Sunday Messages | howardbaptistchurch

Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages

Sermons by Evan Digby

Howard Baptist 07/06/2026

One of the qualities that you may look for in a church, is how the church people respond to you when you first meet with them. Do they welcome you? Do they ask your name? Do they show interest in you?

Basic stuff really; but it seems that like many organizations, churches can get clicky, and normal attenders may just gravitate to their own peer group, and sadly new comers may get overlooked. But we can do these two things at the same time, we can be loving and welcoming to those whom come to church on a regular basis, and, we can be loving and welcoming to those who maybe new comers.

This is showing love to all people, and we need to see that when we meet, and when we greet.

Jesus showed his love for all people, he made time for them. We need to be the same.

In our Bible reading, John emphasizes this need to show love in the church he was writing to, and in all churches everywhere.

John 1 John 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Bringing order into disorder.

In his letter to the church, John puts a big emphasis on loving each other, as it seems that the false teachers had introduced division, mistrust and self centered thinking into the church.

So John states that from the beginning - the main emphasis is loving one another. The Greeks had several meanings for the word love, agape love is the love stressed by John – a benevolent affection to all. Benevolent is wanting the best for you.

Jesus had taught that first loving God, then loving each other, in that order, were the two greatest commandments. Matthew 22:34-40.

Those false teachers had mostly departed the church John was writing to, so from out of the disorder and confusion the heretics had caused, now a new attitude had to be reestablished,

So John is taking the church back to basics, to ensure they have the right attitude to each other and to new comers. The primary quality of a Christian church is that the attenders are loving, and John having been with Jesus, and taught by Jesus for three years knew this was first hand.

This is far more important than the look of the church hall from the outside or inside, or what music they play, and what Bible version they use.

But also, John points out that being loving, is an evidence of true salvation.

If people in a church are not exhibiting love in action, then there is a need to reassess their priorities. We have to get used to mixing with each other, as we will be doing so forever in heaven. Our meeting in church, is a bit like a taste and preview of heaven.

John tells his readers to not be unloving like Cain who murdered his brother Abel.

John explains that Cain, ‘belonged to the evil one’ and that Cain’s ‘own actions were evil’.

Right from the earliest moments of human existence, the choice between being a child of God, or being a child of the devil is evident.

We see Cain’s rebellion against God, in how Cain and Abel brought offerings to God, in his honour.

Moses Genesis 4:2 ------ Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

It is evident Abel had offered a more suitable offering than Cain, even the Book of Hebrews tells us that.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Abel had brought to God the fattest portions from his best sheep, he bought his best to God.

This may also reflect that Abel understood that God had previously killed an animal to atone for the sins of his parents, Adam and Eve.

Moses Genesis 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

This obviously required an animal to be killed. So Abel by faith, brought to God his offering worthy of God. Yet we understand that the elder son Cain, just gathered some of his produce and brought to God as an offering, but not in good faith, rather just as a religious duty.

Cain is typical of the world’s attitude towards God, they put themselves first.

God’s rejection of Cain’s offering caused him to become angry, especially with Abel, so this led to Cain killing his younger brother.

While referring to Cain and Abel, John tells us that hate is the beginning of murder. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer—

Jesus also links anger with murder.

Jesus Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. ------

Anger and hate of others is a serious offence in God’s sight, that is why we are to be loving to each other, and if there are issues, then as soon as possible, become reconciled to each other, to those in the church and those outside the church.

Jesus re Jewish worship Matthew 5:23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15-17. 1 Corinthians 11:27-34. Ephesians 4:26-27. Colossians 3:13.

Our equivariant today, may be communion, - before looking to our reconciliation with God, ensure that you are firstly reconciled with others.

Jesus in Matthew 18 also sets out three sensible and loving steps to sorting out conflicts in his church, the church he loves. These are worth reviewing.

Jesus Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Jesus wants his church to be loving and have minimal conflicts, and where there are conflicts, they should be quickly acted on, by these three steps. Step 1. Meet one to one. Step 2. Then meet with extra witnesses. Step 3. Then take it to the church.

The best time to put out a bush fire is when it is small, if it is left unattended, it will grow to be a big problem. Same with church problems, sort them out as soon as possible.

God is a God of order, not of disorder. 1 Corinthians 14:33.

John 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Again, John looks to Jesus as the definition of love, in how Jesus loved us in a very practical way, in fact he died for our sins. God did not just say to humanity ’Good luck with dealing with your sin problem!’ No we are told --

Paul Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God’s love is shown by how he sent Jesus, to bear and die for our sin. John tells us that our love for each other, ought also to extend to us laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ! John 15:12-13.

If we are called to die for each other, then surely, we can easily help each others basic needs.

James James 2:15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

James goes as far as to say that if you can leave a person in such an exposed and hungry condition, he then questions whether you really have faith in Christ!

James James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Jesus tells us John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Real love tries to met the needs of others - spiritual, physical, and social.

We cannot fool God, he knows the attitude of our hearts, he knows everything.

So, as the Lord has been generous to us, let us be generous to others. And we need to be fair to others, seeing all people as being made in the image of God.

James also has a problem with church people showing favouritism.

James James 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

So, no favouritism. Your values are what you will walk past! And the writer of Hebrews also has instructions on how as Christians we are to be loving to others.

Hebrews 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Being hospitable, even has the possible blessing of entertaining angels.

From this it seems angels can eat and drink as well! Genesis 18:8, 19:2. Two of the three visitors to Abraham were angels, the other visitor was the Lord.

Also, we can help, Remember those in prison. But how?

We have a big prison close to us near Maryborough, and there are ministry options for those wanting to help those in prison, through ‘insideout’ prison ministry, you can help . Even as simple as hosting first time visitors in the prison carpark, as to what they need to do, and what they can expect during their visit. This is practical help in action, you can apply to do this!

John 1 John 3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

John lasts words in our reading, point out how simple our loving relationship with the Lord can be. When we obey his commands and do what pleases him, he faithfully provides us with what we need in service for him. On a daily basis, we can do things that please him.

John makes plain, that God has made our faith very uncomplicated, just to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

By doing these things we can have great conviction that we live in him, and he lives in us.

And as John tells us, we can have inner confidence of our living in God, and he in us, by his Holy Spirit dwelling within us; the presence of the Holy Spirit brings a deep inner peace.

Where ever God and his Word goes, he brings order to disorder; allow the God of order into your life today!

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

Howard Baptist 24/05/2026

As Christians, we are very blessed to know that this earthly life is not all there is. For followers of Jesus Christ, after this life comes eternal life with God in the kingdom of heaven. There we are assured we will have a glorified body and life everlasting, no aging, no sorrow, no pain. The very best is yet to come. ‘Amazing Grace’, 10,000 years is just it’s beginning.

Knowing this good news, this helps us persevere till our days here end.

John 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us--even eternal life.

Be in the world, not of the world.

John here refers to the love, alure and treasuring of worldly values as being not of God, in fact they are against God. Selfish cravings, continual lustful desires, the boasting of what a person has and does - are not of God, but are based on worldly centered values. They lead not to God, but away from God. John wants to ensure that the Christians he is writing to are following the path of righteousness.

Ask yourself, are my values and behaviour leading me towards God, or away from God?

God values generosity, self control, and humble service for him.

We are now practicing saints, we are not practicing sinners.

Your values, are what you put into practice.

John speaks of a different attitude and thinking a Christian is to have, compared to others.

This is not surprising, as John describes the world as part of Satan’s domain.

John 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. Matthew 6:24. John 8:44, 12:31, 14:30. James 4:4.

There are children of God, and there are children of the evil one. So if you invest in darkness, you will reap darkness.

Jesus Matthew 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34.

In this life, you need to invest yourself in what will spiritually last. Matthew 6:33.

If you invest in God and his heavenly kingdom, the spiritual value and quality remains forever. This how you overcome the evil one, do not invest in him, rather invest in God.

On Judgement Day, we will be judged on what we have done with this life, and the opportunities we have been given! Where we have put our emphasis, our priorities, where have we invested our time, our gifts and resources. Have we gladly received God’s grace and passed it onto others?

Ultimately this is what matters, as materially, we are passing away. One day all we earthly possess will be gone, understand that, get used to it! Paul bears this out as well.

Paul 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

Materially we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out; but what we can take with us, is our spiritual riches in Christ, and look to our eternal rewards in heaven.

So where should we put our emphasis in this life? 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

John 1 John 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

John so far has been presenting to his readers, tests by which false teaching could be identified, and how the false teachers had failed these spiritual tests. John was using the test Jesus had taught, by their fruit we will know them.

Jesus Matthew 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.

Jesus said that false teachers would come, and John was dealing with it in his letter.

But now John comes out directly by naming his opponents as antichrists, they deny Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and they are against his gospel. These false teachers have the devil as their spiritual leader, and they are deceived. The devil wants all people to believe in anybody, and anything rather than Jesus Christ. He wants to take those created in the image of God with him into hell, this is his will.

This is described as the last hour, or the last days that will typify the evil age leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

These false teachers and their followers, were originally attending the church, but they had voluntarily left.

Here we have a very important Biblical understanding revealed. In general, we Baptists teach that Christians once saved, remain saved, it is called ‘eternal security’.

But some others teach that after they are saved, a Christian can loose their salvation.

But these verses of John tell us differently.

Theses false teachers and their followers had been attending the church, and many would have been understood as being Christians. But by them leaving, it showed that although they may look like Christians, their leaving the church showed they did not belong within the church in the first place. Like Jesus said, they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. If they were truly in Christ, they would have belonged and remained in the church.

John did not say they belonged, then they did not belong, rather he said they did not belong in the first place. Note this verse.

So for us, we can see that those people who seem to be like Christians, but then spiritually leave the church and join a cult, they were not true believers in the first place.

You cannot belong to Jesus, then not belong to Jesus. You cannot be born again, then unborn, then born again, then unborn, etc.

Jesus to his followers John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

And in Matthew we read of church goers who claimed to be followers of Jesus, but whom Jesus never knew!

Jesus Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

These people were believing in their own works and false opinions for their salvation, rather than in completed works of Jesus and his gospel. It was not as if Jesus knew them, then denied them, rather Jesus says, I never knew you! This explains why people may seem to loose their salvation, rather it is that they were not saved to begin with! They never belonged – Jesus never knew them! Note this verse.

Matthew 24:24. 2 Timothy 1:9. Ephesians 2:8,9. Titus 3:4,5.

John then teaches his followers how to cope with this: he does not say they should chase after those whom left, but rather, the church attenders are to remain in what they were taught.

John 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

It seems that some religious groups at that time, had special rituals of anointing people into acceptance of special superior knowledge. Anointing meaning some oil placed on your head, or similar induction. Their attitude may have been similar to that of the later ‘Gnostic’ sect known as Naassenes, who claimed a special sacrament of anointing.

But John counters this by sharing that it is Christians whom have an anointing from the Holy One. Which likely alludes to receiving the Holy Spirit when they believed.

Paul Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

At our time of belief in Christ, we were anointed with the Holy Spirit. This is the anointing that counts in God’s sight. Luke 4:18. Acts 10:38. 2 Corinthians 1:21,22.

If you have made oaths, or ritual commitments within a cult, a pseudo religious organization, even into witchcraft, then those oaths are nullified when you come to Christ. There is no secret knowledge within the Christian faith.

Paul 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

There is only one saving faith, everything else is a cult! John 14:6. Acts 4:12. Galatians 1:6-9.

John tells them that he not teaching something new, rather he is rekindling the things they already knew! Encouraging them to get back to the truths they already knew. Us also!

Paul Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

So they should know, that those who deny that Jesus is the Christ, are liars and antichrists.

Christ means Messiah, and if they deny that Jesus was the Messiah, then they also deny the Father who sent him. John 3:16. Romans 8:3. Galatians 4:4. 1 John 4:9, 10.

Jesus John 10:30 I and the Father are one."

Some false teachers thought they could ‘have’ God, without needing the Son. But John makes it clear, the Father and Son cannot be separated. If they deny the Son, they also deny the Father. If you deny one, you also deny the other. Father and Son are one in essence and purpose, both have existed within the Trinity since timeless eternity.

John’s condemns these Gnostics, as they denied that Jesus was the Messiah come in human flesh, as prophesied to come. 1 John 4:2-3; 2 John 7.

The Messiah had to come in a physical body, so that our sins could be put into his body and our sins die with him. God as Spirit could not die for our sins, but God in human flesh could die for our sins!

This is why God the Son had to take on a human body, this was central to God’s whole plan of salvation. For people to deny Christ’s humanity was to undermine God’s system of justice and forgiveness of sin.

Peter about Jesus 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

This is what the Gnostics were denying the gospel, this is why they were antichrists. They were ignorantly against God’s plan of salvation, which is uniquely through Jesus Christ.

It is your responsibility, and our responsibility to adhere to these Biblical core beliefs.

John 1 John 2:24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us--even eternal life.

In these two verses, John shifts his focus from his opponents, to the his readers in the church. John is saying that there are certain core beliefs that as Christians we must hold to.

from the beginning means when the Gospel message was first presented to them by the apostles.

Where the gospel remains vibrant in a person’s life, close fellowship with the Father and Son remains close as well. John 14:23.

And also we can remind ourselves that we have a great encouragement in knowing that as believers in Jesus Christ, we have eternal life. We have it now, as a present reality!

We do not need the secretive knowledge of false teachers.

Eternal life is what God has promised us. And Jesus tells us the same

Jesus John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

God keeps his promises. Believe in him, and you will have eternal life now, and forever.

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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