“True Authority”

To say that Paul has been dealing with some very heavy issues would be an understatement…

Chapter 5 – the Resurrection; the Judgment Seat of Christ; how we view people (not according to the flesh), i.e. Getting rid of prejudice; and our responsibility of reaching the world for Christ (as an Ambassador)

Chapter 6 – What it takes to be “working together” with Christ; the demand to be separate from the world (unequally yoked)

Chapter 7 – Perfecting Holiness, True Repentance

Chapter 8 – Giving (money)

Chapter 9 – Mo’ money – “I want to see a smile flash while you part with your cash!”

Chapter 10 – Spiritual Warfare!

THIS LIST would make Dave Letterman’s “Top Ten Sermons that Get Preachers Fired!”

You can imagine a member of First Church at Corinth listening to this letter thinking, “Who does this guy think he is to be telling us what we’re to be doing, who we are to be associating with, how we’re suppose to be living, how we are supposed to be giving?”

“Now he suggests that if I present an argument against what he has just written, then I’m on the wrong side in a spiritual war?”

ADDED TO THAT, Paul had some hecklers in Corinth who were tearing down his message as fast as it was being read – “For it is said…” (v.10)

What is the TRUE BASIS of AUTHORITY in the church?

Is it POSITIONS or TITLES? – Apostle, Bishop, Overseer, Elder, Pastor, or Reverend!

Is it found in a DENOMINATIONAL or ECCLESIASTICAL FLOW-CHART?

Does my EDUCATION or DEGREES grant me the voice of E.F. Hutton, that when I speak, everyone listens?

What is the BASIS OF AUTHORITY in the church?

Paul begins the defense of his authority by asking for their attention – (v.7a)!

“Look at what is obvious…” – “Τὰ κατὰ πρόσωπον (an idiom, literally ‘those things according to the face’) βλέπετε (‘to see, in the sense of becoming aware or taking notice’)!”

A PARENT would say, “Look at me—open your eyes!”

A TEACHER would say, “Eyes up front!”

A COACH would say, “Take a knee!”

2 Corinthians 10:7–18 CSB

7 Look at what is obvious. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. 8 For if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame. 9 I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters. 10 For it is said, “His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak and his public speaking amounts to nothing.” 11 Let such a person consider this: What we are in our letters, when we are absent, we will also be in our actions when we are present. 12 For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We are not boasting beyond measure about other people’s labors. On the contrary, we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. 17 So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.

In our passage this morning, we find TEN PRINCIPLES of TRUE AUTHORITY in the Church:

1. True authority IS based on OUR (MUTUAL) POSITION IN CHRIST – (v.7b)

2. True authority COMES FROM THE LORD – (v.8a)

“…our authority, which the Lord gave”

3. Authority is for the PURPOSE of EDIFICATION – (v.8b)

4. True authority is NOT DOUBLE-MINDED or TWO-FACED – (vv.9-11)

You say what you mean and mean what you say!

5. True authority is NOT based on EARTHLY STANDARDS – (v.12)

Four things the Corinthians were doing:

1) They were RANKING themselves – “For we don’t dare to classify…”

From ένκρίνω (the only time this word is used) which means to “class someone in a certain group.”

2) They were COMPARING themselves – “…comparing themselves”

3) They were COMMENDING themselves – Nothing more than sinful PRIDE!

4) They were MEASURING themselves by themselves!

AND IN DOING SO, Paul says, “…they lack understanding.”

6. True authority REMAINS in its GOD-APPOINTED SPHERE (MEASURE) – (v.13)

7. True authority is LIMITED by our RESPONSIBILITY– (v.14)

Do you seek authority? GET TO WORK! Get involved—help build—and unless you’re invited, don’t try climbing in another man or woman’s basket!

Ask God to give you a measure or sphere of ministry and then get to work!

If you are responsible for something and you don’t have the time or energy, then share the load!

8. True authority BUILDS UP for the purpose of REACHING OUT – (vv.15-16)

Your authority grows as your work grows—it grows with each harvest!

To what end? – (v.16) - “to preach the gospel to the regions beyond you…”

KEY: God grows you so you can see further over the horizon!

9. True authority EXISTS for the GLORY OF GOD– (v.17)

Remember that Christ is building the Church!

Matthew 16:18 CSB

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

10. True authority is ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABLE to the LORD! – (v.18)

1 Corinthians 4:1–5 CSB

1 A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God. 2 In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful. 3 It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. 4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.