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Mar 14, 2021

A Reason to Boast (Click Here For Resources)

Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

Speaker: Brad Owen

Series: 2 Corinthians

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: trust, boasting, christ, pride, hope, idols, confidence, adore

All humanity boasts in their idols (ideals, politics, greed, pleasure, self-righteousness, etc) trusting that these things will bring life and overshadow others “foolish” ideals. But all of us are broken in need of finding our confidence in Someone greater. One that was willing to lay down his rights so that we could be lifted up in a new way and in gratitude live a new life that boasts of Him.

3.14.21 GBV Livestream from Grace Brevard on Vimeo.

ILLUSTRATIONS:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  • Paul speaks of his living in “simplicity, godly sincerity, the grace of God.” (v. 12) Who is someone in your life that you would describe in this way? In what ways can you grow in integrity, sincerity, and simplicity in your own life? 
  • Why do you think Paul is being so direct with the Corinthians, stating his lack of hidden motives with them? 
  • Think about the relationship Paul had with the Corinthians. They were his spiritual children. How does the picture of parents and children help you understand his heart for them and how he communicates with them? 
  • As we will see later in the chapter, the Corinthian believers had become cynical after experiencing people saying one thing but doing another. When Paul said he would come to them (1 Corinthians 16:5), but did not, they figured he was just manipulating them. Paul lets them know that this is not the case at all. Are there areas of your life that you see cynicism creeping in, just like the Corinthians we’re experiencing? How do you overcome it? 

“Man regardeth the deed but God seeth the intention." - Thomas Aquinus 

  • There were no hidden motives in Paul’s life. Think about your daily life and motivations. As Paul is boasting of purity and sincerity of heart, do you feel like you struggle more in purity of motives or purity of actions? In other words, is it harder to wrestle with motives of wanting recognition, prestige, or something in return for what you’ve done, or is it harder to make God-honoring choices and decisions instead of sinful ones?
  • In light of this text, what are some ways we could pray for one another? For our church family? For our community?