Series:​ ​Reconciled Sermon​ ​Title:​ ​The​ ​starboard​ ​wing​ ​of​ ​encountering​ ​God Passage:​ ​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​3:1-3 Preacher:​ ​Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser Date:​ ​10.8.17 One​ ​of​ ​our​ ​favorite​ ​memories​ ​as​ ​a​ ​married​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​30​ ​years​ ​happened​ ​in​ ​the​ ​spring​ ​of​ ​1988.​ ​Lisa​ ​was​ ​in​ ​Los Angeles​ ​working​ ​on​ ​a​ ​record​ ​for​ ​what​ ​ended​ ​up​ ​being​ ​6​ ​weeks.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​around​ ​Easter​ ​and​ ​we​ ​didn’t​ ​have​ ​kids​ ​yet (or​ ​Skype​ ​or​ ​cell​ ​phones).​ ​That​ ​Saturday​ ​night​ ​I​ ​thought,​ ​“This​ ​is​ ​silly!​ ​I’m​ ​going​ ​to​ ​go​ ​be​ ​with​ ​my wife!”​ ​I​ ​found​ ​an​ ​airline​ ​ticket​ ​that​ ​night​ ​and​ ​planned​ ​to​ ​travel​ ​the​ ​next​ ​day​ ​after​ ​church.​ ​I thought​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​best​ ​if​ ​it​ ​was​ ​a​ ​surprise! The​ ​next​ ​day​ ​after​ ​church​ ​I​ ​headed​ ​to​ ​O’Hare​ ​and​ ​called​ ​her​ ​from​ ​a​ ​pay​ ​phone.​ ​(Imagine​ ​me​ ​hunched​ ​over​ ​so she​ ​didn’t​ ​hear​ ​the​ ​PA​ ​system.)​ ​After​ ​we​ ​spoke​ ​briefly​ ​I​ ​said​ ​I​ ​had​ ​to​ ​go​ ​but​ ​would​ ​be​ ​in​ ​touch​ ​in​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​hours. We​ ​hung​ ​up,​ ​I​ ​flew​ ​to​ ​LA,​ ​rented​ ​a​ ​car,​ ​and​ ​drove​ ​to​ ​her​ ​hotel. From​ ​the​ ​lobby,​ ​I​ ​called​ ​her​ ​room​ ​on​ ​a​ ​pay​ ​phone​ ​and​ ​we​ ​started​ ​to​ ​visit.​ ​Then​ ​came​ ​the​ ​moment​ ​when​ ​she said,​ ​“I​ ​miss​ ​you!”​ ​I​ ​said,​ ​“I​ ​wish​ ​I​ ​could​ ​give​ ​you​ ​a​ ​hug!”​ ​She​ ​said,​ ​“Me​ ​too!”​ ​I​ ​said,​ ​“I’ll​ ​be​ ​right​ ​up!”​ ​and​ ​hung​ ​up the​ ​phone.​ ​ ​I​ ​ran​ ​to​ ​the​ ​elevator,​ ​rode​ ​to​ ​her​ ​floor,​ ​got​ ​off​ ​the​ ​elevator,​ ​and​ ​found​ ​her​ ​in​ ​disbelief​ ​standing​ ​in​ ​the hallway​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​her​ ​room.​ ​Great​ ​hugs​ ​followed!

I​ ​love​ ​my​ ​wife​ ​and​ ​because​ ​I​ ​do​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​be​ ​WITH​ ​her.​ ​THAT​ ​yearning​ ​is​ ​in​ ​me​ ​because​ ​I​ ​have been​ ​made​ ​in​ ​the​ ​image​ ​of​ ​a​ ​God​ ​Who​ ​loves​ ​US​ ​and​ ​has​ ​gone​ ​to​ ​great​ ​lengths​ ​to​ ​be​ ​known​ ​by​ ​us​ ​and BE​ ​with​ ​us.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​all​ ​the​ ​more​ ​amazing​ ​because​ ​of​ ​Who​ ​He​ ​IS​!​ ​He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Everlasting​ ​God,​ ​the Creator​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ends​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Earth,​ ​In​ ​His​ ​holiness​ ​He​ ​dwells​ ​in​ ​unapproachable​ ​light,​ ​at​ ​His​ ​return Earth​ ​and​ ​sky​ ​will​ ​flee​ ​from​ ​His​ ​presence.​ ​And​ ​YET​ ​in​ ​Jeremiah​ ​we​ ​read,

Jer.​ ​31:3​ ​The​ ​LORD​ ​appeared​ ​to​ ​us​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past,​ ​saying:​ ​“I​ ​have​ ​loved​ ​you​ ​with​ ​an​ ​everlasting​ ​love;​ ​I​ ​have​ ​drawn​ ​you with​ ​loving-kindness.

HE​ ​loves​ ​us!​ ​And​ ​so​ ​He​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​be​ ​known​ ​by​ ​us​ ​through​ ​Christ!​ ​(THAT​ ​is​ ​something​ ​amazing​ ​about HIM!)​ ​We​ ​are​ ​walking​ ​through​ ​a​ ​section​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​in​ ​which​ ​we​ ​see​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known. When​ ​Paul​ ​came​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Corinth,​ ​he​ ​loved​ ​them​ ​and​ ​told​ ​them​ ​about​ ​Christ,​ ​and​ ​through him,​ ​men,​ ​women,​ ​and​ ​children​ ​repented​ ​and​ ​came​ ​to​ k ​ now​ ​and​ ​worship​ ​and​ ​trust​ ​Christ…​ ​they became​ ​Christians.​ ​Last​ ​week,​ ​(2:14-17)​ ​Paul​ ​explained​ ​that​ G ​ od​ ​spreads​​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of Himself​​ ​(not​ ​just​ ​information,​ ​but​ ​re-lation)​ ​through​ ​His​ ​people.​ ​God​ ​made​ ​Himself​ ​known through​ ​this​ ​man. As​ ​we​ ​press​ ​into​ ​C.​ ​3​,​ ​Paul​ ​starts​ ​to​ ​get​ ​specific​ ​about​ ​HOW​ ​God​ ​spreads​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of Himself​ ​through​ ​us.​ ​We’ll​ ​see​ ​in​ ​the​ ​chapters​​ ​ahead​ ​there​ ​are​ ​two​ ​primary​ ​ingredients​ ​to​ ​this,​ ​like two​ ​wings​ ​on​ ​an​ ​airplane,​ ​that​ ​God​ ​uses​ ​to​ ​help​ ​people​ ​move​ ​from​ ​externally​ ​motivated​ ​in internally​ ​motivated.​ ​Both​ ​are​ ​needed.​ ​One​ ​“wing”​ ​we’ll​ ​see​ ​in​ ​the​ ​weeks​ ​ahead​ ​is​ ​that​ ​we​ ​talk about​ ​Him…​ ​we​ ​teach​ ​the​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God.​ ​We​ ​speak​ ​“the​ ​content”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel.”​ ​We​ ​talk​ ​about​ ​HIM​ ​and​ ​He uses​ ​this​ ​to​ ​help​ ​others​ ​known​ ​Him.​ ​But​ ​of​ ​critical​ ​importance​ ​as​ ​well​ ​we​ ​see​ ​today​ ​(which​ ​is​ ​where​ ​Paul begins)​ ​is​ ​the​ ​other​ ​wing…​ ​is​ ​our​ ​love…​ ​the​ ​community​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel.​ ​ ​ ​(I​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​call​ ​this​ ​message,​ ​“The right​ ​wing”​ ​and​ ​next​ ​week’s,​ ​“the​ ​left​ ​wing”​ ​but​ ​that​ ​would​ ​have​ ​raised​ ​issues​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​intend!)​ ​Today… Main​ ​point:​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​His​ ​people’s​ ​love. Christian,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​carrier​ ​of​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​God​ ​to​ ​every​ ​person​ ​you​ ​encounter​ ​(Christians,​ ​not-yet Christians,​ ​your​ ​family,​ ​neighbors,​ ​co-workers,​ ​strangers)!​ ​Your​ ​first​ ​great​ ​job​ ​every​ ​day​ ​towards​ ​people​ ​is​ ​to love​ ​everyone​ ​because​ ​through​ ​your​ ​love​ ​God​ ​MAKES​ ​HIMSELF​ ​known​ ​to​ ​them. Context​:​ ​Heretics​ ​have​ ​arrived​ ​at​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​Paul​ ​began.​ ​They​ ​were​ ​impressive​ ​speakers​ ​who carried​ ​credentials…​ ​“​Letters​ ​of​ ​recommendation​”​ ​they​ ​called​ ​them​ ​supposedly​ ​from​ ​the​ ​leadership​ ​of​ ​the church​ ​in​ ​Jerusalem​ ​validating​ ​their​ ​positions.​ ​They​ ​won​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​Paul’s​ ​spiritual​ ​children​ ​by​ ​being impressive​ ​and​ ​by​ ​undermining​ ​Paul’s​ ​credibility.​ ​“He​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​professional​ ​orator.​ ​And​ ​(as​ ​we​ ​get​ ​into​ ​today), he​ ​does​ ​not​ ​carry​ ​the​ ​same​ ​credentials,​ ​so​ ​how​ ​legitimate​ ​could​ ​he​ ​be?”​ ​they​ ​asked,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Corinthians bought​ ​it.

2 Paul​ ​writes​ ​this​ ​letter​ ​to​ ​rescue​ ​his​ ​spiritual​ ​children​ ​from​ ​the​ ​influence​ ​of​ ​these​ ​false​ ​teachers.​ H ​ e​ ​does this​ ​by​ ​explaining​ ​how​ ​God​ ​actually​ ​used​ ​him​​ ​to​ ​make​ ​Himself​ ​know​ ​which​ ​shows​ ​the​ ​legitimacy​ ​of​ ​his ministry.​ ​Along​ ​the​ ​way,​ ​we​ ​get​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us.​ ​Today​ 1 ​ )​The​ ​reality​​ ​that God​ ​is​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us,​ ​2)​​ ​The​ ​impact​​ ​of​ ​God​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us,​ ​and​ ​3)​​ ​A​ ​way​​ ​God​ ​is​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us… namely​ ​by​ ​our​ ​love.​ ​This​ ​passage​ ​will​ ​guide​ ​you​ ​in​ ​how​ ​to​ ​find​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​further​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​God. READ. Paul​ ​starts​ ​out​ ​addressing… 1. The​ ​reality​ ​that​ ​God​ ​is​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us​ ​(3:1) I​ ​say​ ​“reality”​ ​because​ ​in​ ​v.​ ​1,​ ​Paul​ ​is​ ​justifying​ ​that​ ​God​ ​HAD​ ​worked​ ​through​ ​him​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​these false​ ​teachers.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​just​ ​said,​ ​“God​ ​spreads​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​us…”​ ​(2:14-17)​ ​which​ ​could sound​ ​like​ ​bragging.​ ​It​ ​isn’t,​ ​but​ ​Paul​ ​clarifies… 3:1​ ​Are​ ​we​ ​beginning​ ​to​ ​commend​ ​ourselves​​ ​again?

The​ ​heretics​ ​apparently​ ​were​ ​pretty​ ​high​ ​on​ ​themselves.​ ​But​ ​Paul​ ​wasn’t​ ​like​ ​them. Or​ ​do​ ​we​ ​need,​ ​as​ ​some​ ​do,​ ​letters​ ​of​ ​recommendation​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​or​ ​from​ ​you?

The​ ​Corinthians​ ​were​ ​wondering,​ ​“Where​ ​are​ ​YOUR​ ​letters​ ​of​ ​recommendation?”​ ​Paul​ ​asks,​ ​“Do​ w ​ e​ ​need a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​paper​ ​to​ ​validate​ ​that​ ​God​ ​has​ ​worked​ ​in​ ​your​ ​lives​ ​through​ ​us?”​ ​He​ ​will​ ​say,​ ​“Y ​ ou​ ​YOURSELVES are​ ​our​ ​letter​ ​of​ ​recommendation…”​ ​“The​ ​credential​ ​of​ ​the​ ​legitimacy​ ​of​ ​my​ ​ministry​ ​is​ ​what​ ​Jesus​ ​did through​ ​me​ ​in​ ​YOU!”​ ​Before​ ​Paul​ ​came​ ​to​ ​Corinth,​ ​there​ ​were​ ​no​ ​Christians.​ ​But​ ​18​ ​months​ ​later,​ ​Jesus​ ​had won​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​many​ ​and​ ​they​ ​WERE​ ​a​ ​church.​ ​THIS​ ​is​ ​Paul’s​ ​credential.​ ​ ​POINT:​ ​God​ ​does​ ​make​ ​Himself known​ ​through​ ​us! Take​ ​a​ ​test​:​ ​Q1:​​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​name​ ​recent​ ​times​ ​when​ ​you​ ​experienced​ ​God,​ ​when​ ​from​ ​the​ ​inside-out​ ​you found​ ​yourself​ ​worshipping​ ​and​ ​loving​ ​and​ ​thanking​ ​God?​ ​If​ ​so,​ ​raise​ ​your​ ​hand!​ Q ​ 2:​​ ​Was​ ​another​ ​Christian​ ​a part​ ​of​ ​that?​ ​Was​ ​there​ ​a​ ​sermon​ ​or​ ​a​ ​song​ ​or​ ​a​ ​book​ ​or​ ​a​ ​word​ ​of​ ​encouragement​ ​or​ ​an​ ​expression​ ​of​ ​love? God​ ​actually​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​His​ ​people! PAUSE:​ ​Something​ ​occurred​ ​to​ ​me​ ​as​ ​I​ ​reflected​ ​on​ ​this​ ​this​ ​past​ ​week​ ​that​ ​I’d​ ​never​ ​thought​ ​before.​ Q ​ : Why​ ​doesn’t​ ​God​ ​appear?​ ​It​ ​would​ ​make​ ​everything​ ​simpler!​ A ​ 1:​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​honored​ ​by​ ​our​ ​trust.​ ​A2​:​ ​He​ ​DOES appear…​ ​through​ ​His​ ​people.​ ​Another​ ​of​ ​Jesus’​ ​apostles​ ​put​ ​it​ ​this​ ​way: 1​ ​John​ ​4:12​​ ​No​ ​one​ ​has​ ​ever​ ​seen​ ​God;​ ​but​ ​if​ ​we​ ​love​ ​one​ ​another,​ ​God​ ​lives​ ​in​ ​us​ ​and​ ​his​ ​love​ ​is​ ​made​ ​complete​ ​in​ ​us.

If​ ​we​ ​love​ ​one​ ​another,​ ​God​ ​lives​ ​IN​ ​US...​ n ​ ot​ ​just​ ​as​ ​individuals,​ ​but​ ​He​ ​lives​ ​in​ ​our​ ​interaction​ ​with​ ​each other.​​ ​When​ ​we​ ​love,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​love​ ​LIKE​ ​God’s​ ​that​ ​is​ ​flowing​ ​through​ ​us…​ ​it​ ​IS​ ​HIS​ ​love,​ ​made​ ​complete​ ​in us. Does​ ​this​ ​not​ ​compel​ ​us​ ​who​ ​want​ ​to​ ​know​ ​Christ​​ ​to​ ​draw​ ​close​ ​to​ ​other​ ​Christians​ ​so​ ​we​ ​can​ ​know​ ​HIM. Q​:​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​see​ ​how,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​story​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bible,​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​yearning​ ​to​ ​attach​ ​to​ ​other​ ​Christians​ ​is​ ​a​ ​central restorative​ ​act?​ ​OUR​ ​attaching​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other​ ​for​ ​Christ​ ​overturns​ ​a​ ​core​ ​travesty​ ​that​ ​sin​ ​destroyed. Adam​ ​and​ ​Eve​ ​were​ ​in​ ​an​ ​unbroken​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​But​ ​when​ ​they​ ​sinned,​ ​their relationship​ ​with​ ​God​ ​was​ ​broken​ ​because​ ​they​ ​had​ ​sinned​ ​against​ ​Him,​ ​the​ ​holy​ ​God.​ ​AND,​ ​their​ ​relationship​ ​with each​ ​other​ ​was​ ​broken​ ​because​ ​they​ ​became​ ​selfish.​ ​Gen​ ​4-11​ ​is​ ​a​ ​picture​ ​of​ ​what​ ​sin​ ​does​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​C.​ ​4​ ​one​ ​of their​ ​sons​ ​kills​ ​another.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​population​ ​of​ ​the​ ​planet​ ​grows,​ ​so​ ​grows​ ​the​ ​wickedness​ ​of​ ​man’s​ ​heart​ ​in​ ​their rebellion​ ​against​ ​God​ ​AND​ ​their​ ​harm​ ​to​ ​one​ ​another. We​ ​are​ ​all​ ​horrified​ ​by​ ​what​ ​Stephen​ ​Paddock​ ​did​ ​in​ ​Las​ ​Vegas​ ​this​ ​last​ ​week.​ ​Why​ ​did​ ​he​ ​do​ ​it?​ ​We​ ​don’t​ ​know the​ ​specifics​ ​but​ ​we​ ​DO​ ​know​ ​the​ ​bottom​ ​line…​ ​evil.​ ​In​ ​whatever​ ​form​ ​it​ ​came,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​evil​ ​to​ ​shoot​ ​a​ ​gun​ ​into​ ​a crowd!​ ​Evil​ ​destroys​ ​what​ ​God​ ​has​ ​made​ ​and​ ​God​ ​made​ ​us​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​each​ ​other!

But​ ​when​ ​God,​ ​Whom​ ​we​ ​desperately​ ​need,​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​other​ ​people,​ ​this​ ​compels​ ​us to​ ​draw​ ​close​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other​ ​to​ ​know​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​in​ ​so​ ​doing​ ​He​ ​re-forms​ ​us​ ​in​ ​the​ ​unity​ ​He​ ​intended.​ ​The​ ​Church is​ ​the​ ​budding​ ​arrival​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​on​ ​earth​.​ ​PA:​​ ​1)​​ ​This​ ​is​ ​why​ ​repairing​ ​broken​ ​relationships​​ ​matters.​ ​These stand​ ​between​ ​you​ ​and​ ​God!​ ​2)​​ ​This​ ​is​ ​why​ ​constantly​ ​dropping​ ​acts​ ​of​ ​kindness​​ ​is​ ​important. The​ ​Sunday​ ​before​ ​I​ ​was​ ​leaving​ ​Denny’s​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​church​ ​and​ ​I​ ​picked​ ​up​ ​the​ ​tab​ ​for​ ​some​ ​guys​ ​there anonymously…​ ​I​ ​thought,​ ​“I​ ​bet​ ​they’ve​ ​never​ ​had​ ​someone​ ​do​ ​something​ ​like​ ​that​ ​for​ ​them.”​ ​This​ ​gave​ ​ME​ ​joy!

3)​​ ​This​ ​is​ ​why​ ​stepping​ ​out​ ​to​ ​connect​​ ​with​ ​people​ ​matters.​ ​(Come​ ​to​ ​Meet​ ​Lakeland​​ ​today,​ ​or​ ​check, “​Interested​ ​in​ ​SG​”​ ​and​ ​someone​ ​will​ ​reach​ ​out​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​or​ ​join​ ​Starting​ ​Point​​ ​tonight…​ ​is​ ​a​ ​sg​ ​I​ ​lead​ ​for​ ​4

3 weeks​ ​to​ ​help​ ​people​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​Lakeland​ ​and​ ​connect​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other!)​ ​You’ve​ ​got​ ​to​ ​step​ ​out.​ ​POINT:​ ​God spreads​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​us. I’m​ ​going​ ​to​ ​skip​ ​ahead​ ​to​ ​v.​ ​3​ ​because​ ​I’d​ ​like​ ​to​ ​answer​ ​this​ ​question….​ ​What​ ​is… 2. The​ ​impact​ ​of​ ​God​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us​ ​(3:3) WHEN​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​another​ ​Christian,​ ​what​ ​does​ ​that​ ​look​ ​like?

3​ ​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.

The​ ​Corinthians,​ ​to​ ​whom​ ​Paul​ ​ministered,​ ​had​ ​become​ a ​ ​ ​letter​ ​from​ ​Christ​ ​(THAT’s​ ​a​ ​fascinating​ ​thing to​ ​say).​ ​Through​ ​Paul’s​ ​work,​ ​they​ ​became​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​from​ ​Christ.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​a​ ​letter?​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​document​ ​that​ ​has been​ ​written​ ​on​ ​that​ ​shares​ ​a​ ​message.​ ​The​ ​Corinthians​ ​had​ ​become​ ​Christ’s​ ​message​ ​upon​ ​which​ ​Christ​ ​had written.​ ​Only​ ​they​ ​have​ ​not​ ​written​ ​with​ ​ink,​ ​but​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​living​ ​God.​ ​The​ ​“Living​ ​God”​ ​is​ ​not​ ​one of​ ​the​ ​Lord’s​ ​most​ ​common​ ​titles,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​this​ ​is​ ​used,​ ​its​ ​notable! Deut.​ ​5:26​ ​For​ ​what​ ​mortal​ ​man​ ​has​ ​ever​ ​heard​ ​the​ ​voice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God​ ​speaking​ ​out​ ​of​ ​fire,​ ​as​ ​we​ ​have,​ ​and survived? 1Sam.​ ​17:36​ ​Your​ ​servant​ ​has​ ​killed​ ​both​ ​the​ ​lion​ ​and​ ​the​ ​bear;​ ​this​ ​uncircumcised​ ​Philistine​ ​will​ ​be​ ​like​ ​one​ ​of them,​ ​because​ ​he​ ​has​ ​defied​ ​the​ ​armies​ ​of​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God. Jer.​ ​10:10​ ​But​ ​the​ ​LORD​ ​is​ ​the​ ​true​ ​God;​ ​he​ ​is​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God,​ ​the​ ​eternal​ ​King.​ ​When​ ​he​ ​is​ ​angry,​ ​the​ ​earth​ ​trembles; the​ ​nations​ ​cannot​ ​endure​ ​his​ ​wrath.

HERE,​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God​​ ​has​ ​written​ o ​ n​ ​our​ ​hearts!​ ​THIS​ ​is​ ​what​ ​God​ ​does​ ​in​ ​us​ ​when​ ​we encounter​ ​Him​ ​in​ ​other​ ​Christians​ ​and​ ​welcome​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​believe. Fascinating​ ​fact​…​ ​the​ ​word​ ​translated​ ​written​ i​ s​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​from​ ​or​ ​the​ ​verb.​ ​Grapho​ ​means​ ​to​ ​write.​ ​THIS word​ ​is​ ​egrapho​ ​which​ ​means​ ​more​ ​nearly​ ​to​ ​engrave.​ ​Engraving​ ​is​ ​permanent.​ ​Engraving​ ​cuts​ ​into​ ​you.​ ​It​ ​is more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​tattoo​ ​which​ ​can​ ​be​ ​removed…​ ​what​ ​is​ ​engraved​ ​can’t​ ​be​ ​removed.​ ​POINT:​ ​You​ ​become​ ​a Christian​ ​and​ ​grow​ ​in​ ​your​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Christ​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God​ ​engraves​ ​Jesus​ ​on​ ​your heart!​ ​ ​Like​ ​a​ ​half-dollar​ ​that​ ​has​ ​Kennedy​ ​stamped​ ​into​ ​it,​ ​so​ ​the​ ​Holy​ ​Spirit​ ​stamps​ ​or​ ​engraves​ ​on​ ​our hearts,​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ.​ ​Not​ ​just​ ​our​ ​minds,​ ​but​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​are​ ​engraved​ ​with​ ​Him! This​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​new​ ​idea​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Bible.​ ​In​ ​fact​ ​if​ ​you​ ​come​ ​to​ ​this​ ​passage​ ​after​ ​reading​ ​several​ ​Old​ ​Testament passages,​ ​your​ ​heart​ ​starts​ ​to​ ​beat​ ​a​ ​little​ ​faster! Jer.​ ​31:33​ ​ ​For​ ​this​ ​is​ ​the​ ​covenant​ ​that​ ​I​ ​will​ ​make​ ​with​ ​the​ ​house​ ​of​ ​Israel​ ​after​ ​those​ ​days,​ ​declares​ ​the​ ​LORD:​ ​ ​I will​ ​put​ ​my​ ​law​ ​within​ ​them,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​will​ ​write​ ​it​ ​ ​on​ ​their​ ​hearts.​ ​ ​And​ ​I​ ​will​ ​be​ ​their​ ​God,​ ​and​ ​they​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​my​ ​people.

Not​ ​from​ ​the​ ​outside-in,​ ​but​ ​from​ ​the​ ​inside-out,​ ​people​ ​will​ ​worship​ ​and​ ​love​ ​God.​ ​Isaiah

Isaiah​ ​44:2​ ​Fear​ ​not,​ ​O​ ​Jacob​ ​my​ ​servant,​ ​Jeshurun​ ​whom​ ​I​ ​have​ ​chosen.​ ​3​ ​For​ ​I​ ​will​ ​pour​ ​water​ ​on​ ​the​ ​thirsty​ ​land, and​ ​streams​ ​on​ ​the​ ​dry​ ​ground;​ ​I​ ​will​ ​pour​ ​my​ ​Spirit​ ​upon​ ​your​ ​offspring,​ ​and​ ​my​ ​blessing​ ​on​ ​your​ ​descendants.​ ​4​ ​They shall​ ​spring​ ​up​ ​among​ ​the​ ​grass​ ​like​ ​willows​ ​by​ ​flowing​ ​streams. 5​ ​One​ ​will​ ​say,​ ​‘I​ ​belong​ ​to​ ​the​ ​LORD’;​ ​another​ ​will​ ​call​ ​himself​ ​by​ ​the​ ​name​ ​of​ ​Jacob;​ ​still​ ​another​ ​will​ ​write​ ​on​ ​his hand,​ ​‘The​ ​LORD’s,’​ ​and​ ​will​ ​take​ ​the​ ​name​ ​Israel.

When​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Living​ ​God​ ​engraves​ ​Jesus​ ​in​ ​your​ ​heart,​ ​you​ ​love​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​worship​ ​Him…​ ​the​ ​fire of​ ​your​ ​faith​ ​flows​ ​from​ ​the​ ​inside-out. Take​ ​a​ ​test​​ ​if​ ​you​ ​left​ ​time​ ​with​ ​a​ ​Christian,​ ​and​ ​from​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​out​ ​your​ ​heart​ ​was​ ​stirred​ ​up,​ ​you​ ​found yourself​ ​wanting​ ​and​ ​thirsting​ ​for​ ​God​ ​(a​ ​sermon,​ ​a​ ​song,​ ​a​ ​conversation,​ ​you​ ​witnessed​ ​THEIR​ ​love),​ ​THIS was​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God​ ​engraving​ ​Christ​ ​on​ ​your​ ​heart!​ ​We’ll​ ​see​ ​MUCH​ ​more​ ​about​ ​this​ ​in​ ​the weeks​ ​to​ ​follow. If​ ​God​ ​REALLY​ ​does​ ​spread​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​us,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​is​ ​Christ​ ​engraved​ ​on​ ​our hearts,​ ​what​ ​are​ ​the​ ​conditions​ ​that​ ​make​ ​this​ ​optimal?​ ​ ​What​ ​is​ ​our​ ​part​ ​towards​ ​another​ ​person​ ​to​ ​make​ ​this so?​ ​Paul​ ​will​ ​mention​ ​several​ ​over​ ​the​ ​next​ ​chapters,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​first​ ​is​ ​this… 3. A​ ​way​ ​God​ ​is​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us…is​ ​our​ ​love​ ​(3:2) ​ ​“Do​ ​we​ ​need,​ ​like​ ​some​ ​people,​ ​letters​ ​of​ ​recommendation​ ​to​ ​you​ ​or​ ​from​ ​you?” 2​ ​You​ ​yourselves​ ​are​ ​our​ ​letter​ ​of​ ​recommendation,

But​ ​then​ ​he​ ​goes​ ​on​ ​to​ ​say​ ​something​ ​important…

4 written​ ​on​ ​our​ ​hearts,

Paul​ ​says,​ ​“​You​​ ​are​ ​written​​ o ​ n​ ​our​ ​hearts​!”​ ​Here​ ​too​ ​the​ ​word​ ​is​ ​“engraved.”​ ​The​ ​Lord​ ​spread​ ​the knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​Paul​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​after​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​were​ ​engraved​ ​on​ ​Paul’s​ ​heart. POINT:​ ​It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​our​ ​job​ ​to​ ​engrave​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​on​ ​people’s​ ​hearts.​ ​That​ ​is​ ​a​ ​work​ ​only​ ​the​ ​Holy​ ​Spirit​ ​can​ ​do​ ​(v. 3).​ ​But​ ​it​ ​IS​ ​our​ ​job​ ​to​ ​let​ ​the​ ​Holy​ ​Spirit​ ​engrave​ ​those​ ​people​ ​on​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​(v.​ ​2). Years​ ​ago,​ ​our​ ​church​ ​had​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​a​ ​church​ ​in​ ​the​ ​inner​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Detroit.​ ​We​ ​made​ ​3 trips​ ​to​ ​support​ ​their​ ​work​ ​and​ ​learn​ ​from​ ​them.​ ​One​ ​ministry​ ​we​ ​connected​ ​with​ ​is​ ​called “Wellspring.”​ ​Dan​ ​and​ ​Cherie​ ​Brandowski​ ​had​ ​moved​ ​to​ ​the​ ​inner​ ​city​ ​to​ ​care​ ​for​ ​at-risk​ ​students. Cherie​ ​joined​ ​us​ ​one​ ​day​ ​to​ ​share​ ​her​ ​story.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​20​ ​minutes​ ​of​ ​holiness! She​ ​said,​ ​“When​ ​I​ ​came​ ​to​ ​the​ ​inner​ ​city,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​to​ ​help​ ​people​ ​repent.​ ​I​ ​couldn’t​ ​imagine​ ​anyone​ ​worse​ ​than​ ​a “drug​ ​dealer”​ ​who​ ​got​ ​kids​ ​hooked​ ​on​ ​drugs​ ​and​ ​devastated​ ​their​ ​young​ ​lives.​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​that​ ​way​ ​until​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most likable​ ​kids​ ​I’d​ ​worked​ ​with​ ​for​ ​3​ ​years…​ ​became​ ​one.​ ​He​ ​got​ ​to​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​age​ ​and​ ​a​ ​gang​ ​got​ ​him​ ​and​ ​became family​ ​for​ ​him​ ​and​ ​last​ ​night​ ​I​ ​know​ ​he​ ​was​ ​out​ ​selling​ ​drugs. “Then​ ​I​ ​realized​ ​that​ ​if​ ​he​ ​had​ ​grown​ ​up​ ​in​ ​the​ ​neighborhood​ ​I​ ​had​ ​and​ ​the​ ​church​ ​I​ ​had,​ ​he​ ​would​ ​not​ ​been sucked​ ​into​ ​a​ ​gang.​ ​Who’s​ ​sin​ ​is​ ​the​ ​greater?​ ​The​ ​kid​ ​selling​ ​drugs,​ ​or​ ​the​ ​society​ ​that​ ​could​ ​change​ ​this​ ​but doesn’t?” KEY​ ​MOMENT:​ ​When​ ​I​ ​came​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​repent…​ ​it​ ​was​ ​me.​ ​ ​I​ ​realized​ ​it​ ​is not​ ​my​ ​job​ ​to​ ​change​ ​people…​ ​it’s​ ​my​ ​lob​ ​to​ ​love​ ​people!” to​ ​be​ ​known​ ​and​ ​read​ ​by​ ​all.

It​ ​is​ ​obvious!​ ​Everyone​ ​can​ ​see​ ​it!​ ​You​ ​let​ ​yourself​ ​get​ ​attached! TRUTH:​ ​God​ ​moves​ ​people​ ​from​ ​being​ ​externally​ ​motivated​ ​to​ ​internally​ ​motivated​ ​to follow​ ​Christ​ ​as​ ​He​ ​ministers​ ​to​ ​them​ ​through​ ​His​ ​people.​ ​Our​ ​part​ ​of​ ​that​ ​involves​ ​two things,​ ​like​ ​two​ ​wings​ ​of​ ​an​ ​airplane​.​ ​Paul​ ​preached​ ​Christ​ ​to​ ​them…​ ​he​ ​shared​ ​the​ ​content of​ ​the​ ​gospel.​ ​(We’ll​ ​talk​ ​more​ ​about​ ​that​ ​in​ ​the​ ​days​ ​ahead.”)​ ​We​ ​have​ ​traditionally​ ​been good​ ​at​ ​one​ ​wing,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​need​ ​both.​ ​But​ ​the​ ​second​ ​“wing​”​ ​is​ ​critical​ ​too…​ ​the​ ​community​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel.​ ​Paul also​ ​loved​ ​the​ ​Corinthians…​ ​with​ ​an​ ​uncommon​ ​love,​ ​with​ ​Christ’s​ ​love.​ ​And​ ​through​ ​His​ ​love​ ​Jesus​ ​made Himself​ ​known. Gratefully,​ ​we​ ​have​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​book​ ​to​ ​see​ ​what​ ​this​ ​looks​ ​like.​ ​What​ ​does​ ​this​ ​look​ ​like?​ ​A:​ 1 ​ ) Esteem,​ ​2)​ ​Enjoy,​ ​3)​ ​Embrace​.​ ​1)​ ​Esteem​:​ ​When​ ​Paul​ ​came​ ​to​ ​Corinth,​ ​he​ ​saw​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​things that​ ​were​ ​good​ ​and​ ​admirable​ ​and​ ​he​ ​called​ ​them​ ​out! 2Cor.​ ​7:4​ ​I​ ​have​ ​great​ ​confidence​ ​in​ ​you;​ ​ ​I​ ​take​ ​great​ ​pride​ ​in​ ​you;

It​ ​is​ ​the​ ​easiest​ ​thing​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​to​ ​do​ ​to​ ​see​ ​something​ ​good​ ​in​ ​someone​ ​and​ ​call​ ​it​ ​out.

Ben​ ​had​ ​a​ ​set​ ​of​ ​headphones​ ​that​ ​had​ ​broken,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​took​ ​them​ ​back​ ​to​ ​Best​ ​Buy…​ ​best​ ​warranty​ ​I​ ​ever​ ​bought. This​ ​was​ ​the​ ​2nd ​ ​​ ​time​ ​I​ ​had​ ​them​ ​replaced.​ ​The​ ​young​ ​woman​ ​who​ ​served​ ​me​ ​was​ ​terrific.​ ​She​ ​knew​ ​her​ ​stuff,​ ​found the​ ​sale,​ ​verified​ ​the​ ​warrantee,​ ​called​ ​for​ ​someone​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​a​ ​new​ ​set​ ​to​ ​the​ ​counter,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​70​ ​dollars of​ ​coupons​ ​for​ ​the​ ​special​ ​they​ ​were​ ​running. When​ ​she​ ​handed​ ​me​ ​the​ ​receipt,​ ​I​ ​asked,​ ​“Can​ ​I​ ​see​ ​your​ ​manager?”​ ​She​ ​called​ ​him​ ​and​ ​when​ ​he​ ​rounded​ ​the corner,​ ​nervous​ ​for​ ​what​ ​he​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​encounter,​ ​I​ ​said,​ ​“You​ ​guys​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​a​ ​great​ ​job,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​employee,​ ​you ought​ ​to​ ​keep!​ ​She​ ​is​ ​a​ ​credit​ ​to​ ​your​ ​store.”​ ​The​ ​grin​ ​that​ ​broke​ ​out​ ​on​ ​them​ ​both​ ​was​ ​ear​ ​to​ ​ear…​ ​how​ ​easy​ ​was that?! I​ ​pulled​ ​into​ ​Lakeland’s​ ​parking​ ​lot​ ​on​ ​Friday​ ​morning​ ​and​ ​a​ ​police​ ​officer​ ​was​ ​there.​ ​I​ ​stopped​ ​and​ ​he​ ​rolled down​ ​his​ ​window,​ ​wondering​ ​what​ ​I​ ​was​ ​doing,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​said,​ ​“I​ ​just​ ​want​ ​to​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​guys.​ ​You’ve​ ​got​ ​a​ ​tough​ ​job and​ ​we’re​ ​grateful​ ​you​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​it!”)

It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​just​ ​say,​ ​“I​ ​see​ ​what​ ​you​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​and​ ​you​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​a​ ​great​ ​job​ ​at​ ​it.​ ​Thank​ ​you!” However​ ​it​ ​is​ ​one​ ​thing​ ​to​ ​esteem​ ​someone…​ ​but​ ​you​ ​can​ ​do​ ​that​ ​to​ ​a​ ​total​ ​stranger.​ ​Paul​ ​didn’t​ ​remain​ ​a​ ​total stranger…​ ​I​ ​think​ ​he​ ​also… 2)​ ​Enjoy​​ ​(7:7;​ ​11:12) That’s​ ​clearly​ ​what​ ​we​ ​see​ ​happening​ ​in​ ​Paul​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Corinthians. 2Cor.​ ​7:7​ ​…(Titus)​ ​told​ ​us​ ​of​ ​your​ ​longing,​ ​your​ ​mourning,​ ​your​ ​zeal​ ​for​ ​me,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​I​ ​rejoiced​ ​still​ ​more.

Paul​ ​rejoiced​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Corinthian’s​ ​love​ ​for​ ​him.​ ​He​ ​didn’t​ ​just​ ​esteem​ ​them​ ​from​ ​afar…​ ​his​ ​own​ ​joy​ ​was wrapped​ ​up​ ​in​ ​them.​ ​(Lately​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​spending​ ​more​ ​time​ ​with​ ​my​ ​boys…​ ​I​ ​LOVE​ ​them…​ ​TRUTH:​ ​Every

5 person​ ​ever​ ​made​ ​has​ ​been​ ​made​ ​in​ ​God’s​ ​image​ ​and​ ​reflect​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​His​ ​character​ ​and​ ​there​ ​is​ ​much​ ​to enjoy​ ​in​ ​them.​ ​Look​ ​for​ ​it!​ ​This​ ​is​ ​both​ ​joy​ ​in​ ​what’s​ ​good​ ​in​ ​them​ ​and​ ​passion​ ​for​ ​their​ ​protection.) 2Cor.​ ​11:2​ ​For​ ​I​ ​feel​ ​a​ ​divine​ ​jealousy​ ​for​ ​you,​ ​since​ ​ ​I​ ​betrothed​ ​you​ ​to​ ​one​ ​husband,​ ​ ​to​ ​present​ ​you​ ​ ​as​ ​a​ ​pure virgin​ ​to​ ​Christ.

Paul​ ​thinks​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Corinthian​ ​church​ ​like​ ​his​ ​daughter​ ​he​ ​is​ ​preparing​ ​to​ ​give​ ​away​ ​to​ ​her​ ​groom.​ ​THAT​ ​is a​ ​tender​ ​relationship. MORE,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​one​ ​thing​ ​to​ ​esteem​,​ ​and​ ​another​ ​to​ ​enjoy​,​ ​but​ ​Paul​ ​goes​ ​further…​ ​to​ ​embrace​… 3)​ ​Embrace:​ ​Paul​ ​attached​ ​himself​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Corinthians,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​his​ ​welfare​ ​was​ ​now​ ​linked​ ​to​ ​his relationship​ ​with​ ​them.​ ​He​ ​let​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Living​ ​God​ ​engrave​ ​them​ ​on​ ​his​ ​heart!​ ​So​ ​when​ ​they​ ​were​ ​not in​ ​a​ ​good​ ​place​ ​with​ ​him,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​not​ ​in​ ​a​ ​good​ ​place. 2Cor.​ ​6:11​ ​We​ ​have​ ​spoken​ ​freely​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​Corinthians;​ ​our​ ​heart​ ​is​ ​wide​ ​open.​ ​ ​12​ ​You​ ​are​ ​not​ ​restricted​ ​by​ ​us,​ ​but you​ ​are​ ​restricted​ ​in​ ​your​ ​own​ ​affections.

This​ ​is​ ​such​ ​a​ ​graphic​ ​picture…​ ​not​ ​like​ ​Paul​ ​opened​ ​the​ ​door​ ​of​ ​his​ ​heart,​ ​but​ ​put​ ​hinges​ ​on​ ​the​ ​corner​ ​of his​ ​heart​ ​and​ ​opened​ ​wide​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​wall.​ ​Their​ ​heart​ ​was​ ​wide​ ​open.​ ​He​ ​continued​ ​to​ ​do​ ​so,​ ​even​ ​when​ ​they threw​ ​Him​ ​off.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​Paul’s​ ​attitude​ ​towards​ ​these​ ​folks? 2Cor.​ ​12:15​ ​ ​I​ ​will​ ​most​ ​gladly​ ​spend​ ​and​ ​be​ ​spent​ ​for​ ​your​ ​souls.

Paul​ ​embraced​ ​these​ ​brothers​ ​and​ ​sisters! BT:​ ​Truth…​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​ABLE​ ​to​ ​embrace​ ​the​ ​Corinthians,​ ​even​ ​while​ ​they​ ​were​ ​hurting​ ​him,​ ​because Christ​ ​had​ ​embraced​ ​him​ ​even​ ​while​ ​he​ ​was​ ​still​ ​rebelling​ ​against​ ​the​ ​Lord.​ ​He​ ​let​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God engrave​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​on​ ​HIS​ ​heart​ ​because​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​God​ ​has​ ​engraved​ ​us​ ​on​ ​His​ ​heart,​ ​because​ ​Christ WAS​ ​engraved​ ​with​ ​scars​ ​on​ ​His​ ​hands​ ​and​ ​feet​ ​and​ ​sides​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​purchase​ ​our​ ​redemption​ ​from​ ​our​ ​sin. And​ ​by​ ​those​ ​scars,​ ​our​ ​King,​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Universes,​ ​sacrificed​ ​and​ ​died​ ​to​ ​give​ ​us​ ​life!​ ​POINT:​ ​The​ ​Christ Whom​ ​you​ ​love​ ​will​ ​show​ ​up​ ​through​ ​you​ ​when​ ​you​ ​love​ ​people! Response 1) Recognize​ ​God’s​ ​love​ ​in​ ​the​ ​love​ ​of​ ​other​ ​Christians​.​ ​He​ ​has​ ​gone​ ​to​ ​great​ ​lengths​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​it​ ​to​ ​you! I​ ​went​ ​to​ ​great​ ​lengths​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​my​ ​wife.​ ​This​ ​passage​ ​says​ ​God​ ​has​ ​traversed​ ​from​ ​heaven​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​through Christ​ ​redeeming​ ​you​ ​who​ ​are​ ​not​ ​holy​ ​to​ ​be​ ​reconciled​ ​to​ ​Him​ ​who​ ​is,​ ​and​ ​He​ ​reaches​ ​out​ ​to​ ​you​ ​with​ ​the knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​other​ ​Christians!

Thank​ ​Him​ ​that​ ​He​ ​does!​ ​Stand​ ​amazed​ ​that​ ​He​ ​surrounds​ ​you​ ​and​ ​reaches​ ​out​ ​to​ ​you​ ​like​ ​this! 2) Get​ ​attached​ ​to​ ​other​ ​Christians​​ ​Some​ ​of​ ​us​ ​are​ ​great​ ​with​ ​this,​ ​but​ ​others​ ​not​ ​so​ ​much.​ ​Listen…​ ​you have​ ​GOT​ ​to​ ​take​ ​a​ ​chance.​ ​He​ ​will​ ​make​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​to​ ​YOU​ ​more​ ​fully​ ​if​ ​you​ ​will​ ​take​ ​a​ ​risk​ ​and​ ​connect with​ ​others.​ ​Here​ ​at​ ​Lakeland​,​ ​start​ ​with​ ​Meet​ ​Lakeland​​ ​today​ ​after​ ​service.​ ​I’d​ ​love​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​you​ ​and​ ​hear your​ ​story.​ ​You’ll​ ​meet​ ​other​ ​folks​ ​who​ ​are​ ​new​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​Interested​ ​in​ ​Small​ ​Group​,​ ​and​ ​bring​ ​the card​ ​to​ ​one​ ​of​ ​our​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​the​ ​foyer​ ​and​ ​we’ll​ ​be​ ​in​ ​touch​ ​about​ ​that.​ ​3)​ ​Starting​ ​Point​​ ​is​ ​4​ ​week​ ​SG​ ​I lead​ ​beginning​ ​tonight​ ​that​ ​helps​ ​you​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​Lakeland.​ ​6​ ​pm​ ​here​ ​at​ ​the​ ​building.​ ​POINT:​ ​Take​ ​a step. If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​here​ ​investigating​ ​Christianity​,​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​settled​ ​on​ ​your​ ​faith​ ​to​ ​join​ ​a​ ​group.​ ​You will​ ​not​ ​be​ ​embarrassed​ ​or​ ​have​ ​to​ ​know​ ​something​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​know.​ ​You​ ​matter​ ​to​ ​God​ ​and​ ​so​ ​you​ ​matter​ ​to us!​ ​Take​ ​a​ ​risk! 3)​ ​Look​ ​for​ ​people​ ​to​ ​love​ ​every​ ​day​.​ ​Leave​ ​a​ ​wake​ ​of​ ​people​ ​well​ ​loved​ ​as​ ​you​ ​walk​ ​through​ ​your​ ​day! Esteem​ ​people,​ ​enjoy​ ​people,​ ​embrace​ ​people!​ ​You​ ​CAN​ ​because​ ​Jesus​ ​has​ ​embraced​ ​you!​ ​When​ ​you​ ​love people​ ​in​ ​Christ’s​ ​name,​ ​more​ ​happens​ ​than​ ​your​ ​love…​ ​He​ ​spreads​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​His​ ​love​ ​through​ ​you. what​ ​would​ ​that​ ​look​ ​like? Ghassan​ ​Thomas​ ​leads​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​few​ ​public​ ​churches​ ​that​ ​emerged​ ​[in​ ​Baghdad]​ ​after​ ​Saddam​ ​Hussein​ ​was toppled.​ ​His​ ​congregation​ ​erected​ ​a​ ​sign​ ​on​ ​their​ ​building​ ​that​ ​said​ ​"Jesus​ ​Is​ ​the​ ​Light​ ​of​ ​the​ ​World,"​ ​but​ ​the church​ ​was​ ​raided​ ​by​ ​bandits​ ​who​ ​left​ ​behind​ ​a​ ​threat​ ​on​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​cardboard.​ ​It​ ​read:​ ​"Jesus​ ​is​ ​not​ ​the​ ​light​ ​of​ ​the world,​ ​Allah​ ​is,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​have​ ​been​ ​warned."​ ​The​ ​note​ ​was​ ​signed​ ​"The​ ​Islamic​ ​Shiite​ ​Party." In​ ​response,​ ​Pastor​ ​Ghassan​ ​loaded​ ​a​ ​van​ ​with​ ​children's​ ​gifts​ ​and​ ​medical​ ​supplies—which​ ​were​ ​in​ ​critically short​ ​supply​ ​following​ ​the​ ​American​ ​invasion—and​ ​drove​ ​to​ ​the​ ​headquarters​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Islamic​ ​Shiite​ ​Party.​ ​After

6 presenting​ ​the​ ​gifts​ ​and​ ​supplies​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sheikh,​ ​Ghassan​ ​told​ ​the​ ​leader,​ ​"Christians​ ​have​ ​love​ ​for​ ​you,​ ​because​ ​our God​ ​is​ ​a​ ​God​ ​of​ ​love."​ ​He​ ​then​ ​asked​ ​permission​ ​to​ ​read​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Bible.​ ​Ghassan​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​Jesus'​ ​words​ ​in​ ​John​ ​8,​ ​"I am​ ​the​ ​light​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world."​ ​He​ ​then​ ​showed​ ​the​ ​cardboard​ ​note​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sheikh.​ ​The​ ​Muslim​ ​leaders,​ ​astounded​ ​by Pastor​ ​Thomas's​ ​actions,​ ​apologized. "This​ ​will​ ​not​ ​happen​ ​again,"​ ​[the​ ​sheikh]​ ​vowed.​ ​"You​ ​are​ ​my​ ​brother.​ ​If​ ​anyone​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​kill​ ​you,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​be​ ​my neck​ ​first."​ ​The​ ​sheikh​ ​later​ ​attended​ ​Pastor​ ​Thomas's​ ​ordination​ ​service​ ​at​ ​the​ ​church. Skye​ ​Jethani,​ ​The​ ​Divine​ ​Commodity​ ​(Zondervan,​ ​2009),​ ​pp.​ ​61-62 God​ ​spreads​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​our​ ​love! May​ ​we​ ​seek​ ​and​ ​spread​ ​Him.​ ​The​ ​fire​ ​for​ ​this,​ ​is​ ​His​ ​love​ ​for​ ​us!

7

October​ ​8,​ ​2017

Small​ ​Group​ ​Leader​ ​Notes

From​ ​Pastor​ ​Dan… Hello​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​Leaders​ ​and​ ​anyone​ ​else​ ​using​ ​these​ ​notes, Last​ ​week​ ​we​ ​saw​ ​Paul​ ​thank​ ​God​ ​that​ ​he​ ​always​ ​spreads​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​the​ ​lives​ ​of surrendered​ ​Christians.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​verses​ ​before​ ​us,​ ​Paul​ ​will​ ​now​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​unpack​ ​how​ ​God​ ​uses​ ​us​ ​to​ ​make Himself​ ​known.​ ​Over​ ​these​ ​next​ ​chapters,​ ​we​ ​will​ ​hear​ ​in​ ​different​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​2​ ​“wings”​ ​(as​ ​in​ ​wings of​ ​an​ ​aircraft)​ ​that​ ​go​ ​into​ ​our​ ​being​ ​used​ ​by​ ​God​ ​to​ ​spread​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Him.​ ​One​ ​(which​ ​we’ll​ ​come back​ ​to​ ​again​ ​and​ ​again)​ ​is​ ​the​ ​“content”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel.​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us​ ​when​ ​we​ ​share the​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God.​ ​But​ ​the​ ​other​ ​wing​ ​we​ ​see​ ​in​ ​our​ ​passage​ ​is​ ​the​ ​“community”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel.​ ​God​ ​spreads​ ​the knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​the​ ​love​ ​of​ ​Christians. I​ ​pray​ ​God​ ​uses​ ​your​ ​time​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​good​ ​change. Warmly, Dan Our​ ​Scripture​ ​Study… Series: Message​ ​#: Sermon​ ​Title: Passage: Preacher: Date:

Reconciled 6 The​ ​starboard​ ​wing​ ​of​ ​encountering​ ​God 2​ ​Corinthians​ ​3:1-3 Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser 2017-10-8

SMALL​ ​GROUP​ ​QUESTIONS

Getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other:​ ​What​ ​are​ ​ways​ ​people​ ​show​ ​you​ ​love​ ​that​ ​register? Personal​ ​Study:​​ ​As​ ​you​ ​study​ ​(read,​ ​reread,​ ​consider,​ ​ponder,​ ​reread)​ ​the​ ​passage,​ ​list​ ​observations​ ​you make​ ​from​ ​the​ ​text.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​main​ ​point​ ​of​ ​this​ ​passage?​ ​How​ ​is​ ​the​ ​theme​ ​developed?​ ​What​ ​“Aha’s”​ ​come to​ ​you​ ​as​ ​you​ ​read?​ ​What​ ​questions​ ​come​ ​to​ ​mind?​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​the​ ​God​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​these​ ​verses? Bring​ ​your​ ​observations​ ​and​ ​questions​ ​to​ ​your​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​this​ ​week! —————————

2​ ​Corinthians​ ​3:1-3

CONTEXT:​ ​1)​ ​After​ ​Paul​ ​left​ ​the​ ​church​ ​he​ ​began​ ​in​ ​Corinth,​ ​heretics​ ​have​ ​arrived​ ​who​ ​are​ ​not​ ​only​ ​impressive​ ​orators, but​ ​who​ ​bring​ ​supposed​ ​“letters​ ​of​ ​recommendation”​ ​from​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Jerusalem.​ ​These​ ​credentials​ ​“validate”​ ​their ministry.​ ​Paul​ ​here​ ​compares​ ​their​ ​“credentials”​ ​to​ ​his​ ​own​ ​here.​ ​2)​ ​In​ ​2:14-17,​ ​Paul​ ​told​ ​us​ ​that​ ​God​ ​“spreads​ ​the knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself”​ ​through​ ​Christians.​ ​Over​ ​the​ ​next​ ​chapters,​ ​we​ ​see​ ​how. 1. 2:17​ ​ends​ ​with​ ​the​ ​question,​ ​“And​ ​who​ ​is​ ​equal​ ​to​ ​such​ ​a​ ​task?”​ ​What​ ​does​ ​Paul​ ​mean​ ​by​ ​this?

2:14-17​ ​Paul​ ​had​ ​just​ ​declare​ ​that​ ​God​ ​spreads​ ​through​ ​Christians​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself.​ ​We​ ​are​ ​“carriers” of​ ​God,​ ​He​ ​says,​ ​to​ ​other​ ​people​ ​(Christians​ ​and​ ​non-Christians).​ ​THAT​ ​is​ ​a​ ​holy​ ​and​ ​great​ ​task.​ ​Think​ ​of​ ​being “entrusted”​ ​not​ ​only​ ​with​ ​the​ ​message​ ​of​ ​Christ,​ ​but​ ​being​ ​a​ ​conduit​ ​of​ ​His​ ​love​ ​that​ ​people​ ​encounter​ ​in​ ​our love.​ ​No​ ​wonder​ ​Paul​ ​asks,​ ​“Who​ ​is​ ​equal​ ​to​ ​that​ ​task?”​ ​The​ ​answer,​ ​of​ ​course​ ​is​ ​that​ ​everyone​ ​whom​ ​is​ ​a Christian​ ​is​ ​equal​ ​to​ ​the​ ​task,​ ​not​ ​because​ ​of​ ​our​ ​goodness,​ ​but​ ​His​ ​grace.

8 3:1​ ​How​ ​might​ ​Paul​ ​be​ ​construed​ ​as​ ​“commending”​ ​himself? The​ ​heretics​ ​carried​ ​with​ ​them​ ​letters​ ​of​ ​recommendation,​ ​but​ ​Paul​ ​says​ ​that​ ​he​ ​carries​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​who​ ​spreads the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​them.​ ​That​ ​is​ ​quite​ ​a​ ​claim.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​true​ ​because​ ​God​ ​has​ ​made​ ​it​ ​so,​ ​but​ ​one who​ ​does​ ​not​ ​understand​ ​this​ ​might​ ​wonder​ ​if​ ​Paul​ ​is​ ​overly​ ​confident.

2.

3:1-2​ ​What​ ​is​ ​Paul’s​ ​“letter​ ​of​ ​recommendation?”​ ​What​ ​does​ ​Paul​ ​mean? Paul’s​ ​credential,​ ​or​ ​his​ ​“letter​ ​of​ ​recommendation”​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​themselves.​ ​God’s​ ​work​ ​through​ ​Paul​ ​in establishing​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​is​ ​proof​ ​that​ ​Paul​ ​is​ ​a​ ​legitimate​ ​minister​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel,​ ​contrary​ ​to​ ​what the​ ​heretics​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​had​ ​said​ ​about​ ​him.​ ​Paul​ ​didn’t​ ​need​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​paper​ ​to​ ​prove​ ​his​ ​credential…​ ​he​ ​just needed​ ​people​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​how​ ​God​ ​used​ ​him.​ ​They​ ​are​ ​his​ ​credential.

3.

Skip​ ​ahead​ ​to​ ​3:3.​ ​Through​ ​Paul’s​ ​ministry,​ ​what​ ​has​ ​Christ​ ​done​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Corinthians? Through​ ​the​ ​ministry​ ​of​ ​Paul,​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​living​ ​God​ ​“wrote”​ ​(literally​ ​“engraved”)​ ​Christ​ ​on​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of the​ ​Corinthian​ ​believers.​ ​Somehow,​ ​a​ ​profound​ ​“impression”​ ​was​ ​made​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​through​ ​Him. Exactly​ ​what​ ​this​ ​means​ ​concretely​ ​is​ ​not​ ​clear.​ ​But​ ​what​ ​IS​ ​clear​ ​is​ ​that​ ​on​ ​the​ ​other​ ​side​ ​of​ ​meeting​ ​Paul, the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​had​ ​been​ ​deeply​ ​impacted.​ ​This​ ​likely​ ​is​ ​what​ ​God​ ​had​ ​said​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Old​ ​Testament that​ ​He​ ​would​ ​do.

4.

5.

Read​ ​Jeremiah​ ​31:33.​ ​What​ ​had​ ​God​ ​promised​ ​He​ ​would​ ​do​ ​one​ ​day​ ​when​ ​He​ ​gave​ ​His​ ​Holy​ ​Spirit​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Church in​ ​full?​ ​Does​ ​this​ ​seem​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​our​ ​passage?

He​ ​would​ ​engrave​ ​on​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​His​ ​people​ ​by​ ​His​ ​Spirit​ ​His​ ​very​ ​law.​ ​Contrary​ ​to​ ​the​ ​carved​ ​letters​ ​on​ ​the tables​ ​of​ ​stone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​giving​ ​of​ ​the​ ​10​ ​commandments,​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​promised​ ​through​ ​Jeremiah​ ​that​ ​God’s​ ​Spirit would​ ​be​ ​unleashed​ ​to​ ​impact​ ​people​ ​from​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​out. You​ ​might​ ​want​ ​someone​ ​also​ ​to​ ​look​ ​up​ ​Isaiah​ ​44:2-5.​ ​Here​ ​is​ ​a​ ​picture​ ​of​ ​what​ ​God​ ​had​ ​promised​ ​being fulfilled.​ ​Here,​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​children​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​people​ ​are​ ​fully​ ​devoted​ ​to​ ​God​ ​and​ ​GLADLY​ ​taking​ ​the name​ ​of​ ​God​ ​to​ ​themselves.​ ​They​ ​WANT​ ​to​ ​be​ ​“engraved”​ ​with​ ​the​ ​name​ ​of​ ​God. NOTE:​ ​Both​ ​of​ ​these​ ​passages​ ​describe​ ​a​ ​coming​ ​moment​ ​in​ ​history​ ​when​ ​God​ ​would​ ​“pour​ ​out​ ​His​ ​Spirit” liberally​ ​upon​ ​all​ ​of​ ​His​ ​people.​ ​This​ ​could​ ​only​ ​happen​ ​after​ ​Christ,​ ​His​ ​Son,​ ​had​ ​offered​ ​Himself​ ​as​ ​the​ ​final sacrifice​ ​for​ ​sins​ ​and​ ​made​ ​a​ ​way​ ​for​ ​our​ ​redemption​ ​and​ ​reconciliation​ ​to​ ​God.​ ​Shortly​ ​after​ ​Jesus’​ ​returns​ ​to the​ ​Father’s​ ​Side,​ ​His​ ​Spirit​ ​is​ ​poured​ ​out​ ​on​ ​His​ ​people​ ​and​ ​a​ ​new​ ​“era”​ ​begins,​ ​which​ ​Jeremiah​ ​and​ ​Isaiah had​ ​foretold​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​years​ ​earlier.​ ​How​ ​cool​ ​that​ ​we​ ​get​ ​to​ ​live​ ​in​ ​them​ ​now! 6.

While​ ​this​ ​language​ ​is​ ​very​ ​“spiritual,”​ ​how​ ​would​ ​we​ ​describe​ ​what​ ​God​ ​did​ ​through​ ​Paul​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​the Corinthians?

From​ ​the​ ​inside-out,​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​(Like​ ​all​ ​NT​ ​Christians)​ ​had​ ​had​ ​their​ ​eyes​ ​opened​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​“glory​ ​of​ ​God in​ ​the​ ​face​ ​of​ ​ ​Christ”​ ​(4:4-6).​ ​They​ ​were​ ​given​ ​spiritual​ ​“eyes”​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​great​ ​His​ ​is​ ​and​ ​treasure​ ​Him​ ​and want​ ​Him! 7.

Back​ ​up​ ​to​ ​3:2.​ ​Here,​ ​Paul​ ​describes​ ​the​ ​conduit​ ​through​ ​which​ ​Jesus​ ​did​ ​His​ ​engraving​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Corinthian’s hearts​ ​(3:3).​ ​What​ ​was​ ​that​ ​conduit?​ ​What​ ​had​ ​God​ ​done​ ​in​ ​Paul’s​ ​heart​ ​to​ ​make​ ​this​ ​so?

The​ ​“conditions”​ ​through​ ​which​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Living​ ​God​ ​engraved​ ​Christ​ ​on​ ​the​ ​hearts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ ​Corinthians was​ ​the​ ​sending​ ​of​ ​Paul​ ​who​ ​would​ ​speak​ ​God’s​ ​Word​ ​(we’ll​ ​get​ ​to​ ​that​ ​in​ ​the​ ​weeks​ ​ahead)​ ​but​ ​ALSO​ ​love​ ​the Corinthians​ ​dearly.​ ​In​ ​fact,​ ​Paul​ ​will​ ​say​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Spirit​ ​“engraved”​ ​them​ ​on​ ​his​ ​heart. 8.

Summary:​ ​It​ ​is​ ​God’s​ ​job​ ​to​ ​“engrave”​ ​Christ​ ​on​ ​people’s​ ​hearts.​ ​We​ ​can’t​ ​do​ ​that.​ ​But​ ​it​ ​is​ ​our​ ​job​ ​to​ ​let​ ​Christ “engrave”​ ​on​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​the​ ​people​ ​he​ ​will​ ​impact​ ​through​ ​us.​ ​ ​Does​ ​this​ ​make​ ​sense​ ​to​ ​you?​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​feel about​ ​it?

Group​ ​discussion​ ​question.

9. Later​ ​in​ ​2​ ​Corinthians,​ ​we​ ​see​ ​that​ ​Paul​ ​esteemed​ ​(7:4),​ ​enjoyed​ ​(7:7;​ ​11:2),​ ​and​ ​embraced​ ​(6:11;​ ​12:15)​ ​the Corinthians.​ ​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​do​ ​this​ ​with​ ​people?​ ​Has​ ​Christ​ ​done​ ​this​ ​for​ ​you?​ ​How​ ​does​ ​that​ ​change​ ​things? Group​ ​reflection​ ​question.

10. What​ ​is​ ​one​ ​way​ ​you​ ​can​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​this​ ​passage​ ​this​ ​week?

9

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