Glory in clay pots

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2 Cor 4:1-18

If the Apostle Paul was alive now, he’d  be criticised because he doesn’t have sparkling white teeth, a white suit and a jet, or an amazing stage presence and millions of social media followers. Back then he was criticised for being weak and having speech of no account (2 Corinthians10:10). Paul’s answer was that the […]

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The glory of Jesus

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2 Corinthians 3 : 7-18

The glory of Jesus We got our first house phone in the mid-sixties. It was the rotary dial model with a cradle base and a curly cord. Mum and dad had to put their names on a long waiting list and when the phone became available, the engineer came to connect it to the party […]

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Not every open door…

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2 Cor 2:12-3:6

Guidance can be hard! On the Alpha Course we learn about 6 ways God guides us: Commanding Scripture – the Bible is our basic guidebook for life Compelling Spirit – the Spirit speaks to us Counsel of the saints – wise friends can help us Common Sense – God has given us minds to use […]

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It’s all kicking off…

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It's all kicking off

2 Cor 1:23-2:11

It’s all kicking off in Corinth. They were upset that Paul wrote a combative letter to deal with their concerns and some sin issues, rather than visiting them. Now Paul tells them why he chose not to visit then. It was to spare them pain and for their joy, so they can stand firm in […]

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No, no, no, yes!

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No, no, no, yes!

2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Paul’s ministry was characterised by three things in Corinth: Simplicity/Purity – with holiness. Sincerity. I looked up the Greek word (as you do) and see that literally it means “judged in the light of the sun”. He wouldn’t be shown up when you shine strong light on him. The old English of the word sincere […]

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Comfort in affliction

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Comfort and Affliction

2 Cor 1:1-11

Although Paul doesn’t mention the Holy Spirit in these first paragraphs, the sentences are thoroughly trinitarian – God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Lord is the translation of  the Greek word kyrios, used in the Old Testament for God – Yahweh. Jesus is God and the Father is God – one God in […]

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International, generous & alert

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International, generous, alert, loving

1 Cor 16:5-24

The Church in Corinth was wonderfully international in nature and reach! In chapter 16 Paul mentions Galatia, v.1; Judea, v.3; Macedonia, v.5; Achaia, v.15; and Asia, v.19. So European and Eastern, Jew and Arab, Greek and Roman, urban and rural. Such is the nature and power of the Gospel that it can touch and reach […]

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No fear in death

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1 Cor 15:50-16:4

I think it’s easy to forget, as children of God what a uniquely privileged position we are in. We sing: “No guilt in life, no fear in death: this is the power of Christ in me.” No fear in death. No fear when we stand at the graveside of a loved one who knew and […]

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Heavenly bodies

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1 Corinthians 15:35-49

When my daughter was very young, one of our favourite books to read together was ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. It’s the story of a caterpillar who eats one apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday and so on until he becomes a big fat caterpillar, at which point he lies down in […]

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