Sabbath: Love-driven Ministry
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 22nd of August 2026
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
2 Corinthians 1:3-14, 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Corinthians 16:5-7, 2 Corinthians 7:5-13, 2 Corinthians 2:5-17.
Memory Text:
“For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you” (2 Corinthians 2:4, NKJV).
The apostle Paul didn’t always have it so easy. Besides jail and the life-threatening situations he faced, Paul also wrote: “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24-28, NKJV).
What we see in his letters to the Corinthians is some of the “deep concern” that Paul had for this church. Yet, amid it all, his love for them never failed, just as Christ’s love for us never fails us. In fact, it was from Jesus that Paul learned to love the churches in a way that reflects the love that Jesus has for us (2 Corinthians 5:14; see 1 Corinthians 11:1).
I have been busy the last couple of days of my mother-in-laws memorial service, and of course, meeting up with family members and having visitors stay with us. So my lesson reading time has been shortened a bit. I have taken the time to read 2 Corinthians 1, and it is a reminder that Paul sees his ministry as a partnership, not as a teacher or guru telling students or followers what to do. There is a real sense of “we are in this together”, and that makes his message all the more appealing. That should not be surprising, because the whole ministry of Jesus is based on the idea of God becoming human and sharing in our suffering.
I have often mentioned in my comments that my teaching took a turn for the better when I stopped thinking of my role as teaching my students something that I knew more about than they did, and tried to model myself as a fellow student, learning something for the first time. Similarly, I think we more effectively share the Gospel, not by preaching “the facts” but by sharing the experience. Paul makes a serious point about sharing:
I thought I looked up this verse – 2 Corinthians 1:24 MSG
Thank you Bro Maurice and everyone else for your thoughtful spiritual insights you take time to share on this page daily. Blessings to all
Thank you for correcting my transposition. I do that with telephone numbers sometimes too. Age? 😅
Sorry for my manners; my condolences to you and your family. Please know that you are in my prayers.
I truly find the memory text for this week (Lesson 9) soul-stirring and deeply affectionate.
“I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.” (2 Corinthians 2:4, NLT).
According to Paul, the mission work was not simply communicating the gospel message of Jesus, but willing to spend his life with the people. The people had entered his heart.. Paul did not allow difficulties to determine the value of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His life was just a small cost to pay for the sake of the people whom he had come to love so much. Paul crossed seas because he believed the people were worth the sacrifice. He was fully convicted that Corinthians believers were previous to Christ.
It is very easy for the mission worker (pastors) to be emotionally disconnected with challenging congregations. Paul did not have a sweet pastoral experience with the Corinthian believers (as we have seen in the previous lessons). With all its challenges (divisions, pride, sexual immorality, disputes, disorder in worship, challenges to Paul’s apostolic authority, and resistance to his correction), Paul had the audacity to love them. From this background, there are some critical lessons to be learned.
1. Christian leadership requires resilience – Paul did not give up on the challenging Corinthians. Instead, he deeply invested his emotions to serve them. It is worthwhile to note Paul’s word; “great anguish”, “troubled heart”, “many tears” and “how much love I have for you” . This is the heart of pastoral care.
2. Love does not shy away from difficult truths – Paul was simply telling the Corinthian believers, “I love you so much to remain silent”. Unfortunately, some church leadership decides to be silent on certain issues in order not to “disturb” the church. They sacrifice truth at the altar of compromise. Love does not overlook wrongs.
3. Love is stronger than disappointment – Paul was disappointed and hurt by believers in the Corinthian church, but he did not resort to revenge or fighting. Love should not disappear when disappointments and frustrations come. It more natural for pastors to love a loving congregation, but love should outlive disappointments and frustrations.
4. Mission is more than just programmes – Paul had to shed “many tears”. Mission work demand spiritual investment. Paul wept for the Corinthians because he cared. We cannot have mission work conducted without spiritual emotions. Those are dead programmes without human touch.
Christian mission should not be driven by when people are easy to love, but we must be committed to the goodness of others even when it is painful to do so.
Voice 2027… vision 2027. Yes Maurice Ashton. I remember you well…from computer hell….
Volunteer instructor in computer room when certain issues affecting exam results for students arose. Scaffolding model meshed with egalitarian attitude. Power on.
Reneanne Anderson.
How can Paul’s example of continuing to love and serve the Corinthians despite their mistakes and disappointments teach modern Christians to practice a more compassionate, resilient, and Christ-centered ministry? Thank you, Regard PUTI
What is my church? Who is in it? What if my organized church suddenly disappears? What should be the true connection among the brethren?
paul’s reason to glorify God is because God has lead him through the struggle He face,paul does not question God why he pass through such or why God did not lead him i a easy way in those struggles he see that God is comforting him, in what soever we pass through God is there always with us but we often don’t see His presence and comfort because we are busy asking why god allow such circumistances to come to us, we see God who is in control allowing terrible things happen to our life when He would have done otherwise
Glorify his name and preaching is massage toure ol world,love one another,and love your nebour as love your self❤️🙏🙏
And waiting secound comming of son of man🙏❤️