Repairing All That Sin Has Broken
We must realize that growing in Christ means learning not only to do what is right, but also to put right what has gone wrong in our lives and relationships.
2 Corinthians
A Test You Can’t Afford to Fail
We must all examine ourselves honestly and soberly to ensure that we are genuine, biblical, fruit-bearing Christians. It is entirely appropriate on occasion to seriously and soberly consider whether we are genuine Christians.
Timely Truths That Pack a Punch
Because God’s word carries the authority of heaven, obey it quickly and wholeheartedly, even when it’s hard.
Taking Every Warning Seriously
We must always take God’s warnings seriously and respond quickly so that the severity of his discipline is not compounded.
Empowered by Knowing God Sees All
Because God perceives all that we do and all that happens to us, we ought to live with a deep confidence in his approval when we do right, and be driven to a speedy repentance when we do wrong.
The Vanity of Self-Preservation
True strength isn’t found in preserving yourself from sacrifice, but in gladly spending yourself for others’ spiritual good alongside companions who share that same selfless commitment.
Persisting When You Feel Unsupported
We ought to endure in doing what is right regardless of the support, applause, or appreciation we receive, knowing Christ sees, cares, and rewards.
When God Refuses to Remove Your Weakness
We need to realize that our usefulness in the cause of Christ is not measured by good health, but rather by our dependence on God to work in and through us for his own glory.
The Power & Weakness of Your Experiences
We ought to share our experiences selectively, defaulting to those that glorify God, rejecting private experiences as spiritual credentials, and letting our sacrificial service be the true measure of our impact.
Considering the Sacrifice of Service
True devotion to Christ and his cause is always marked by sacrifice and suffering — costs we must willingly embrace because we love him and his people.
Leaders You Must Never Tolerate
We must never submit to those who claim spiritual authority while leading with exploitation, domination, and contempt.
Identifying False Teachers
We must remain constantly vigilant against the unrelenting efforts of God’s spiritual enemies to strategically displace the authority of Scripture with the authority of their own voices.
Recognizing True Spiritual Leaders
We must learn to biblically assess spiritual leaders and wholeheartedly commit to those who demonstrate the qualifications God’s Word requires.
Guarding Your Allegiance
Because God is jealous for our allegiance to Christ, we must guard our devotion from deceptive and twisted views of Christianity.
Looking for Christ’s Commendation
We must never perform for our critics or let them shape our character, but we must always stay faithful where God has placed us and aim to please Christ.
Keeping Your Cool in a Comparison Culture
We will often be judged by surface-level impressions and assumptions, but we must stay focused on our spiritual integrity and refuse to play the comparison game.
Adopting a Strategy from Another World
Knowing that we will encounter criticism, we must work to always respond more like Christ, enlisting, powerful, and wise resources that God provides us.
When Giving Unites God’s People
Christians who give generously make a far greater impact than they realize—God uses their giving to strengthen their churches and advance the reputation of gospel near and far.
The Father’s Joy in Cheerful Givers
We ought to be motivated to give cheerfully because of the bold promises God makes to generous Christians, especially his revelation that he takes special joy in joyful generosity.
Giving’s Role in Christian Maturity
We should pursue a Christian maturity marked by a Christlike, dependable, and increasing generosity.
Practicing Personal Stewardship & Wise Giving
The giving God calls us to is generous but discerning, and it requires us to handle what has been entrusted to us with great care and integrity. In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 8:16–24, Pastor Mike Fabarez argues that biblical generosity must be governed by careful, accountable stewardship rather than impulsive or naïve giving. Drawing …
Understanding Giving’s Big Picture
We should give willingly and proportionately, trusting God to accomplish good through our gifts and to provide for us in the process.
Seeking to Excel in the Grace of Giving
We must choose to practice biblical generosity, motivated by Christ’s gracious example rather than mere agreement with its principles.
When Giving Seems Impossible
Godly generosity is grounded in what God has done for us and begins when our hearts are gripped by it.
Rejoicing in Our Sanctification
We ought to be attentive to the work of sanctification taking place around us, and intentionally affirm, celebrate, and be encouraged by the growth in holiness we see.
Inspecting Our Repentance
We must practice a repentance that takes sin seriously, accepts whatever pain it requires, and works diligently to restore sincere obedience.
Solidifying Our Relationships
Because God intends our relationships in the church to be marked by a quality that the world cannot match, we must be serious about building friendships that are uniquely loving, loyal, and encouraging.
Perfecting Our Holiness
Actively and carefully pursue holiness in your mind and body for the sake of our great God who said we will draw near to us when we do.
Clarifying Our Identity
God wants us to pursue moral purity as his distinctive people, which he has promised will increase our daily experience of fellowship, joy, and assurance with him.
Guarding Our Partnerships
We must guard the personal partnerships in our lives, so our devotion to Christ is not imperiled and our usefulness to the Lord remains uncompromised.