Since there are so many things to distract us from Christ, what will keep our focus on Him? In Second Corinthians 5:11 - 15, Paul provides three motivations that will keep our heart set on following Jesus.

Jesus has promised to come again in an "hour no one knows," so we must be prepared. In Second Corinthians 5:9 - 10, Paul describes the kind of righteous ambition we need for lives that please Him.

Death is an unavoidable fact, and inevitable for every person. But for the Christian, it is a transition into the the fulness of eternal life. In Second Corinthians 5:1 - 8, Paul gives three things the believer can look forward to after death.

It's often said you can't 'judge a book by its cover;' that the first impression of something is not always right. In Second Corinthians, Paul replies to false teachers who belittled him for a simple mind and lack of skill. But instead of arguing back, Paul agrees, and declares that all believers are simple jars of clay - but hold the Lord's treasure.

Why is it that people reject the Gospel, or once professing believers deny it? In his letter to the Corinthian believers, Paul describes the traits of a faithful minister of the New Covenant, and conversely, the reason people reject Christ.

The new covenant comes in the blazing light of Christ's glory, and overshadows the gloom of the old. It gives hope, comes with clarity, looks to Christ, is empowered by the Spirit, and eternally transforms men. The question every man must ask himself is this: “Have I been changed by it?”

Mankind is daily dividing history by times and dates; of before, and after events. And whether Christian or not, the very calendar system we use centres around the birth of Jesus. As Christians, why do we believe the coming of our Lord is the turning point of history? In Second Corinthians 3:7 - 11, Paul defines the two great epochs of history, and how they affect humanity today.

The world holds self-confidence as elementary for success in life. But what about believers? In continuing his address to the Corinthian church, Paul answers this question in Second Corinthians 3:1 - 6.

The world hails revenge as the only just response to injury. In stark contrast to this stands Jesus Christ, the model of forgiveness. In Second Corinthians 2:5 - 11, Paul looks at four principles of biblical forgiveness.

When Paul was hindered from visiting the Corinthian church, false teachers maligned his character, claiming he said one thing and did another. But instead of retorting, Paul examines himself and graciously answers by proving his innocence in three areas; a model example for Christians to follow.

As Christians, how are we to respond to those who wrong us? In Second Corinthians, Paul writes to the believers in Corinth who caused him great pain when they ran after false teachers. The church having now repented, Paul writes back, defending his ministry, and explaining the reason God allows Christians to suffer affliction.