May 22, 2022

2 Corinthians 1:1-7

“Just Getting Comfortable”

1. Corinth: City of Power and influence

A. Greek city until 146 BC when the Romans took it over killing most of the Greek population and selling the women and children into slavery.

B. By the Time of Paul…

1. Very Roman- the Roman Latin names from there in the New Testament books of 1 and 2 Corinthians and Acts 18

2. 1/3rd slaves

3. Major destination for traders, travelers, and tourists

4. Opportunity to practice his leather working trade

5. A magnet of immigrants

C. Letters Written as a result of conflict

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

2. A Greeting and More (vs. 1,2)

A. An Apostle

Galatians 1:14-17

Acts 9:15-16

B. Timothy our brother

1 Corinthians 4:17

Deuteronomy 17:6

Deuteronomy 19:15

C. No Ordinary Group

1 Corinthians 1:2

“With all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia.”

D. More than a Blessing. (v. 2)

3. Comfort Zone (vs. 3-7)

A. Starting off a different way…

1 Corinthians 1:4

B. Who God is…

Philippians 2:9-11

Colossians 2:6

C. Comfort

Psalm 103:13-14

John 15:26-27

John 15:26

D. Out of our comfort zone (vs. 4-7)

Acts 9:16

Philippians 2:27

Romans 8:18

Romans 6:3-4

Galatians 5:22-26

Reflection:

1. Where do you need the comfort of God and the comforter this morning?

2. Who do you know that needs you to bring the comfort of God to them?

Follow Up in the Word through the Week…

Monday:

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:26 and 27.

Why would Paul be emphasizing this to Corinthian Christians? How can this help you to understand your place with Jesus in life?

Tuesday:

Read: Acts 9.

How does the description in verses 15 and 16 of Paul’s call as an apostle help us to understand his view of “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1? How does this help you to calculate suffering in your life and in the life of other believers? 

Wednesday:

Read: Deuteronomy 19:15.

From this principle, how helpful is it to list Timothy as a sender of the 2nd letter to the Corinthians if Paul has to correct them once again? How does this stand as a good practice for us in the modern day? 

Thursday:

Read: Philippians 2:1-11.

In what ways do verses 9-11 help define what Paul means when he calls Jesus “Lord”? How does the title of Lord apply to how you live your life today?

Friday:

Read: Psalm 103:13-14.

How does this describe God as comforter and His comfort to us? How can that help you and how can it help others? 

Saturday:

Read:  Romans 8:18 ESV.

Knowing that Paul suffered greatly in his life particularly in his ministry, how can this verse help us gain perspective on comfort and suffering? How can comforting someone else take us out of our “comfort zone”?