Paul & Inexplicable Suffering

While commentators seem unclear on the nature of Paul’s affliction in 2 Corinthians 1, we are not left to speculate over the emotional impact. This is not a list of the customary trials that shadow every leader; Paul describes devastation, the unguarded moments when ministry crashes through the door and delivers a kind of death. But God was setting the stage for a resurrection. Paul’s darkest moments were a backdrop for a tutorial on trust followed by a glorious deliverance. This session will consider how God designed ministry to deepen our confidence in him, as we learn to anticipate resurrection, hope for deliverance, and embody the transformational gospel we are called to proclaim.