IvoryEagle

Q1. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why was this “thorn in the flesh” given to Paul? TO KEEP DOWN PRIDE AND BOASTING TOWARD HIMSELF. What purpose did God want to achieve through this in Paul’s character? INCREASE HUMILITY. How can something be both used by God and be caused by Satan’s destructive work? SATAN'S INTENT AND GOD'S IMPACT ARE DETERMINED BY GOD. How does this verse relate to Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20? EITHER WAY, GOD WINS!!

Q4. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) How do Paul’s sufferings help authenticate his claim to be an apostle? UNLESS HE IS CERTAIN OF HIS CALL AND HIS CALLER, HE WOULD NOT PUT HIMSELF THROUGH SUCH PAIN. What do these sufferings tell us about Paul’s commitment? HE KNOWS WHAT AND HE KNOWS WHY; NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. How does this account inspire you – or convict you? KEEP MY EYES STAYED ON JESUS. How will you be different from having pondered it? I SHALL STAY THE COURSE.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 11:7-9) Why do you think Paul refused to require the Corinthians to support him? TO HIM, IT WAS A SPIRITUAL/SECULAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST. How did this help his ministry? IT GAVE HIM PURE THINKING THROUGH DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT. How did it contribute to them taking him for granted? AS ALWAYS, COMPARISON TO A LESSOR BEING. THEY ASSUMED THAT THE FALSE TEACHERS WERE MORE EDUCATED BECAUSE THEY CHARGED. How can we honor Christian workers, clergy and lay, who give of their time sacrificially to minister for Christ? LOVE OFFERINGS UN SOLICITED. How will Christ honor them? WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. IN ADDITION CHRIST WILL CAUSE THE MINISTRY TO GAIN THE DIGNITY AND EXPAND THE DOCTRINE.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 11:1-5) What does it feel like when a congregation loses its pure devotion to Jesus Christ, and instead takes on other motivations for its religious observance? THE CHURCH IS BEING RUN BY SATAN! GREED, PRIDE, ENVY, JEALOUSY, ETC. PERMEATES THE ENVIRONMENT. In what ways is this like the church at Ephesus losing its “first love” (Revelation 2:4)? GULLIBLE TO PRETTY WORDS AND IGNORING THE WORD OF GOD. How can this purity of devotion be restored? GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL TEACHINGS WITH GOD AS ITS LEADER.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) Why does Paul liken his dealing with his opponents in Corinth with reducing a city wall by siege and then taking its citizens captive? BECAUSE THE ATTACK ON THE CHURCH IS REAL YET NOT BY NORMAL PHYSICAL TACTICS; IT IS SPIRITUAL AND SATANIC WEAPONS. Is Paul talking about a victory by the use of incisive logic or is there a spiritual stronghold here, one that derives its power from Satan’s kingdom? YOU GOT IT. SATAN, AGAIN. HE IS GOING DOWN!

Q4. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15) Why should our giving prompt thanksgiving? TO BE ABLE TO GIVE IS TO BE BLESSED TO GIVE. IT IS A REASON TO GIVE THANKS!! How is our giving a demonstration of God’s grace? GOD GAVE FIRST. JOHN 3:16 Why is God’s gift of Jesus termed “surpass-ing”? IT IS UNIMAGINABLE, HE GAVE US JESUS, HIS ONLY SON. IN ADDITION THROUGH THAT GIFT, HE GAVE US A PASS TO ETERNAL LIFE, IF WE BELIEVE. Why is God’s gift of Jesus termed “indescribable”? IT WAS HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. IN ADDITION, HE CAUSED THAT SON TO SUFFER FOR WHAT WE DID AND WHAT WE WILL DO IN THE WAY OF SIN THROUGH REPENTENCE. WHAT A GIFT, IT IS TOTALLY INDESCRIBABLE!!

Q3. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11) According to these verses, what is the purpose of God increasing your “store of seed”? SO THAT YOU WILL HAVE MORE TO SHARE BOTH TO THOSE LESS FORTUNATE AS WELL AS HIS TEMPLE AND ITS BUSINESS. IT IS NOT TO HOARD!! How do greed and generosity differ from each other? GREED IS ABOUT SELF. GENEROSITY IS ABOUT GOD AND ALL THAT GOD STANDS FOR. What is God’s promise here to generous givers? THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE HE GIVES TO YOU.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 9:7) Why do you think pastors or other church leaders use guilt to try to compel people to give more? BECAUSE MANY IN THE CONGREGATION HAVEN'T READ THE BIBLE ENOUGH TO KNOW THEY MUST CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMFORT OF THE BUILDING. THEY ASSUME, "SOMEONE" WILL PAY BUT NOT ME. THE PASTOR, UNDER THE PRESSURE OF PROVING RESOURCES AND COMFORT, MANY TIMES RESORT TO GUILT. WHILE THE PROCESS OF GUILT IS NOT PRETTY, IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY. Can greed be behind their pressure? MANY TIMES IT IS BEHIND THE PRESSURE. AS THE OFFERINGS AND THE REPUTATION INCREASE, "MORE" BECOMES THE FOCUS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A TURNOFF TO OTHERWISE CHEERFUL GIVERS. Why is pressure incompatible with worship? GIVING IS A FORM OF WORSHIP AND JESUS SAYS, MY YOKE IS "EASY." What does cheerfulness while giving say about the condition of a person’s heart? HE HAS A HEART FOR GOD AND PROVIDING FOR THE WORK OF GOD..

Q1. (2 Corinthians 9:6) Does the Scripture teach that material blessing results from giving generously to God’s work? YES! Why are we so careful to reinterpret this as referring mainly to spiritual blessing? WE DON'T BELIEVE GOD WHEN HE SAYS "HE WANTS US TO PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH JUST AS OUR SOUL PROSPERS." 3 JOHN 2 If you compared your own actual giving to God’s work to a tithe (10%) of your income, would it look generous? YES.

What is the balance between living our lives wholly before God without being men-pleasers, and doing what is right in the sight of men It is called prioritizing. Once we have lived up to God's Word, it leads us to living with man. Knowing of the past, present and future deceit, as we administer and live according to the Word, it must be translated in a way that man sees its purity.

What riches did Christ have according to this verse? Spiritual richness. How did he become poor? He took on our sins. In what way were we poor? We were sinners. In what way have we become rich? Through Jesus, we have the gift of repentence and sinlessness with it.

What does grace have to do with giving? Everything. When feeling grateful in Spirit, it is considered a privilege to help those in need of help. It is prompted from the heart. What does giving look like when it isn’t accompanied by grace? A chore. What does it look like when grace prompts your giving? A privilege

Why is it so difficult to give when we are stressed by circumstances and bills and pressures? Unstable in our own situation, it is difficult to imagine becoming more unstable by releasing what we are holding in our position of "lack." What can we learn from the example of the Macedonians and the poor widow? When our heart is right, we recognize that as little as we have, there are others who have less. Giving to them actually encourages us when we realize that we are first giving to God through man. How will this lesson affect your own giving? It reminds me that the giving I give is motivated in the right direction and I should continue to give. I am reminded of the song; "We can't beat God giving, no matter how we try."

Thanks Pastor Ralph, this was a lesson in time.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 7:5) What are the distinctions between fear, faith, and courage? Fear is hardwired into the human make-up for real and present threats, expect it. Faith is moving forward in spite of the unknown trust God is who He says He is. Courage is facing and acknowledging fear but proceding in faith. Why is being honest about our fears better than pretending we don’t have any fears? That which is denied is worse than that which is ignored. Acknowledging the fear activates the faith. How did Paul deal with his fears? He focused on the love in that he said he would live or die with them. There was no room for fear, only love.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) What kind of separation is Paul calling the Corinthians to? A separation that clearly is incongruent with holliness. This is particularly true for "confirmed" believers, who are practicing unholiness. How can they strike a balance between separating themselves from sinful practices that mess up their spiritual lives while at the same time maintaining friendships with pagan neighbors and co-workers? Jesus said the hospital is not for the well but for the sick. As believers, we must make every attempt to win souls for Christ, however, we must recognize when our past weaknesses are at risk of being reactivated during the process. I call it "feeding them with a long spoon."

Q2. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) What are the reasons Paul gives us – both in his letter and by quoting Old Testament scriptures – that we should live holy lives? We are literally walking temples of the Holy Spirit. Whatever we allow in our lives and bodies, we expose to the Spirit. What kinds of temptations did the Corinthians face in their notorious city. Sexual and idolatry.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 6:3-13) Why do you think Paul shares so much about his various struggles with the Corinthians? Because as a rule, humans believe that what looks good has not suffered. In addition, we tend to think that whatever state is witnessed is the continued state. Paul wanted to illustrate that "change" is a very real part of struggle and it can be good and bad. How does this help them accept his apostleship as authentic? Only an authentic person would know and share the paradoxes. Have you ever complained about what you’ve had to put up with in your ministry? Absolutely. I am totally astounded at the evil that prevails in the church. I don't understand why they choose the church. It really helps to know, as the Bible says, there is nothing new under the sun. How does it compare to what Paul faced? Not even close.

URGENCY & FOCUS! Engraved in my heart is this: For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2 TNIV Thank you Pastor Ralph! Your work is NOT in vain.

In what sense did Jesus “become sin” on our behalf? God made Him sin to free us from our sins. In what sense do we “become righteousness”? When Jesus bore our sins, he exchanged His righeousness in place of our sins. We did NOT earn it; God gave it.

How have we humans been reconciled to God? We have accepted His Son along with the charge. What did God do so that reconciliation could take place? He sent His son to die for us. In what sense are you an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God? Whosoever empowers everyone who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior to act on behalf of the Kingdom of God. In what sense are you a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ? All of whom I come in contact is my responsibility. I am a designated Minister according to Jesus through God the Father.

What does verse 17 teach us about the nature of a new believer? S/he has exchanged his life for the life of Christ. What changes in a person when he puts his faith in Christ? His intentions, his actions, and his agenda. Why don’t old habits disappear immediately if everything has become new? Old habits die hard, especially the flesh.

How does Paul’s mention of the Judgment Seat of Christ fit the context here? No one is exempt, we must all come before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The only difference is believers who have received Salvation and unbelievers. How should our belief that we Christians will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for our works affect (1) our desire to please him? Strive to please him while on earth as it is at this time, our works will be rewarded. (2) Our motivation to persuade people to receive Christ? Prevent them from entering the lake of fire. It is similar to a known traffic jam; we call others whom we know are traveling the same path and warn them to detour/repent.

What does it mean to walk by faith, not by sight? Trust God even when we can not trace Him. Why can’t nonbelievers understand this kind of living? Unbelief and a lack of knowledge. What aspects of your life are guided by your senses rather than by your faith? Intermittently, much of it. I must constantly remind myself that on my own, "I can do nothing." How can you bring a faith perspective into these areas? Stay in the Word.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) How do Paul’s words comfort you when you consider your death? Like 31 flavors, it is all Christ, just a different flavor. What do Christians believe happens when we die? We immediately go to be with Jesus. What will happen to us if we die before Christ returns? We will be with him when He descend on earth for those who are still alive. What will happen to us when Christ returns? "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 17 then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, RSV)