Connection to the passage Believers will experience
2 Corinthians Sermon Series Supports Session 9: Enjoying God’s Comfort Sermon Title: Stand Firm in Christ Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:18-24
Connection to the passage Believers will experience trials in this life. However, God uses the trials we go through to reveal His comfort. As a result, we are able to stand firm in Christ and share the comfort of Christ with others who may be going through trials. Introduction/Opening When we face a challenge in life regardless of the nature of that challenge, we seek out people who have faced that same challenge. If we are preparing for our first marathon, we seek out people who have already completed a marathon. If we are preparing to start our own business, we seek out others who have successfully started a business. If we are preparing for chemotherapy, we seek out people who have already completed their chemotherapy. Paul shared about the hardships and trials that his ministry team encountered in the province of Asia. He learned to depend on the Lord for strength and thanked the Corinthians for their prayers. After experiencing God’s comfort through the ordeal, Paul gave insight on how believers can stand firm in Christ no matter what circumstances they may face. Outline 1. Believe God’s promise (2 Cor. 1:18-20) a) God keeps His promises. He does not waver, but He is completely trustworthy and faithful. b) Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word of God, so all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ. c) When we believe God’s promises, we are able to stand firm in Christ. 2. Depend on the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21-22) a) God has accomplished the work of salvation on our behalf and given us His Holy Spirit. b) The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives assures us of future eternal blessings. When we depend on the Holy Spirit, we are able to stand firm in Christ. 3. Grow in your faith (2 Cor. 1:23-24) a) God uses people in our lives to strengthen and to develop our faith. b) When our faith in the Lord grows, we are able to stand firm in Christ.
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Conclusion God enables us to stand firm in Christ as we believe His promise, depend on the Holy Spirit, and grow in our faith. Have you taken the first step of believing God’s promise of salvation? When we turn from our life of sin and trust Jesus Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit. His presence in our lives enables us to stand firm and assures us of a blessed future in glory.
Corey Meggs is the Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Somerset, Kentucky. He has served in the ministry for over twenty years and has pastored churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. Corey is married to Nancy and has two children, Ethan and Elise.
© LifeWay Christian Resources LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible
Connection to the passage Believers will experience trials in this life. However, God uses the trials we go through to reveal His comfort. As a result, we are able to stand firm in Christ and share the comfort of Christ with others who may be going through trials. Introduction/Opening When we face a challenge in life regardless of the nature of that challenge, we seek out people who have faced that same challenge. If we are preparing for our first marathon, we seek out people who have already completed a marathon. If we are preparing to start our own business, we seek out others who have successfully started a business. If we are preparing for chemotherapy, we seek out people who have already completed their chemotherapy. Paul shared about the hardships and trials that his ministry team encountered in the province of Asia. He learned to depend on the Lord for strength and thanked the Corinthians for their prayers. After experiencing God’s comfort through the ordeal, Paul gave insight on how believers can stand firm in Christ no matter what circumstances they may face. Outline 1. Believe God’s promise (2 Cor. 1:18-20) a) God keeps His promises. He does not waver, but He is completely trustworthy and faithful. b) Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word of God, so all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ. c) When we believe God’s promises, we are able to stand firm in Christ. 2. Depend on the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21-22) a) God has accomplished the work of salvation on our behalf and given us His Holy Spirit. b) The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives assures us of future eternal blessings. When we depend on the Holy Spirit, we are able to stand firm in Christ. 3. Grow in your faith (2 Cor. 1:23-24) a) God uses people in our lives to strengthen and to develop our faith. b) When our faith in the Lord grows, we are able to stand firm in Christ.
© LifeWay Christian Resources LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible
Conclusion God enables us to stand firm in Christ as we believe His promise, depend on the Holy Spirit, and grow in our faith. Have you taken the first step of believing God’s promise of salvation? When we turn from our life of sin and trust Jesus Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit. His presence in our lives enables us to stand firm and assures us of a blessed future in glory.
Corey Meggs is the Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Somerset, Kentucky. He has served in the ministry for over twenty years and has pastored churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. Corey is married to Nancy and has two children, Ethan and Elise.
© LifeWay Christian Resources LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible
