“But have we Holy Spirit power – power that restricts the devil’s power, pulls down strongholds and obtains promises? Daring delinquents will be damned if they are not delivered from the devil’s dominion. What has hell to fear other than a God-anointed, prayer-powered church?” (Leonard Ravenhill)
The power of New Covenant ministry through Holy Spirit as found in 2 Cor. 1-3 will comfort, produce answered prayer, fulfill God’s promises, forgive sinning believers, triumph always, build confidence, and transform people into freedom and Christlikeness.
God Comforts
Praise to the Father of compassion and God of all comfort who comforted them in all their troubles so they can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort they received from God. Both the sufferings and comfort of Christ overflowed into their lives. If they were distressed or comforted, it was for the Corinthians comfort and salvation that produced in them patient endurance of similar sufferings Paul and his team suffered. Everyone shared in both sufferings and comfort (2 Cor. 1:1-7). God provides comfort in troubles so you can comfort others in their sufferings.
God Answers Prayer
In the province of Asia, they suffered under great pressure far beyond their ability to endure so they despaired even of life. Feeling the sentence of death, they did not rely on themselves but on God who raised the dead. They set their hope in Him for deliverance. The Corinthians helped by their prayers causing many to give thanks for God’s answers (2 Cor. 1:8-11). God answers prayer when you rely on Him during times of great pressure.
God Keeps Promises
Paul wrote that he made his ministry plans in holiness and sincerity trusting in God’s grace, not according to worldly wisdom. He hoped that they could boast in his team just as he desired to do concerning them at the judgment day. Paul planned to visit them before and after his trip to Macedonia so they could send him on his way to Judea, but not in a worldly manner. The promises of God were always yes in Christ through the preaching of Jesus Christ by he, Silas and Timothy. God made everyone stand firm in Christ, set His seal of ownership and put His Spirit in Paul’s team as a deposit guaranteeing the future. The reason Paul did not return to Corinth was to spare them. He did not lord it over their faith but worked with them for their joy so they could stand firm (2 Cor. 1:12-24). God keeps promises in Christ so you can trust Him to provide for your ministry.
God Forgives
Paul communicated the depth of his love in great distress and grief even though he decided not to make another painful visit to them. They should reaffirm their love for a sinner by forgiving and comforting him after church discipline so he would not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Paul desired that they be obedient in everything regarding forgiveness in the sight of Christ being aware of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:1-11). God forgives and loves sinners through you after church discipline.
God Triumphs
When Paul found an open door while preaching the gospel in Troas, he went to Macedonia without peace of mind because he did not find his brother Titus. God always leads in triumphal procession in Christ and spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. To God, Paul and his team were the aroma of Christ among those being saved to life and the smell of death to those perishing. Who was equal to such a task? His team did not peddle the word of God to earn a profit like many, but in Christ, they spoke before Him with sincerity like men sent from God (2 Cor. 2:12-17). God leads in continuous triumph as you spread the aroma of Christ and speak of Him with sincerity without a profit motive.
God Builds Confidence
Did Paul’s team like some people require letters of recommendation to or from them? The letter was written on Paul’s heart by the Holy Spirit as a result of their ministry, which was known and read by everybody. Their confidence and competence as a minister of the New Covenant came from God. The letter of the law killed, but the Spirit gave life (2 Cor. 3:1-6). God builds confidence and competence through the Holy Spirit.
God Transforms
The Law came with fading glory even though the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face. If the ministry engraved in letters on stone that condemned men was glorious, how much more was the ministry that brought righteousness and lasting glory. The Spirit produced hope and boldness unlike Moses who put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from seeing fading glory. This same veil remained and covered their hearts when the Mosaic Covenant was read. When anyone turned to Christ, the veil was removed because the Holy Spirit produced freedom. Those with unveiled faces all reflected the Lord’s glory being transformed into Christlikeness with ever-increasing glory from the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:7-18). God transforms people into freedom and Christlikeness through the Holy Spirit.
Practice New Covenant ministry by intensifying your prayer life realizing that the Holy Spirit is your comforter, answers prayer, keeps God’s promises, forgives sinning believers, triumphs always, builds confidence & competence, and transforms you into freedom and Christlikeness.
