Suggested Sermon Outlines and Sermon Starters from 2 Corinthians--
developed by Robert J. Young
Finding Comfort in a World of Afflictions--1:3-2:11
Introduction: We live in a two-dimensional world morally
1. The need for comfort
2. The source of comfort
3. The result of comfort
Suffering and its Solution--1:8-11
Introduction: We live in a two-dimensional world morally
I. Our problems, hardships, and suffering
1. Great pressure
2. Beyond endurance
3. Despair
4. When death is imminent
II. Our solution
1. We rely not on self
2. We rely on God who raises the dead
3. God has delivered, will deliver, continues to deliver
4. Prayer
The Promises of God--1:18-22
Introduction: The foundation for the promises of God
1. The God of promises is the source of promises, 1:18
2. The Son of God is the ratification of promises, 1:19-21
3. The Spirit of God is the guarantee of promises, 1:22
A Ministry of Integrity Through Relationships--1:23-2:4
Introduction: What are the characteristics of a strong ministry?
1. Ministry does not lord the faith of others, 1:24
2. Ministry holds firm the faith of others, 1:21-24
3. Ministry does not seek pain and grieving for others, 2:1
4. Ministry shares both joy and grief, 2:1-4
5. Ministry reflects confidence in others, 2:3
6. Ministry reflects deep love, 2:4
Ministry Under the New Covenant
Introduction: What are the characteristics of NT ministry?
1. Is triumphant, 2:14
2. Serves to bring both life and death, 2:15-16
3. Is sufficient only from God, 2:16; 3:4-6
4. Is not for self, but is from God, 2:17
5. Is not from self, is not self-serving, 2:17
6. Is validated in its results
...a. life
...b. spirit
...c. heart
Understanding Christian Ministry
Introduction:
1:9-12, the POWER for ministry is from God, deliverance, not worldly wisdom, God's grace
1:15-2:11, the INTEGRITY of ministry must be apparent to all, based on the Christian's IDENTITY with the faithfulness of God, the "yes" of Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit
2:12-17, the RESULTS of ministry are from God, for his purposes
These three concepts run throughout the Pauline defense as he describes ministry from five perspectives:
- 1. The Ministry of the New Covenant, 3:1-18
The POWER (competence, confidence) is from God
The IDENTITY of the ministers demonstrates INTEGRITY in those evangelized (the Corinthians), the presence of the Spirit, and changed lives
The RESULTS are hope and surpassing glory
- 2. The Forever, Eternal Ministry, 4:1-5:10
[Note that 4:2-15 are treated as parenthetical in this outline]
The POWER is from God, in his word, in his truth, in his light, and is manifested in our frailty here, and will be made obvious in our eternal home
IDENTITY and INTEGRITY are interwoven in the ministry, methods, message, and manner of life of the messengers
The RESULTS are knowledge (faith) and glory
- 3. The Ministry of Reconciliation, 5:11-6:3
The POWER is from God, compelled by love, re-created in Christ
The INTEGRITY and IDENTITY of the messengers is reflected in vv. 11-13, 16, 19-20
The RESULTS are righteousness before God
- 4. The Ministry based on integrity that brings Integrity, 6:4-7:1
The POWER of such ministry is from God, "God's servants" (6:4), God's presence, person, and promises (6:16-18; 7:1)
The INTEGRITY of the ministers, 6:3-13
The RESULTS are holiness and reverence before God
- 5. The Ministry of Relationship, 7:2-16
The POWER of such ministry is the comforting God, 7:6ff
The INTEGRITY of Paul, 7:2-4
The RESULTS are repentance and relationship, 7:8-16)
The Glory of the New Covenant--3:7-18
Seeing the Glory of God--3:7-4:6
Faces veiled
Faces unveiled
Our Lives in Christ--4:1-7
1. We have an opportunity for service--ministry, 4:1
with heart
without secrets or deception
without distortion
giving truth in the context of relationships
2. We have good news--gospel, 4:3
unveiling the gospel
combating the God of this age
revealing the image and glory of God
3. We have a task--preaching, 4:5
not focusing on self, but on Jesus Christ as lord
we are only servants
making light shine
a. to overcome darkness
b. in the hearts of all
c. to give knowledge
d. to show the glory of God
e. to show the presence of Christ
Summary: this is indeed the essence of treasure in earthen vessels!
The following outlines are reflected in Woodroof's Aroma of Christ
Notice who we are:
Aroma of Christ, 2:15
Minister's of new covenant, 3:6
Being transformed, 3:18
Notice what we have:
Ministry, 4:1
Treasure, 4:7 (gospel 4:5)
Encouragement, 4:16
Eternity, 5:1
Notice what we know:
The certainty of our resurrection, 4:13-14
The certainty of our eternal home, 5:1
The relationship between the present and the future, 5:6
Treasure in Jars of Clay--4:7-16
The reason for--
to show power is from God and not us, 4:7
so that despite our experience, we persevere, 4:8-9
to understand the relationship between death and life, 4:10-12
The result of--
we speak, out of our knowledge, to benefit others, 4:13
we do not lose heart, 4:16
we are renewed, 4:16
we anticipate glory, 4:17
we look at the unseen, 4:18
Clues in the Treasure Hunt
Introduction: Interconnectedness of life, identity of those in Christ, integrity
- The Identity of Christians (4:1-2)
- The Identity of those without Christ (4:3-6)
- The Identity of Christ (4:3-6)
Therefore: we understand the gospel, the treasure in earthen vessels
Its foundation, the word of God (4:2)
Its function, to reveal the glory of God in the presence of Christ (4:6)
Its value, inestimable treasure (4:7)
Its result, the service of mere men (4:8-11)
Its force, the power and purpose of God (4:11-12)
The Challenge of Christian Living
The contrast of our world between affliction and comfort is apparent also in the Christian life
- Our outer life may look distressed, we live vicariously in Christ
- Our inner life is believing and victorious
http://www.bobyoungresources.com/nt/08-2Cor_ol.htm
Last updated February 23, 2001.