitterness and hatred to those who don’t see the issue the same way you do, or do you still love them praying for a “double victory”?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

---

Two important points to today’s passage. First, God comforts us in ALL of our troubles.  Not just some, ALL.  What are some troubles that you are facing right now that seem too big to handle or too stressful to endure?  Look to God. He wants to give you comfort and peace that transcends all understanding.  This doesn’t mean that He’ll take the situation away, but it does mean He will give you the strength and means to endure it.

Second, we are not meant to hoard the comfort God gives us.  What this means is that when we receive God’s comfort and peace, it should so transform us that we want others to experience it as well.

Maria and I have a friend named Mona.  Her faith is incredible.  She was on welfare while struggling through breast cancer.  She’s fine now and has even started her own non-profit ministry to inner city teens.  But during that difficult period in her life, she had more comfort and peace than I did despite her much more serious situation.  In fact, when we talked, she was comforting me as I was dealing with what to do about my future as a teacher and as an AYL leader!  Mona was able to do that because she had the peace and comfort of God.

Are you struggling with something?  Talk to God about it and receive His comfort and peace.

Have you received God’s comfort and peace over something?  Tell someone about it and help them in their struggles.

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

-2 Corinthians 1:1-2

---

How do you answer the question: “Who are you?”  Some of you might say a student.  Others might say a teenager.  Still others might point out your gender.  Or some of you might mention your racial or ethnic heritage.  But, how many of us would answer that question by saying, “I’m a child of God”?

Yet, it’s clear from the Apostle Paul’s greeting that Paul sees his first and most important identity as being part of Jesus’ family.  He’s a male.  He’s Jewish.  He’s a Roman citizen.  Those are all part of Paul’s identity, BUT his most important identity is Paul, the Christian.  In fact, all other identities are subject and subservient to his identity in Christ.

Is this true for you?  Do you place your identity as a Christian above your cultural identity as Korean, or Chinese, or Filipino, etc.?  Do you place your identity as a Christian above your identity as an athlete?  Do you place your identity as a Christian above your identity as a student?

Who are you?

1 Corinthians 16:19-24

19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen

-1 Corinthians 16:19-24

---

I love the unity and the camaraderie that churches had with one another in the early days.  It’s clear that they cared for one another and supported one another.  It saddens me that today we don’t see as much inter-cooperation with our churches.   For the most part, we’re content to just have our respective churches do their own thing and not really thinking or worrying about other churches in the neighborhood.

This is a good reminder that God cares about ALL of His churches, not just yours.  He wants to bless and grow all the churches.  As such, we need to have that kind of global vision as well when we think about the church.  Yes, you’re part of your local church, but we are all together part of the larger body of Christ.

A good way for you think about this is how now in AYL we really have two main groups.  We have a community at A@E and we have a community in Tenafly.  The two groups can’t just care about themselves.  They need to be supporting one another and lifting one another up in prayer.  That’s what it means to be part of the body of Christ.

Do you have an expanded perspective of what it means to be part of God’s family, or are you just focused on only those around you?

1 Corinthians 16:15-18

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. -1 Corinthians 16:15-18

---

We live in a culture of self-promotion.  You have to promote yourself to get into college.  You have to promote yourself during try-outs to make it to a sports team.  You have to promote yourself to be elected to an officers position in a club.  The list goes on and on and on.

And because we live in such a self-promoting culture, one way we promote ourselves is by putting others down.  We gossip about other people’s failures or we’re secretly or not so secretly glad when they fall into misfortune. 

One of the things that bother me as a Young Life leader is how so many guys put each other down to try to one up one another.  They claim that they are dissing each other because they are close and its a sign of intimacy.  But I suspect that underneath it, there is a modicum of self-promotion.  That deep down it’s our way of masking our insecurities by dissing others.

The Apostle Paul here is super confident in his identity in Christ and so he has no need to put anyone down.  In fact, here in this passage he urges us to lift others up with praise.  “Such men deserve recognition.”

We’re always so quick to criticize people, but when was the last time we praised someone.  “Hey, you did awesome in that game.”  Or, “Hey, your sharing was fire.”  Or, “Nice job on your part of the project.” Or, “You’re really improving in League.”

Your words have power.  Are you using your words to build up or to tear down?  That all depends on how much you identify with Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. -1 Corinthians 16:13-14

---

Many people think that to love means being weak and vulnerable.  The thinking goes when you love, you open yourself up to others which allow them the opportunity to hurt you.  This is actually true.  There is a tremendous risk in love.  You do open yourself up to be hurt and it’s highly likely you will be hurt.  That’s because you’re a sinner and you’re trying to be friends with a sinner.  Sinners hurt one another.

If that’s the case, why then does the Apostle Paul group “love” with strength?  Check out this passage here.  He talks about standing guard, standing firm, be courageous, be strong... and then to love.  It seems like “love” doesn’t fit into this list.

But of course it does!  You can only truly love if you’re strong.  Because love requires vulnerable and exposing yourself to potential hurt, only a strong person can truly love.

How do you become a strong person who is able to love others despite the risks?  You find your identity in Christ.  When you receive your purpose and your sense of self-worth solely in God, you become invincible.  If someone hurts you, you can forgive because though what they did hurt, it didn’t destroy your identity or your sense of self worth—you are completely rooted in Christ.  This is why I believe only when we are secure in our identity in God can we truly, truly love someone else.

Maria and I hurt each other all the time.  It’s because we’re sinners.  But also because we both have a relationship with Jesus, we are able to forgive and to keep loving one another.  Christ helps us in our marriage.

Are you loving people by finding your identity and sense of self-worth in Christ?

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. -1 Corinthians 16:8-9

---

Has it been kind of tough to pursue your faith?  Have there been obstacles or barriers preventing you from growing in God?  Check out what the Apostle Paul’s sentence here tells us about what you’re going through.

I love this sentence because Paul is reminding us of something super important whenever we try to follow God or serve God.  He mentions that God has opened a door for him to do ministry at Ephesus, and the reason why he knows that is because he’s facing a lot of opposition.  Doing God’s work and facing opposition go together.  That’s what Paul is remind us of!

So if you’re struggling through something and your faith feels more like a crawl than a walk, it’s probably because you’re on the right path and Satan and other demonic spiritual forces at work are trying to hinder you and stop you from growing.  Opposition is one of the signs that you’re probably on the right track.

How do you get through that opposition though?  You fall back on the good spiritual habits that you’ve developed during the easy times of faith.  If during the easy times you’ve been developing a habit of reading God’s Word and of praying, the habit will just kick in during the difficult times, even when you don’t feel like doing any of those things.

Are you in a spiritually easy time or a spiritually difficult time?  If you’re in an easy time, keep building up those spiritual disciplines, you will need them in the tough times.  If you’re in that difficult time right now, depend on that good habit that you’ve developed and keep engaging in spiritual activities that help you to think about God.

1 Corinthians 16:5-7

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. -1 Corinthians 16:5-7

---

Relationships are important.  We can see that the Apostle Paul didn’t see the people of Corinth as projects—people he had to minister to—but as friends; people who he got to share life with.  This is why Paul wrote that he didn’t want to just drop by and say “hi,” but he wanted to stay much longer with them and enjoy their friendship.

Think of a few friendships that you have that have been invaluable to you.  Think of friends who have helped you through a difficult time and friends who have helped you to grow in your faith.  As the African proverb says: “Hold on to a true friend with both hands.”  Don’t let these friendships die or deteriorate.  Good friends are hard to find!

And as we think about friendships, let us not forget our truest and most faithful friend—Jesus Christ.  For every Christian, Jesus ought to be our best friend.  His friendship ought to be the most important.

Are you holding on to Jesus with both hands?