2 Cor 12:11-21

Chad Myhre

2 CVorinthians • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

0 ratings

· 6 views

Verse by verse study through 2 ?Corinthians

Notes

Transcript

2 Corinthians 12:10–12 ESV

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

SLIDE 2

2 Corinthians 12:10–11 ESV

SLIDE 3

2 Corinthians 12:12–13 ESV

12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

2 COR 12.12-

SLIDE 4

2 Corinthians 12:14 ESV

14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Intro:

If you’ve been with us over the past few studies..

you know what’s going on..

Titus has delivered this letter.. to a church that is having problems..

The letter.. is from the guy who planted the church.. Paul..

And the content of the letter.. is.. in many ways.. difficult and discomforting.

Paul originally brought with him.. the pure and simple message of the gospel..

.. It was a message of grace..

Of forgiveness.. of new beginnings.. of old things being passed away..

Of all things becoming new.. ++

It was a message of freedom..

Freedom from the law..

Freedom from guilt..

Freedom from the personal obligation human’s have.. to earn their salvation.. ++

It’s the same simple gospel message that we embrace today..

He received.. what we deserved..

The prophesied Messiah came… fulfilling prophecy… dying, as was prophesied… resurrected, as was prophesied… witnessed by a generation that turned the world upside down..

And he died a death so great.. that is equals the death of every human.. beyond the limits of time..

… and leaving with us, a gift… a message of salvation, redemption, purpose, and eternal life.

And this gift.. has been offered to us.. in the form of “God’s Forgiveness”

God is able to forgive our sins..

Because our sins.. have been met-out on the cross..

And so.. in receiving this gift of forgiveness..

By committing ourselves to His Lordship..

By believing in our hearts.. that this is what has been done for us..

We.. like those believers in Corinth..

…received eternal life.. ++

It’s all so simple..

This new life in X.. ++

We realize.. that He has made us clean..

So.. we are thankful..

And this thankfulness.. perpetuates..

A longing to grow..

A longing to worship..

A longing to please Him.. ++

We realize.. that we are recipients of abounding grace..

And God intends.. that we will continue to receive from Him.. through the means of grace.. ++

Therefore.. we don’t feel compelled to work for our salvation..

We don’t feel compelled to earn His favor..

We don’t heed the carnal curses of guilt and obligation.. ++

No.. this new life.. is simple..

And by recognition of grace.. thanksgiving is generated w/in us..

And that’s why we live the way we live.. ++

But simple things.. rarely remain simple..

In our culture.. we can look all around us.. and see those who have taken the simple gospel..

.. and they’ve complicated it.. ++

Hebrews 13:9 ESV

9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

This is what the writer of Hebrews was saying… Simple grace with strengthen you… but if you complicate it… you are being led away. Complicating grace, will not benefit you.

People… today… just as they were doing back then… they’ve added restrictions.. limits.. clauses.. and addendums..

They’ve heeded to the curses of guilt and obligation..

And have added works and disciplines to appease these curses.. ++

They’ve tightened everything up… and restricted every move..

.. or.. THEY’VE GONE THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION… which is also a form of legalistic thinking… - they’ve eliminated the boundaries of reason..

And have created an ideal of “anything goes”.. ++

We see it today..

And this is precisely the kind of thing..

That was happening.. in Corinth..

And Paul has been addressing it.. ++

Currently.. Paul is addressing a very specific part of this problem..

New teachers have come into this church..

And they are the ones.. who have been complicating the simple message..

And since Paul is the one who taught the simple message..

It became the goal of these teachers..

To discredit the simple message..

.. by discrediting the messenger… Paul.. ++

For this reason.. Paul has been defending his ministry.. since the beginning of chapter 11..

For by defending himself..

He ultimately.. defends the simple gospel message..

It is in the midst of this defense.. where we pick up this morning..

SLIDE 5

2 Corinthians 12:11–12 ESV

11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

Paul calls his boasting “foolishness”

and he tells them.. that they are the ones who encouraged him to boast..

Why?

Because those who were bringing the tainted gospel.. were apparently boasters..

And they gained the loyalty of this fellowship by “boasting” ++

For this reason.. Paul exemplifies their folly..

By boasting in himself..

But.. it’s just an example..

Paul practices a foolish thing..

..to show them.. that they had been embracing a foolish thing.. ++

He let’s them know.. that they have been “de-sensitized” to the simple truth of the gospel..

by the showmanship.. that has been evident in their midst.. ++

Here’s a modern application..

We have a great band here at our church..

And it wasn’t a matter of us.. seeking out a band to playa certain style of music..

We didn’t think.. “Oh, we have to have.. contemporary music”.. ++

No.. the reason we have the band that we have..

Is because each of these individuals..

Offered their talents.. and proved themselves faithful.. ++

I never felt like.. we had to have the band..

This was not an ambitious endeavor..

We started out w/me and my guitar singing choruses and hymns..

And I would have no problem with us returning to that place of simplicity.. - I’d rather someone who can actually sing do the singing… so not me…

But… for now… God provided this group..

And musically.. it’s not always the style that I would have chosen..

These are not always the songs that I would choose.

We have this band… and we sing these songs..

But not because we felt like we had to.. not because this is what’s expected in our modern church culture..

We have them, because God provided them..

And yet.. our American church society has created an expectation..

There has to be… the contemporary option..

Some folks.. weigh their church choice.. heavily..

.. upon the band.. ++

There’s gotta be a band..

No there doesn’t. There has to be an organ..

But here’s a cold hard reality… - Worship style is not a ministry distinctive of this church..

We could be accapella for all I care..

As long as we’re worshipping.. ++

Our American church society.. has created other expectations..

There’s gotta be.. programs..

Family relevant programs..

Workshops.. teaching series.. seminars..

On marriage.. parenthood.. finance.. work place.. ++

There’s got to be.. special programs..

Where we go through the trendy book that’s out right now..

Or.. we go through the course study that tricks people into unwittingly learning the Bible..

There’s gotta be.. drama..

Not sermons.. but rather..

Stories..

Not teaching..

But rather..

Conversations.. ++

There’s gotta be multi-media stuff to make us think everything is cool..

Conversations w/movie clips to prove a point..

Lots of teaching props.. posters.. banners.. visual stimulation.. ++

There’s gotta be all kinds of fancy stuff for the kids with fancy rooms and high faluttin programs.. bounce houses every Sunday..

But… wait a minute..

Why does there “have to be”???? - These things aren’t bad… but also, these things aren’t necessary… However… an expectation has been created.. ++

This expectation is called ‘consumerism’

People look at worship like a consumer. They rate their experience on social media. They consider heavily how the service made them feel. They judge how professional everything is…

New books come out.. new movements in the church..

New examples are set..

And the next thing you know..

You’re being told.. as a pastor.. or as a church..

That you WILL NOT be effective..

..unless you.. do these things.. ++

Do you know how many times in the past 20 years I have been approached by some church growth marketing program… telling me that we need to break the 100 barrier… or the 200 barrier… or the 500 barrier…???

More times than I can count…

And my response is always the same… I refuse to see my congregation as a number… and I refuse even more, to consider something that God has brought together… a barrier.

The church in Corinth..

Had been stimulated by the showmen..

They have come to believe and expect… that an apostle will be well spoken, impressive, and well commended…

Paul was horribly lacking according to these expectations…

Paul might even seem… like a foolish thing to go back to…

And now.. here’s Paul.. telling them.. that this way of thinking… is foolishness ++

Remember 17-18 years ago… when churches used overhead projectors and transparencies?

What if we went back to using the transparency overheads?

We have programs.. as long as the Lord is opening the door.. and making the provision.

If the Lord gives someone a heart to get together with the youth on a certain day.. and do a Bible study..

Great..

If someone else feels led to do the same thing on another day..

Even greater..

The more opportunities the youth have.. to study the Word.. and fellowship..

..the better..

We have multiple opportunities for the children..

On Sunday morning.. your child could stay here w/you..

And you could teach them the disciplines and the social skills that come with this kind of environment..

And it’s also quite possible.. that I could actually teach them something..

ON Sunday morning.. your child could go into the children’s church program after worship..

On Wednesday night..

They could come and be part of the Bible Club that happens here…

the adults have different opportunities too..

I’m not the only Bible teacher..

I’m thrilled.. that there are other opportunities throughout the week..

But here’s the reality..

Just because the Lord is providing the opportunity to have these extra things now..

It doesn’t mean we’ll always have them..

We can’t embrace an expectation.. that one good opportunity.. must always continue no matter what.

Would you.. still come here..

If it was just Darrin and his acoustic guitar leading worship every week?

Would you still come here..

If we were back to using the transparency overheads?

Would you still come here?. ++

If we didn’t have the best church coffee in town?

Would you still come here.. - believe it or not… I would. I’d just bring a thermos. :)

If we had to sell these chairs.. and get metal folding chairs instead?

Would you still come here.. ++

If.. the building we were meeting in.. was 5 more miles away from your house?

Would that change anything?

Paul communicated this principle to the church in Corinth..

Don’t get accustomed.. to those who brag.. to those who drop the big names.. to those who bring “hype” rather than hope…

Don’t get all excited.. about a gospel that is easier to swallow..

Don’t embrace it.. just because it appeases your logic better.

..or.. it gives you a greater allowance for carnal liberty.. ++

The first CC I attended in Florida had an incredible band. They still do..

After I moved away… Julie ended up going to that same church… and they began to identify a problem when she was there..

It became evident.. that many people were just coming to hear the band..

So the pastor gave the band a few months off..

And they worshipped with one singer and one guitar.. ++

Whatever the stimulation factor might be..

The issue is not.. “whether it’s wrong or not”

The issue is..

Don’t grow to depend on it.. or expect it..

If we came together.. studied the simple gospel..

Sang songs w/o instruments..

prayed..

And occasionally shared a meal..

We’d have the parts that matter for a Sun morning service..

The rest of it.. is nice..

But not.. necessary. ++

The proponents of a tainted gospel had apparently proclaimed in themselves.. a better “apostleship” than Paul..

But Paul cleared the record..

In vs. 11.. Paul says.. that he’s just as much an apostle as any of them..

And yet.. “he’s nothing” ++

By this statement.. he equivocates apostleship.. w/humility..

Disqualifying those who claimed apostleship..

w/showmanship… speaking talent… and commendation.

Then.. in vs. 12..

He reminded them.. that the signs of apostleship have already been evident in their midst. ..

There were signs.. wonders and mighty deeds..

But there was one more thing..

Something of greater significance than the miracles..

A sign of Apostleship..

Was: patience.. ++

Meaning this..

Paul.. was patient.. and long suffereing w/them..

The word “apostle” means “sent one”

If God has sent you.. to a particular ministry..

… sure.. you will experience signs of God’s hand moving in that work..

The fruit is the fun part..

But to see it.. there must also be: “patience / perseverance” ++

I often question.. whether or not I’m sposed to be here.. at CC.. doing this job as pastor.. 20 years of questioning… you’d think I’d know by now…

But, when I look back.. and I see.. that I’ve gone through a lot of difficult times..

Not only w/my own circumstances..

But also.. w/the circumstances of the family..

I’ve been given so many reasons to quit.. I’ve seen so many excuses to claim personal disqualification..

I’ve even had a few people tell me I’m disqualified.. not gifted.. not called.. and that I should quit.. -

And somehow.. here I am.. still here.. ++

I question my calling when I stub my toe…

But my calling has endured vicious attacks at times..

And the fact that I’m still doing this..

Gives me comfort..

God has enabled me.. to persevere.. to be patient.. ++

And I conclude.. for a moment… before I stub my toe again.. Wow.. I must really be called to do this..

Folks.. perseverance.. long suffering.. patience..

These are big factors in ministry… big factors of qualification… big factors of validation… big factors of confirmation..

And if you aren’t willing to experience them.. and endure them.. If you are frustrated, because you have yet to see the signs and wonders…

If you aren’t willing to persevere…

You really want to s

Odds are.. you won’t make it to the place… where the signs and the wonders start to sprout up..

SLIDE 6

2 Corinthians 12:13–14 ESV

13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

SLIDE 7

2 Corinthians 12:15–18 ESV

15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

2 COR 12.15-

Paul never gave them.. a single opportunity… to accuse him of any wrong doing..

Reports came to Paul..

“HEY PAUL… the people in Corinth ..they love the teachers who are preaching the tainted gospel.. “

..they love the teachers who are preaching the tainted gospel..

Oh yea.. well, what’s going on..

Well.. here’s what these guys are doing.. and apparently.. here’s why the church in Corinth loves them:

They are bragging about their qualifications..

They are bragging about their associations to Jesus and the Apostles..

They are utilizing the law to manipulate the people.. AND

They are receiving offerings.. from the people.. ++

So Paul speaks to them on these terms..

Hey.. you love the guys who took your money..

Well.. I’m sorry that I wasn’t burdensome to you like that..

Yes.. I received money from other churches..

And I know it’s unfair to you.. because I never received money from you..

And to make matters worse..

I’m not going to receive money or support from you next time.. ++

Neither have, nor will, any of my co-laborers..

We have never been a burden on you…

And we’re sorry about that. ++

Folks.. yes.. there is sarcasm in the bible..

Obviously.. Paul knew that this would be a sensitive issue for them..

Paul knew.. that if he were to receive support from them..

That they would use it as an excuse to accuse Paul of insincere ministry.. ++

Here’s something to consider..

Careful decisions now.. can save you from a lot of heartache.. in the future..

This is a simple wisdom principle..

Before you do it or say it..

Imagine first.. the ramifications of it.. ++

How will people react to this?

Will it be.. constructive.. or destructive..

The Lord gave Paul wisdom…

And he knew.. that it would be a bad idea.. to receive support from this church..

For, possibly… such a thing.. would be used against him.. in the future.. - Maybe Paul knew this… maybe he didn’t..

But, for some reason the Lord led Paul to deal with this church in this manner.

You’ve heard the term “kid gloves’ right?

Sometimes we need to speak to and deal with our kids in a delecate way, so they understand what we are trying to communicate, without a massive reaction that will shut everything down.

I’m sure many of us have learned… that kid gloves are not just for kids.

Sometimes we handle different people differently, because we know… that they may or may not be able to receive the information, unless we deliver it in a gentle way.

Sometimes… we communicate differently… or expect things differently… or interact differently… - Not because we know how that person might react… but simply because, the Lord has led us to treat them differently.

Sometimes, God has us put the kid gloves on, and we don’t even know why… - But usually, we figure it out.

Whether Paul knew why or not, God had him wear kid gloves with the church in Corinth… especially around the topic of money.

SLIDE 8

2 Corinthians 12:19–20 ESV

2 Corinthians 12:19–21 ESV

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

SLIDE 9

2 Corinthians 12:21 ESV

21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

There are many potential scenario’s before Paul..

He could be mad at them.. or they could be mad at him..

Or he could mourn for them..

Or possibly.. he could find them.. in good condition.. ++

Whatever the potential outcome might be..

the intent.. the purpose.. the heart of Paul’s ministry remains the same..

in vs. 19.. he made it clear..

that everything he does… he does “all for their upbuilding” ++

Folks.. that’s my prayer.. for this ministry..

I’ve got a lot to learn..

And there’s a lot of mistakes that are yet to be made..

But this is my hope..

That all the things that we can do here..

Are for edification..

I hope that you are edified.. in your faith..

Edified.. to grow spiritually..

Edified.. to worship and serve..

And that the ministry you do.. will be edifying to us as we serve..

But also.. very edifying.. to the lost world around us..

The ones who are in need of experiencing the love of JX.. ++

Conclusion.

Let’s end it w/this challenge..

it’s definitely a challenge to my heart..

I don’t want to create anger and division in other people’s lives any more.. ++

But I’m sure.. I will..

Whether I like it or not.. because people are people… I’m sure that it will happen…

What I want to create..

Is something.. that will edify.. literally.. build people up..

That these teachings that I give..

will build you up..

That the ministries we provide through this organization..

Will build you up… ++

because we confessed.. before God..and before one another..

that we want to be better representatives of JX..

We want to be a window to Jesus.. for this world..

And we stood..

Most of us sincerely..

Maybe some.. out of guilt that everyone else was standing..

Who knows..

But there was standing.. and I’m going to assume that you all meant it..

Well, today.. we’re going to do the same thing..

It’s not just my job to do all that I can do for the building up of others..

But it’s your job too..

We all have things w/in us that are negative.. things that “tear down”..

I do.. I am horribly sarcastic.. and I have a terrible habit of being insensitive..

That’s not.. edifying..

I bring these failings to God regularly… I trust that you do the same… the things that are w/in you… that don’t build up… the things that are either benign or damaging..

Unprofitable… or destructive...

These are our weaknesses… these are the thing that we need to lay before the Lord, and ask, that He would allow His strength, His light… His wisdom to work through us… - TO BE PROFITABLE THROUGH US… - In spite of how we feel. In spite of what we want.

Paul

May Paul’s statement be a challenge for each us... ++

That our doing… our being… our coming and our going… that it would all be for the upbuilding of others.

Before my God.. and before you..

That I need to make my actions.. more helpful.. more edifying.. to others..

end.

But maybe I’m not the only one..

If you want this for your life today..

Then you can stand w/me..

And we’ll take some time.. to pray for one another..

We’ll sing a song..

And give you an opportunity.. to come forward..

To pray w/somebody..

Or just.. kneel down.. here.. and pray..

CLOSE! ++ ++

Related Media

Related Sermons