Examine Yourself

2 Corinthians 13:5-11

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test!”

There was a conversation between two pastors, and one of the pastors stated that if the Holy Spirit was to leave 80% of the individuals who attend church, then their church could carry on business as usual.

Either Jesus Christ is in you or you are a Counterfeit

The Corinthians were quick to examine and judge Paul. He proposed that they should first examine themselves

How do you examine yourself?

Every time you approach the communion table. 1 Corinthians 11:28 “Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

When you pray. Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

2 Corinthians 13:6 “I hope you will find out that we have not failed.”

Paul was mindful to examine himself. Let’s look at what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 “but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.”

You should not concern yourself if I am a counterfeit as long as you do the right thing and make sure Jesus is in you.

Church today would be more effective if we all examined ourselves first. When you are examining the ministry in the church, then the ministry of God has to work much harder to overcome your examination. And then it is time to give the benediction and go home.

2 Corinthians 13:7 “But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.”

Paul is praying for the church that they would be obedient to God even if it seems to the church that Paul is not an apostle

Paul (we pray, present tense) pray that the church will do no wrong because it would only prove that they are the counterfeit.

This is a burden of a Great Pastor with a heart for their people. They yearn to see their people in the right relationship with the Lord

2 Corinthians 13:8 “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.”

Proverbs 21:30 “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the Lord.” We must not attack or hinder the truth. The truth will always prevail.

Paul is saying that he could never act in a way that was contrary to the gospel. He is saying that his ministry stands for the truth. (Word of God)

Adhering to the truth develops you and I spiritually. Ephesians 4:29 “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”

For you to continue to grow spiritually, you must never compromise the truth.

2 Corinthians 13:9 “For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. This is what we pray for, that you may become perfect.”

In 2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul is saying that he learned lessons from his flesh, and that God’s power is perfected in his weakness.

Paul would rather be weak in the sense of failing if that meant that the Corinthians would do what’s right in the eyesight of God.

2 Corinthians 13:10 “So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.”

This will be Paul’s third time visiting the church of Corinth

When we read 2 Cor 2:1-5

2 Corinthians 2:1–5 (NRSV)

So I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice; for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you. For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

But if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but to some extent—not to exaggerate it—to all of you.

Note: Paul is saying that he didn’t mind being weak in their eyes on this visit if it meant that they would be living in the power of God.

Paul purpose is to build up and not tear down. Building them up would lead to spiritual maturity

He is talking stern because he wants them heed to the Word of God

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Listen, agree, and live = the God of Love and peace will be with you

Farewell - meaning in Greek also rejoice. Thus Paul ends this letter by encouraging you to be joyful. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”

Be Perfect means to fill up what is lacking in your Christian life.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching: A Guide from Genesis to Revelation 2 Corinthians 12:14–13:14

SUBJECT: What does Paul say is his desire for the Corinthians as he prepares to visit the church for a third time?

COMPLEMENT: Repentance and restoration in the grace of Christ, love of God, and fellowship of the Spirit.

EXEGETICAL IDEA: Paul’s desire for the Corinthians as he prepares to visit the church for a third time is their repentance and restoration in the grace of Christ, love of God, and fellowship of the Spirit.

HOMILETICAL IDEA: The grace of God provides for repentance and restoration.