Lighthouse Bible Studies

What should we do when we are motivated to serve God and others, but the hindrances and roadblocks are wearing us down?
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2 Corinthians Ch. 4  Don’t lose heart when ministry involves struggles.

v.1-2  Because God has mercifully entrusted to us a great ministry, we neither lose heart nor do we damage that ministry with shame or deceit.

v.3-4  Satan works against the ministry of Christ’s gospel, and he uses various devices to hinder the knowledge of it in the minds of unbelievers.

v.5-6  Our purpose is to preach Christ, not ourselves; God has given us knowledge of Him that we may pass it along to others. ...

Have you ever thought of yourself as an ambassador of God’s kingdom, or as an emissary of Christ’s love? In the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul encourages the church to live as ambassadors of Christ, and Chapter 5 has some excellent reasons why we should.

2 Corinthians Ch. 5  Live no longer for yourself, but for Him who died for you.

v.1-4  Physical death is not the end of life—one day our earthly bodies will be exchanged for heavenly ones.

v.5-8  Once we are absent from the body, we will be present with the Lord.

v.9-10  So aim to please Christ while you are here, because we will all receive from Him according to what we have done in the body, good or bad.

v.11-13  Minister sincerely, having a great concern for souls. ...

2 Corinthians:  Live as an ambassador of Christ—Invest in the welfare of the church, and participate in its work.

Also: Contribute to one another’s joy, victory, and contentment, as well as your own.
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Ch. 2  Let forgiveness follow punishment and joy follow sorrow, so God’s work may continue.
v.1-4  Let love be shown when wrongs are being set right within the church.
v.5-8  Forgive and comfort those who have caused grief, and reaffirm your love for them. ...