2 Corinthians“The Heart of an Apostle”

Part 20: Love at the Core2 Corinthians 12:11-21

2 Corinthians“The Heart of an Apostle”

Part 20: Love at the Core2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Hebrews 12:5-6Hebrews 12:5-6

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

2 Corinthians 11:2-32 Corinthians 11:2-3

2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:42 Corinthians 2:4

4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

2 Corinthians“The Heart of an Apostle”

Part 20: Love at the Core2 Corinthians 12:11-21

2 Corinthians“The Heart of an Apostle”

Part 20: Love at the Core2 Corinthians 12:11-21

LOVE PERSEVERESvs. 11-13, 15b-18

LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING

vs. 14-15,19

LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKINGLOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING

• Paul loved the Corinthians more than things

John Piper on 2 Cor. 12:14

John Piper on 2 Cor. 12:14

"How many marriages deteriorate into empty motions because husbands do not hear the silent yearnings of the wife: “I don’t want your money, I want you”? How many parents have lost their children because they failed to interpret the signs: “I don’t want your presents, Daddy, I want you”? And how many tithing churchgoers will be lost to the kingdom because the Word of God never reached their hearts: “I will seek not what is yours but you”?"

"How many marriages deteriorate into empty motions because husbands do not hear the silent yearnings of the wife: “I don’t want your money, I want you”? How many parents have lost their children because they failed to interpret the signs: “I don’t want your presents, Daddy, I want you”? And how many tithing churchgoers will be lost to the kingdom because the Word of God never reached their hearts: “I will seek not what is yours but you”?"

LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKINGLOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING

• Paul loved the Corinthians more than things

• Paul loved the Corinthians more than himself

LoveLove

God’s essential quality that seeks the best interests of others regardless of the others’ actions; love is commanded of believers. Holman New Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:331 Corinthians 10:33

33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

2 Corinthians 10:82 Corinthians 10:8

8 For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

8 For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

Ephesians 5:1-2Ephesians 5:1-2

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL

vs. 20-21

LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVILLOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL

Think of one person who is embracing sin and pray for them.

• pray that God purifies your heart first• pray that God shatters their pride• pray that they see the futility of sin• pray for the courage to confront

QUESTIONS OF REFLECTION

QUESTIONS OF REFLECTION

• How are our relationships? Is there love at the core of our hearts, or are we more concerned about things?• Do we value ourselves more than others, or do we sacrifice and spend ourselves for our fellow man?• Do we love our friends enough to confront them? Do we seek their purity above their happiness?

Ephesians 5:1-2Ephesians 5:1-2

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

2 Corinthians“The Heart of an Apostle”

Part 20: Love at the Core2 Corinthians 12:11-21

2 Corinthians“The Heart of an Apostle”

Part 20: Love at the Core2 Corinthians 12:11-21