Sunday 09:30:12

2 Corinthians 1:1-7 Spiritual leaders recognize that God intends good from our suffering. Our suffering • Is an opportunity for God to show us comfort, strength and hope. (1:4) • Helps us grasp Jesus’ suffering for us. (1:5a) • Is an opportunity to show God’s comfort, strength and hope to others. (1:5b) When we suffer, we receive God’s grace. When others suffer, we can help them understand and receive God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 2:1-4 Spiritual leaders correct spiritual issues. When we do not move to correct wrongs, we show that we love ourselves more than the person needing correction. We show that we are more concerned about being well-liked than about what will happen to them. Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” • When we do not correct, we do not love. • Correction is always done in love. (2:4) • Correction is always for the intent to restore, not for revenge. (Gal 6:1) • Correction comes from a person who is aware of their own need for correction. (Gal 6:1) 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 Spiritual leaders see the goal of spiritual leadership is lives changed by Christ. • Our focus is the spiritual development of those under our care. (3:2) • We cooperate with God. We are his ambassadors, ministers of reconciliation. (5:18-20) • God does the work of salvation. (3:3)