II Corinthians 7

• II Corinthians 7:2 – Possibly, Paul had been charged with taking advantage of them in taking up a collection. See also II Corinthians 11:20; 1:3-4
• II Corinthians 7:5 – This could be describing the anxiety Paul had for the state of the Christians in Achaia and how they responded to his last letter.
• II Corinthians 7:8 – Paul’s rebuke caused them sorrow, but he did not regret it once he saw the way they handled it. He did not like rebuking them at the time, though.
• II Corinthians 7:9-10 – Godly grief causes repentance, which leads to a life with a clean conscience.
• II Corinthians 7:12 – This is an extended not-but passage. Paul did write I Corinthians for the sake of both the offender and offended, but that was not his primary purpose.
• II Corinthians 7:14 – Paul had boasted to Titus about the Corinthians and was validated in that boasting.

Introduction

• Matthew 25:31-46

“He will separate them”

• Matthew 25:31-33
• We need to live like we know the judgment is coming!
• Hebrews 9:27
• Matthew 12:26 – This will be an exacting judgment!
• Acts 10:40-43
• Am I ready to meet the judge?

“you did it to Me”

• Matthew 25:37-40
• This is not a comprehensive list of how to serve God. But these are things Jesus cares about!
• These are all relatively easy things to do. We can’t be so afraid that we can’t do something big that we end up doing nothing at all.

“you did not do it to Me”

• Matthew 25:42-45 – These are sins of omission.
• Matthew 25:18, 26-30 – The one talent man did wrong by doing nothing.
• I Timothy 5:16
• Do I assist a needy widow when I should?
• Let us not be guilty of failing to act.

“the eternal fire”

• Matthew 25:33, 41, 46 – This is Jesus saying what’s going to happen.
• Jesus did not shy away from talking about hell:
  • Matthew 5:22, 29, 30
  • Matthew 10:28
  • Matthew 12:37, 41, 42
  • Matthew 13:41-42, 49-50
  • Matthew 18:8, 9
  • Matthew 23:15, 33

Introduction

2 John 1:1-4:

1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

From this passage want to notice five things.

There is a state into which all people enter who obey truth.

The elect lady and her children were in truth. John knew they were in truth by revelation. We can know who are in truth by their fruits (Matthew 7:20).

There is a correlated body of teaching known as truth which is understandable by man.

John and others knew truth. Truth has identity; is definite. Jesus also taught this (John 8:32). Truth was once a mystery, but now it has been made known and can be understood (Ephesians 3:3-4). Anything that differs in any way with this correlated body of truth is a lie (1 John 2:4; Romans 3:4).

Truth furnishes man’s motivation.

John did things for truth’s sake (2 John 1:2). Many who are members of a local church that says it is of Christ have not learned this. They use many things other than truth for motivation. They use such things as kitchens, youth camps, ball teams, etc. for motivation. They have not learned that a thing cannot be done for truth’s sake if truth has not authorized it. Let us use some examples of doing things for truth’s sake. Abraham offered his son for truth’s sake (Genesis 22). Noah built an ark for truth’s sake. Abel offered a blood offering for truth’s sake (Genesis 4). Israelites, for truth’s sake, had to offer their offerings at the place where God had put His name (Exodus 20:24). We must do many things for truth’s sake. One who believes is baptized in the Name of Jesus for truth’s sake. We must, for truth’s sake, exalt Christ’s local church over manmade institutions that are made for religious work and worship. In short, we must contend for the truth (Jude 1:3).

Truth is the governing principle of the Christian’s life.

The people of our text walked in truth. Truth dwells in the Christian (2 John 1:2). Truth is to be believed. It is to be loved. It is to be obeyed.

Note: The silence of the scripture must be respected also.

Truth is indestructible.

Truth will be with us forever (2 John 1:2). Truth endureth forever (1 Peter 2:25).

Also, truth will judge in the last day. John 12:48:

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

From 2 John 1:3, we learn that it will be grace and peace for those who have walked in truth.

Let us be sure we believe, love and obey the truth now, and make it the guide of our lives. If so, it will be our salvation.

Jesse Jenkins

Introduction

• Proverbs 10:9; 11:3, 5; 20:7
• The English word “integrity” does not appear in some English translations, but the concept is present in the Bible.
  • Strong’s number: H8537 – blamelessness, integrity

Integrity involves righteousness in all areas of life.

• Psalms 15
• Psalms 101
• I Kings 9:4-5 – David was help up as an example of integrity, despite his sin. Integrity doesn’t mean completely sinless. This should give us hope!
• Job lists areas in his life where he has had integrity:
  • Job 31:1, 9-12 – Moral purity
  • Job 31:5-8 – Not guilty of falsehood
  • Job 31:13-15 – Just in dealing with others
  • Job 31:16-23 – Care for the poor and needy
  • Job 31:24-28 – Not guilty of materialism
  • Job 31:29-30 – Has not cursed his enemy
  • Job 31:31-32 – Hospitality
  • Job 31:33-34 – Has not tried to hide sins like Adam

People of integrity live by God’s code of honor (even when others don’t like it)

• I Peter 2:13; 3:5, 17
• Psalms 26

You enjoy a clean conscience!

• Psalms 32:3
• Living with integrity helps us protect our conscience.
• Psalms 24:3-5
• Acts 24:16
• Romans 13:5
• Hebrews 13:18
• I Peter 3:16

Integrity makes you an incredible employee!

• Colossians 3:22-24
• Ephesians 6:5-8
• Proverbs 16:11
• Proverbs 19:1
• Proverbs 28:6
• Luke 3:13-14

Introduction

• Romans 12:10-13

Service to God

Time

• Acts 24:25-27

Money

• Matthew 15:4-6

Effort

• Haggai 1:2-5

Prayer

• Daniel 6:10
• I Thessalonians 5:17

Meditation

• Joshua 1:8
• I Timothy 4:15
• Do we ever just sit an think about spiritual things?

Worship

• Malachi 1:8, 13

Warning!

If things are tight, is it spiritual things that we cut first? If so, we are making Satan’s work easy!

Strategies to help:

Love God more!

• II Corinthians 8:1-5
• Spend time thinking about what God has done for us (Psalms 77:11-15).
• Read the Bible (Psalms 119:159-164).

Sacrifice self more!

• Matthew 16:24-25; Acts 4:34-37
• Jesus must be our first priority!

Make spiritual things important and urgent in our lives.

• Luke 12:17-23, 29-31
• The four quadrants of the important/urgent matrix.
• Luke 9:57-62 – Move earthly things back to the important but not urgent category.
• Luke 8:14; 10:40-42 – Limit not important, but urgent things as much as possible.
• Make sure spiritual things don’t end up in the not important and not urgent category!