THE BEGINNING AND THE END

Genesis 1:1-11:26 (Reading 3:1-20)

The beginning of life

… and death

The beginning of judgment

… and salvation

The beginning and The End

So, where does that leave us?

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Power in Weakness

2 Corinthians 11-13 (Reading 11:30-12:18)

 

The apostle’s defence of the gospel and his ministry in Corinth is loaded with lessons for us, including these:

 

Don’t get distracted from the gospel of Jesus

 

Expect challenges while we wait for Jesus to return

 

And remember: 

 

God’s grace is sufficient

 

God’s power is made perfect in weakness

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

BEWARE OF FOOLISH BOASTING

2 Corinthians 10-11

(Reading chapter 10)

A meek and gentle appeal..

…to Christians who are attracted to those who boast the way the world does

A warning for US too

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Colossians 3:17 – 4:18

1. Why serve the Lord in every whatever?
2. Serving the Lord at home & work (3:17 – 4:1)
3. Serving the Lord in prayer & evangelism (4:2-18)

(Preacher: Andreas Mayer)

2 Corinthians 8-9

(Reading chapter 9)

• What is this service/ministry of the Lord’s people? (8:4, 9:1, 9:12ff)
• And how is generosity a ‘grace’? (8:1-2, 8:7, 9:14)
• The amazing effect of genuine grace-shaped generosity (9:12-15)

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Unevenly Yoked?

2 Corinthians 6-7

(Reading 6:11-7:4)

 

The apostle is making a heartfelt appeal… for ‘holiness’  

 

 

It’s a confident appeal …based on past ‘repentance’

 

What about us? Are we perfecting holiness … out of reverence for God?

 

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

God’s Glory Through Weak Messengers

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

 

Our Weakness is God’s Strategy (7-12)

 

God will raise us from death! (13-15)

 

God’s glory is our good (16-18)  

 

 

(Preacher: Aaron Ting)

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

2 Corinthians 5:1-6:2

A Christian Perspective

We know we have a permanent home

(meanwhile we groan in longing while we live by faith)

We know what it is to fear the Lord 

(and we try to persuade others)

We don’t regard anyone from a worldly point of view 

(and we know that now is the time to turn back to God)

The Heart of Gospel Ministry

2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

Looking for signs of ‘successful’ ministry?

“are we beginning to commend ourselves to you again?” 

2 Corinthians 3:1 – 5:12

 

 

Christ’s ministry changes hearts…                    (3:1-6)

 

 

 

This ministry is more lasting and more glorious even than Moses’ ministry                                                   (3:7-11)

 

 

 

So we have reason to be bold…                        (3:12-18)

 

 

… and not lose heart                                      (4:1-6)

 

 

 (Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Do you smell like a follower of Jesus?

2 Corinthians 2:1-3:6

 

Conflict in Corinth, turmoil in Troas & mind-games in Macedonia…   but the Gospel procession continues!!!  

 

Unlike ‘many’, Paul’s confidence and competence to continue – come through Christ 

 

We can learn, from the apostle, how to behave –

• with each other: compassionate correction of complicated Christians
• and in the world: the smelly task of speaking with sincerity

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)