Sharing out of Thankfulness

Our Witness arises from our Faith (v. 13)

Explanation: Paul has just finished recounting some of his sufferings to the Corinthians. He has shared how his persecutions and hardships have been discouraging, but that they have not defeated his spirit. Paul was not a robot or a sadist when it came to suffering. God did not magically spare Paul the pain of the beatings, or shield him from discouragement. Paul realistically described what he had endured for the Lord and for the Gospel.

The hardships he recounted (vv. 8-10) did not silence Paul. On the contrary, his suffering was a catalyst that refined and focused his faith in Jesus. Paul shares a quote from , a passage his audience would know. The Psalmist had been in a tough spot as well and he had trusted in God. The Lord had delivered the Psalmist, and the Psalmist is thanking God for that deliverance, and he is giving a witness to the power of faith in God. Paul, echoing the heart of the Psalmist, is adding his public praise to what faith in God can accomplish.

Argument: The metanarrative of the Bible is how God delivers sinners from the bondage of sin for His own glory. The faith of those delivered should grow into a mature faith that makes itself known. The Psalmist trusted God (“I believe”) and he also shared the result of his trust (“therefore I spoke). Paul did the same as the Psalmist, and that model is for all believers.

Application: Suffering and hardship didn’t stop Paul from telling his story, and it shouldn’t stop us. If you have a relationship with Christ, be thankful and share it with others.

Our Witness is Confident based on the Resurrection (v. 14)

Explanation: Paul was able to share that his witness due to the Resurrection. He said “we also speak” and that speaking was based on his knowledge of the Resurrection of Jesus. Paul had personally encountered the Risen Christ and it had profoundly changed him. He had confidence that he himself would one day share in that Resurrection, and he also shared that future was available to the Corinthian believers as well.

Illustration: A younger child who lacks confidence in being able to perform a task can gain the ability quickly by watching an older child do the same thing. Hallie climbing the ladder and going down the slide after watching the older kids.

Argument: Our future in Christ is secure. Based on the faithful of God, not our own, we can know where we will end up. ( cf ). The world may think this type of thinking is arrogant, but it is simply the Truth. If the truth we are sharing is subjective, then we would be open to the charge of arrogance and spiritual elitism. But, our witness is based in objective Truth (cf ).

Application: We can share our witness with confidence only because of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. As we tell our stories, make sure they point others to Jesus!

Our Witness is ultimately for the Glory of God (v. 15)

Explanation: Paul had a grateful heart because he knew it wasn’t about him. He was simply being faithful and sowing seeds. God is the One who gave the increase, and Paul knew that the spread of the Gospel would result in more people placing their faith in Christ. Paul knew that each Kingdom addition would result in the praise of His glory! (cf )

Argument: We can’t take anything with us when we leave this world, but we can send it ahead (). We certainly can’t earn our salvation - that is simply not possible for any sinful creature - but we can bear fruit for our Wonderful Savior. Our lives should be so heavy with Thanksgiving as we reflect on what we have been saved out of, that we should serve Him with great joy!