Misunderstandings

A Study on II Corinthians

Misunderstandings

II Cor. 10:1-6

Theme: The effect of misunderstandings in the ministry.

Introduction: In our study on the book of II Corinthians, I want to skip over the last part of chapter 9 and revisit that section towards the end of February. There are some great truths which will be very pertinent at that time of the year.

We will be in chapter 10 today.

I read about two brothers who owned a hardware store out in the country. It was an all-in -one store. They were busy one day and one of the brothers set a $5 on top of the register drawer. When they came back to the register, the money was gone and they accused each other of taking the money for themselves. This caused a major riff and the guys literally built a wall right down the middle of the store. They did not speak to each other for 25 years.

One day a man came into the store and placed a $5 bill on the counter. He said I was desperate and I took this off of the register 25 years ago when my family was starving. My conscience would not leave me alone.

Think about it. Two brothers did not speak for 25 years over a misunderstanding. Sometimes homes, families, children will literally split up over a misunderstanding. The Judaizers oof Paul’s day did not understand his missionary work. They accused him and his ministry of various things. Chapters 1-7 Paul had written about Christian living, chapters 8-9 about Christian giving, and now chapters 10-13 about Christian guarding.

Paul is reminding us to not let misunderstanding ruin good relationships.

I. The confusion vv. 1-2

A. His attitude v. 1

1. Paul had written a strong letter regarding the ungodly lives of the Corinthians.

2. The Judaizers had followers who were the minority in the church saying Paul is bold when he is not there in his letters but weak when he arrives.

3. They were accusing Paul of an inconsistent life which they could not trust him.

4. The Judaizers were overbearing and constantly demanding things of their followers but Paul was expecting them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

5. Many people expect church leaders or pastors to make things work or fix things, but there are things only God can fix.

6. By gentleness and meekness of Christ means when Paul came to Corinth he came with the attitude of Christ, took care of himself by tentmaking and sought to be free from any financial responsibilities from the church.

7. Paul was seeking to bear the attitude of Christ-answer not a word.

B. His actions v. 2

1. Paul was not coercing or forcing people when he came face to face to follow him.

2. Paul was simply tentmaking and then preaching the gospel to them.

3. His spiritual power was not by him throwing his weight around but came in the power of God.

4. He did not need to use human force but he let the power of God and the authority of God to work.

II. The correction vv. 3-6

A. The sphere of ministry v.3

1. The outward appearance is not where the warfare is, some seem to think.

2. The Corinthians were evaluating things according to the flesh rather than according to the spirit.

3. We are not be impressed with gifts and abilities of men, but realize the place of real ministry is the spiritual.

4. He realized that he was in the flesh living everyday but the real battle is spiritual.

5. He did not use natural human abilities and methods to preach, he came in the power of the Holy Spirit.

B. The weapons of ministry v. 4

1. Spiritual warfare means that we have a spiritual enemy which requires spiritual weapons-we do not fight against man but against satanic forces Mtt. 16:18

2. Men will bring intellectualism, humanism, atheism, many things to oppose the ministry.

3. We have mighty weapons through God-without God in them, they are worthless

a. Word of God“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17)

b. Holy Spirit who empowers us

c. Prayer

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18)

C. The goal of ministry vv. 5-6

1. Casting down imaginations-victory over our imaginations

2. Casting down thoughts that are contrary to Christ-any thought or action that forms an obstacle to allowing the knowledge of Christ to work through us.

3. We need the power of God to bring our thoughts into the control of Chirst-discipline our thoughts “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 1:13)

4. Disobedience is conquered by obedience.

Conclusion: Principles

1. Don’t assume anything.

2. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt.

3. Pray for them.

4. Talk with them about the misunderstanding.