Sermon/Teaching Outlines
in
2 Corinthians

I. Paul's Greeting (vv.1-2).
1. Background.

A. Author: The apostle Paul identifies himself as the writer of this letter (v.1).

B. Date Written: Sometime between 55 to 57 A.D.

C. Purpose:

1) Paul visited the Corinthian church after his first letter to help clear up the problems that he wrote about earlier.

2) Paul had to follow up with this second letter to remind them of their financial commitment to the Saints in Judea, and to address the issue of false teachers.

D. Key Word: "comfort" or "encouragement" (used 18 times).

A. Grace; God's divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life.

B. Peace; spiritual soundness which is the result of God's grace.

2. God is the source of all comfort (v.3b).

III. Why God Allows Us To Have Struggles In This Life (vv.4-11).
1. So that we are able to comfort others (vv.4-7).

2. So that we will learn to put our trust in God and not ourselves (vv.8-10).

3. So that we will learn to pray for others (v.11).

I. Be Consistent In Your Christian Walk (1:12-14).
1. The reasons why people criticize.

A. For power or control.

1) Paul was probably criticized by false teachers in the Corinthian church (11:4, 13).

2) This is the most common motive that is involved in church splits.

B. Lack of spiritual maturity.

1) This could include having unrealistic and unbiblical expectations.

2) Lack of understanding of God's Word and His character.

C. Poor communication.

3. Keep Christ at the center of your life (v.12b).

4. Live a godly life and not a worldly life (v.12c).

5. Try to always communicate clearly (vv.13-14).

II. Recognize That God Can Change Our Plans (1:15-2:4, 12-13).
1. Recognize that just because someone has to change their plans doesn't mean they are indecisive or that they cannot be trusted (vv.15-22).

2. Paul's real reasons for changing his plans (1:23-2:4, 12-13).

A. It was out of his consideration for the Corinthian church (1:23-2:4).

B. It was because the Lord opened another door of opportunity for him at that time (vv.12-13).

Lesson Three

I. The Infectious Nature Of Sin (v.5).
1. The identity of the person who caused the problem is unknown.

2. Sin is infectious.

II. The Biblical Response To Sin (v.6)
1. Apply only enough discipline to bring about repentance (v.6).

2. What the Scripture says about church discipline.

A. The biblical process (Matt.18:15-17).

B. Have the right motive (Gal.6:1).

C. Our last resort (1 Cor.5:11)

III. The Biblical Response Of Forgiveness (vv.7-8, 10).
1. We are to forgive and comfort those who repent (v.7).

2. We are to reaffirm our love for those who repent (v.8)

3. We are to be united in our forgiveness (v.10).

IV. The Result Of A Biblical Response To Sin (vv.9, 11).
1. It reveals our true motives (v.9).

2. It prevents Satan from taking further advantage of the situation (v.11).

I. Christ, The Triumphal General (v.14).
1. The parade of triumph.

2. Our constant victory in Jesus Christ.

II. Christ, The Sweet Aroma Of Victory (vv.15-16b)
1. Believers are a fragrance of Christ's victory to God (v.15a).

2. Believers are a fragrance of Christ's victory to the world (v.15b, c).

A. To those who are being saved (v.15b).

B. To those who reject Christ (v.15c).

A. The fragrance of death (v.16a).

B. The fragrance of life (v.16b).

A. Not those proclaim a diluted Gospel (v.17a)

B. Only those who proclaim the pure and unadulterated truth of the gospel (v.17b).

Lesson Five

I. ...Will Very Seldom Measure Up To Man-Made Standards (v.1)
1. The false teachers accused Paul of not being as qualified to minister as them because he didn't have any letters of recommendation.

2. Man-made ministry is based upon the approval of other men and not of God.

II. ...Is Validated By Those Who Minister And In Changed Lives (vv.2-3)
1. It is validated by a minister's love for the people (v.2)

2. It is validated by Christ's life changing power upon the hearts of the people (v.3)

III. ...Is Accredited By God Himself (vv.4-6)
1. It finds its confidence in God and not men (vv.4-6a).

2. It is empowered by the Holy Spirit and not the works of men (v.6b).

I. Contrasting Ministries (vv.7-11).
1. Life and not death (vv.7-8)

2. Righteousness and not condemnation (v.9).

3. Permanent and not temporary (vv.10-11).

II. Contrasting Messages (vv.12-16).
1. Boldly proclaimed and not hidden (vv.12-13).

2. Finished and not preliminary (vv.14-16).

III. Contrasting Results (vv.17-18).
1. Freedom and not slavery (v.17).

2. Transforming and not unchanging (v.18).

I. Tenacity (v.1).
1. The source of ministry (v.1a).

2. The persistence of ministry (v.1b)

II. Honesty And Integrity (vv.2-4).
1. The openness and honestly of ministry (v.2a)

2. The integrity of ministry (vv.2b-4)

A. Is found in the handling of the Word of God openly, truthfully, and accurately (v.2b)

B. Why people reject the ministry of the gospel (vv.3-4).

III. Faithfulness (vv.5-6).
1. Ministry must never be self-centered (v.5a).

2. Ministry requires total commitment (v.5b).

3. Ministry can only be done by those who are saved (v.6).

I. Plain Vessels (v.7).
1. Plain on the outside, but magnificent on the inside (v.7a).

2. Plain on the outside, but reinforced on the inside (v.7b).

II. Durable Vessels (vv.8-9).
1. Able to hold up under pressure (v.8).

2. Won't break when dropped (v.9)

III. Life Transforming Vessels (vv.10-12).
1. By its destruction its true value is revealed (vv.10-11).

2. By its destruction comes forth new life (v.12).

I. It Is Outspoken (v.13).
1. The spirit of faith (v.13a).

2. It is a faith that must speak out (v.13b).

II. It Is Confident (v.14).
1. Based upon Christ's resurrection (v.14a).

2. Based upon the certainty of our own resurrection (v.14b).

III. It Is Outreaching (v.15).
1. It is totally unselfish (v.15a).

2. It allows God grace to abound in others (v.15b)

3. It is done for the glory of God (v.15c).

IV. It Is Transforming (vv.16-18).
1. It doesn't give up (v.16a).

2. Its transforms us (vv.6b-18).

A. By a daily renewal of strength by God (v16b)

B. By light Afflictions (v.17).

C. By allowing us to look beyond this physical world (v.18).

Lesson Ten

I. It Is A Temporary Home (v.1).
1. Earthly tent (v.1a).

2. Heavenly house (v.1b).

II. It Strains Under It's Earthly Load (vv.2-5).
1. The old house groans and longs for the new heavenly home (vv.2-4).

2. The down payment for our new heavenly home is already paid (v.5).

III. It's Foundation Will Remain (vv.6-8).
1. It is built upon an unseen foundation of faith (vv.6-7).

2. It is a foundation that instills confidence and hope (v.8).

I. ...Is To Be Pleasing To The Lord (v.9).
1. Our ambition (v.9a).

2. Pleasing the Lord (v.9b).

II. ...Is To Be Responsible And Accountable To The Lord (v.10).
1. All believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (v.10a).

2. All believers will receive or lose rewards (v.10b).

III. ...Is To Persuade Others (vv.11-13).
1. Our motivation to persuade others (v.11a).

2. Our testimony to others (vv.11b-13).

I. Strong Enough To Stabilize Lives (vv.14-15).
1. By its steadfast love (v.14a).

2. By its impelling conclusion (vv.14b-15).

II. Miraculous Enough To Change Lives (vv.16-17).
1. By giving us a new perspective (v.16).

2. By making us a new creation (v.17).

III. Gracious Enough To Reclaim Lives (vv.18-21).
1. By reconciling us to God (vv.18-19).

2. By sending ambassadors of reconciliation out to others (vv.20-21).

I. Its Opportunities (v.1a).
1. For us to work together.

2. To bring glory to God.

II. Its Importance (vv.1b-3).
1. To be productive and not unproductive (v.1b).

2. To take advantage of "today's" opportunities to share the gospel (v.2; Isa.49:8).

3. To bring credit to it and not discredit (v.3).

III. Its Demands (vv.4-10).
1. "IN" (vv.4-7a).

2. "BY" (vv.7b-8a).

3. "AS" (vv.8b-10).

I. To Open Wide Your Hearts (6:11-13).
1. Realize God's truth is spoken in love (v.11).

2. Recognize that it is your own heart that prevents you from responding to the truth (v.12).

3. Respond in love (v.13)

II. To Break Your Partnership With The World (6:14-7:1).
1. Christians are not to be in partnership with the world (6:14-16).

2. Christians are to dissolve their worldly partnerships (6.17-7:1).

A. We are called to come out and to be separate (6:17a).

B. We are called to a heavenly partnership (6:17b-18).

C. We are called to walk according to our heavenly partnership (7:1).

Lesson Fifteen

I. It Requires A Faithful Heart (vv.2-4).
1. One with the right motives (vv.2-3a).

2. One with the right attitude (v.3b).

3. One with the right faith (v.4).

II. It Requires A Broken Heart (vv.5-10).
1. One that will listen (vv.5-7).

2. One that will be convicted (vv.8-9).

3. One that will be repentant (v.10).

III. It Requires A Willing Heart (vv.11-16).
1. One that is willing to change (v.11).

2. One that is willing to please (vv.12-14).

3. One that is willing to obey (vv.15-16).

I. Christian Giving Is The Outgrowth Of God's Grace (v.1).
1. It is the foundation of all Christian giving (v.1a).

2. The Macedonia example (v.1b).

II. Christian Giving Is Based Upon Ability (vv.2-3a).
1. It isn't solely based upon physical conditions (v.2a).

2. It isn't solely based upon economic conditions (v.2b).

3. It is based upon the ability to give (v.3a)

III. Christian Giving Is A Matter Of The Heart (vv.-3b-5).
1. It is based upon a person's own free will (v.3b)

2. It considers it a privilege to give (v.4).

3. It seeks the will of God first (v.5).

I. Faithful Giving Is Based Upon Your Word (vv.6-10).
1. Promises made should be promises kept (v.6).

2. Our service to the Lord does not negate our promises to give (v.7).

3. Fulfilling our promises isn't based upon external conditions, but the internal condition of the heart (vv.8-10).

II. Faithful Giving Is Based Upon Your Actions (vv.11-12).
1. Promises are more than just words, they are words in action (v.11).

2. Our promises of giving should be based on our ability to give (v.12).

III. Faithful Giving Is Based Upon Equality (vv.13-15).
1. Faithful giving is not over-taxing to the giver (vv.13-14).

2. God's example of equality (v.15).

I. They Should Have A Earnest Heart (vv.16-17).
1. True earnestness comes from God (v.16).

2. Earnestness from God leads to a voluntary heart (v.17).

II. They Should Have A Burden For The Lost (v.18).
1. Their name isn't what's important (v.18a).

2. They should have a proven track record with the gospel (v.18b).

III. They Should Have A Honorable Reputation (vv.19-22).
1. The unknown brother was selected by the churches in Macedonia (v.19).

2. Those who will serve in a ministry of finance should always work hard to avoid bringing any disrepute on the Lord, their church or themselves (vv.20-22).

IV. They Should Have A Spirit Of Cooperation (vv.23-24).
1. Titus and the others were working in partnership with Paul and the churches (v.23).

2. In view of all this, the Corinthians should likewise respond as partner's by opening their hearts and wallets to minister to their fellow Christians in Jerusalem (v.24).

I. To Motivate (vv.1-5).
1. To be eager to give when needed (vv.1-2).

2. Not to be an embarrassment (vv.3-5).

II. To Bless (vv.6-11).
1. Grace-giving is based upon the principle of sowing and reaping (v.6).

2. Grace-giving is based upon the right motives (v.7).

3. Grace-giving can produce immediate results (vv.8-11).

III. To Minister (vv.12-15).
1. The main purpose of our giving is to be able to minister to others (v.12a).

2. Grace-giving glorifies God (vv.12b-13).

3. Grace-giving unifies Christians (vv.14-15).

I. By Keeping A Godly Attitude (vv.1-2).
1. Real faith is exercised in the attitude of meekness and gentleness (v.1).

2. Real faith doesn't operate on the same fleshly attitudes of human nature (v.2)

II. By Relying Upon God's Strength (vv.3-5).
1. Real faith does not live according to worldly standards (v.3).

2. Real faith gets its strength from God and not by fleshly means (vv.4-5).

III. By Recognizing Your Accountability (v.6).
1. Christians need to response to God's authority and His Word.

2. Those who refuse to come down from their lofty fortresses will face God's judgment.

I. Is It Creditable? (vv.7-10).
1. Some ministries try to be creditable by seeking the approval of men (vv.7a, 10)..

2. Biblical ministries seek the approval of God first (vv.7b, 8-9).

II. Is It Consistent? (v.11).
1. Some ministries change with the winds of opinions.

2. Biblical ministries are consistent with God's Word in both words and deeds.

III. Is It Balanced? (vv.12-14).
1. Some ministries measure success based upon what others are doing (v.12).

2. Biblical ministries recognize the limits that God sets (vv.13-14).

IV. Is It Honest? (vv.15-16).
1. Some ministries purposely seek to infringe upon another ministry's work (v.15a).

2. Biblical ministries do not seek to infringe upon another ministry's work (vv.15b-16).

V. Is It Christ-Centered? (vv.17-18).
1. Some ministries seek worldly approval (v.18a).

2. Biblical ministries only seek the Lord's approval (vv.17, 18b).

I. They Jealously Guard The Bride Of Christ (vv.1-4).
1. Paul wanted to protect the Corinthian's spiritual purity for Christ (vv.1-2).

A. Paul asks the Corinthians to put up with him as he indulges in boasting (v.1).

B. Paul uses a metaphor of the Church being a virgin who is engaged to Christ (v.2).

A. Paul feared that the Corinthians could be easily deceived and lead astray (v.3).

B. Paul feared for the Corinthians because they willingly accepted any false teaching that was presented to them (v.4).

II. They Are Secure In Their Position (vv.5-6).
1. Paul knew exactly who he was as an Apostle (v.5).

A. Wuest: "For I account myself as not being in even one thing inferior to these superfine apostles."

B. Paul in no way inferior to any apostle.

A. He knew that he wasn't a eloquent speaker (v.6a).

B. He knew that his strength was in his teaching and the benefits that it brought the Corinthians (v.6b).

III. They Cannot Be Bought (vv.7-12).
1. Paul sacrificed his own comfort so that he could freely preach the gospel (vv.7-10).

A. Some of the Corinthian's may have been embarrassed or upset because Paul didn't need their financial support (v.7).

B. Paul uses a figure of speech (a hyperbole; an over-stated exaggeration) to produce a word picture in the Corinthians' minds to emphasize that other churches had supported him while he ministered to the Corinthians (v.8).

C. Paul refused to ask for support from the Corinthians so as not to be a burden to them (v.9).

D. Paul was free to preach the gospel because he wasn't being restricted by their money (v.10).

A. Paul's motive was his love for the Corinthians (v.11).

B. Paul did not want to be associated with the practice of the false teachers when it came to ministering to others (v.12).

A. Paul denounces the false teachers for what they were (v.13).

B. Paul reveals their mentor (v.14).

A. Paul says that we shouldn't be surprised to hear people lie about who they are (v.15a).

B. Because they are the servants of the father of lies (v.15b).

C. These false teachers will reap the rewards of their labor (v.15c).

Lesson Twenty-Three

I. Fleshly Attitudes (vv.16-22).
1. Of foolish boasting (vv.16-19).

A. Paul answered the Corinthians according to their foolishness (vv.16-17).

B. Paul resorts to sarcasm to point out the irony of the Corinthians foolishness (vv.18-19).

A. Paul gives a list of they type of men that the Corinthians were willing to put up with (v.20).

B. The irony that Paul points out in all of this is, that if this is the standard behavior of someone who is a real spiritual leader then he had failed miserably (v.21).

C. Paul points out that it is not just one's heritage that made them qualified to be an apostle or a teacher (v.22).

II. Physical Hardships (vv.23-27, 32-33).
1. A false minister will not endure hardships for the sake of the gospel (v.23).

A. Paul is about to point out the absurdity of the false apostles claims by their lack of actions (v.23a).

B. Paul sums up the physical hardships that he had faced while pointing out that the false apostles had not (v.23b).

A. Paul now gives us the details of the hardships that he has faced during his ministry (vv.24-27).

B. Paul had even faced death by preaching the gospel after his conversion in Damascus and had to be smuggled out of the city (vv.32-33; Acts 9:19-25).

III. Deep Concern For Others (vv.28-31).
1. A concern for others is the heaviest burden for a minister to bear (vv.28-30).

A. Verses 28 and 29 are the key passage to this section of Scripture.

B. Paul's boasting was not of power as the false apostles did, but in his weakness (v.30).

A. Paul was aware that his character was questioned and under attack.

B. Paul also knew that God was fully aware of his intentions, motives, and what was in his heart.

Lesson Twenty-Four

I. Contentment Is Found When We Trust In The Lord's Strength (vv.1-9).
1. It Isn't Found In Our Spiritual Experiences (vv.1-6).

2. It Isn't Found In Our Own Strength Or Abilities (v.7).

3. It is found only when we learn to lean on God for our strength (vv.8-9).

II. Contentment Is Found When We Put Christ First (v.10).
1. Paul could find contentment in the midst of all kinds of trials because what he was doing wasn't for himself, but for Christ (v.10a).

2. Paul was content because he knew in the end that it was Christ alone that shone forth in his ministry and life, and not himself (v.10b).

I. Look At The Ministry's Fruit (vv.11-12).
1. Paul displayed the "fruit" of humbleness (v.11).

A. Paul was willing to look like a fool for the Corinthians sake (v.11a).

B. Paul wasn't making himself look foolish because he was less of an apostle than the other apostles or the false apostles (v.11b).

II. Look At The Ministry's Heart (vv.13-16).
1. Paul had a servant's heart that put service before financial gain (vv.13-14, 16).

A. The only fault of Paul's ministry to the Corinthians was that he showed them preferential treatment by not letting the Corinthians provide him with financial support (v.13)

B. Paul is anticipating a 3^rd visit, and again he expects no financial support because his intentions are that of a spiritual father who does not wish to be a burden to his "children." (v.14).

C. In verse 16, Paul makes an ironic statement intended as an additional objection to what the false apostles/teachers might propose that he was somehow trying to trick the Corinthians into giving him money.

III. Look At The Ministry's Associates (vv.17-18).
1. Paul's associates served honestly also (v.17).

2. Paul's associates had the same spirit and testimony (v.18).

IV. Look At Your Own Heart (vv.19-21).
1. Be assured that God knows the truth (v.19).

2. Be assured that what's in your heart will reveal itself (vv.20-21).

I. The Notice Of The Coming Inspection (vv.1-2).
1. Paul assures the Corinthians that the inspection will be done and will be handled properly (v.1).

2. Paul assures the Corinthians that no favoritism will be shown during the inspection (v.2).

II. The Qualifications Of The Inspector (vv.3-4).
1. The proof of Paul's qualifications was found in the fruit of his ministry (v.3).

2. The proof of Paul's qualifications would be demonstrated upon his arrival at Corinth (v.4).

III. The Pre-Inspection Checklist (vv.5-14).
1. First, make sure that your faith is real (vv.5-6).

2. Second, base your evaluation upon the truth of God's Word (vv.7-8).

3. Third, do right in the sight of God (vv.9-10).

4. Fourth, aim for these qualities in your life (vv.11-14).

A. Be made Complete (mend your ways).

B. Be encouraged (in spite of your sins and problems).

C. Have the same mind of Christ.

D. Live in peace with one another.

E. Express mutual love towards other believers.

F. Enjoy God's full provision in your daily walk (through His grace, His love and His fellowship).