When we are rebuked

[0:00] Good morning, everyone. I want to start this morning by asking you, how good are you at being rebuked? How good are you at being rebuked? How do you take it? How do you respond when a certain aspect of your character or words or actions is called out and criticized as being wrong?

[0:22] How do you respond to that normally? Be honest. Probably not as well as you should. Typically, our pride doesn't allow us to take criticism well, does it?

[0:36] We typically don't take criticism well. Anybody who's married knows that. Marriage is a perfect example of how, I mean, you've got someone who God has given you to help you to develop your character amongst other things.

[0:53] But it's quite a new experience because normally you can hide aspects of your character that deserve criticism. Not when you're married and you're living in such close proximity with someone.

[1:04] That's just an example of when you have to take on criticism. And how do you take it? Well, typically not well. Especially in our culture today, in today's generation, people can't tolerate being rebuked or told that they're wrong.

[1:22] I mean, you criticize people's lifestyle, you can be charged with hate speech. If you criticize even a legitimate aspect of someone's lifestyle as being wrong, you can be charged. It's becoming very serious in today's culture.

[1:35] People just can't take on criticism today. But what if I told you this morning that being criticized is in fact a skill? Not criticizing, that's another skill, but being criticized itself is something you have to learn how to do.

[1:55] Because we don't automatically know how to be criticized. Our normal reaction to criticism, if we're honest, is to fight back. It's to defend ourselves. That's the first thing we do when we criticize.

[2:05] The moment we're criticized or rebuked, our mind goes into thinking of a defense. We establish and build a defense that we can strike back with to show how we can't possibly be wrong.

[2:18] Because we can't be wrong, can we? Or, if we don't fight back, what we'll do is we'll just ignore it. And we'll say to ourselves, well, that person doesn't know what they're talking about. They're wrong. I'm not wrong. I can't possibly be wrong. They must be wrong.

[2:31] Even if they actually have a point. And even in the back of our minds, we know they have a point. Still, we'll go, oh no, we'll just ignore it. We'll go that they're wrong. And so to respond in the right way to being rebuked is not easy to do.

[2:45] But it's something that we need to learn to do. And it's what this passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 7 helps us to do. Because this passage here is Paul writing to the Corinthians after a very difficult time in their relationship.

[3:01] If you've been with us so far in Corinthians, you'll know the background of their relationship. Paul had to rebuke them very harshly in a letter that he wrote before 2 Corinthians.

[3:12] We don't have it anymore. We've got 1 Corinthians. We don't have this letter that he wrote in between. But he calls it a painful letter in this passage when he refers back to it.

[3:24] He calls it a severe letter. It was painful for him to write as well as for them to receive. And he actually says here that he regretted writing it initially after he sent it.

[3:36] Because, to be honest, the process of rebuke, the process of criticism is not easy for both the person being criticized as well as for the person who is criticizing.

[3:46] It's not pleasant. It would be much easier. This world, it would be much easier to live in if nobody ever criticized anyone else. And we would never, therefore, have to hear criticism of ourselves.

[3:58] It would be easier, but it would be terrible. Think about it. If no one was ever told when they're doing something wrong, this world would be even worse than it currently is.

[4:10] But you see, the fact that we are sinners, the Bible clearly teaches every single one of us is a sinner against God. And that fact alone means that being rebuked is necessary.

[4:22] Being rebuked is part of life. It's something we can't avoid. And more than that, Christians especially need to be ready and willing to be rebuked when we come to church and when we open our Bibles at home as well.

[4:36] Because that's one of the main things the Bible is there for. We're told in 2 Timothy that Scripture is God-breathed to correct us, to rebuke us, and to train us in righteousness.

[4:49] That's what Paul tells the young pastor Timothy. And so if that's the Bible's job, if that's one of the things that the Bible does when we read it, rebuke us, correct us, then we need to learn how to take rebuke on board.

[5:03] We need to learn this art of what Paul calls here in verse 10, godly sorrow. You see that in verse 10?

[5:14] I'll put it up on the screen behind me. Look what he says. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. But worldly sorrow brings death.

[5:28] Okay, so we need to learn how to take rebuke on board in our lives. By definition, if we're sinners, especially if we're Christians and we're reading the Bible, because that's what it's for. And Paul calls this ability to take on rebuke properly, he calls it godly sorrow.

[5:47] And he says in this verse here that there are two different types of sorrow. Not all sorrow is the same. Not all feeling bad is the same. You get worldly sorrow, he says, which is just feeling bad about something.

[6:00] And anybody can feel bad about something. Anybody in the world can feel guilty. All right? Sometimes for legitimate reasons, sometimes not. But that sorrow is not what Paul's talking about.

[6:12] Not that just feeling bad. What we need to learn is another type of sorrow, which is called godly sorrow. And so, what we're going to do this morning is we're going to look at what this godly sorrow actually means from this passage.

[6:25] Because really, this is the heart of what Paul's talking about in this passage. We need to understand what godly sorrow means and why we need it to be an important part of our lives. So, let's have a look.

[6:36] First thing we learn about godly sorrow in this passage is that it comes from the Bible. All right? This is an important point to make. Just because someone criticizes or rebukes you doesn't mean that you actually have to listen to them.

[6:50] Otherwise, you would just live in a perpetual state of just feeling sorry for yourself. Because many people who criticize you may be totally wrong.

[7:02] And so, it depends on where it comes from. Whose criticism do you typically take on board? Well, you'll normally take criticism on board if it's from someone that you trust.

[7:13] If it's from someone you have a pre-existing relationship with and you know it's coming from a good place. That's the kind of criticism we'll open our ears to. We don't typically, and we mustn't, take on and take seriously everybody's criticism that we ever face.

[7:29] Some stranger on social media. I mean, if you're active on social media and you're interacting the worldwide web, then if you took on board every piece of criticism that came your way, you wouldn't be able to live.

[7:44] And so, the first thing you've got to do when someone criticizes you and makes you feel bad for something you've said or done, the first thing you've got to do is determine where that comes from.

[7:55] What's the motivation behind it? What is the source of that criticism? Well, godly sorrow. Feeling bad about something.

[8:10] What Paul is talking about here. That is from God is called godly sorrow. And that's why it's godly. That's what Paul means by godly. It literally means grief according to God.

[8:23] Grief by God. Grief that God has sent. A feeling bad that is from God. A rebuke from God himself. That's what godly sorrow means. So, we know the source of it. And if it's from God to you, then you know it's for your good.

[8:37] Right? He doesn't make you feel bad for kicks. That's not what God's about. When he makes you feel bad, and he does, it's for your good. And so, how does God do that?

[8:49] How does God bring about this grief according to God or this godly sorrow? Well, as I've said already, he does it through the Bible. As we open our Bibles and we feel God and his Holy Spirit working with our conscience to convict us of things.

[9:04] That is godly sorrow, and that comes from God, and it's for our good. And for the Corinthians, by the way, who didn't yet have the Bible like we have it today, the full revelation that God intended.

[9:16] Because during that time, when Paul was writing to them, God was still inspiring and causing the Bible to be written. And for them, it was the word of the apostles and the prophets. The apostles that they had in their generation and the prophets that they had in the Old Testament.

[9:31] And that God used those apostles and those prophets to bring about this godly sorrow in their lives. And that's, of course, why Paul is so adamant throughout this letter that we've been reading for the last six chapters.

[9:43] He's been working on getting them to trust him, getting them to take his word on board. He's been so concerned about his relationship with them because he knows that through him, who is God's inspired messenger, God is bringing about change and godly sorrow that they need.

[10:04] But without him, they wouldn't get that. So him rebuking them, basically, was God rebuking them. And he knew that. As he rebuked them, God rebuked them. Because he was God's ambassador.

[10:16] But it's the same today. We don't have the apostles alive, but we have their words in the Bible. Which are just as powerful and just as inspired by God. And so, when we read the Bible, when we read the words of Paul and Isaiah and others, And it exposes areas of our life or our thinking that are wrong.

[10:39] And we need to change those areas of our life. And our conscience is awakened to that. When you read the Bible and you feel that way, that is not Paul or Isaiah rebuking you.

[10:55] It's not criticism from some human being that you can choose to ignore. Or it's from your creator. And so you ignore it at your peril. That's where it's from.

[11:06] And so, you've got to notice it and take it seriously and not brush it off. When you feel that way. When you're listening to a sermon. Or when you're reading the Bible. That's godly sorrow. It's from God.

[11:17] But also, on the positive side of that. Knowing that. Knowing that godly sorrow comes from God's word. Actually helps us to ignore criticism that's not from the Bible.

[11:32] Right? Because we have to. Because of all the criticism and rebuke we get in life. As we walk on in life. We have to have some kind of filtering mechanism. To filter out what's not worth listening to.

[11:45] You're going to get criticized a lot. From a lot of different people in your life. But if someone chooses to criticize you. And there's nothing in scripture which supports that rebuke.

[11:56] Or that criticism. You don't actually have to listen to them. If they don't have scriptural support for their rebuke. You don't have to listen to them. Sometimes it might still be helpful to listen to them.

[12:11] Depending on who they are and what they're criticizing. If it's your boss, for example. Criticizing how you do your job. It's probably important to listen to. To take on board. Even if it's not from the Bible.

[12:21] But it's not eternally important. It's important temporarily. But not eternally. The Bible has everything you need to know. That's really important for godliness and for eternal life.

[12:34] And everything that you need to know. In terms of what needs to change in your life. Is in scripture. And if you're being told to change or criticize from something that is not based in scripture. While it may be helpful.

[12:46] It's not necessary to listen to it. For godliness and eternal life. So it does help us. To know that this godly story comes from the word of God. Helps us to narrow down what criticism is really important to listen to in our lives.

[12:59] And so that's why the Bible is the ultimate standard. By which we should be rebuked. And take note which we should rebuke others. Be very hesitant to rebuke someone. If you don't actually have scriptural support for that rebuke.

[13:13] Because that's just coming from you. And you might be wrong. That's the first thing. Godly sorrow is from the Bible. Second thing. Godly sorrow is necessary for salvation. Godly sorrow is necessary for salvation.

[13:26] So look at verse 10. Godly sorrow brings repentance. That leads to salvation. And so godly sorrow is what causes this thing called repentance.

[13:39] Which is what is necessary for salvation. Repentance means a turning around. A change. And what this is saying. This verse. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.

[13:50] What it's saying is if you don't experience any godly sorrow in your life. If you're not in some way rebuked by God. You can't be saved. Let me say that again.

[14:01] Because that's what this verse is saying. If you don't experience godly sorrow in your life. You can't be saved. Because part of coming to trust Christ. Is trusting him to save you from your sins.

[14:15] That is the heart of what it means to trust Christ. And you won't think you need that salvation. If you don't experience godly sorrow for your sins.

[14:27] If you don't think that you're a sinner. No you can never be saved. Because you won't think you need to be saved. If you're swimming out in the sea. But the current is too strong for you.

[14:39] To swim back to shore. Ever been in that situation by the way? I actually have. And it's very scary. If you've been in that situation. You're swimming and you realize actually the current is pulling you away. And you can't actually swim back to shore in your own power.

[14:54] It's a scary situation. But in order to get help in that situation. You need to feel a little bit of fear. Right? You need to feel a little bit of sorrow for the situation you're in.

[15:06] A bit of grief. Before you'll actually call out to the lifeguard. To help you. If you convince yourself that everything's fine. And you don't need to worry. Then you will ignore the lifeguard.

[15:17] And you'll carry on trying to swim in your own strength. And you'll eventually drown. You need to feel grief. In order to be saved. For you to take the steps to call out.

[15:29] To and to put your trust in the lifeguard. And godly sorrow in the Bible is the same kind of thing. When it comes to our sin. Too many people are living with patterns of sin in their life. Which they think are fine.

[15:39] They think they're okay. Just carrying on swimming in this way. Through their life. And they go to church. They believe what they're meant to believe. And so they don't mind the sin in their lives.

[15:54] Because we're saved by faith alone. Aren't we? So what's that pattern of sin that no one really knows about? Is it that serious? Yes. We're saved by faith alone.

[16:04] Aren't we? As long as we have faith in Christ. We're okay. Well yes. The Bible does teach that we're saved by faith alone. But how do you know your faith is real faith? How do you know it is faith that saves?

[16:18] Well. How do you know that your faith in the lifeguard is real? If you're swimming out at sea and you need help. How do you know that you actually trust the lifeguard to save you?

[16:28] It's when you put out your hand and you say to him. Take me out of the water. Help me get out of the situation. That's when you know your faith in the lifeguard is real.

[16:39] When you say pull me out of the water or I'll drown. Because you feel grief and fear at being in the water. That's the kind of faith that saves. Not just believing that the lifeguard is there.

[16:50] If the lifeguard is sitting on his paddle ski. You know 20 meters away from you. And you're drowning. Just believing that he exists is not going to save you. Putting out your hand and asking for him to pull you out of the water.

[17:04] That's what's going to save you. See just believing that Jesus existed. And he said the things he did. Isn't saving faith. It's a trust in him. And it's a request for him to pull you out of sin.

[17:17] A godly grief at our sin is what we need. And a real desire to get out of it. And a calling out to our Savior to liberate us from the power of sin.

[17:27] And free us from those sinful patterns in our life. That is saving faith. And that requires godly sorrow first for us to do that. And so that's the second thing we learn about godly sorrow.

[17:39] Is that it's necessary for salvation. Thirdly. And this is a good point. You'll be pleased to hear it. Godly sorrow is temporary. Godly sorrow is temporary.

[17:54] So I've had people tell me. I've had people criticize me. That I shouldn't make people feel guilty. You know. When I'm preaching. I shouldn't preach sermons that make people feel that their lifestyles are wrong in any way.

[18:08] I have no right to judge. I've been told that. And you know what? People who tell me that. They're right. I don't have any right to judge. But if I'm preaching the bible properly.

[18:22] It's not me rebuking or judging. It is god. Your creator. And the one that you'll stand in front of to give an account of your life one day. I'm not judging you.

[18:32] I'm just warning you. And telling you. The words of the one who will judge you. And has every right to judge you. Because he made you. And let me tell you. The discomfort you feel from those warnings.

[18:44] From scripture. Is far better. Than the discomfort you'll feel when you are found guilty before God. And sentenced to eternal punishment for your sins against him.

[18:55] Paul says here in verse 8. Look at verse 8. He says. Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter.

[19:05] I do not regret it. I did regret it. I see that my letter hurt you. But only for a little while. Only for a little while.

[19:19] See Paul's rebuke. Hurt the Corinthians. And it damaged. Their relationship with him. That is. Largely what the situation is. In this letter.

[19:29] To Corinthians. That he writes. He's trying to restore their relationship. It was damaged. Almost. Irretrievably. But in the. And so. That's why. When he.

[19:39] When he first wrote the letter. He initially regretted it. And he admits that. Though I did regret it. But. In the end. He knows. He did the right thing. Because the grief.

[19:50] They suffered from it. And the. Harm. That it caused their relationship. Was temporary. Which is far better. Than the eternal grief. They would have suffered.

[20:00] If they had rejected Paul. And his gospel. Sometimes. It's the same for us. Sometimes. Relationships. Need to be put at risk. In order for truth. To be told. Which is temporary grief.

[20:12] That is going to avoid. Eternal grief. Life. You know. One of the more painful experiences. I've had. And I'm only a male. So. My pain threshold.

[20:23] Is much lower than. Females. And I don't go through. As much painful experiences. Like giving birth. And stuff. But I can. Share with you. One painful experience. That I have had. That I still remember. To this day.

[20:33] I was in the Swiss Alps. When I was living overseas. As a bachelor. And. Living in London. And me and a couple of friends. Went. On a skiing holiday.

[20:44] In the Swiss Alps. Amazing place. You know. Those postcard pictures. Of those little Swiss villages. All snow covered. With the ski resorts.

[20:54] Look. Idyllic. Don't they? But what the postcards. Don't tell you about. Is how cold it is. In the middle of winter. Or what the postcards.

[21:05] Don't tell you about. Of those skiing holidays. And the brochures. Of those great skiing holidays. What they don't tell you about. Is how often. In the first two days. Learning how to ski. You spend. More of your time. Face planting in the snow.

[21:16] Than enjoying the view. Anyway. After one of my many tumbles. Down a ski slope. I somehow got. Snow. In my gloves.

[21:27] I had this padded. You know. All this padded stuff on. And I had these padded gloves. But when I was tumbling. Down the slope. And avoiding all the French children. Who were swearing at me in French. I.

[21:40] They're not very nice. Kids. I had. I had. I basically landed. And all this snow. Came. In my gloves. But I thought it wasn't a problem. You know. I'll just take them off.

[21:50] When I get back. To the resort. And I'll keep my gloves on. Because it's too cold. To take them off. Anyway. After a while. My fingers started to get really. Really cold. Because basically. The snow had frozen. And created a bit of a deep freeze.

[22:02] My gloves were. Literal little deep freezes. And my fingers started to get really cold. But not just cold. But that aching. Really. Really painful. Cold. If you've ever experienced it.

[22:12] It was really sore. Like it was. My whole body was screaming at me. I've got to do something about it. And because of that. I kind of. Found a place. And took my gloves off. And put my. My fingers in my armpits.

[22:23] For half an hour. Until the circulation returned. But you see. The pain that I felt. That intense pain. Was good pain. Because it warned me. That I've got to do something about it. And if I don't want the situation.

[22:34] To get worse. Like get frostbite. Or something. And. That's just an experience of pain. Which triggered me. To do something about it. And much of the pain we experience.

[22:45] Is like that. Isn't it? Pain is given to us. As a warning mechanism. Pain is actually a good thing. Temporary pain. In order to avoid. Permanent injury. Or permanent problems. That's why our body.

[22:58] Gives us pain. Most of the time. And by the way. That's why. I was talking about this last night. With someone. And they reminded me. Leprosy. You know the disease of leprosy. It.

[23:09] It. It affects your nerve endings. And one of the byproducts of leprosy. Is that. You. You stop feeling pain. Which you think. Yeah. Great. That's cool. I want to get leprosy. You don't. Because if you stop feeling pain.

[23:20] You get injuries and infections. That you don't realize. And eventually. Limbs and fingers and stuff. Start falling off. Because they get injured. And they don't feel pain. Pain is good. It is a warning mechanism.

[23:33] And godly sorrow. Is. The same. Godly sorrow. Is pain that we feel. Which is a warning mechanism. When we're rebuked from scripture. We feel bad temporarily.

[23:43] So we can avoid permanent. Pain. Permanent judgment. From God. God. And so we should actually. Learn. It's hard to do. But I want to challenge you to do it. We must learn to welcome that pain.

[23:54] In our lives. That godly sorrow. That the bible. Gives us. Rather than avoid it. Or ignore it. Or skip those verses. Because they make us feel uncomfortable. For the sake of. Short term comfort.

[24:05] It is not worth it. And also. When we. Positive note. When we take it on board. And repent. When we feel. Godly grief. Because god is convicting us.

[24:18] And we. We actually listen. We don't ignore it. And we take it on board. And repent. It is. It goes away. It's temporary. Because it. It's replaced. By the joy of being liberated. From that sin.

[24:28] Which caused us the grief. God is doing it for our good. He is a. Hebrew says. A loving parent. Who disciplines us. For our good. Let's not ignore that discipline.

[24:40] And that also leads. To the next point. The fourth. Observation. About godly grief. From this passage. Is that godly. Grief. Or godly sorrow. Leads to real. Change. That's another.

[24:50] Attribute. Which. Which separates. Godly sorrow. From worldly sorrows. That godly sorrow. Leads to real. Change. So. I'll show you where I get that from. Verse 9 and 10.

[25:01] Paul is rejoicing. That the Corinthians felt godly sorrow. Not just worldly sorrow. That's where he. Compares the two. He says. You became sorrowful. Verse 9. As God intended. And so we're not harmed.

[25:12] In any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance. That leads to salvation. And leaves no regret. But worldly sorrow brings death. How did he know? How did he know.

[25:24] That the Corinthians. Were experiencing godly sorrow. And not just. Worldly sorrow. Because he's quite confident. That they were experiencing godly sorrow. Which led to salvation.

[25:36] What's the difference? How could he tell? Well the difference is. With godly sorrow. You do something about it. Because look at verse 11. This is how he knew. See what this godly sorrow.

[25:47] Has produced in you. What earnestness. What eagerness. To clear yourselves. What indignation. What alarm. What longing. What concern.

[25:58] What readiness. To see justice done. That's how he knew. That the godly sorrow was. From God. And genuine. And the type that causes saving faith. Is that they had done something.

[26:10] About it. In response to Paul's letter. They had acted. They didn't just feel bad. For what they did wrong. Which it was in their case. Supporting Paul's opponents. Who were causing people to.

[26:22] Turn away from the gospel. And leading them into sin. They didn't just say. Oh Paul's right. I feel so bad. They did something about it. They made it right. They responded seriously.

[26:34] To the problem. They took it on board. And we see back in chapter 2. Of 2 Corinthians. They had punished. The wrongdoers. They had done church discipline. And that's not easy.

[26:45] It's messy. It's painful. It's upsetting. To a church. When people have to be rebuked. And publicly called out. And in some cases. Kicked out of the church.

[26:56] It's upsetting. It causes rifts and divisions. I know. There was a situation in this church. Before I came. That was like that. It causes divisions. It causes people to leave the church.

[27:07] And there's other situations. In other churches. Where you want to avoid it. It's messy. But. And so it was the same. In the Corinthian church. They had to do church discipline.

[27:19] And it was messy. Caused a lot of problems. But they did it. Because they took Paul's rebuke seriously. And they did something about it. And that's what he commends them for.

[27:30] And that's why he knows. It's godly sorrow. So. Question. How do you respond. When you're rebuked by scripture. What do you.

[27:41] What do you do. How do you respond. Very important question. Because you get. If you're going to come to church again. Which I hope you are. I hope today. I didn't scare you away. When you.

[27:52] When you get rebuked. When you hear something that is challenging you. How will you respond to it. How do you respond to it. Do you feel bad about it.

[28:05] And you sit there in the pew. And you go. Yeah. This is a problem. There is something wrong here. Thank you Lord. For exposing. This problem in my life. Do you do that.

[28:16] Well that's not enough. If all that happens. Is that you feel bad about it. But you don't actually go and do something about it. Well that's not godly sorrow. That's worldly sorrow.

[28:28] Godly sorrow leads to real change. Again. There are people. Who sit in church. And agree with the sermons. Even enjoy them. And they nod their heads.

[28:40] They feel bad. The rebukes. But then they go out of those doors. And nothing changes. That is only worldly sorrow. That leads to death.

[28:51] Because there is no repentance. And repentance is necessary. For salvation. And so make sure. That you respond. When you hear. Rebuke from God.

[29:01] Make sure that you have a strategy. For how you're going to. Respond to it. Decide. How you're going to respond to it. And go out. And do it.

[29:14] Because when you do that. With God's help. You can't do it in your own power. You can't swim. Back to shore. Against the current. Of sin. And evil. And Satan.

[29:24] And all of his. All of his work. To keep you away from God. And salvation. You can't do that in your own strength. You need God's help. And when you do that. With God's help. Through prayer. Which is a means of grace.

[29:35] It's one of the. Prayer. Is one of the ways. God works powerfully in your life. To change you. And to help you respond. The right way. When you do that. You actually.

[29:47] Prove something. To yourself. About. Your faith. And your standing with God. And that is the final thing. That. We need to learn this morning.

[29:58] About godly sorrow. Sorrow. Which is that godly sorrow. Proves. That your faith. Is genuine. Godly sorrow. Actually proves. That your faith. Is genuine. Look at the statement.

[30:08] Paul makes in verse 12. Now when I read this. This hit me hard. When I actually realized. What it was saying. In my study this week. I want to read it. And then I want to explain it.

[30:19] Verse 12. So even though I wrote to you. It was neither on account of the one who did the wrong. Nor on account of the injured party. But rather. That before God.

[30:29] You could see for yourselves. How devoted to us. You are. That's why he wrote that letter. The reason. Paul wrote this. Severe letter of rebuke.

[30:40] He reveals here. Wasn't actually. To change the person. Who was in the wrong. Or even to help those. Who had suffered the wrong. The reason. Paul wrote that letter.

[30:51] He says here. Was that the genuine. Christians in Corinth. Could have the assurance. That they were really saved. In how they responded. To his rebuke. It was. Actually. To assure them.

[31:03] That they were. Genuine. Christians. Because the evidence. Of true faith. Is responding. To rebuke. In godly sorrow.

[31:16] The fact. That they took it on board. And they felt bad. And then they did something about it. Proved to them. That they really did believe the gospel.

[31:26] And Jesus Christ was really their Lord. And their faith was. Genuine. And that they took the gospel seriously. And so being rebuked.

[31:39] Was actually Paul knew. And that's why he wrote the letter. Being rebuked. Was an opportunity. For the Corinthians. To be encouraged. Weirdly enough. When they observed.

[31:50] Their own reaction. To the rebuke. And they looked back. And they saw that they reacted to it. In repentance. That. Proved to them.

[32:01] Where they stand before God. Because repentance. Is evidence of. True faith. And so let me ask you. When you're rebuked. By scripture.

[32:12] What is your response. To that rebuke. Tell you about your faith. And where you really stand. Before God. Because rebukes.

[32:23] From God's word. When they come to you. Are opportunities. For you. To check that your faith. Is genuine. When you observe. How you react. To those rebukes.

[32:35] A real faith. Will result in. Godly sorrow. Which causes. Real repentance. And godly sorrow. Is the means. By which God works. In your life. To change you.

[32:46] Into the person. He wants you to be. And therefore. It is necessary. For you. No matter how uncomfortable. It is. And it's something. You shouldn't. Try to avoid.

[32:57] We should embrace. Godly sorrow. We should come to church. Expecting. To feel. Uncomfortable. Expecting. To be rebuked. So that God.

[33:07] Can use that. To do his work. In our lives. And in our church. For his glory. Let's pray. That he'll help us. Yes Lord.

[33:18] You are our father. We are your people. We have come. Into. Your. Saving. Covenant. The true Israel.

[33:29] We thank you. For all the promises. Of scripture. And all that you have done. To save us. And forgive us. For our sins. But as our father. We realize. That we must also. Be ready. To be disciplined.

[33:40] And rebuked. When we were children. We were disciplined. By our parents. And we look back. And know it was for our good. And Lord. We pray that we will have the same attitude. To you. And to your rebukes.

[33:51] From scripture. Help us Lord. To take on board. What you have to say to us. Help us to realize. We need. Rebuke. We need to feel. Godly sorrow. And Lord.

[34:02] May our sorrow. Be. Temporary. May it be something. Which causes us to change. And may it be something. By which you liberate us. From. From our sin.

[34:13] And change us. Into the likeness of Christ. And the. The people you. Have made us to be. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.