28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
going back a few more verses starting v16, the title of this passage is "Paul boasts about his sufferings"
boyfriend preached the word tonight at the devo and this is what my notes look like:
point 1:"who are weak?"
referencing v20 (20In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. 21To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!)
- the people were too weak to react
- Paul wants to warn,prepare and to strengthen them in this letter
- he attended to their spiritual needs after meeting their felt needs
thought questions:
1. what concerns do we have in the ministry?region?sector?church?
- though Paul have many issues, he considered the needs of the body as a whole
- we cannot isolate ourselves,everyone is important!
references: 1 Pet 2:9,1 Cor 12:26
2. who is weak?
when was the last time you sat down to counsel?
what's the next step?
do you know someone who has overcome the same situation?
have you get together with that person?
-Paul enumerated what he'd gone through,he never gave up helping the churches,let's imitate his heart!
point 2: who is made to stumble and do not inwardly burn?
(the effect of sin to others and what we can do about it)
- Paul felt the needs of other disciples
- looking back ,what was our initial reaction towards the weak disciple?
- how would Jesus respond to that? he would have challenged and encouraged him!
- since we are imitating Jesus,who loved those who crucified him and forsook him, let's do the same to the weak, who might turn their backs on us as well ,but let's try to restore them back to Jesus.
let's not waste this great opportunity to attend to, not just the felt needs of the families who suffered in the calamity, but also their spiritual needs.
