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Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages

Sermons by Evan Digby

Howard Baptist 30/11/2025

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he shares with them a characteristic of God, that can restore unity in their church.

Paul 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

This is a very powerful statement from Paul, it clearly means that God, is a God of order.

Order, is part of God’s character, it is part of who he is.

Wherever God and his values are welcomed, he brings order, and peace, this includes order into your life, your marriage, your family, your community, and your nation.

Wherever God moves in, he brings order, and he brings peace.

This is like the Christmas message from the angels, to the shepherds at Jesus birth --

Luke Luke 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

God wants his peace and favour, to rest on all of us. 1 Timothy 2:1-6.

God’s desire for peace on earth, is also in the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer.

Jesus Matthew 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray:

" `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

God wants to bring peace, but before that can fully happen, God has to bring order to disorder.

This is what Jesus was doing during his ministry years preaching the gospel, and when he entered Jerusalem, Jesus brought order to the disorder in God’s temple.

Luke about Jesus Luke 19:45 Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 "It is written," he said to them, " `My house will be a house of prayer' ; but you have made it `a den of robbers.' "

47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Luke 20:1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?"

3 He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men?"

5 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, `From heaven,' he will ask, `Why didn't you believe him?' 6 But if we say, `From men,' all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

7 So they answered, "We don't know where it was from."

8 Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Bringing order to disorder.

Last week we looked to where, Jesus entered Jerusalem, leading to his last few days before his death. We read an Old Testament prophecy, that clearly stated that Jesus will ride a donkey into Jerusalem.

Zechariah Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation,

gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. About 480 BC.

The prophet Zechariah, just over 500 years earlier, had prophesied that when the Messiah king came, he would enter Jerusalem, not as a triumphant military conqueror riding a horse, but as a king riding a humble donkey. This prophecy reading is so clear, it like an eyewitness historical account.

The religious leaders would have known this prophecy, so they should have linked Jesus to what Zechariah predicted. Matthew 21:4,5. John 12:14,15.

Today’s reading tells us, that after he entered Jerusalem, he thereafter entered the temple.

In the last book of the Old Testament in 430 BC, Malachi prophesied the Messiah King coming into his temple.

The LORD Almighty speaking Malachi 3:1 "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. About 430 BC.

About 460 years before it happened, Malachi clearly describes how the Messiah will come, to his temple. But firstly, God says, his messenger would come, and prepare the way for the LORD Almighty himself. Malachi prophesied two persons to come, not just one.

Like Zechariah’s prophecy, the Jews should have been well aware of this important prophecy of Malachi. The LORD Almighty had prophesied that he himself would come, after his messenger had prepared the way for him, and this prophecy even tells of the Lord they are seeking coming to his temple! How clearer a prediction, do they need? The temple was the center of the religious life of the Jews, it was where God officially connected with his people, so it had to be cleaned out.

And in the following verse, the Lord’s ministry of love and forgiveness are depicted, and his cleaning out of the temple may be pictured as well.

Malachi Malachi 3:2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.

Malachi here describes the future coming and appearing Lord, as one who would bring order to disorder: he would bring cleansing and refinement, to the Jews, and those of the temple.

Jesus had authority to do all this, as he was the LORD Almighty, this title shows the deity of Jesus Christ, and that he was God in human form.

Malachi in chapter four, also gave another prophecy; that the one the Jews were to first look for, was the one described as the prophet Elijah.

Malachi Malachi 4:5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

These words of Malachi, are the last verses, of the last chapter, of the last book of the Old Testament, prior to the Christ (Messiah) coming. The Jews were expecting the prophet Elijah to first come to them. Even the disciples were aware of this.

The disciples to Jesus Matthew 17:10 The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"

Isaiah 40:3-5. Matthew 17:10-13, 16:14, 27:47,49. Mark 9:11-13. Luke 1:17, 7:27, 9:7,8. John 1:21,24.

Who was this Elijah? We are told --

An angel of the Lord tells the priest Zechariah, about his future son John Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:13.

Jesus Matthew 11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

So, both the angel of the Lord, and Jesus state that that the Elijah the Jews were expecting, was John the Baptist. John the Baptist preached so powerfully, because he preached in the spirit and power of Elijah.

So, we see the coming of John the Baptist, and of Jesus the Messiah coming into the temple, were predicted hundreds of years before it happened. Psalm 69:9. Isaiah 56:7. Jeremiah 7:11

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record Jesus clearing out the Jerusalem temple at the end of Jesus’ three years on ministry. However, John’s Gospel, records Jesus clearing the temple at the beginning of his ministry, just after his first miracle, when he had turned water into wine. John 2:13-19.

It is reasonable to understand that Jesus cleared out the temple area twice, once at the beginning of his ministry, then three years after, there came another clearing out of temple.

John re Jesus John 2:16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

Most commentators agree with the temple being cleared twice, it makes sense. He starts his ministry by bringing order to the disorder in his Father’s house, and he ends his ministry, by again bringing order to disorder.

The Chief Priests, and the Sadducees, had permitted acquirement of animals for temple sacrifices in the outer court, but it had become a commercial trading bazaar including wine, oil and salts in the temple court, where money and greed were the main agenda, with the Chief Priests getting a good commission from the unholy profits. Jesus saw it as conflicting with the function of prayer, and as a place to worship God in spirit and in truth.

In John’s account, Jesus was so angry with them, that he made a whip out of cords, and used it to drive out the sheep and cattle, and he scattered the money being gained, and he overturned their tables. Right from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, this temple clean out, would have set the Chief Priests and teachers of the Law against Jesus.

But Jesus brought order to disorder! This set the pattern for the rest of his three-year ministry. Just picture what Jesus did in the temple courts.

This is what Jesus wants to do in your life as well! When God comes into your life, he cleanses you, and you will become a holy temple.

Paul 1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Jesus made the Jerusalem temple holy, and he wants your life to be made holy as well.

After he had cleared out the temple court, perhaps over three days, Jesus continued to teach his gospel, being salvation through faith in him. John 3:16, 5:24.

Jesus was ‘at home’ in the cleansed temple, his Father’s house: the chief priests and Pharisees combined to demand of Jesus, by whose authority could he do such things. Luke 2:49 As a child.

Luke about Jesus Luke 20:1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?"

3 He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men?"

7 So they answered, "We don't know where it was from."

8 Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

These Jewish leaders may have been trying to trick Jesus into an answer that they could use against him, but Jesus turned their question back on themselves.

If they answered that John’s baptism of repentance was from heaven, then Jesus would ask, then why didn’t they believe him.

If they answered that John’s baptism of repentance was from men, then the people would respond against them, and likely stone them, as they considered John to be a prophet.

This shows the population’s very poor respect for the Sadducees and Pharisees.

So, they were forced to plead their ignorance, We don't know where it was from, that forced answer would have greatly humiliated them.

John the Baptist, obviously was accepted by the Jewish population as a heaven-sent prophet, as he had all the marks of a prophet, calling out for repentance, baptizing thousands, and preaching a renewed relationship with God.

In his reply, Jesus’ was asking, how John could be none other, than one sent with the authority of God.

So why did these religious leaders not accept his message? Jesus was pointing out that if they had no respect for the authority of John the Baptist, they would also have no respect for the authority of the Lord bringing salvation.

If they reject the first sent by God, why would they accept the second sent by God?

Jesus exposes their ignorance. These prophecies from Malachi should have been enough for the Jewish leadership to realise that the prophet Malachi was looking to John the Baptist, being followed by the Messiah coming in the full authority of God – and him coming into his temple.

Jesus gave the Jews and Jewish religious elite, plenty of opportunity to acknowledge him as the Lord. But they rejected him. But what do we do with Jesus, accept him, or join with the Sadducees and Pharisees and reject him?

Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Come to Jesus, he will bring into your life, rest, order, and peace with God.

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

Howard Baptist 23/11/2025

Look around our world today, the world is very sick, it has problems now, and problems future, mostly caused by human means. Sin is evident everywhere. There are an abundance of moral failures, social failures, and national failures.

From the Christian viewpoint, at the core of humanities’ problems, is that people have largely rejected God and his Word to us, and as a result, instead of freedom from God, we have separation from God, and bondage to moral corruption, and our youth are being raised without meaning, purpose and spiritual wisdom. The worldly future is not looking good!

Today from the book of Luke, we read where Jesus humbly rides a donkey into Jerusalem, and he is praised by crowds as their king.

Jesus coming humbly into Jerusalem is how he should be welcomed into our lives, into our marriages, into our families, into our communities, and into our nations – Jesus Christ needs to be welcomed as the ultimate answer for the world.

But, as we will read, the crowds only wanted to accept Jesus as the kind of king they wanted, however, Jesus came as the king the world really needed.

Luke 19:28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, `Why are you untying it?' tell him, `The Lord needs it.' "

32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."

35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

Jesus, the King over all.

On their approach to Jerusalem, we are told that Jesus went on ahead of his disciples, such was his desire to fulfill his Father’s will, he led the way for his disciples to follow.

Luke does not mention the actual entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, but he does indicate, that Jesus was very close in his approach, close enough that the crowd of his disciples were singing his praises.

This entry into Jerusalem, is also recorded by Matthew, Mark and John.

Matthew 21. Mark 11. John 12.

The prophet Zechariah, about 480 BC, prophesied that the Messiah King would enter Jerusalem, not as a triumphant military conqueror, but as a lowly Prince of Peace. The religious leaders should have known this prophecy! Matthew 21:4,5. John 12:14,15.

Zechariah Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation,

gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. About 480 BC.

Others from Jerusalem, when they knew Jesus was close, also went out to greet him, but not all were celebrating his arrival. John gives us his account of Jesus entry into Jerusalem.

John John 12:9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

"Hosanna! "

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Blessed is the King of Israel!"

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,

15 "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;

see, your king is coming,

seated on a donkey's colt."

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

The branches the people cut from trees, were date palm branches, and is the reason why the Sunday before Easter, is referred to as Palm Sunday. John 12:13.

Palm branches were symbolic of a jubilant, triumphant Isreal. These palm branches, on special occasions, were held and waved in people’s hands, and many were placed on the road. Revelation 7:9.

Matthew adds more insight. Mark 11:11.

Matthew Matthew 21:10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

So, Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem, as the prophet, and the King of Israel, the whole city was aware of his coming!

The Jews were familiar with the prophecy that a special prophet would come.

Moses Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 18:18,19. Matthew 21:11, John 1:21,25,45, 5:46, 6:14, 7:40. Acts 3:22,23, 7:37.

Some Jews were excited that Jesus could be this prophesied prophet.

John John 7:40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."

But not all were excited.

Luke Luke 19:39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

The Pharisees thought the crowds were being sacrilegious, and they tried to prevent Jesus being honoured, as they planned to kill him. Also, they may have thought that all this talk of Jesus being a king, may anger the Romans.

But Jesus accepted the acknowledgement and praise of the crowds of his kingship, his title no longer kept hidden, he accepted their public praise as appropriate, as an eternal spiritual kingdom was about to be established. Jesus the King was worth celebrating, and Jesus tells us that nature itself would celebrate, if his disciples did not.

As we see from John, Jesus was also praised for all the miracles they had seen.

But Luke shows us, that Jesus come to give the Jews, not what they wanted, but what they needed. Jesus came at the Feast of Passover, when there were many thousands to see him.

Even as he was approaching, Jesus knew that despite the welcome by the people of Jerusalem, the Jews would soon realize that he did not come to overthrow the Romans, so they would soon they reject him as being a blasphemer, and a supposed pretend Messiah.

But Jesus came as the Messiah they needed!

Jesus Matthew 20:28 ------ the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45.

Jesus came the first time to die for the sins of the world, then at his later second coming he would come in final victory.

Hebrews 9:28 ------ Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Jesus was entitled to be King and Lord over all his creation, yet Jesus came in a humble way the first time riding a humble donkey, which no one has ever ridden. And later he would be placed first in a new tomb, that no one had used. These honours were worthy of a king.

And he seeks to be first in your life. Luke 19:30, 23:53. 1 Samuel 6:7,8.

In the book of Revelation 19:11, Jesus at his next coming, is pictured as the conquering, victorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords, riding a white horse. A horse represents victory.

Not long before coming into Jerusalem, Jesus had brought Lazarus back from being four days dead. This amazing news quickly spread around Jerusalem, and Lazarus was with the band of disciples.

Many people were coming to see him and Jesus, in fact the risen Lazarus was so popular in bringing people to Jesus, that the Pharisees wanted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus.

So, while many Jews welcomed Jesus, the religious elite planned to kill him.

Knowing that they will succeed in killing him, with great sadness, Jesus spoke towards Jerusalem with compassion.

Luke 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." Matthew 23:37-

Even though he was their only way to peace, Jesus knew that the Jews would by and large reject him as their prophesied prophet and King. From the road, Jesus had a panorama view of Jerusalem, this brought him to tears, as he wants the best for humanity.

Paul 1 Timothy 2:3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. This needs to be our ambition as well. Being busy pointing people to Jesus!

But, instead of being respected, he would be rejected. Mathew 21:37. Mark 12:6. Luke 20:13.

He was their Prince of Peace and going by Jesus words, if they had accepted him as prophet and King, there was still possibly of peace. But their rejection of him, would lead to God’s rejection of them, on that generation, ‘you’, - by their enemies. Isaiah 9:6.

Malachi 3:1. Pardon Luke 1:68,78, 7:16. Judgement John 12:48. Acts 3:13-15. Hebrews 2:3. 1 Peter 2:12.

Because that generation would reject him, Jesus predicts what will happen to them.

Jesus Luke 21:20 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Jesus words were literally fulfilled when in 70AD, when the Roman General Titus with his army, in three days built an eight-kilometer timber wall embankment around Jerusalem, to prevent people and supplies going in or out, of the city. They then sieged the city, resulting in 600,000 Jews being killed.

Jerusalem means City of Peace, or foundation of Peace, Salem meaning peaceful, safe or complete. However, the population of the Holy City failed to recognize the time of God's coming to you.

‘God's coming’ has here the sense of a ‘visitation’ that brings good or ill - in this case, Jesus came to bring salvation or judgment, to those in Jerusalem. They had to decide, is he our King, or is he not.

Your attitude towards Jesus in this life, will be his attitude to you in at judgement.

Accept him now, and he will accept you then.

Reject him now, and he will reject you then.

Allow Jesus, to be the King of your life, your marriage, your work, your ambitions, your all!

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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