I’m On Your Side

I’m On Your Side (2 Cor. 7:2-7) *All verses in NLT*

– 2 Cor 6:11-13 (NLT), Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

– This is the 2nd letter from the Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth. These letters have included many rebukes, corrections, and tough love. He speaks to them as a father would to a child.

– Eph. 4:14-15, Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 

– They need to grow up. They are like teenagers right now: They think they got it figured out, don’t want to listen to correction, and push back against their parent’s guidance and help.

– Example: When our kids were in “going through it”, we would try to help and guide their decisions, they would get mad and push back… Shelly would say, “We are on your side!”

– 2 Cor. 6:14 (NLT), Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers… (the NKJV says, Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers…)

– Paul must be referring to people who are trash-talking him behind his back? Questioning his authority as an apostle? People assigning negative motives to his actions? 

– In 1 Cor. 16, Paul was organizing a collection for poor Christians in Judea and had the responsibility over a significant amount of money… Did they doubt his integrity? Doubt the real purpose?

– They have no good reason to criticize or doubt Paul and his team, but they seem to be teaming up with the non-believers and critics, and buying into their lies. Why?!

– Example: My pet peeve is when people automatically assign negative motives to someone’s actions. The actions may be wrong, but why must their motives always be nefarious? 

– Motives matter: Is there a story you can tell that assumes a good motive in a Christian brother? 

Tonight’s verses:

– 2 Cor. 7:2-7 (NLT), Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. 4 I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles. 5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. 6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

1. Have an open heart, and honest communication.

– As Christian brothers and sisters, we need to be able to communicate. Paul does this by being vulnerable with the Corinthians. Instead of being defensive or offended by their distrust, he remains encouraging and open to them.

– 2 Cor 7:2-3, Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you.

– Example: “Crucial conversations”, building safety, finding agreement, shared understanding… Your message won’t matter if you can’t get them to stop being defensive, and listen. 

– Proverbs 15:1, A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

– Proverbs 12:16-19, A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. 17 An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. 18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. 19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

– Proverbs 18:1-2, Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. 2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.

– You can choose to be the mature one. You control you, not them. Do your part. Honor God in it.

2. Reconciliation is the goal. 

– The Corinthians are acting hurt by Paul. His tough love hurt their feelings. They are offended. Paul did nothing wrong, still, he made the effort to reconcile.

– We have been forgiven much, so we should also forgive others… and act like Christians!

– Col 3:12-13, Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

– Eph 4:31-32, Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

– This is so counter-cultural! We DON’T want to respond like the world does! 

– Remember, as Christians, we are on the same side!

3. Fellowship brings encouragement.

– 2 Cor 7:6-7, But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

– Paul was encouraged and comforted by the return of their fellowship. 

– We all need a “safe place”, and that should be in the community of our church family.

– Hebrews 10:23-25, Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

– Eph 4:2-3, Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

– As Christians, we have a shared experience. We know the struggles of life, and can share those struggles with each other knowing that we will be understood and accepted.

– Example: Brother Dan. We are FF, leaders, Christians, etc… I know he can understand! (Sometimes we get poked fun at for clicking up in group settings…)

– 2 Cor 1:3-4, All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

– We are on the same side. Be there for each other. Honor God in everything you do!

– prayer –