Paul's Farewell Address (2)
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Liberty
Two weeks ago we spoke about how Paul “served The Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials.”
20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes.
21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
So here Paul is recounting his ministry.
Paul held no secrets, he held nothing back. he didn’t withhold anything that was profitable to the faithful.
Paul did not shrink back. He wasn’t afraid to be deemed as a fanatic.
The quality of Pauls ministry was the openness of his proclamation.
Paul did not hold back the truth even though it was uncomfortable and not welcomed.
16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
He was very careful on how he handled the truth and the word of God.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Some people accused Paul for using the gospel deceitfully for his own ends.
Using the word of God as a way for you to receive some kind of validation.
Paul did not distort the word of God. Though some of his opponents did.
Imagine living a life of truth where you don’t have to hide anymore.
Your life should honorable to the point you no longer have to wear a mask .
Paul is saying he renounced the hidden things of shame. He put away the mask.
If self-righteous piety sometimes snuffs out genuine compassion, it must also be admitted, with shame, that social activism, even that which meets real needs, sometimes masks a spirit that knows nothing of worship and adoration.
D. A. Carson
Even overt activism can be a mask for self righteousness and not genuine compassion.
But in order for me not to wear the mask
2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
Try means to prove with fire.
Paul was vulnerable to the point he gave his testimony 7 times.
Paul was transparent.
Paul sees his apostleship not as an instrument of power but as a call to become a transparent agency through whom the crucified and raised Christ becomes portrayed through lifestyle, thought, and utterance.”
David E. Garland
So Pauls Apostleship wasn’t an opportunity to weld his authority. But an opportunity to reveal Christ to people.
I see my position as a Pastor not a position to Lord over people but as a larger platform to love others with the love of Christ.
Anything less then transparency as a Pastor is manipulation at best and deceitful at worst.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Gods desire is not just for you to have outward virtue but an inward purity.
God always judges you by your inner nature not your outward professions.
The Difference between Repentance and Remorse
Themes: Repentance; Sin
“There is a great difference between repentance and remorse. When Judas Iscariot had betrayed the Lord, he was overwhelmed by remorse and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). When Simon Peter had denied the Lord, he wept bitter tears of repentance (Matthew 26:75). The remorseful sinner hastens from Christ; the penitent flees to him.”