And with that, let's get into our study of God's word today, 2 Corinthians chapter 13,

and our text will be verses 7 through 10.

Once you find your way there, if you're able, I'll ask you to stand.

You can follow along as I read.

If not, that's all right.

On Sunday mornings, we've been going through 2 Corinthians chapter by

chapter, verse by verse, and we find ourselves nearing the end of not only the chapter, but

the epistle as well. The Apostle Paul is here writing by the Holy Spirit very bluntly, very in your face to the church there in Corinth.

And he says verse 7, now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong, not so that people

will see that we have stood the test, but so that you will do what is right,

even though we may have seemed to fail. For verse 8, we cannot do anything against the truth,

but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong and our

prayer is that you may be fully restored. This is why I write these things

when I am absent that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority.

The authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Why don't we pray if you would join with me.

We'll ask God's blessing on our understanding of this passage that we have before us today.

Loving Heavenly Father, we need for you at this time to settle our hearts and clear our

minds and enable us to give you our undivided attention.

Lord, we want to have eyes to see that which you would desire to show to us today.

We want to have ears to hear and hearts to receive. So Lord, will you speak into our lives in and through

your word? We ask you for this in Jesus' name. Amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

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