BETHEL SUNDAY SCHOOL - 30 MAY 2021
Text: 2 Corinthians 7:8 - 12

GENUINE SORROW
(2 Corinthians 7:8 – 10)

1. This was felt by a group of Corinthians who repented of their sins

2. They were “made sorry” by Paul’s letter

a. Paul wrote to address their sins

b. They were remorseful

c. They were genuinely sorry for their sins

3. Paul was glad they felt genuinely sorrowful

a. Not because he wants them to remain in sorrow

b. But that this sorrow will produce genuine repentance of sin

4. Two kinds of sorrow highlighted by Paul (2 Corinthians 7:10)

a. Godly sorrow

i. Genuinely sorry

ii. Remorse is felt

iii. It will produce repentance and change!

iv. It will lead to God’s salvation to be delivered from sin!

v. This sorrow is from God

b. The sorrow of the world

i. There is sorrow but it does not lead to repentance of sin

ii. The sinner does not turn to God and confess his sins

iii. The person remains unchanged

iv. This sorrow is not from God but will produce death and not life!


FEATURES OF GENUINE SORROW AND REPENTANCE COMMENDED BY PAUL
(2 Corinthians 7:11)

1. Diligence produced

2. Clearing of yourselves

3. Indignation against sin

4. Godly fear

5. Vehement desire

6. Zeal

7. Vindication

a. They proved themselves with all of the above to be clear of the matter!

b. The changes are displayed in the life of the repentant sinner!

A NOTE OF EXPLANATION GIVEN
(2 Corinthians 7:12)

1. Paul felt that he needed to explain why he wrote what he did

2. He did not want to be misunderstood as targeting individuals or being biased

3. He wrote out of genuine care and concern for the faith of the believers

4. He was most conscious of caring for them in the sight of God

APPLICATION

1. To be sensitive to sin

2. To confess and repent when we sin against God

3. To examine genuine features of repentance