2 Corinthians

Accountability

January 7, 2024 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians

Accountability can be difficult because the places we need to change most may be deeply painful and personal. As Paul wrapped up his fourth letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 13:1-10), he implored them to consider their relationship with Christ and make changes before Paul's return visit. Connor used this section of Paul's letter to outline six qualities we must embrace when practicing accountability with others. We must be patient, humble, personal, challenging, encouraging, and prayerful.

Paul vs Superapostles

December 31, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians

Paul encourages the Corinthians to follow Jesus' example of engaging with the culture without succumbing to it. Christ didn't behave in a culturally superior way or desire cultural acceptance. He transformed the world through the spirit of God in the Gospel message and finding life in his sacrifice. He walked a perfect middle line that shows us how to walk as Christians and not flirt with the things Satan throws our way. We can walk that line through evangelism, being a good neighbor, and being truthful.

How To Brag

December 17, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians

Bragging is often looked at as a bad thing, but what if you are bragging about what God has done? Pastor Connor Kraus continues our sermon series through 2 Corinthians and goes over the fine line between boasting ones own efforts, bragging on others, and giving the glory to God.

Meekness?

December 10, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians

Meekness is a term that we often assume the definition of. Paul uses the word multiple times when talking to the church in Corinth about his disposition. So what does being meek mean, and is it something we want to be? Pastor Connor Kraus answers these questions in this weeks message.

Money Talks

December 3, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians 8, 2 Corinthians 9

The topic of giving is a tough one, but Pastor Connor Kraus correlates Paul's plea to the church in Corinth to our own giving habits. We are to give what we can, with grateful hearts, to those in need in order to spread the truth of the Gospel.

Causing Grief for Growth

November 26, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians 7:8–13

Grief is not a good thing to go through or bring to people. However, sometimes it is important in order to bring people back on track towards God. Knowing when and how to bring grief to someone is something to be careful with, so Pastor Connor Kraus walks us through based on Paul's letter to the Corinthians.

The Most Hated Verse in the Bible

November 19, 2023 • Jim Congdon • 2 Corinthians 6:14–18

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This verse cuts down the amount of potential marriage candidates down by a significant amount for single people. But did Paul even have marriage in mind when he wrote this? An important look into the context of what was going on in Corinth at the time becomes crucial to understanding this part of Paul's letters to the Corinthians.

No Love Lost

November 12, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians 5:14–21, 2 Corinthians 6:1–2

Sometimes we hear about God's love so many times that we become numb to it. Paul's mission is compelled by Christ's love , which is to reach unbelievers with the Gospel. Jesus died for everyone but not everyone has accepted the gift that brings. Accepting this gift compels us to no longer live for ourselves, but for Jesus. It shifts your perspective of the world into God's perspective. And in our newfound perspective, we are compelled to tell others the good news. Every day is the "day of salvation" for those who do not believe.

Looking to the Next Life

November 5, 2023 • Jeremy McGrath • 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, 2 Corinthians 5:1–10

As Christians, we are not concerned with what this life has to offer. This life we have is temporary but we have hope in a new dwelling. We live for heaven, not for the present. Anticipation for tomorrow, banishes fear of today. That being said, Christians do no long for death, but they do long for their true life to begin. Think about what comes next.

The Power of Broken Things

October 29, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians 4:7–18

We are like clay jars and we carry inside us the treasure of the Gospel. Clay jars are not extravagant and they are easy to crack and break. We as well are persecuted and afflicted but not destroyed. Through these hardships, we display Jesus to the fullest but only if we go through them in a God honoring way. So, do not give up when pain and hardship find you, for we have hope in things unseen.

The Glory of our New Covenant

October 15, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians

Having the Holy Spirit means that we have the God within us. This is something the people in the Old Testament didn't have. We have the privilege to be under the ministry of Jesus Christ. To let that Holy Spirit do amazing things within us and through us. We don't have to be in bondage to sin. We are changed, now adopted into God's kingdom. But the transformation isn't over. The Holy Spirit continues to work in us throughout our journey as followers of Christ, becoming more and more like Him as we draw deeper into the New Covenant with Him.

Has Satan Blinded You?

October 22, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians 4:1–6

How is everyone not moved by the Gospel and what do we do about it? Paul says the Gospel is veiled and that Satan has blinded unbelievers. God is far more powerful than Satan, but Satan is still present and at work to deceive people. This knowledge changes the way we think and pray. We don't give up trying to convert people however, as the Gospel is full of power to shine through Satan's deceit. Do not be ashamed of Jesus. Tell people about him. The Holy Spirit has given you everything you need... you just need to do it. Do not be scared. The outcome is not up to you. It's up to God.

The Joy of the Gospel in Ministry

October 8, 2023 • Scott DeSanders • 2 Corinthians 2:14–17

Special guest Scott DeSanders (former TBC youth pastor, currently pastor of discipleship at Parkway Bible Church, Pflugerville, TX) continues our 2 Corinthians series with a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo1gkkdyyps&t=134s-17, Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians to find joy in sharing the Gospel.

A Scheme of Satan

October 1, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians 2:5–11

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. What do you do when someone who has caused immense pain says "sorry." Forgiveness is something we all think is good, but to actually forgive is incredibly difficult. Practicing forgiveness does not even make sense without Jesus. If we fail to forgive someone who has truly repented, we cause excess grief to them. Not forgiving can feel satisfying in the moment, but it causes much more harm than good. So, who is in need of your forgiveness?

Avoiding Pain

September 24, 2023 • Connor Kraus • 2 Corinthians

When possible, people tend to use the path with the least amount of pain. Paul reveals he avoided Corinth to spare them and himself unnecessary pain. Paul does not walk away from the problem though. Instead, he sent the letter we read now and promises a future visit. It is important to have the right amount of pain in life as it can lead to true joy.

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