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Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages

Sermons by Evan Digby

Howard Baptist 11/01/2026

In the last sections of Luke that we have looked at, Jesus had dismissed the loaded questions of his major opponents and critics, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

Their questions were meant to corner and trap him; yet Jesus turned them into positive teaching opportunities.

In his answer to the Pharisee’s question about paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus replied by teaching deep truths about obeying the governing authorities, and obeying God above all.

To the Sadducees, he turned their question about the ‘supposed’ resurrection, into teaching that the afterlife was real, and explained what heaven was truly like.

He came from there, so he could describe heaven to them!

In each case, he turned a potential win/loose debate, into a win/win outcome.

In doing so, we see that Jesus wanted the best for his critics, and he shows us a way of handling debate and discussion.

Jesus showed how to turn negative criticism, into a positive outcome!

We need to ask ourselves. How can I turn negative criticism, into a positive outcome?

That starts, by loving the people who criticize you.

Paul tells the Ephesians --

Paul Ephesians 4:15 ------, speaking the truth in love,

If we do this, we will be seeking positive win/win gospel conversations.

Remember ‘We need to win the person, not just win the argument!’

When Jesus had silenced his critics, he then asked the Pharisees and Sadducees a question of his own. A question that if sincerely considered, would bring them to realise his authority, as master teacher, and the prophesied divine Messiah. Again, trying to win them to the truth.

Luke Luke 20:39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

41 Then Jesus said to them, "How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

" `The Lord said to my Lord:

"Sit at my right hand

43 until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet." '

44 David calls him `Lord.' How then can he be his son?"

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

The authority of Jesus, over all others.

Jesus had a loving heart, even towards those who rejected him; but knowing the hard attitudes he would encounter, Jesus wept for Jerusalem, as he came into it. Luke 19:41.

The Pharisees had a grudge against Jesus, in that he claimed divinity, in a special Father/Son relationship. John 10:30.

In this same chapter, in his Parable of the Tenants, Jesus had pictured himself be the Son, especially sent by his Father, expecting the tenants, the Jews, would honour and respect him.

However, the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, believed that the coming Messiah as just being an earthly king, not as a divine Redeemer.

Christ means Messiah, it is a title, not a sir name, or family name. It means ‘anointed one’ or the ‘chosen one’.

By his question, Jesus wanted to correct the Pharisees about the identity of Christ the Messiah. The Jews commonly knew, that the Messiah would be a descendant of David.

The Jews about Jesus John 7:40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." 41 Others said, "He is the Christ."

Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"

Where did they get that understanding from?

Micah Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me

one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old,

from ancient times. "

3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned

until the time when she who is in labor gives birth

and the rest of his brothers return

to join the Israelites.

Both David and Jesus were born in Bethlehem.

Even the blind man at the roadside in Jericho named Jesus so.

The blind man in Jericho Luke 18:38 He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

It was common understanding that the Messiah will be a human descendant of King David,

In Hebrew culture, a son is always in subjection to his father, and forefathers were honoured.

But Jesus wants the Jews to see the Messiah, as more than just a human descendent of David.

In putting his question to the Pharisees, Jesus uses Psalm 110:1, which speaks of the coming Messiah, to show that David knew the Messiah would be human, and divine.

Psalm 110:1, one of the most important messianic texts in the Old Testament, and one of the most quoted in the New Testament. The Pharisees would have recognized this Psalm as a divinely inspired prophecy of the Messiah.

Like the loaded questions of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, Jesus’ question was also loaded: loaded with truth and revelation. Jesus used it to present himself as human and divine. With his desire to see them come to knowledge and repentance.

Luke 20:41 Then Jesus said to them, "How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

" `The Lord said to my Lord:

"Sit at my right hand

43 until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet." '

44 David calls him `Lord.' How then can he be his son?"

Psalm 110:1. Matthew 22:41-46. Mark 12:36-37.

The name ‘Lord’ in in both references, refers to God. The Hebrew basically states ‘Yahweh said to my Adonai:’

Here, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David overhears a heavenly conversation, and he pens it into a psalm. God is talking to God.

The Lord (God the Father) is speaking to ‘my Lord’ (the Messiah, God the Son).

David calls the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ placing the coming Christ as above himself.

Matthew 22:44,45.

This reveals the Messiah’s divinity and pre-existence. John 1:1. Philippians 2:9-11.

Jesus uses the verse to challenge his listeners: If the Messiah is merely David’s son, why does David call Him ‘Lord’?

Their expected earthly hero and Messiah is actually, the eternal Son of God.

The Father was exalting the Son to share his divine throne, and this is where the kingly rule of Jesus is established, not initially in Jerusalem, but in heaven, and then throughout creation!

Daniel 7:12,14.Matthew 26:64. Mark 14:62. Luke 22:69,70.

How can the Messiah be both the Son of David, and the Lord of David?

Jesus presents this question as a paradox to the Pharisees, how could the Messiah be David’s earthly son, and at the same time be his spiritual Lord?

The Pharisees could not answer this paradox.

Since David calls the Messiah his Lord, Jesus askes, How then can he be his son?"

How can the Messiah be his Lord and his son?

The answer is found in the incarnation. Jesus was both human and divine, he could fulfill both roles.

Jesus was both a human Son of David, and he was the Lord, the Adoni God.

David’s descendant would have a more prominent role, and title, than David himself.

Throughout his ministry of teaching and miracles, Jesus was presenting himself as the answer to this paradox.

Isaiah Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Immanuel meaning ‘God with us’.

The coming Messiah, was commonly understood by the Jewish people to be a Son, a boy child. They get this understanding from such verses.

In Isaiah 9:6, The Christ or the Messiah, is revealed to be a son, to be born as a human child.

Isaiah Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus was legally a descendant of David, as he was from the same town and heritage as King David, that is why Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. to register. So Jesus was descendant/son of David. A qualification needed to be the Messiah

Isaiah Isaiah 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of power,

the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD—

Jesse was the human father of David, so the Messiah must come through this branch of his family.

The Lord said to my Lord, has sensible meaning, only if David’s descendant, is more than just human, but is deity, come in human form.

To answer Jesus’ question, this is how the Christ is the Son of David.

Paul puts it this way.

Paul Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Gospel centers in God's Son, who had this divine status before he took on a ‘human nature’ and who, in becoming human, came not only an Israelite, but as the divine Son of David.

So, Jesus fulfills the requirements of the Messiah, yet the Pharisees, rejected his authority.

Jesus Matthew 22:45 If then David calls him `Lord,' how can he be his son?" 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

This was the Pharisees God given opportunity to repent, yet they had no reply. Thus they had hardened their hearts, yet again.

Luke Luke 20:45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

The Pharisees as a group began is about 150 BC, they originally had good purpose, to counter incoming gentile pagan teaching, but they had become religious and introverted.

People had to give them honour wherever they went, and in celebrations they expected to have best seats in the house. But their teaching was corrupted by greed and selfishness.

Earlier in the Book of Luke, chapter 11, Jesus declares six woes onto the Pharisees, for their wickedness, hypocrisy, greed, pride, selfishness, faithlessness, and corrupt teaching.

Jesus says they will be held responsible.

Jesus Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."

So bad was their teaching, that they were hindering people entering into God’s kingdom.

We can at least learn from them, that we are to point people towards the kingdom of God, not away from it!

When we introduce people to Jesus and his gospel, we give them opportunity to see Jesus as the heavenly King, and as King of their lives. They then can enter the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is open to all; we need to point people to Jesus, he is the entrance to that eternal kingdom.

Message; and embolden, underlining, and arrangement of Bible text by Evan Digby.

Howard Baptist 04/01/2026

Welcome to the first Church service in New Year.

We have a whole year ahead of us, full of opportunities and challenges. I am sure that this year, as a church we will be busy serving God in many ways; and we need to know our Bibles, as there are many people looking for answers in their lives, and we have to be ready to give an answer to them for the reason you believe.

Peter gives us good instruction, for how we are to prepare for these openings, as they come our way throughout the year.

Peter 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

So, in facing this new year, Peter puts it well, above all other matters, in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. He is not equal to other things, he is to be set apart from, and above them.

A recommitment to Jesus Christ, is a great way to launch ourselves into the year.

And from that commitment, as Peter tells, to be prepared to give the reason for the hope we have.

You may have heard the expression, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink’, that is how many Christians feel about sharing their faith. But people can be led to water, by putting a bit of salt on their tongue.

Learning from, and about Jesus, is one of the best ways to prepare for questions that come our way; what Jesus taught, how he lived and how he answered questions - prepares us.

Just before the Christmas season, we looked at the Book of Luke, where Jesus answered one of the most loaded questions ever asked. How did he handle it? Be reminded --

The Pharisees and the chief priests hated Jesus, and they had formulated a question that they hoped would trap Jesus, and disempower him, even to have him killed.

What was that question?

Luke Luke 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"

25 "Caesar's," they replied.

He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Jesus’ answer could have led to his death; death either by the Jews who hated the Roman authorities, their pagan gods, and their heavy taxes; or death by the Romans government, for sedition, for conspiring to stop their tax revenue.

But just as Peter tells us, Jesus was prepared to give an answer, and he gave it in gentleness and respect. Jesus, using God’s wisdom, was able to respond, with an answer that was far greater than what human wisdom could have conceived.

Simply put, Yes, pay taxes and honour to Caesar, but give the greater honour to God.

From this ‘heaven sent’ answer, we know, that we can find answers from Jesus, for ourselves and for others. His answers can be astonishing!

And, this morning, to again illustrate this wisdom, we will look at another question given to Jesus the same day, that was again formulated to trap him! Matthew 22:23.

Luke Luke 20:27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"

34 Jesus replied, "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Know and tell about Jesus!

There were two main groups in Jewish leadership in Jesus’ time, Pharisees and Sadducees.

They were different in their theology, but were united against Jesus, as they did not accept him as the Messiah or his core teachings.

The Pharisees were the primary teachers of the law of Moses, they had helped devise the deadly loaded question about paying taxes, that Jesus answered extremely well.

The Pharisees as a group taught the law of Moses, and they accepted the authority and teachings all the books of the Old Testament. They also believed in angels, the afterlife, and the resurrection.

The Sadducees as a group taught the law of Moses, however they only accepted the five books of Moses, in the or Pent/a/teuch, - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and no other Old Testament books. They did not see enough information in the first five books to accept the afterlife, the resurrection; and they did not belief in angels or spirits. They believed that this life was all there was, and when you died, you were completely gone. This is why they were so – sad/you/see!

Even Luke explains the difference between them the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Luke re Paul Acts 23:7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)

After Jesus had answered the Pharisees about paying taxes to Caesar, they had become silent.

Soon after, the Sadducees saw an opportunity to ask Jesus a loaded question of their own, to disprove the afterlife and resurrection, and gain intellectual victory over Jesus, where the Pharisees had failed. Matthew 22:23.

What the Sadducees were referring to in the Old Testament, was --

Moses Deuteronomy 25:5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

We may think that this a strange rule, and it is not applicable to us today, but at that time it was important for the continuance of families, and to ensure there was an inheritor of the estate. The Sadducees cleverly used this instruction of Moses, as an attack on Jesus.

According to Moses law, a single man, must marry the widow of his deceased childless brother, to bring a son to her, to keep his deceased brother’s honour and family name ongoing.

But, by the Sadducees argument, what if the second brother dies before their marriage produced a son? And then this happened many times, involving all seven other brothers, then at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?

The Sadducees assumed that the idea of bodily resurrection, involved sexual reunion with one's earthly partner in the afterlife. They were trying to project earthly conditions, into the ‘supposed’ future state.

In the Sadducee’s thinking, this scenario showed that the brothers in the afterlife could not equally claim her as the wife of all seven, as that would be promoting polygamy in the future life, which is condemned in this life. To the Sadducees, this proved the resurrection to be nonsense!

Then with the gentleness and respect --

Luke 20:34 Jesus replied, "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection.

With many of Jesus’ replies, he delivered more answers than expected.

Firstly, Jesus acknowledges the importance of marriage in this earthly age, however, he explains there is no marriage between the resurrected, in the future kingdom of God.

So, the question and dilemma that the Sadducees put forward, had no basis in truth or future heavenly reality.

Jesus gives direct insight, as to what heaven is like – he came from there.

There will be no death, therefore marriage will not be required to produce children to replace the dying, in fact the resurrected there, are God’s children. All who receive Jesus are God’s children.

Jesus says the resurrected will be like the angels, who are immortal and individually created, but notice, Jesus did not say the resurrected became angels, - the children God, are very different to the angels.

But as best we know, this does not mean that our sexual identities will be removed, and it is highly likely we will recognize each other in heaven, just as Peter saw the difference between Moses and Elijah, when he referred to them by name, at the transfiguration. Matthew 17:2.

Our close relationships and friendships, are very likely also continue in heaven.

The angels have names, Michael, Gabriel, Abaddon Ar/ba/don. Revelation 9:11. Also Lucifer.

So, it seems appropriate that the children of God will have personal names in heaven as well.

Jesus describes the reality of the afterlife, to the Sadducees, and his hearers. Jesus came from there heaven to earth, so he knows what heaven is like!

Then Jesus goes on to tackle the Sadducee’s misunderstanding, that the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, did not teach an afterlife. The Sadducees believed only in earthly existence, and that after death, you no longer exist.

To enlighten them, Jesus wisely uses the authority of Moses, whom the Sadducees revered, to correct their error.

Jesus Luke 20:37 But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

Jesus quotes from Exodus 3:1-6, where an angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in flames of fire from within a bush, but the bush was not burned up and consumed!

This caught the attention of Moses, who was then tending sheep. He went over to investigate. From the burning bush, God introduced himself to Moses as --

God Exodus 3:6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Abraham had died 300 years earlier, yet God refers to the then deceased Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as present and alive with him. God said I am the God of your father, not I was.

Their existence does not lie only in the past, but into the future as well.

And Jesus declares, that this means that they will one day arise.

The Sadducees had no reply, Jesus had used a section of the first five books, to prove them wrong. Even the Pharisees approved of Jesus answer, as he had disproven the basis of what the Sadducees believed, whereas the Pharisees had never achieved that!

Now no one wanted to trap Jesus by their questions.

Jesus answered both questions of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, but he also went deeper to the address inner motivation to their questions.

Jesus went past their questions, to their real needs.

By learning from Jesus, and reading God’s word, we gain answers for our own questions and needs, and we gain answers for the questions and real needs of others.

Jesus could take a negative question, and turn it into a positive answer. Plus, he used the opportunity to share more positive teaching. He turned a win loose confrontation, into a conversation, where both can win!

It has been said, ‘Everyone deserves to hear the gospel message clearly stated, as least once in their lives.’

This year, well know the hope that you have, and be wise, willing, and ready, to share it. In the confusion of the world, people need to clearly hear about Jesus Christ, and his love for them.

Message; and embolden, underlining, and arrangement of Bible text by Evan Digby.

Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages

Sermons by Evan Digby

Facebook notes for the Howard Baptist Church 08/01/2023

10.00 AM. Song – How Deep the Father’s Love

No matter what group you belong to - where there are people, there will be issues and problems along with friendships, fellowship and progress - the Church is no different.

There is no perfect church; I once read a quote that stated ‘There is no perfect church, if there is, it will become imperfect once I join it.’ Perhaps C.L.Lewis

We all have different backgrounds and experiences in life, and that guarantees that we will at times see things differently to someone else.

In some ways Christianity is easy compared to Churchianity! (a real word)

It would be great if church attenders all got along with no issues, but we are not robots - so along the journey, issues will arise within a church.

The apostle Paul was very aware of this, and his letter writing was largely based on giving encouragement and resolving problems within the churches. He was a busy man, and while he liked to visit the churches and personally meet with people, it was more practical for him to receive letters and write letters to the churches about whatever matters concerned them.

All of Paul’s letter writing was a good thing then and especially for us today, as we have the content of many of his letters, called epistles, and they have become New Testament books of the Bible.

We have gone through many of New Testament books in past years, and last year we progressed through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians – where he addressed many major problems disrupting the church.

Carrying on from Paul’s concluding words to the Corinthians in his first letter to them, we will begin looking into his second letter 2 Corinthians, and over the next months, we will progress through the whole book as it in many ways follows on 1 Corinthians.

In this book we will see where Paul had a fruitful response to his letters, with some matters seemingly resolved, but other matters still needing attention.

What we will learn from Paul, is that the principles that applied to the church then, apply to the church today. And by going through a book of the Bible verse by verse, it is amazing what varied moral, historical and theological subjects that are covered - in context and application. It is called Systematic Expository Preaching, just as Paul’s letters were read to the congregation, so too we benefit as we go through what God’s has delivered to us.

Paul Colossians 4:16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Acts 15:30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 1 Thessalonians 5:27. 2 Thessalonians 3:14

We get the picture of Paul’s letters and other important letters being read out to the churches and share around and discussed - part by part, and section by section.

Today we look at Paul’s introduction to the church, as it is here that the writers would usual name themselves and establish their credibility to speak with authority.

2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pause now -- Prayer – Praise to God - Nation, World, Coronavirus and Medical staff, our Missionaries and School Chaplains, Rain, and our local Communities.

Going forward in the Faith.

We can feel for Paul in those early days of the church, as he had many church matters that he

had to deal with, in addition to dealing with those in the church who were undermining his

authority, and also with physical persecution mainly from the Jews. Paul did however, have some trusted helpers to represent him where he could not attend himself.

Paul’s love for the churches, is very evident in his writing, he personally feels the issues that they are dealing with,

Paul 2 Corinthians 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

He was so concerned about the churches, that if he is not there physically with them, he is with them in spirit.

Paul 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.

And in all his interaction with the churches, Paul’s principle was to build them up, not tear them down.

Paul 2 Corinthians 13:10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

And as Paul was concluding his 1 Corinthians letter, we read that his remedy to the friction and clashes in the church was doing everything in love.

Paul 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Paul wrote this second letter to the Corinthians church while at Macedonia, in about AD 56.

We need to be reminded that what we call the books 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians were not Paul’s first and second letter to them, as in writing 1 Corinthians, Paul mentions having written to them beforehand, but that initial letter is lost to us.

Paul 1 Corinthians 5:9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

From this we know that there was a letter written by Paul to them before 1 Corinthians, and we know from this letter, that sexual immorality in Corinth was becoming a problem in the church, to the point of now directing them not eating with immoral church attenders! The corrupt values of the world were threatening to come into the church; as they do even today!

Also, in reading 2 Corinthians 2:4, 7:8-9, Paul refers to a stern letter that many scholars suggest was written by himself after 1 Corinthians, but before 2 Corinthians.

If so, this letter is also lost - so we can see that the letters we do have may be the second and fourth letters of the four letters Paul wrote to the Corinthians.

So, the New Testament books of 1 and 2 Corinthians are actually the two Corinthian letters that still exist and they were probably penned about 18 months apart.

The reason that Paul wrote this letter was mainly for pastoral reasons, to generally encourage the Corinthians in their walk with the Lord the matters of controversy and dispute he had written about in previous letters.

So, Paul writes to inform them of his forthcoming visit, and to express his great relief at the Corinthian’s positive response to his ‘severe letter’ that had been delivered and explained by Titus, and also to finalize their promised collection for the saints at Jerusalem before he visits. Other matters of importance are also contained in his letter such as Paul again establishing his credentials as an apostle, that was still being questioned by many.

It could well have been like the tall poppy syndrome, where some people didn’t like someone getting so much attention over themselves.

As in most of his letters, Paul begins by referring to himself as ‘an apostle’ of Christ Jesus. Although he was not one of the twelve chosen by Christ, here we see where he claimed equality with them. Paul here strongly declares his apostleship of Jesus Christ, and also by the will of God. He did this to without doubt give credibility and authority to himself and his letter. So right from the start, his letter has God’s authority and power upon it.

But what is an apostle? Some of us know, but it may need explaining for others.

The name apostle means ‘sent one’, meaning they were appointed and sent by Jesus to declare the truth and salvation of God. Three qualifications are required -

Firstly, to become an apostle, a person has to be commissioned by Jesus.

Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.

We also later see that Paul was also commissioned by Jesus on the Damascus Road.

Saul Acts 26:15 "Then I asked, `Who are you, Lord?'

" `I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 16 `Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

Secondly, to become an apostle, a person has to have witnessed the resurrected Jesus.

After Judas the traitor had died, he had to be replaced --

Peter Acts 1:21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

Paul also makes the claim that Jesus had appeared to him on the Damascus Road.

Paul 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?

Paul 1 Corinthians 15:7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Paul was the final person to see the risen Lord, last of all he appeared to me, therefore no designated apostles came after him.

Thirdly, to become an apostle, a person has to be able to perform miraculous signs.

The early church Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

Paul 2 Corinthians 12:11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance.

1 - be chosen by Jesus. 2 - have seen the risen Lord. 3 - perform signs, wonders and miracles.

It has been held over many centuries that apostleship ceased with the last of the original twelve apostles and Paul.

Paul Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

But there are some churches that believe that apostles exist today – for example the Apostolic Church, and there are some churches involved with NAR - New Apostolic Reformation who actually who want to revive apostleship - so it is important to realize that to become a designated apostle of Jesus Christ is not easily repeated.

In Paul’s introduction, we see he includes Timothy as a co-sender of the letter - Paul may have intended this to reinstate this timid young man in the eyes of the Corinthians, possibly after his limited success as Paul's representative at Corinth. Titus had replaced Timothy as Paul's chief representative to Corinth by the time this letter was written.

1 Timothy 4:12. 2 Timothy 1:7; 2:1

Then Paul addresses the Corinthian church, as the church of God in Corinth. He did not address them merely the church at Corinth.

Paul 2 Corinthians 1:1 ------ To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

Paul wanted the best for the church there, and regardless of their many issues, problems and imperfections - they were God’s church in Corinth. So even a struggling church is God’s church - God sees the potential in a church, where we may just see problems!

And Paul takes it even further, he addresses them as individuals along with all the believers in that area as saints.

To be a saint means that you are sanctified and made holy.

Again, God raises us higher than how we probably see ourselves or our churches. Believers in Christ are actually holy people. We are changed and are becoming Christlike everyday - so we are saints, this is how God sees you.

We are holy and we are described as being a temple of the Holy Spirit - as Paul tells us in

Paul 1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? -----

The Holy Spirit will not reside in an unholy dwelling, so if you have the Holy Spirit, which all believers do, then you are holy person - believe it! 2 Corinthians 6:16. 7:1

The writer of Hebrews goes even further in seeing who we really are in Christ.

Hebrews 10:14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

And how did this happen? Three verses later we are told.

The Lord Hebrews 10:17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

We have been made holy through the forgiveness of our sins through the death and work of Jesus for our sins, from unholy we have been declared perfect in God’s sight and being made holy, more every day.

And this is where the next section of Paul’s introduction makes sense.

Paul 2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The basis of our forgiveness won for us by Jesus, is through God’s grace - his favour and mercy. Paul reminds his readers in the introduction of all his letters about God’s grace.

All saints in Christ know that our salvation is of God and through God - not of ourselves.

Knowing this we have what Paul declares is peace with God.

This word peace in Hebrew is shalom.

When we come to Jesus, we have our sins forgiven, we are made holy and we have peace and shalom with God. Truly we are saints.

Hymn. Amazing Grace

Message; and embolden, underlining, and arrangement of Bible text by Evan Digby.

Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages

Sermons by Evan Digby

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Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages

Sermons by Evan Digby

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