“Trouble! Right here in River City!” (A Study of 2 Corinthians 1:8ff)

Friends: If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that my friend Frank (in New Jersey) and I have been doing an email Bible study for over a year. We read the same chapter every day for a week — and then send a brief email of encouragement to each other. We’ve completed most of the epistles of the New Testament — and it’s been a great discipline for both of us.

We’re now working our way through 2 Corinthians. Here’s my outline for several verses in chapter one:

“Trouble! Right here in River City!” (vv. 8ff)

1. We don’t keep our troubles private (v. 8)

2. We admit our inability to endure by ourselves (v. 8).

3. We are honest about our feelings — “despaired of life itself” (v. 8).

4. We see God’s purposes in our difficulties — “that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (v. 9).

5. We recognize that the worst, death, is no match for God (v. 9) – He’s the One who raises the dead! (cp. Dan. 3:17 – “and even if He doesn’t!”)

6. We deal with the critical question of “where do we put our hope?” (v. 10)

7. Let others help you — by their prayers! (v. 11).

For those of you, like me, who couldn’t help but think of the song from “The Music Man” entitled “Ya Got Trouble!”, I have included the video of that song below. Enjoy! (couldn’t help but think of my roomie from Emmaus days, Steve Decker!)