But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Song 1 – Amazing Grace
Song 2 – Amazing Love (And Can It Be)
Song 3 – Love Still Bids You Welcome

Song 4 – Living Hope

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity. You can also ask the welcome team or any of our staff team members for more info on giving online.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

A warm welcome to all, and especially to any visitors joining us today – if you’d like to get connected or find out more about UCC, please see our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service!

If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes! 

Our Scripture reading today is 2 Corinthians 7:2–16. Hear the Word of God:

7:2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.3 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. 4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 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. 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 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! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 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. 13 Therefore we are comforted.

And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

This is the Word of the Lord.

God’s Providence of Joy Through Affliction

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

1. God’s Providence of Comfort Through Unity vv. 2-9
2. ⁠God’s Providence of Comfort Through Repentance vv. 10-13a
3. ⁠God’s Providence of Comfort Through Affection for One Another vv 13b-16

Song 5 – Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor
Song 6 – O Church Arise 

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

For all church announcements, please see our digital announcements page: ucclife.fi/announcements

Getting started:
1. Read John 16:20. Have you experienced God turning your sorrow into joy? If yes, briefly share your experience with the group.

Into the text:
2. How does Paul display God’s comfort in him through unity?
3. What was the response of the Corinthian church to Paul’s confrontation and correction?
4. What are the marks of repentance? And how is right teaching essential for salvation?
5. What does Paul mean by saying that the Corinthians received Titus with fear and trembling?

Application:
6. In light of 2 Cor 7:2-16, in what ways do you want to pursue unity? (Read Phil 1:27, John 17:22)
7. How did this message challenge you with your response to confrontation? What steps can you take to have godly grief instead of worldly grief?
8. If this message helps you to see joy through affliction. What does it teach you about God’s providence – his purposeful sovereignty?
9. In light of this message, do we need to strive for unity with Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox churches? What does the Bible teach about unity in light of the gospel? (Read Ephesians 2:8-10, Gal 1:6-8)