The Final Charge

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Introduction

Final sermon in Zeal series

(Some final questions)

What is Zeal?

Why can we have Zeal? Where does it come from

Who is our Zeal directed towards?

Who is affected by our Zeal?

We’re gonna see Paul in this passage give one more final “exhortation” or “encouraging word” to the Corinthian church

Now, let’s keep this in mind. Has Paul been happy or disappointed with the Corinthians throughout this letter?

Happy passages

He says he has “great pride in them” and is “filled with comfort” and “overflowing with joy.” 2 Corinthians 7:4 “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.”

He also boasts about their willingness to contribute to a relief effort and credits their zeal for the Lord as positively affecting others 2 Corinthians 9:2 “for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.”

Disappointed

They’ve given in to the super apostles

They say that Paul isn’t “impressive” enough

I wonder how many of you have someone in your life that gives you so many reasons to love them, yet they also give you a lot of reasons to be frustrated with them

What is your heart towards them? Do you have a generally negative spirit towards them?

Keep this in mind as we read Paul’s final words to this church, because we should never allow the negative aspects of someone’s character to overshadow the good parts of their character

SERMON

We see 6 exhortations, which is another way of saying gentle commands, and 1 encouraging word. Let’s look at these together

Rejoice

Rejoice in the really good things that happen in your life

Isn’t life so much better when you’re rejoicing

Also, rejoice when things aren’t going so well

Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation”

Sometimes, we have to go back to the most basic truths, especially when life is really crazy

HAVE THE AUDACITY TO ASK FOR JOY

“God, remind me that I have been saved not only to eternal life with you, but remind me that you’ve also delivered me out of the dominion of darkness in this life. And though war wages around me, the one thing it can never take away is my soul which rests in you”

Aim for restoration / Grow to maturity

I love this thought of restoration, because it shows us that the process of sanctification - looking more like Jesus - is not only a process that makes us better, but it is also a process of restoring us to what we were created to be

Mud on clothing illustration

We were created in the image of God, we were never created to sin and give into the desires of the flesh. We were made to look like God

And since Jesus is God, if becoming more like Jesus is the goal, we’re not becoming better, but rather, the image of God is being restored in us

Comfort one another / Encourage one another

One of the ways we stay zealous as Christians is being surrounded by people that encourage us and build us up in the faith

“I can still be a Christian and not go to church”

(that would be like me saying “I can be on the soccer team without going to practice or games. I can just kick the ball around in my backyard”)

We were made to be in community

Gen 2 - “It is not good for man to be alone”

Jesus and his disciples. Look at John 17 and see the tenderness with which Jesus speaks about his disciples, and you’ll see that they were truly his friends

That’s the great tragedy of the disciples falling asleep in the garden

Agree with one another / Live in harmony

There’s nothing that steals your zeal quite like disorder with a brother or sister in Christ

It’s simple. Live in harmony with each other

If you have a problem with a brother or sister because of something you’ve done, apologize to them and make it right

If it’s because of something they’ve done, pray into it and pray that the Holy Spirit would give you the heart of Jesus towards them

Live in Peace

Live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you

Notice how this is the only exhortation with a result

Why? Because peace is the only thing in this list that doesn’t require you to do anything

Some people say you get peace by not thinking about thoughts that make you anxious. Paul is saying the peace of God is not the absence of thought, but the presence of God

I’m worried about the health of my Grandma - you can have peace

I’m worried about what’s gonna happen if I share the Gospel - you can have peace

Conclusion

And finally he ends with a word of blessing. And in one short verse, Paul preaches the Gospel