Sermon Outline By Brian A. Yeager

"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

Straightened In Your Own Bowels | Sermon Outline By Brian A. Yeager

Straightened In Your Own Bowels
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I. Introduction:

A. We live in a world of predators that requires us to be on guard (Psalms 39:1, Matthew 7:15-20, and Colossians 4:5-6).

  1. We can’t believe what people say or trust they don’t have hidden agendas (Proverbs 14:15, Proverbs 26:24-26, and Colossians 2:8).
  2. We even know sometimes those closest to us can betray us (Micah 7:5-6, Matthew 10:36, Luke 22:47-48, and II Timothy 4:9-15).
B. What if our guard gets so high we don’t let anyone in? What if we get tired of being hurt? How can we be faithful in such a state?
  1. How can you love your brethren if you are constantly on guard (I Peter 3:8)?
  2. How can you let your brethren love you if you conceal your life because you are so on guard (i.e. I John 3:14-18)?
  3. How can you do good unto all if you never put yourself in a vulnerable position (Galatians 6:9-10)?
  4. Think about our example in Jesus (I Peter 2:21). Wasn’t He hurt, mistreated, etc. (Mark 8:31)? Yet, He put even those that abused Him above Himself (Philippians 2:3-8).

II. Body: II Corinthians 6:11-13

A. Paul and Timothy (II Corinthians 1:1) spoke openly to the saints in Corinth (II Corinthians 3:12).
  1. We see that Jesus spoke and acted in the open (John 18:20).
  2. Paul and Timothy did not conceal themselves (II Corinthians 4:1-3).
  3. Their openness should have revealed the inward affection they had for their brethren (II Corinthians 2:4).
  4. Even in times of correction, a willingness to speak openly shows forth love (Proverbs 27:5-6 and Revelation 3:19).
B. Paul and Timothy did not close off their hearts to the saints (II Corinthians 7:1-3).
  1. Take time to think about what it means when a fellow saint says you are in their heart (Philippians 1:3-8 and I Thessalonians 2:14-20).
  2. Paul was treating them as though they were his children as we see he did often with those he taught (Galatians 4:19, I Thessalonians 2:11, I Timothy 1:2, and Titus 1:4).
  3. He did all things for their sakes (II Corinthians 4:13-15 and II Corinthians 12:19).
  4. How that type of love would knit them together (Colossians 2:2).
  5. Such a thing begins with a sincere [unfeigned] love of the brethren (I Peter 1:22).
C. The Corinthians were not reciprocating (I Corinthians 4:1-15).
  1. Think about how Paul felt (II Corinthians 12:13-15).
  2. They should have known better and should have highly esteemed Paul (I Thessalonians 5:12-13).
  3. It would have been nice if they just would have realized Paul would love to be treated and cared for as he was doing for them (Luke 6:31).
D. Brethren, don’t be like the Corinthians. Though it may make you vulnerable, be open to your brethren and relate with one another (Romans 12:10).
  1. Brotherly love is not a one day affair (Hebrews 13:1).
  2. Being mindful that when you’re with faithful saints you are amongst a spiritual family (Ephesians 3:15).
  3. How could we confess our faults to one another (James 5:16), if we are on guard or felt like we wouldn’t receive the help to be restored (Galatians 6:1-2)?
  4. We want to know one another as we see great efforts Paul made to accomplish this even when he was physically hindered [i.e. imprisoned] (Philippians 2:19).

III. Conclusion: Have the endurance to get through the abuses we face in this life and continue to do good as we can see Jesus did (Hebrews 12:1-3).

© 1999-2022 Brian A. Yeager