Misc. - "___" - 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

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Prayer Requests:

Roger Tedford’s mom (Barbara Tedford - recovering from hip surgery)

Norma Tripp

Billy Griffith (hernia surgery last week, still recovering)

Judy Carter

- Jim Bowen recovering from back surgery yesterday.

- Tim Johnson had surgery to remove a brain tumor this morning and is in the hospital recovering. Doing well.

Blake Bennett - Pericarditis

Announcements:

Paul is evidently unfazed by their ungodly conduct toward him.

What we are going to see tonight is that Paul was focused on the big picture and didn’t let the petty, gossip, or backbiting stop him from being kingdom focused.

From the late Middle Ages until the Renaissance, northern Italy divided into factions who supported rival political powers, which further intensified their border disputes. According to legend, in 1325, a huge conflict erupted when soldiers form the town of Modena stole an oak bucket from the nearby rival town of Bologna. The thieves mockingly displayed the bucket for all to see.

Outraged, the Bolognese army marched to Modena to recover their bucket and pride. When the Modenese refused their demand, the Bolognese declared war. This event became known as the War for the Oaken Bucket. Bologna summoned a mighty army from the Guelph cities. Thirty thousand men-at-arms, two thousand knights, and Pope John XXII himself joined the chase of reclaiming the bucket.

The Modenese by contrast, only gathered five thousand men-at-arms and two thousand knights. The two armies clashed on the afternoon of November 15 at Zappolino. Despite being outnumbered nearly five to one, the Modenese managed to rout the Bolognese in just two hours of battle. The Modenese pursued the Bolognese all the way to the walls of Bologna, where they flaunted their victory before their humiliated enemy.

A total of four thousand men died that day.

All because of a bucket.

Isn’t it amazing that our enemy has caused a lot more damage with the seemingly “small” things, too?

How many churches have split because of gossip?

How many people have been lost because churches lose sight of the mission?

How many people have been pushed away because Christians develop a single-issue Kingdom mindset?

How many people

Our enemy is really good at using the small things in life to distract us from intimacy with Jesus, our calling, and unity in the local body. What we must do is stay focused on the Lord and learn from some things that Paul did when faced with adversity from other people.

What has Paul written to these believers in 2 Corinthians?

I. Paul’s Explanation of His Ministry (1–5)

A. Suffering, but not defeated (1)

B. Sorrowing, but not despairing (2)

C. Spiritual, not carnal (3)

D. Sincere, not deceitful (4)

E. Serious, not careless (5)

II. Paul’s Exhortation to the Church (6–9)

A. Paul’s ministry examined (6:1–13)

B. Paul encourages separation from sin (6:14–7:1)

C. Paul requests reconciliation in the Lord (7:2–16)

D. Paul asks for co-operation in the offering (8–9)

III. Paul’s Vindication of His Apostleship (10–13)

A. Paul defends his manner (10)

B. Paul explains his motives (11)

C. Paul asserts his merit (12)

D. Paul tells of his mission (13)

Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 473.

What did Paul face from these believers? Warren Wiersbe points out 5 lies:

that he was not a true apostle since he lacked credentials from the Jerusalem church

Acts 9

that his motives were insincere

Acts 18:3 - he made tents to support himself and consistently told people about the One that could save.

that his letters were bold but he would never back them up in person

He wasn’t a good communicator in person.

This is sort of like the person that will light you up over text messages, but then when you go to have a conversation, they back down.

that his promises could not be depended upon.

that his physical presence was so weak that he deserved no respect

This one was just downright mean.

He ugly.

2 Corinthians 11:23-33. Well maybe because I’ve gotten 39 lashes 5 different times from the Jews. got beaten with rods and stoned once.

Let me give you a little life lesson:

When we stand on God’s Word with conviction expect the enemies in this world to attack our character.

How did Paul defend himself? Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10.

2 Corinthians 10:1–6 KJV 1900

1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Paul had a choice… he could have easily taken the bait… but he chose to hold onto the truth of God’s Word.

Paul recognized that the Spiritual war we enter into every day is between God’s Truth and the Enemy’s lies.

Did you know that our enemy is trying to do the same thing to us?

Satan wants nothing more than to capture your thoughts with:

Doubt

Addictions

Condemnation of our past

Pain, impurities, heartache.

Why?

To make you feel humiliated, and useless.

As a Christian, you have been called according to His purpose. You have been set apart, redeemed, are being sanctified, and God has a huge plan for you!!

And that plan is to be much more than what you are pursuing right now! It’s to bring glory back to God.

1. How to Walk in the War

verse 3 - “For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,...”

So how did Paul get here in his letter?

The Church in Corinth was founded and Paul was there to preach to them. After a little bit of time, however, some false teachers came about and started spreading untrue things about Paul.

But at this point, Paul is dealing with a good old fashioned bit of drama.

You ever been there?

Of course you have. But I want you to see the incredible thing Paul says next:

“for although we live in the flesh....”

a) Respond with Godly Character

In verses 1-2, we see that they began to say about Paul that he was bold in writing but timid and weak in person.

Well, Matthew 11, Jesus says that He was humble and lowly at heart. So what they were saying about Paul is almost a complement.

He was Christlike

Look at what Paul says, this should bring us comfort… “We live in the flesh...”

What Paul is saying is, “I have my moments too.”

We have to be people that don’t walk in the flesh, but walk in the right character of God.

b) Recognize the Conflict

You really see his recognition in verse 3.

2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV 1900

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

Paul is dealing with drama. He recognizes it and in the first two verses tries to have the people understand and make things right with them

But this isn’t a message about drama. This is a message about war...

Hayden, where is the war?

Between our spirit and our flesh. The Holy Spirit and our old self.

2. Weapons in our War

verses 3b-5

if our weapons aren’t carnal… what are they?

a. Carnal Weapons

“weapons” in verse 4 is the same thing as armor.

These weapons are completely different than what our flesh would say:

to drama, the carnal weapon is the weapon of passivity and murmuring

to temptations, the carnal weapon is self-effort. try harder

to anger, the carnal weapon is to respond with pride

to sadness, self pity

to hurt, resentment and bitterness

to fear, carnal weapon of choice is anxiety.

b. Mighty Weapons

these weapons are in Ephesians 6:10-18:

Truth - belt

I’m not sure this is the whole truth

Righteousness - breast plate

A little sin won’t hurt

Evangelism - gospel of peace on feet

faith - shield

Salvation - helmet

God’s Word - Sword

Prayer - Alert

Romans 13:12 KJV 1900

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

2 Corinthians 6:3–7 KJV 1900

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

The spiritual war we enter into every day is between God’s truth and the Enemy’s lies.

There is a contrast in the Garden of Gethesemene. Think about Peter in the Garden of Gathesemene

He cut off the solider’s ear, after Jesus told him to be in prayer unless he would fall into temptation.

3. Winning our War

verses 4b-5

As we walk in the war and use our weapons of warfare, we will experience victory...

think about Paul here… he’s got to be thinking, I know that the weapons of the Word of God and His righteousness works. I know it does.

a. Demolishing Strongholds

These weapons are powerful through God through the demolition of strongholds.

Demolition - means pulling down, or destruction

Strong holds - castles or fortresses

this imagines a huge castle that an army is up against trying to get into!

WHat’s the stronghold in your life?

The spiritual stronghold isn’t a castle, right? It’s anything lifted up above God’s wisdom.

b. Destroying Imaginations

“Argument” or “Imagination” - reasonings, theories, opinions.

“Proud” or “High thing” - anything elevated above

What Paul means here is the elevated opinions of men that go above the truth of God.

IT’S WHAT MEN MAKE UP IN THEIR MINDS, the big castles that we just can’t seem to get past that hold us back from where God wants us to be!

What’s yours?

Is it doubt?

Is it pain?

Is it an addiction - drugs, porn, alcohol?

Is it a past sin?

Is it a relationship?

How do we win?

Take our Spiritual weapons to those bad boys!

Maybe you’re struggling with doubt - John 10:25-31 Jesus says no one can take you from my hand.

Maybe your stronghold is impurity or porn: take

c. Capture Thoughts