(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see how)
Focus Question:
When are you saved?
Intro:
Yesterday as we kicked off 2 Corinthians heard an introduction where Paul argued that God comforts us in our afflictions so that we can pay it forward. Then he starts responding to the apparent charge that he somehow didn’t show up to Corinth on purpose — he gives reasons for why the change of plans. Now we’ll hear an application of his example to the Corinthians, and there’s a passing line about “those who are being saved” — a curious line, and a good time to ask today’s focus question, “When are you saved?”
New Testament segment:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 2:5-17
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 14
Words: ~330
Paul can speak of salvation in three tenses: past (Eph 2:5–8; Titus 3:4–5), present (here; 1 Cor 1:18), and future (Rom 5:9; 8:23; 1 Thess 1:10).(1)
Now, how about little OT judgement <snort>? I can’t spend too much time focusing on this short book — on of the 12 minor prophets — so I’ll give you a little intro and we’ll just knock it out.
Nahum was God’s messenger to announce the fall of Nineveh and the complete overthrow of Assyria. This coming judgment from the Lord was certain and irrevocable, as was Obadiah’s message concerning Edom.
Nahum’s book is a sequel to, and a dramatic contrast with, the book of Jonah. Jonah’s mission to Nineveh was probably sometime in the first half of the eighth century b.c. He was to warn that large city of God’s impending judgment because of Nineveh’s wickedness. To Jonah’s dismay, the Ninevites heeded his message, repented, and were spared God’s judgment.(2)
But God’s timing is God’s timing. He used the Assyrians to conquer the northern kingdom of Israel in 722BC, but Ninevah fell — never to rise again — in 612BC with the rest of the kingdom following suit within a few years.
The book of Nahum is constructed on a simple two-part plan. Chapter 1 is a prelude to battle. Chapters 2–3 move from preview to actual battle, pictured as a series of oracles of judgment against Nineveh and vivid pictures of her destruction (narrated as if by an eyewitness reporter).(2)
Old Testament segment:
Passage: Nahum
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 47
Words: ~1111
Wisdom segment:
Passage: Psalm 71
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 24
Words: ~394
The bottom line:
Love you!
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) Douglas J. Moo, “The Letters and Revelation,” in NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018), 2085.
(2) Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1709, 11.