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HOW WE MUST AND MUST NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

October 25, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Corinthians 4:1–6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6
"1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

I. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, YOU WILL NOT LOSE HEART IF YOU KEEP THE EYES OF OUR HEART FIRMLY FIXED ON JESUS (v. 1)

II. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, YOU MUST NOT PRACTICE DISGRACEFUL, UNDERHANDED WAYS (v. 2a)

III. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, YOU MUST REFUSE TO PRACTICE CUNNING (v. 2b)

IV. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, YOU MUST REFUSE TO TAMPER WITH GOD’S WORD (v. 2c)

V. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, YOU MUST OPENLY STATE THE TRUTH (v. 2d)

VI. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, REMEMBER THAT EVERYONE IN THEIR NATURAL STATE IS SPIRITUALLY BLIND (vv. 3-4)

VII. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, YOU MUST PREACH CHRIST AND NOT YOURSELF (v. 5)

VIII. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, REMEMBER THAT IF ANYONE IS SAVED OR SANCTIFIED, IT IS BECAUSE GOD HAS SHINED LIGHT IN THEIR DARKNESS (v. 6)

IX. AS YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL, YOU MUST PREACH FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (v. 6)

WHY ARE WE DOING SHEPHERD SCHOOL? 2 Timothy 4:1-6

August 9, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Timothy 2:1–6, 2 Timothy

Why are we doing Shepherd School? I. So that you would be strengthened by grace (v. 1) 2 Timothy 2:1 “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” II. So that you would be taught the truth (v. 2a) 2 Timothy 2:2a “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,” III. So that you would be equipped to teach others (v. 2b) 2 Timothy 2:2b “who will be able to teach others also. IV. So that you would be a good soldier of Jesus Christ (v. 3) 2 Timothy 2:3 “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” V. So that you would please your King (v. 4) 2 Timothy 2:4 “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” VI. So that you would live your life according to the the rules and so be rewarded (v. 5) 2 Timothy 2:5 “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” VII. So that you would exhaust yourselves in planting and watering, and therefore most enjoy the fruit that God grows (v. 6) 2 Timothy 2:6 “It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.”

THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES (2021): 1 Thessalonians 2:13

August 16, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 1 Thessalonians 2:13

I. THE SCRIPTURES COME THROUGH MEN (v. 13a) 1 Thessalonians 2:13a “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us,” II. THE SCRIPTURES COME FROM GOD (v. 13b) 1 Thessalonians 2:13b “you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God,” III. THE SCRIPTURES WORK IN BELIEVERS (v. 13c) 1 Thessalonians 2:13c “which is at work in you believers.” IV. HOW THE WORD IS TO BE READ AND HEARD PREACHED Thomas Watson (1620-1686), in his book The Ten Commandments, has a sermon that seeks to answer the question, How is the word of God made effectual for salvation (justification and sanctification)? His answer is I) by reading the Word, and II) by hearing the Word preached. How the word of God may be read so as to be effectually working in us who believe: (1) That we may so read the Word that it may conduce effectually to our salvation, let us have a reverend esteem of every part of Scripture. (2) If we would have the written Word effectual to our souls, let us peruse it with "intenseness of mind." (3) If we would have the written Word effectual, we must bring faith to the reading of it; believe it to be the Word of the eternal Jehovah. (4) If we would have the written Word effectual to salvation, we must delight in it as our spiritual cordial (i.e. pleasant tasting medicine). (5) If we would have the Scripture effectual and saving, we must be sure, when we have read the Word, to hide it in our hearts. (6) If we would have the written Word effectual, let us labor not only to have the light of it in our heads—but its power in our hearts! (7) When we read the holy Scriptures—let us look up to God for a blessing. How the word of God preached may be heard so as to be effectually working in us who believe: (1) If you would have the Word preached effectual, give great attention to the Word preached. (2) If you would have the Word preached effectual, come with a holy appetite to the Word. (3) If you would have the preaching of the Word effectual, come to it with tenderness upon your heart. (4) If you would have the Word effectual, receive it with meekness. (5) If you would have the Word effectual, mingle the Word preached with faith. (6) If you would have the preaching of the Word effectual, be not only attentive in hearing—but retentive after hearing. (7) If you would have the preaching of the Word effectual, reduce your hearing to practice. (8) If you would have the Word effectual, beg of God that he will accompany his Word with his presence and blessing. (9) If you would have the Word effectual, if you would have the Word work effectually to your salvation, make it familiar to you.

THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD (2023): 1 Thessalonians 2:13

August 21, 2023 • Brandon Allen • 1 Thessalonians 2:13

DOCTRINE: that the Scriptures evidence themselves to be the Authoritative Word of God by their work in every believer.