Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP 17 May 2020
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-6
Title: “Effective for Enduring”

INTRODUCTION

1. Reviewing Vital Truths

a) A good and important practice

b) Reviewing will deepen our understanding and faith

2. Vital Truths to be understood and believed in deeply

a) God’s part

i) God is the One who comforts us
“Who comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 1:4a)

ii) God personally brings the comfort
“We ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:4d)

b) Our Part

i) We are to comfort others who are in any trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4b)

ii) We offer the comfort given to us (2 Corinthians 1:4c)

c) Abounding Comfort

i) Sufferings may abound (2 Corinthians 1:5a)

ii) We will find that Comfort would also abound (2 Corinthians 1:5b)

iii) Christ Himself will be the Personal channel (2 Corinthians 1:5c)

A THEORETICAL FAITH

1. Faith was never designed to be “theoretical”

2. A Theoretical Faith

a) It may be found in knowledge

b) It may even be appreciated

c) It may bring some degree of joy

3. Obvious limitations of a Theoretical Faith

a) It may not be effective when we actually face tribulation

b) One may succumb under the pressures that come with tribulation

AN EFFECTIVE FAITH

1. Theoretical Faith to Genuine Faith

a) Paul had some kind of faith

i) He was a scholar of the Scriptures

ii) He was a Pharisee

iii) He was zealous for his beliefs

iv) But it was a wrong kind of faith

b) Paul found genuine faith

i) In a risen and living Saviour

ii) His faith affected every area of his life

iii) It transformed him totally

iv) It empowered him to serve the Lord faithfully and fruitfully

2. From Genuine Faith to Effective Faith

“Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation,
Which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.
Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” (2 Corinthians 1:6)

a) The meaning of the word “effective” includes the following nuances:

i) It is an active faith (not a passive one)

ii) It is an operative faith

iii) It works within the person who professes faith

b) This faith is very dynamic

c) It brings energy to the person who has genuine faith

ONE SPECIAL PERSPECTIVE OF AN EFFECTIVE FAITH

1. If there is affliction (tribulation) (2 Corinthians 1:6)

“Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation” (2 Corinthians 1:6a)

a) An effective faith enables the sufferer to think of others

i) How it can bring consolation to others

ii) How it can cause people to be led to salvation

b) This is how an effective faith works

i) It is not focused on self

ii) It enables us to think of others

2. The Effective Faith of Jesus

a) His suffering and death was foretold to His Disciples

b) If He is lifted up (reference to His death on the Cross)

c) He will draw men to salvation (John 12:32)

d) He thought of how people can come to salvation

3. The effective faith of Paul

a) Ministry to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (Acts 14:21)

b) Strengthening the souls of the disciples

c) His word of consolation
“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22)

d) Through his suffering in a jail at Philippi

i) It led to the conversion of the jailor

ii) Many souls were won to Christ

ANOTHER SPECIAL PERSPECTIVE OF AN EFFECTIVE FAITH

“Which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer”
(2 Corinthians 1:6b)

1. Effective faith enables us to endure suffering

2. Paul wrote about this in Romans 5:1-5

a) Justified by faith (Romans 5:1)

i) We have peace with God

ii) Through our Lord Jesus Christ

b) We have access by faith (Romans 5:2)

i) Into this grace in which we stand

ii) And rejoice in hope and glory

c) Not only that, we glory in tribulations (Romans 5:3-4)

i) Knowing this truth

ii) That Tribulation produces Perseverance

iii) And Perseverance, Character (Proven character)

iv) And Character, Hope

d) Now Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5)

i) Because the love of God has been poured into us

ii) By the Holy Spirit who was given to us

3. Effective Faith has the following added nuances:

a) Perseverance

b) Character

c) Hope

d) Love of God

e) The Holy Spirit working in us actively

4. If there is Comfort that comes from suffering for the Lord
“Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation” (2 Corinthians 1:6c)

a) The comfort God gives to us

i) It is to comfort us

ii) But effective faith helps us to think of benefitting others

b) Effective Faith enables us to be concerned about salvation for people

i) Salvation was of paramount importance to the Lord Jesus

ii) Paul had learned to be deeply concerned about the salvation of souls
This was what caused him to be prepared to suffer for the sake of saving souls

CONCLUSION

1. What kind of faith do we have?

a) Is it a passive faith?

b) Is it an effective faith?

2. Challenge

a) To check the state of our faith

b) To desire to have an effective faith

c) To apply our effective faith to help others

i) Find comfort/ consolation in the Lord

ii) Find salvation through faith in the name of the Lord Jesus