A Refreshing Church (2 Corinthians 7:13–16)

Joni Mitchell’s classic song, “Big Yellow Taxi,” contains the line, “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” That line, sadly, could describe much of church history. That is, once-healthy local churches that were a blessing to members and others have ceased to be churches that refresh the weary and sin-ladened. Instead, they have become churches that discourage and disillusion and deplete those who need to be replenished.

While pondering this section of 2 Corinthians 7, it occurred to me that our church—Brackenhurst Baptist Church (BBC)—is, in many ways, like the church at Corinth, including being a source of refreshing—not only to one another as members, but also a source of blessing to many outside our own congregation.

Our recent World Outreach Celebration (WOC) provided the context for us to once again be reminded that the Lord has blessed BBC so that we are a church that refreshes the many “Tituses” with whom we have a relationship. We must appreciate what we have, steward it well, and continue to be a refreshing church, lest one day we become a mere parking lot.

In this study, we will dig into four main points concerning being a refreshing church:

1. What a refreshing church does
2. What a refreshing church is
3. What a refreshing church is not
4. What a refreshing church requires

We need to define what is meant by a refreshing church. Verse 13 reads, “Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.”

A refreshing church, by definition, is a church that provides rest to the weary and even worried. A refreshing church enables God’s servants to collect their strength, calming them with patient expectation. Such refreshment results in both joy and revitalisation of spirit.

The word translated “refreshed” is frequently translated in the New Testament as “rest” (Matthew 11:28; Mark 6:31; 14:41; Revelation 14:13) or even “relax” (Luke 12:19). Elsewhere, as here, it is translated as “refresh” (Philemon 20) or “refreshed” (1 Corinthians 16:18; Philemon 7).

Consider the situation. Titus had come with a painful (severe) letter from Paul. No doubt, there had been some fear and trepidation on his part. Would he be welcomed? Would they shoot the messenger? Would his ministry make things worse? Would he be cold-shouldered? Ghosted? Would his physical needs be met by the church? What if, on top of all of this, Paul viewed his ministry as a failure? In other words, as he arrived in Corinth, Titus was perhaps restless and wearied.

But when he gathered with the congregation and shared the letter, he was amazed by their response. He was encouraged by their obedience. He was blessed by their fellowship. He was refreshed in his spirit by the reception of this local church.

In the first half of v. 13, Paul makes the point that he was comforted by the report he received from the Titus touch. Titus was a tool in God’s hands to comfort Paul in his affliction (v. 6).

But in the second half of v. 13, Titus himself was comforted. The church of Corinth came alongside him, resulting in his refreshment. We might call this the Corinthian comfort/communion. This is what BBC is to be. A local church that ministers rest to the wearied and relief to the worried. This is the posture of BBC. May it continue.

Having examined what a refreshing does, what are the characteristics of such a church? I want to point to four things from this text.

As we have seen, Titus’s arrival was most probably daunting for him. How would he be received? From what Paul writes, he was received refreshingly and he was welcomed well by the church.

Verse 15 makes the point that the church received him with fear and trembling. That is, “they took his role seriously and the situation he addressed seriously” (Guthrie). In other words, they neither self-righteously or obstinately blew him off but rather received his ministry and responded appropriately.

A local church that takes apostolic instruction seriously is a church poised to be refreshing to serious-minded servants of Christ. A teachable church is a rebukable church and therefore a gracious church. It is the kind of church that comforts the weary. It is the kind of church that puts a spring into the steps of a faithful servant of God. The churches at Philippi and at Thessalonica were such churches.

This, of course, is the overflow of the above observation and is captured in the words, “as he remembers the obedience of you all.”

The word “obedience,” of course, connotes submission to authority, in this case, the apostolic commands. The particular situation is primarily that of confronting the subversive slanderer with his sin, holding him accountable for what he had done. Rather than defending him, they disciplined him in accordance with Titus’s instruction (though as we have seen, a bit excessively!).

To summarise, they received the instruction and did it. They did not merely say “amen,” but put into practice the apostolic instruction.

Repeatedly this has been the outcome of our WOCs over the years. We have not only received the word of God but have obeyed it—in giving; in caring; in going.

With reference to this last matter, we, as a church, should probably be giving more serious thought to this. Does someone need to go? Do we need to plant another church? Do we need to revitalise a work? In what way should we respond?

As the church responds in obedience to God’s word—to his commission—those who observe are refreshed in their spirits and encouraged to persevere. By God’s grace, BBC does that for many others—and not only concerning the Great Commission.

I referred to this with reference to the sinning member that was confronted, but it is worth giving this some spotlight attention. As we will see in a moment, a refreshing church is not a sinless church, but it takes sin seriously. When confronted with error, it deals with it. A refreshing church takes God’s word seriously. A repenting church will experience the grace of the Lord. It will experience refreshment from the Lord, thus enabling her to refresh others.

Repentance is not a once-off event for the Christian. As Luther recorded in his first thesis, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent,’ he intended that the entire life of believers should be repentance.” David Mathis comments, “All of the Christian life is repentance. Turning from sin and trusting in the good news that Jesus saves sinners aren’t merely a one-time inaugural experience but the daily substance of Christianity. The gospel is for every day and every moment. Repentance is to be the Christian’s continual posture.” Interestingly, Luther’s last words were, “We are beggars! This is true.” And again Mathis observes, “From first thesis to last words, Luther lived at the foot of the cross, where our rebellious condition meets with the beauty of God’s lavish grace in the gospel of his Son—a gospel deep enough to cover all the little and massive flaws of a beggar like Luther and beggars like us.”

As each of us takes sin and the Saviour seriously, we will continue to live a life of repentance, thus being revived in our faith and a refreshment to others. As BBC has reformed (a form of and congregational outworking of repentance) our ability to refresh others has grown. May it continue.

In future studies, we will, God willing, begin to unpack chapters 8–9, which deals with Paul’s collection of a financial love gift for beleaguered Christians in Jerusalem. This offering was a big deal for the early church, referred to in Romans 15; 1 Corinthians 16; and here. Paul saw it as an important part of his ministry, describing it as a blessing (Romans 15:27), a favour (2 Corinthians 8:4) and in terms of “fellowship” and “grace.” In other words, Paul saw this financial collection as something spiritual. He both desired and expected the Corinthian church to participate. By doing so, they would both materially replenish the saints in Jerusalem and spiritually refresh them. This is precisely what we do as a local church when it comes to our support of our ministers and missionaries.

By financially supporting these ministries, we provide comfort to our brothers and sisters who are labouring for the gospel. Our support says, “We care! You are not alone! We are holding the ropes!”

Chapters 8–9 may seem out of place. Paul moves from writing chapters describing his great burden for the church—including the presence of corrupt influencers—and his passionate desire for them to be reconciled to him to a practical matter of asking for a financial gift for Christians in Jerusalem. Why the thematic transition?

I think the answer is found in the statement of v. 16: “I rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you.” Knowing that this church had been such a blessing to Titus, that their reception of him had been so refreshing to his spirit, Paul was confident that the church was in a good space—a Christ-centred space—and that they were living, largely, with a gospel, and therefore a giving, mindset.

This offering was a priority for Paul because it revealed the communion of Gentile and Jewish saints. It was a cross-cultural phenomenon, testifying to the power of the gospel to tear down barriers between peoples. This offering was testimony of the gospel to unite people who are different because of the cross of Christ. But Paul could not make his appeal for this gift if the church in Corinth was self-absorbed and resistant to the apostolic word.

But when Paul received word from Titus that the church was receptive, responsive, and repentant, he realised they were in a place to replenish Christians in need. He discerned that, in being such a refreshment to Titus, they were poised to refresh others a long way away.

Brackenhurst Baptist Church is well-positioned to refresh other Christians elsewhere precisely because she refreshes Christians right here. I have often operated from the outlook that the healthier we are as a church local, the longer will be our reach. “Deep and wide” as the children’s Sunday school song puts it.

I am refreshed as a Christian as I observe fellow church members refreshing others in the church. As our church grows in being receptive, responsive, and repentant, so will we grow in being “replenishers” of those not only at home but also outside of our local church.

The words “complete confidence” are translated “good courage” in 5:6, 8. Paul is therefore not only expressing his confidence in the church but is also saying saying that their refreshing treatment of Titus had had the effect also of refreshing him. In fact, this has so refreshed Paul that it has produce rejoicing. The point is that, when we are a blessing to the Tituses sent our way, we are a blessing to those who observe.

From a church leadership perspective, I can testify that, when I see our congregation loving on faithful ministers, I am of “good courage.” It delights my heart to see our church supporting and caring for those are serving elsewhere for this indicates spiritual maturity.

Having looked at what a refreshing church is, it is equally important that we note what a refreshing church is not. In short, we can simply say that a refreshing church is not a remarkable church.

I remember Don Carson saying that the remarkable thing about the pastoral qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and in Titus 1 is that they are not remarkable. He pointed out that the same character qualities required of an elder are the very same character qualities that every Christian should be aspiring towards.

Well, when it comes to the Corinthian church being a refreshing church, we note that every local church has the same opportunity and, I would add, the same responsibility. In other words, this church was no more remarkable than any other local church, and yet she was a refreshing church. This provides hope for all of us!

Let’s look at two unremarkable things about the church that refreshes.

It is obvious to anyone who has studied any of the Corinthian letters that the church at Corinth was not a sinless church. It faced various sinful challenges in the camp: immorality, idolatry, arrogance, classism, slander, etc. And yet Paul could boast about them to Titus (v. 14) and even make the authentic claim, “I have complete confidence in you” (v. 16).

This very imperfect church was nonetheless such a spiritual refreshment to Titus that his affection for them grew in intensity (v. 15). How was this possible? Because God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Because it is not only ministers who are jars of clay—fragile, vulnerable, expendable—but also every church member.

BBC is a long way from perfection (which is of course grievous) and yet we are still able to refresh one another and others.

Think of “famous” and fruitful churches that refresh others globally. Perhaps Grace Community Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, etc. Whichever church you think about, whichever church you have profound respect for, let me assure you that it is not sinless. Any of these deal with immorality, sadly sometimes even among the leadership. These churches deal with apostasy, slander, and various kinds of idolatry (including idolatry concerning their reputation). And yet the Lord uses them.

This is not to excuse sin in the church. This is not to lightly dismiss our imperfection. On the contrary, we should be doing all we can to be holy as our Lord is holy (1 Peter 1:15–17; Matthew 5:48). Yet we should not think that we have to wait for perfected sanctification in order to be a church that refreshes. Though blemished, we can still be a blessing.

Following from the above, neither is a refreshing church required to be a trouble-free church. Having been exposed thus far to 23 chapters written to the church at Corinth, all God’s people said, “Of course!”

There were at least three challenges that troubled this church, and yet Paul could still say, “I have complete confidence in you,” having learned how they were a refreshing church to his son in the faith.

Remarkably, this church unremarkably experienced relational breakdowns and yet she was a refreshing church. Even though they were not always refreshing to one another, this did not keep them from refreshing others.

Of course, we should do all we can to reconcile with one another. We should work on growing in brotherly love for one another, including that person you are thinking of right now! Nevertheless, being a work in progress, we can continue to be a blessing to the Tituses the Lord brings our way. In fact, by ministering to them, we will probably find ourselves growing in affection for each other.

A refreshing church may even have some doctrinal challenges. The church in Corinth certainly did (see 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 11:1–4). Again, these were serious matters, but because they were receptive, responsive, and repentant, they were able to persevere, growing in health, and therefore growing in their ability to refresh others.

BBC’s path of reformation has confronted us with our own doctrinal error and yet we have not lost sight of the mission. And, by the way, we partner with some who, in secondary matters, are, I believe, in error. But when it comes to the main mission—the Great Commission—we can refresh one another and happily replenish them as they preach the gospel and make disciples. That is, we grow in loving catholicity.

The church at Corinth was challenged by some pretty bad behavioural matters. Believers were suing one another. The church was plagued by personality cliques. Believers shunned and disrespected one another at the Lord’s Table. Nevertheless, they were equipped to refresh Titus and to provide Paul with “complete confidence” about their ability to do so.

The point of all of this is that even unremarkable churches can be refreshing churches. This brings us to our last point.

What is required for us to continue as a refreshing church? Simply, it requires the stewardship of what got us here. It requires that we continue to be receptive to apostolic teaching. It requires that we continue to be responsive to apostolic teaching. It requires that we continue to be repentant in accordance with apostolic teaching. It requires that we continue to be replenishers of faithful ministers of the gospel.

Many other churches are doing this. We must continue to do so. But, specifically, what will it take? It will take staying focused on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are told that the Corinthians received Titus with fear and trembling (v. 15). They received his ministry and message reverently. I don’t know all that this involved but I am sure that, as we respond reverently to the gospel of God, our ability to refresh will be increased.

We must remember that the cross of Jesus Christ casts a long and influential shadow over both letters to the Corinthians. Paul made this very clear in 1 Corinthians 2:1–5.

As we learn more about the cross work of Jesus, as we grow in gospel learning and gospel love, we will continue to be refreshed by the gospel, thus equipping us to refresh others. Contemplating the person and work of Jesus will reverently move us to receive and respond repentantly to God’s word. We must daily reflect on God’s love in Christ for sinners like you and me. We must daily reflect on Jesus’s sacrificial, substitutionary, satisfactory, sufficient death on the cross for us. We must daily remember that he has risen from the dead, ascended to heaven, and is seated at God’s right hand interceding for us.

When the Spirit of God enlightens our understanding, our lives will respond in obedience and, by God’s sovereign grace, we will not only be refreshed but will corporately be a refreshing church, refreshing others who come our way.

AMEN