WEBVTT 00:00:01.600 --> 00:00:05.360 Welcome to the podcast of Christ Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. 00:00:05.519 --> 00:00:10.400 Join us as we dive into this week's sermon that challenges our hearts and minds to grow closer to Christ. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:14.560 We pray that your heart is inspired and transformed by God's Word. 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:25.120 A reading from Saint Paul's second letter to the Corinthians chapter seven, verses two through sixteen. 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:27.679 Make room in your hearts for us. 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:34.079 We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:42.399 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:45.280 I am acting with great boldness toward you. 00:00:45.520 --> 00:00:52.560 I have great pride in you, I am filled with comfort, in all our affliction I am overflowing with joy. 00:00:52.880 --> 00:01:21.599 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn, fighting without and fear within, but God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:31.840 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it, for I see that the letter grieved you, though only for a while. 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:43.599 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting, for you fell to godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:52.159 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 00:01:52.480 --> 00:02:04.560 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment. 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:08.479 At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:21.039 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:22.960 Therefore we are comforted. 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:31.120 And besides our own comfort we rejoice still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:35.360 For whatever boasts I made to him about you I was not put to shame. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:49.919 But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus is proved true, and his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:54.000 I rejoice because I have complete confidence in you. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:56.960 This is the word of God for the people of God. 00:02:57.280 --> 00:02:58.879 Thanks be to God. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:01.120 Amen and amen. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:04.560 I greet you this morning in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:09.280 My name is Paul Lawler, I have the honor of serving as a senior pastor of Christ Methodist. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:10.879 We welcome you today. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:16.560 So, church family, there are moments in life when relationships hang in the balance. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:21.199 A marriage hangs in the balance, a friendship hangs in the balance. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:24.479 Churches can even hang in the balance. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:27.840 A family hangs in the balance. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:32.319 And the question is not whether there has been pain or not. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:44.400 The question is whether there is enough humility, enough repentance, enough grace, enough love for restoration of relationships to happen. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:49.439 This is where the Apostle Paul leads us in 2 Corinthians chapter 7. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:54.560 And when he does, loved ones, this is not a cold theological lecture. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:04:00.879 This is a pastor fighting for the hearts of his people in a Godward way. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:14.080 And I want us to have the honor of being very clear this morning when we understand that Christianity is not merely information, and certainly when it is or as it is as information, it's unto transformation. 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:19.680 But as a part of that transformation, it's unto reconciliation. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:28.480 It's reconciliation at the obvious level between God and us through his Son Jesus Christ. 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:34.639 But it's also reconciliation based upon the gospel with one another. 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:44.639 And so Paul, as you all know, has written a very painful letter in 1 Corinthians 1, as well as a middle letter that we don't have a copy of. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:51.199 And so when he wrote this letter, he had to say, or these letters, he said some very hard things to them. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:55.680 And in light of saying some hard things, the Corinthians had resisted him. 00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:04.560 In fact, they even questioned Paul's integrity at one point, and you may remember that as we've journeyed through 1 Corinthians as well as into 2 Corinthians. 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:21.439 The Corinthian church had tolerated and enabled sin in the church without confronting it in love, and they had rejected Paul in the process on various levels, and they had wounded Paul deeply because they had had a deep friendship. 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:27.519 And yet the Apostle Paul does not walk away. 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:37.360 And the reason he doesn't walk away, loved ones, is because gospel-centered love does not easily quit on people. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:48.800 And this is why Paul begins in verse 2 in the section by saying to the church, make room in your hearts for us, verse 2. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:55.600 And this is really, if you think about it, kind of an astonishing statement because, after all, Paul is an apostle. 00:05:55.759 --> 00:05:57.839 He planted the church at Corinth. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:01.360 He had suffered with the Corinthians in persecution. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:14.399 And yet he is pleading among them give me the relational space in your heart so I can speak into you. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:16.959 Just give me some relational space. 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:18.240 Notice what he says. 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:22.079 Again, verse 2 We have wronged no one. 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:24.399 We have corrupted no one. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:27.839 We have exploited or taken advantage of no one. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:31.759 In other words, Paul's saying to them, make room in your hearts. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:33.759 I have loved you honestly. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:36.959 I have handled and related to you truthfully. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:40.160 I have not manipulated you in any way. 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:46.240 Which illustrates one of the tragedies in modern culture. 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:50.879 And it's this people don't trust people easily anymore. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:55.199 We are very suspicious, particularly of institutions. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:56.959 We are guarded. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:02.399 We are cynical, sometimes for good reason, I'll say that, sometimes not. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:21.040 And many people, many people in culture, many people in churches have been wounded by others, wounded by a friend, wounded by a coach, wounded by a parent, wounded by a boss, wounded by another member of a church family. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:24.879 But loved ones, hear this carefully. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:30.560 A wounded heart can become a closed heart. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:37.759 A wounded heart can become a closed heart. 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:40.800 And there's great danger there, loved one. 00:07:42.079 --> 00:08:00.560 Because eventually, when you close your heart because of a wound and you start protecting yourself and keeping your guard up, what happens as a result is you lose your ability to love and to receive love because you will not make yourself vulnerable any longer. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:03.040 And fear begins to control you. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:06.879 And rather than being in control, you are being controlled. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:13.759 And this is why Paul says to the church at Corinth, Loved ones, make room in your hearts. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:17.680 Because he knows with a wound that people can shut down. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:22.959 The gospel of Jesus Christ always enlarges the heart. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:24.959 Sin shrinks the heart. 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:27.199 Fear shrinks the heart. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:30.639 Pride, self-centeredness shrinks the heart. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.799 Bitterness shrinks the heart. 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:37.200 But the grace of God always enlarges the heart. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:43.360 The gospel, what God's done in Christ out of his love for you, always enlarges the heart. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:47.039 It intensifies your relational capacity. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:50.240 And that should be true for every believer. 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:51.519 Believer. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:09:04.799 And so the question as your relational capacity is deepened out of the love of God through his gospel in your own life, the question for us is this can you love deeply? 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:07.360 Can you forgive honestly? 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:12.320 Can you stay engaged when relationships become difficult? 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:23.600 Now, I'm going to say something, loved ones, it could come off a little bit harsh, and I want you to know it's coming from love in your pastor's heart. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:25.279 Okay, so here we go. 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:33.200 Immature people run when they're challenged relationally. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:38.799 Immature Christians, when they're challenged relationally, run. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:43.200 Mature Christians reconcile. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:47.519 Mature Christians will labor to forgive. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:49.120 They'll work at it. 00:09:49.440 --> 00:10:00.320 Mature Christians will labor to make a true peace, to be honest and deal with reality, but they will labor for reconciliation. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:04.639 Years ago, I remember a man telling me about a fracture in his family. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:06.320 It was very deep, very bitter. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:13.840 He and his brother, raised in the same home, obviously shared holidays together, memories, parents, grandparents. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:16.879 And then in adulthood, they were in business together. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:19.679 They had a disagreement, big falling out. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:22.320 It exploded into deep bitterness. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.159 Years passed. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:26.240 Marriages came and went. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:28.080 Funerals came and went. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:31.039 Children grew up not knowing their cousins. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:34.720 And finally, one brother got sick, very sick. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:42.639 The other brother chose to visit him in a hospital after they're not speaking for almost two decades. 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:45.440 Neither of them knew exactly what to say. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:53.440 And finally, just one of them spoke up in the hospital room and whispered, This has been long enough. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:11:01.200 In church, there are some things that have simply been long enough. 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:07.440 Long enough bitterness, long enough pride, long enough silence, long enough distance. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:10.559 And the gospel of Jesus Christ says this. 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.919 Listen closely. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:15.600 Make room in your hearts. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.120 Make room. 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:19.120 Make room. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:25.200 Paul says in verse 3, you are in our hearts, we would live or die with you. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:28.559 Some of your Bibles translate it to die together or to live together. 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:30.720 Why does he use that strange language? 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:31.360 Here it is. 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:36.559 Because what Paul's illustrating is don't you understand we're in covenant together? 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:47.039 That not only in the New Testament has God made a way for us to know Christ, to know God eternally through Jesus, but God has also brought us in covenant with one another. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:52.080 And I'm not going to ask you to do anything cheesy right now, like look to your right, look to your left. 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:55.039 These are your sisters and brothers in Christ. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.639 But loved ones, it's true. 00:11:56.799 --> 00:12:00.240 The men and women around you, you're in covenant together. 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:02.399 We matter to one another. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.720 This is covenantial love. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:08.080 This is not consumer Christianity. 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:12.000 This is not a land of disposable relationships. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:21.360 And the reason that's so important, particularly in this era of history, is that today, oftentimes, people treat churches like restaurants. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:26.000 And that is, if I don't like this experience, I'll just move on. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:28.480 I'll go to another church. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:32.960 But biblical community is deeper than preference. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:35.919 And this is what Paul's drawing out in these words. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:38.639 It's covenantial, it's covenant relationship. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:42.399 Verse 4, he says, I'm acting with great boldness towards you. 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:43.840 I have great pride in you. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:45.200 I'm filled with comfort. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:47.440 Now, why would he shift years like that? 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:52.000 Suddenly he's correcting them, make room in your hearts, and then boom, shaka lockah. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:54.159 That's Greek for a major shift. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:55.919 I have great pride in you. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.360 I'm filled with comfort. 00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:58.480 Here's why. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:00.159 Here's why, church family. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:05.840 Because Paul, the apostle, is both truthful and tender. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.519 Pay attention to that. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:12.080 He confronts them, but he also comforts them. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:15.679 And I would submit to you, this is real pastoral ministry. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:18.399 This is a man who really cares about people. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:21.039 And that should be a lesson for us all. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:23.039 Truth wed with grace. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:26.080 Truth without love crushes people. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:29.440 Love without truth deceives people. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:33.759 But grace and truth wed together transforms people. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:38.639 Loved ones, make room in your hearts. 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.399 Make room in your hearts. 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.759 Let's choose to do that together right now. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:52.159 Lord, give me grace to make room in my heart for you and your way, not only with you, but relationally. 00:13:52.399 --> 00:14:04.240 My marriage, my my business associates, my relationships that I play tennis with or golf with, or the person who said this or said that that hurt my feelings. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:06.720 Make room in your hearts. 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:11.360 And then Paul opens up his personal life for a moment. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.440 And I will get to the reason why. 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:20.000 But what he does is he shifts and he opens up his heart, his personal life, and he did it in chapter one. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.519 He's doing it again here. 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:26.480 He talks to the Corinthians how God comforts people in challenges. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:30.159 He calls, he uses the word downcast or even depressed. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:32.320 Some of your Bibles translate it that way. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:43.120 When he says in verse 5, our bodies had no rest, we were afflicted at every turn, conflicts on the outside and within, or fighting without and fear within. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:50.159 And what Paul's describing here on a personal level in his own life is he's exhausted. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:52.480 He's troubled. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.039 He has anxiety. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:15:08.639 And I invite you to take note of that because a lot of us sometimes, when we read the Bible, we picture the apostles like they live lives six inches off the ground, when in reality, they are just like you and me. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:18.720 And the beauty is that Paul here is giving testimony to the Corinthian church that he knows what it's like to deal with discouragement. 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:21.039 And some of you do too. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:28.960 And so he knows what it's like to smile publicly and at the same time struggle privately. 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:30.559 That's what he's describing here. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:36.960 And many of us here in this sanctuary know what it means to carry burdens that nobody else sees. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:46.240 Maybe it's financial pressure, maybe it's marriage pressure, maybe you're in a position of leadership and you know day to day the weight that carries. 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:53.120 Maybe it's grief, maybe it is depression, maybe it's fear about the future or something that's unknown. 00:15:53.279 --> 00:16:02.159 And this is why Paul describes conflicts on the outside, fears within, fightings without, fears within, depending on the Bible translation. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:09.600 And then verse 6, he says something, and this sounds a little odd, but it's one of the sweetest verses in Scripture. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.879 Hear this. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:23.519 But God always loves it when the Bible says, but God, who comforts the downcast, take note of that. 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:34.639 Not the self-sufficient, not the arrogant, not the proud, the downcast, the weary, the burden, the grievan, the grieving, the brokenhearted. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:45.440 And then let's ask this question just how did God comfort Paul by the coming of a brother in Christ? 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.960 His name was Titus. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:50.720 Now I want to invite you to think about that for a moment. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:17:00.399 God is sovereign, God's gracious, he's able to make grace abound toward us, but God does something in Paul's life that's very practical. 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:04.880 He sends a brother who's going to be an encouragement to him. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:09.119 Paul is comforted through the life of another believer. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:23.200 Sometimes when we're praying, God help, and we want some type of supernatural looking intervention, and God brings us the means of grace, his means of grace in some very practical way. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:29.039 A friend, a phone call, a hug, a conversation, a word of encouragement. 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:50.559 Your church family, a timely word that someone speaks into your life in some way they didn't realize how deeply meaningful it was to you or how well-timed it was, but you walk away different, which reminds us all never to underestimate what we would call the ministry of presence. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:58.160 I remember, you know, as a pastor, it's impossible not to walk with people at times in tragedy and heartache. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:00.559 I remember, and I've done this more times than I can number. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:18.640 I don't certainly don't prefer it because you want what's best for people, but you hurt with people when there's a sudden death, a sudden tragedy in their family, and you're sitting with them in the emergency department, and the doctor brings the worst news possible. 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:24.240 What do you say? 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:31.200 Is it time to go off in a theological diatribe around suffering? 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:36.799 When somebody asks, how could God allow this? 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:38.720 You just give simple answers? 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:42.000 No, you hurt with people. 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:52.960 You pray with people, you cry with people, and you engage in silence with people. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:19:05.119 And every time that sister or brother comes back, sometimes months, sometimes years, thank you for being there. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:14.880 Sometimes the greatest ministry body of Christ that you'll give to one another is just refusing to disappear. 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:18.799 When your sisters or brothers are walking through difficulty. 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:22.319 Loved ones, that's what Titus did for Paul and church. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.279 This matters. 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:26.319 You do realize encouragement is spiritual warfare. 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.680 It's a way to win. 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:32.000 And there are people around you this morning that are barely holding on. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:41.519 And so I want to encourage you, based upon what we're reading here, what we're seeing in God's word, that an encouraging text matters, a prayer matters. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:47.519 The conversations that you have with others that uplifts and encourages others, it matters. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:57.759 God comforts the downcast, but often it's you that God uses practically in his sovereignty to work his will and good pleasure in us. 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:05.279 And then Paul, as he writes these words, really journeys into the heart of the matter of what he wants to say to the Corinthians. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:13.599 Where he takes us now is into the theme of godly grief leading to repentance. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:18.799 Sounds very strange, but this is really the heart of the passage right here. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:33.359 So he says this, verse 8, for even if I caused you sorrow, some of your translations, for even if I made you grieve by my, these are previous letters, he says this, I do not regret it. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.799 Now here's a question. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.680 Why? 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:44.160 Why would you say, hey, I know my letters really disturbed you, but I don't regret that they disturbed you. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:50.880 Here's why, church family, because their grief led them to something holy. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:58.079 Their grief led them to get their hearts into loving alignment with a loving God. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:00.480 And listen to what he writes in verse 10. 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:14.559 For godly grief, some of your Bible say godly sorrow brings a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:24.319 Now, whether you realize it or not, loved one, verse 10, chapter 7, 2 Corinthians, one of the most important verses in all the New Testament. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:31.039 So I want to invite you, if your mind is wondering, can I just encourage you with some deep thought here? 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.079 Stop. 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:34.960 Just focus for a moment. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.599 2 Corinthians 7.10. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:45.599 Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:54.160 Now, this is one of the clearest distinctions in all of the Bible between what is called conviction and condemnation. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.799 Conviction and condemnation. 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:59.759 Here's the contrast that Paul's pointing out here. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:10.240 There's a worldly grief that exists, and it's when a person falls into some type of sin and they get caught. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:18.160 They're caught and they say, I hate the consequences, or I am sorry, I got caught. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:21.839 And that can simply be a worldly grief. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:45.279 Paul is sharing in this verse that there is the gift of a godly sorrow, a gift of a godly grief that is centered in God, where what happens in the heart, God develops through the conviction of the Holy Spirit a hatred for the sin and what it's done to you and what it's done to others. 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:48.720 Worldly sorrow is self-centered. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:53.039 Godly sorrow, godly grief, is God-centered. 00:22:53.200 --> 00:23:01.599 This is why David, when he fell into sin, murder, adultery, manipulation, lying, and it got deep in his own heart. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:12.400 When David said, God, against you and you alone I have sinned, what's happening is he's experiencing the grace of a godly sorrow over his sin. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:22.000 He recognizes that as he's rebelled against the design that God had for him, ultimately he's rebelling against his designer. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:34.400 And God has gifted him the grace of a godly sorrow, which is why he prays in Psalm 51, Oh, God, create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit within me. 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:40.400 And so we're aware another contrast in the word of God would be Judas and Peter. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:43.200 Judas and Peter both committed the same sin. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:45.200 They both denied Jesus. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:55.680 However, Judas had a worldly sorrow, went, and in his grief around the consequences, hung himself. 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:59.279 Peter had a godly sorrow. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:01.279 Judas a worldly sorrow. 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:03.279 Peter a godly sorrow. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:05.200 Both sinned against Jesus. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:08.319 One ran from God's grace. 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:16.880 Peter, on the other hand, ran toward God's grace, which tells us something very significant. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:20.000 Repentance is not merely feeling bad. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.599 It's much more than that. 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:24.000 Repentance is turning around. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:27.039 It is possible to cry and never repent. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:33.119 It is possible to feel deeply emotional about something that was wrong but never change. 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:39.200 But when the Holy Spirit truly convicts a believer, something shifts. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:43.200 We begin hating what we used to defend. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:52.240 I remember a young woman in our church plant, won't call her by name, but she had a proclivity toward gossip. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:25:02.960 She would get a little morsel of gossip and kind of like just a sly fox would just pop over up over here and say disparaging things about other people. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:12.319 And then a couple of weeks later, she'd pop up over here and ask like these kind of leading questions that were gossipy. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:16.000 You know, I wonder why she always does this or why does he always do that? 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:19.359 It's the kind of thing that just kind of slightly impugned people. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:21.599 And just she would just do that over here. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:34.559 But one day she was reading her Bible, and she read the words that a person who gossips will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:38.640 And she said she began to have trouble sleeping. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:48.720 And she said, I began to realize the Holy Spirit was convicting me for gossip. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:51.759 And she began to change. 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:57.599 I remember at that day in a community group where she said, Could I have a moment? 00:25:57.759 --> 00:26:03.920 And she took the floor and said, Many of you know I have struggled with this sin. 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:05.039 It's affected you. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:07.759 It's affected the people in our church family. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:11.839 And she says, God has convicted me. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:14.400 And I am changing. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:18.160 I am repenting of my past patterns. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:25.839 And God, as He convicted her, she began to confess what used to be concealed in some way. 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:34.000 So what when we know we're experiencing the grace of a godly sorrow, we begin surrendering what once controlled us. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.359 Loved ones, think about it. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:41.839 If you're driving toward a bridge that's out on a highway, you don't turn around just because you're feeling emotional. 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:44.960 You turn around because you know the bridge is out. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.319 That's repentance. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:51.759 Repentance is not punishment, it's really a manifestation of the mercy of God. 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:55.920 And God warns us, not because he's a tyrant. 00:26:56.160 --> 00:27:00.480 He warns us because he loves us, because he knows sin is damaging you. 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.920 It's damaging others. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:07.359 And it damages the intimacy that you are designed for to have with God in Jesus Christ. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:10.880 And we know his motive is love because we're made in God's image. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:14.559 A parent who never corrects a child does not love a child. 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:19.920 A doctor who never gives the diagnosis to a patient does not love the patient. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:30.160 A pastor who refuses to confront sin in love does not love the church. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:37.920 And Paul the apostle loved them enough to wound them unto healing. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:44.720 And verse 11 shows us that what happened among the Corinthians was true repentance. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:48.079 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you? 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:56.240 What earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what concern and zeal. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:28:00.000 In other words, real repentance changes direction. 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:02.000 And that's what happened in that church. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:08.240 Loved one, it wasn't perfection overnight, but it was a transformed trajectory. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:12.960 And here's the good news for every single one of us in this sanctuary. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:16.880 No sin is beyond the reach of the grace of God. 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.240 I gotta say it again. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.119 No sin. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.240 No sin. 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:27.680 No matter how dark you think it is, don't let the devil rob you of what God in Christ offers you. 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:31.920 No sin is beyond the reach of the grace of Almighty God. 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:35.200 The cross of Jesus Christ is sufficient. 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:39.119 You may carry shame today, you may carry hidden sin. 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:44.720 You may carry regret, but Jesus did not die merely to improve you. 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:47.039 He died to redeem you. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:51.359 The enemy says, hide, go hide, just cover yourself. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.920 But Jesus Christ says, Come home. 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.359 Come home. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.319 Come home. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:58.319 His arms are open. 00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:07.680 The gospel repentance, the grace of a godly sorrow really produces the joy of God in our hearts and lives. 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:11.759 Paul's grief, the apostle, is also turned to joy. 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.400 Why? 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:18.720 Because reconciliation is happening, because repentance restored fellowship. 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:29.359 Verse 16, Paul says, I joy, I rejoice, which means he's experiencing joy repeatedly because I have complete confidence in you. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.319 Now notice this. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.599 Note I want you to notice this. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.880 Don't miss this, church. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.839 We're closing here. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.640 I want you to know that. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.400 Let me comfort you with those words. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.920 But don't miss this. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:47.839 Notice that the Apostle Paul does not weaponize their past failures. 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:50.640 Note that, church. 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:54.960 Because this is what the enemy loves to do with you. 00:29:55.440 --> 00:30:01.039 The devil loves to keep forgiven sins alive in the minds of God's people. 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:09.200 But when repentance is real and grace from God is received, the gospel restores. 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:14.880 Not because people are perfect, but because Jesus Christ is merciful. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:17.039 He's good like that, loved one. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:27.599 You know, I've said to you from time to time, I've tried to say it without sounding maybe a little dorky, but just trying to be honest. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:30.319 I've grown to love this city. 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:35.519 And one of the things I love about this city is the restored buildings. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:44.559 There are a lot of restored buildings, but I I particularly appreciate Crosstown Concourse, if I'm saying it right. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:58.079 And I don't know all the facts associated with that building, but I know years ago that building fell into disrepair. 00:30:58.880 --> 00:31:02.000 And it needed restoring. 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:06.400 And now I think she's an architectural beauty. 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:10.240 And there are people in our church family that have offices in that building. 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:18.480 And anytime I'm meeting one of them for lunch, I always stand and stare as one who loves art and good design. 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:22.240 I just marvel at the restoration. 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:32.960 But I want to remind you, just like I reminded you last week, this is what the gospel of Jesus Christ does in our lives. 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.960 Restores. 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:40.559 Jesus specializes in restoration. 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:44.240 He restores marriages. 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:47.200 He restores churches. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:50.400 He restores wounded hearts. 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:53.200 He restores fallen people. 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:59.599 And some of the most beautiful Christians that I know are not the Christians who've never had a failure. 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:02.640 I'm supposed there are some of those somewhere. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:10.160 But it's the people who've encountered the mercy of God and been restored. 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:14.640 So what does this passage call us to do today? 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:18.400 Well, first, open your heart. 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:21.839 Make room in your hearts for God. 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:25.920 Let God soften what bitterness may have hardened. 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:30.240 Secondly, receive God's comfort. 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:34.160 Know this, the Lord sees the downcast. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:38.000 If that's where you are, you're not abandoned. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.839 The Lord sees. 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:42.400 Let Him be your provision. 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:47.200 Third, respond to conviction with repentance. 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:52.880 Be mindful that the conviction of the Holy Spirit around sin is a gift. 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:57.359 It is a manifestation of the love of God operating in your heart. 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:59.440 Don't run from conviction. 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:03.599 Run toward the grace of God with great love and fervor. 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:08.000 And then finally, pursue reconciliation. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.599 Make room in your heart. 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:14.480 The gospel reconciles us vertically and horizontally. 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:20.480 And ultimately, as you all know, this passage points to the person of Jesus Christ. 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:24.799 Because Jesus Christ is the one who made room for sinners. 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:27.599 He made room for you and he made room for me. 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:29.759 He comforts the brokenhearted. 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:34.319 He reconciles us to a loving God. 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:38.079 And at the cross, both justice and mercy met together. 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:49.359 And because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, restoration is possible for marriages, for families, for churches, for prodigals, and for you. 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:55.359 So today, do not harden your hearts. 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:58.880 Make room for God's grace. 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.920 Make room for the truth. 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:05.599 Make room for Jesus. 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:11.119 In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:13.199 Oh God, let it be so. 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.239 Amen. 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.760 Amen. 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:26.159 Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the podcast for Christ Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:30.960 We pray that today's message has inspired and encouraged you in your walk with Christ. 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:36.880 To stay connected with our church community, visit us online at ChristchurchMemphis.org. 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:44.400 We hope to see you this upcoming Sunday for worship as we seek to glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ among all peoples.