2 Corinthaians 13

2 Corinthians 13:1–4 ESV

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

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2 Corinthians 13:1–2 ESV

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—

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SLIDE 3

2 Corinthians 13:3–4 ESV

3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

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Intro

In the first letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians..

there was orderly instruction. The letter was very determined and precise..

However, in II Corinthians..

Paul is writing from the heart.

In this letter, we have seen a lot of feeling.. a lot of emotion..

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Paul has been: angry, cynical, frustrated, humble, sad, authoritative… and so on..

He has been running the full gamut of human emotion. ++

I think it’s pretty cool.. that God inspired these books of instruction..

And in doing so.. used what is naturally in his prophets…

To show us.. not only the human side of his servants..

But also.. the human understanding.. that resides also in Him.. ++

God inspired these scriptures, and God inspired the personalities and emotions of His writers… to help transport His message to humanity. ++

SLIDE 4

But the Bible says.. that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” –

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

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This is an anchor verse that we fall back on whenever we are teaching, reading, or studying the Bible.

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The first word in verse 16… is ‘all’

God lets His prophets, His scribes, His writers… be who they are… and He inspires their personalities to carry His message.

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It’s not.. a scenario of God.. looking down upon His chosen scribes..

And cringing when they interject their: anger.. or their sarcasm.. or their sadness..

No way. God inspired every word.. and he used what was in guys like Paul.. ++

He brought it out of them.. on purpose..

And inspired the timing of their emotion..

Each writer had different styles..

And God used those styles.. and maintained them.. and inspired them through those individual persons..

… and though.. that part is subtle..

Sometimes we over-look it..

We think..

Oh.. the doctrine is inspired by God..

But the emotion that the scribe is interjecting.. is not of God..

And I disagree.. based on ..

It’s all given.. by inspiration of God..

I mention this, just to say… that the emotion… the sarcasm… the anger… the passion… the compassion… - things like this… should not be overlooked. God intended these messages to be delivered this way..

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Written by the messenger this way..

Received the the original recipient this way...

And understood by us… this way.

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This.. the letter we call II Corinthians..

Has been a prime example.. of inspired emotion..

In part.. it’s been difficult to understand.. and doubly difficult to teach..

And yet.. here in the end.. as we see more feeling.. more passion .. more sentiment.. ++

I’m beginning to see.. the beauty in it..

For yes.. we identify the specific emotions of these writers.. and we define their character based on the styles and the sentiments that are consistent to them..

But the beauty of this.. goes way beyond that..

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Then He also inspired.. from within Himself.. something that was common to His prophets.. His scribes.. and His Apostles..

You see.. God is showing us..

.. not so much.. the heart of Paul..

But He’s also showing us.. His heart..

Not unto weakness.. – for God is perfect and w/o sin..

But rather.. unto empathy.. ++

We are created in His image..

And sometimes we might look at our feelings and our emotions..

And proclaim them as weakness.. and possibly even sin..

Yes.. we may allow our feelings to drive us to a place of irrationality and sinfulness..

But the fault.. is not in the emotion..

The fault is in our lack of discipline.. and knowledge.. ++

God knows.. anger.. frustration.. sadness..

He has displayed it directly.. many times in the O.T. upon the nation of Israel..

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Through His servant Paul..

God has shown us.. His heart.. His compassion.. His frustration.. His anger.. and His sadness..

Which tells me..

That He’s a God who cares..

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He is a God.. who loves us.. who desires good things for us.. who pursues us.. who longs for us to do the right thing!

Most importantly.. He is a God.. who loves us passionately… and understands us.. beyond the limits of our imagination.. ++

There is a line from an old song that expresses this aspect of God... ++

SLIDE 5

.. who is He, but creator, who said “Let the Earth be.” By His words made creation, with His hands, He formed me. Born in a barn, out of wedlock conceived.. Slept in the fields, and died as a thief.. And this is the God.. who understands.. me. ++

By His words made creation, with His hands, He formed me.

Born in a barn, out of wedlock conceived..

Slept in the fields, and died as a thief..

And this is the God.. who understands.. me. ++

I love what tells me of God:

SLIDE 6

(NKJV)

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

15 For pwe do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but qwas in all points tempted as we are, ryet without sin. [1]

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The Apostle Paul has been passionately pursuing the believers of Corinth..

And that church, received what they considered to be..

A letter from their church-planter..

But we, HERE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE… in 2019… we receive it.. as an inspired letter.. from God.. ++

tells us the scriptures are inspired… but the follow ing verse gives us the purpose of these inspired words..

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Profitable.. for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

SLIDE 7

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV

17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

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The purpose continues in vs. 17..

.. ..that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work…

There are many areas w/in us.. where we are not.. equipped..

There are many areas w/in us.. where we are.. incomplete..

And it just might be.. that this is one of those areas..

We mentally try to embrace the doctrines and process them intellectually..

But we miss.. the heart of God, when we overlook the passion of the prophet.

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God radically, and passionately loves.

This love.. that is extended to us.. ++

Think about this thing that God loves…

A race of selfish.. self-centered.. greedy and wicked creatures..

And no matter how murderous we are.. or how complacent we are.. How selfish and rebellious we are… -He is still desiring to explode.. His crazy love upon us.. ++

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He continually extends grace and mercy..

For those who have not received it..

He extends the most powerful offer of love.. that has, or ever will exist..

The gift of: forgiveness.. restoration.. redemption.. and eternal acceptance into His presence..

A gift.. that is there.. as an expression of His love.. even.. I believe.. in conflict to my Calvinist brothers and sisters..

… even.. a gift that is available.. to those that God foreknew.. would not receive it..

For it’s my belief.. and I might be wrong.. but it’s my opinion..

That the love of God.. is not defined by what is economical or efficient..

And.. the love of God.. is not extended.. based on the knowledge.. of what will or will not be given back..

When scripture says, that Jesus died for the sins of the world.. I believe.. it meant.. “the world”.. and everybody in that world.. past present and future..

Some say.. He died for the “elect” of the world.. and I can see and understand … by way of logic and reason.. why many believe this way.. But.. as far as I can tell.. the Love of God.. is unreasonable..

It extends.. way beyond reason.. it is truly extravagant.. it is.. unbelievably.. radical..

Cheap salvation focuses on eternal life..

Sure.. in the beginning, as babies.. we might have focused on eternal life..

But was we grow..

Our focus needs to transform..

Not upon the fire insurance that we possess..

But now.. upon the one.. who gave that gift..

The one.. who loves us beyond reason..

Who spends His passions.. His emotions.. His frustrations.. His concerns..

Continually.. upon us

For those of you who are looking at .. and you’re wondering where I’m getting all of this..

.. Stop looking.. it’s not really there.. not directly..

But I’ve been wrestling with this over the past several chapters... ++

Paul.. has been so emotional.. in this letter..

I’ve had to ask… “What do we do with all of this emotion?”..

It’s been hard to interpret and teach what’s going on.. When Paul is always getting his feelings in the way.. ++

When Paul is always getting his feelings in the way..

But it’s been a revelation that God has given me.. in bits and pieces..

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The chapter spoke of those who defined and displayed God.. in their lives.. through personalities and characters which are.. a little different..

I believe it was entitled: Poets, Mystics and Clowns.. however.. I could be a little wrong..

Years back I read a book called Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning…

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But I’m working from memory here..

In that book… he told a story of a Catholic nun who often addressed God as the “Divine madman”..

And instantly.. I was offended by that.. How could anyone call God.. a madman?

How irreverent.. ++

But then it was explained..

When you consider the incredible love that God extends..

And we.. would look at the circumstances..

And we would say..

Oh Lord.. don’t extend love to that person any more..

They are trampling it.. they are disregarding it.. they are continuing on in wickedness..

We would quit extending love.. ++

But not God.. He continues.. in ways.. that are beyond reason..

Even to the point where we would say..

That’s mad!

Only a “madman” would continue to love like that… Only a madman would extend grace at that level…

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Think about how God pursues the unbeliever.. Think about, how God pursued you maybe… How many times did you reject Him? How many times did you cling to your sin and rebellion and ignore His compassion and grace?

And I overheard a little of the story..

But apparently.. this person.. has helped this homeless couple in the past..

They have reached out to them.. they have extended compassion to them..

But.. no fruit has been seen.. nothing has been witnessed..

And I saw God.. continue to extend love.. to that couple..

Through this person.. as he laid before them.. again.. the offer that has been extended in the past..

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It was a simple offer.. just.. “a ride to church”..

But it’s been offered before.. it’s never been received..

But there it was.. again..

And God, continued to pursue you. God pursues people who do not deserve what He has to give… and He goes way beyond anything that we humans might call generous.

… and I think I heard the voice of the Lord in my head at that moment..

And He said: “.. now, that’s what I’m talking about!”

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God pursues the unbeliever.. with an explosive package of love..

And He doesn’t let up..

And I believe.. we are called to do the same..

To give.. to love.. and to nourish.. - beyond the limits of reason.

That love.. continues..

But there is a difference..

For we have received spiritual revelation..

We have been given understanding..

And w/knowledge.. comes responsibility..

One of the most difficult verses in all of the bible says:

(NKJV)

17 Therefore, uto him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

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But we exist in a different category..

And He’s trying.. He’s desiring.. He’s longing for us..

To utilize the incredible gift that we’ve been given..

To grow in it.. to embrace it.. to implement Biblical obedience into our lives..

For what purpose?

.. well, there are many..

But ultimately.. it’s so that we will become those who fall deeply in love with Him..

But initially.. it’s so that we can experience the freedom.. the peace and the joy.. that is intended to exist in our lives..

And .. so that we can be effective tools.. in this world.. for His glory..

Hopefully, it’s a recognition of His love that brings us into the faith..

And the ultimate result.. will be our love for Him.. recognizing how incredible a gift that we have been given..

When the Monrovian missionaries first came to Greenland..

they found a people who were steeped in immorality..

and they decided.. that they couldn’t just tell them the simple gospel message..

for they feared.. that these people would learn of grace.. and forgiveness.. and take advantage of it, by continuing in their sin.. ++

So.. for 2 years.. they taught Biblical principles.. the 10 commandments.. things like that ..

Not a single person showed any change..

But then.. one man.. left wealth and worldly success..

And came there.. and in one night.. shared the simple gospel message..

Of how Jesus died.. for the sins of mankind..

And he shared his testimony..

And poured out his heart.. w/tears.. of how God loved him so much.. ++

And in the end.. one of the tribal leaders stood up..

And said the most incredible thing..

“After learning what Jesus has done for me.. how could I, sin against a love.. that is as great as this?”

.. “You missionaries have been here for 2 years.. Why have you have waited this long to tell us this?”

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Our God created passion… our God created emotion… and He has called His servants… to communicate His passion, through our passion.

But.. that was something.. I just had to get out.. because it’s something that I’ve been learning.. in and through this study..

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And I believe.. it’s something that is present.. here in chapter 13..

These are important undertones to consider, as we look back at the writings of Paul in this letter… and as we see Him wrap it up here in this chapter. ++

SLIDE 8

2 Corinthians 13:1–3 ESV

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

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SLIDE 9

2 Corinthians 13:4–6 ESV

4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.

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Paul begins this letter w/a standard Biblical principle..

by two or three witnesses.. it shall be established.. ++

This was a principle that was used in OT law..

A principle that is used for church discipline according to

And.. a principle that is required.. in the church for bringing an accusation against an elder.. ++

Let’s take a moment and get a refresher on the the principle of church discipline. I encourage you to turn there…

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It begins in vs. 15. If someone sins against you… you are the one who is called to take action. You go to them, one on one… and hopefully they will repent, and if they do.. it’s a good thing.

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So far, you haven’t called the pastor or the elders. This is on you.

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Then, in vs. 16… we find out what to do if they do not repent. Take one or two other believers with you, and repeat the process. For what purpose? so that the charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

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This means.. you are bringing other people in to consider… as a third party witness… what the problem is. You and the offender are too steeped in feelings and offenses. These others come to give witness to the sin, and help to bring a resolution.

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Then, in vs 17, if it’s confirmed by the witnesses that there is a sin, and they don’t repent… you bring it to the church. Either to the leadership of the church… or, depending on the circumstances… the the entire congregation..

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If that doesn’t work… - let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

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What does that mean? Let them go out there in the world, and live according to their sin… and suffer… experience… the consequence of their lifestyle.

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Paul here, is using the mention of witnesses in vs. one.. as a reference to the correction and potential discipline that he will be bringing w/him..

He has given them instruction and correction before..

He is now.. giving it again..

And when he gets there, in person.. if it’s necessary.. he will give it a third time.. ++

As is common to his style.. Paul uses a military term..

he says.. to those who refuse to repent.. even after three corrections.. that “he will not spare them”

a term which literally means..

“will not spare them in battle”

Which I believe.. falls in line with the teaching we receive from on church discipline.. ++

If, after the third confrontation.. there is no sign of change or repentance..

.. then.. these individuals are to be handed over.. to experience the natural consequences of their behavior..

But in a place.. that is outside of the church fellowship.. ++

It’s a message.. from the family of God..

We love you.. we desire for you to change..

But we cannot support your stubborn denial towards correction..

Therefore.. we must send you out of our midst.. to experience the consequences of your actions.. ++

Now.. this might seem like a contradiction to the extravagant love of God..

But in fact.. it’s not..

By sending a person out of the fellowship..

It is not to say.. that God is done with them..

NO way.. it’s just.. that God needs them to be in a different environment..

One: to protect the body as a whole..

Two: to place that person in an environment.. where God can bring them to the next level of correction.. ++

God will continue to pursue the wayward child..

Even if.. as it says in ..

.. “they’ve been delivered to Satan”..

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Why in the world would one be delivered to Satan?

SLIDE 10

1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV

5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

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“..for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”

You can offer love to a person who doesn’t know Christ a million times.. and experience rejection every time..

And God might encourage your heart.. to keep it up..

But His plan.. for the believer.. is different.. ++

Our part.. is in the first three times..

Then.. He’s gonna take it from there.. ++

In vs. 3.. the theme of Paul’s Apostolic authority is revisited..

And here.. Paul continues to make a defense..

They said Paul was “weak”.. therefore.. he was not a real apostle..

But Paul pointed to Christ..

Look.. Christ was crucified in weakness..

And yet.. He is not weak towards you..

No.. He is mighty in you..

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He humbled Himself to a place of weakness..

Forsaking the privileges of His diety..

And endured the pain.. the rejection.. and the accusation.. ++

In weakness.. He suffered..

But in His resurrection.. He is powerful.. ++

The people of Corinth were looking for a leader who was strong and impressive..

Paul was neither.. but Paul continued to remind them..

That in his weak flesh.. he was a vessel of God’s strength..

He was not trying to do his ministry in his own talent, OR IN his own strength.. but rather..

in the strength of God.. ++

IN vs. 5 he told them: “examine yourself”..

But this challenge is intimately attached to the earlier phrase..

Think of it this way:

“If you are seeking for proof of Christ in me… then look at yourself.” ++

Paul says to this church..

I brought the Word to you.. I am your spiritual father..

You are my spiritual children..

Did it work?

You are the fruit of my calling…

Examine yourself.. Test yourself.. Know yourself.. ++

These are sometimes.. difficult things to do..

But, they are necessary..

this is our Christian duty… to examine ourselves… to ask the important questions:

That there is a general sense of “Christianity” amongst many people..

I heard a country song the other night..

And it was a defense against the anti-American sentiment that is strong amongst Americans right now..

And in the chorus.. they ask:

“What’s wrong with the Bible? What’s wrong.. with the flag?”

And it brings to surface.. that old mentality that says..

I am an American.. I went to church when I was little.. I believe in (acknowledge he existence of) God.. – therefore.. I’m a Christian..

… “Is Jesus Christ in me?”

For many American’s.. it’s a minority thought that resides in the back of their brains..

And because of it.. they think.. they are Christians..

But.. what would examination.. testing.. and knowing determine?

And these are questions.. that are not only given to those who may possess a questionable faith..

But these are questions for all of us..

… “Is Jesus Christ in me?”

That’s the big one.

We know that a lot of people put themselves in a church environment… but never really commit their lives to the Lord…

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So when we examine… we might ask the all important question:

Do I possess the gift of salvation? Have I received it.. by faith, w/a sincere heart? Or, am I just trying to practice a religion?

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First off.. do I realize that I need it?

well.. am I a sinner.. which.. literally means.. “do I fall short of the perfection that God requires of me, to have fellowship with Him?”

sin = miss the mark

/ all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.. ++

But a lot of people say…

Oh come on.. I’m a good person.. I can please God..

.. / those who are in the flesh, cannot please God..

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So I conclude.. salvation is not something.. that is so small and petty, that I as a human can attain it by my own works or by my own righteousness..

In fact..

/ my righteousness is as a filthy rag..

Jesus says:

- / I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…

So.. in Jesus, there is salvation.. but what does it mean.. to enter that door? I need that defined. ++

SLIDE11

(NKJV)

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

9 that iif you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [3]

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So, I have to confess it, and believe it.. and that belief thing.. is a heart matter..

What am I believing in?

Well.. that God raised X from the dead..

Why is that important?

Because.. w/o the resurrection.. JX would just be a man.. and all His promises and His words would end up being lies..

He wouldn’t be who He said He was.. and He wouldn’t have done.. what He said He was going to do.. ++

He’s would be rendered.. as “C.S. Lewis put it..”

A liar and a lunatic..

But.. if He overcame death..

Then, in deed.. He would have proven..

That He was, in fact.. divine.. and that His words and promises were true..

So.. what about my sin? How can I be seen as being righteous enough to be accepted by God? ++

/ He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him..

What does that mean?

Well, essentially.. on the Cross.. JX became.. or, took upon Himself.. all my sin..

And God poured out His punishment.. His wrath for my sin.. there.. upon Jesus.. ++

And my sin.. is now disqualified.. it is unable to damn me..

So I am now gifted.. w/a righteousness.. that is not mine..

But it’s been given to me freely.. ++

When God looks at me.. He essentially looks thru X..

Sees His righteousness.. and His payment for my sins..

And then, accounts me, as righteous.. forgiven.. and acceptable..

It’s clarified.. and defined.. even more: in… ++

SLIDE 12

1 John 1:8–10 ESV

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

(NKJV)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we qconfess our sins, He is rfaithful and just to forgive us our sins and to scleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we tmake Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

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In these verses.. we find a standard of examination.. to see if JX is in us..

But there is a greater challenge.. for those of us who believe..

And these questions can still apply to us..

We can still examine ourselves.. and test ourselves..

To not see is JX is in us..

We already know that.. ++

But.. are we.. in Christ..

He’s in our life..

But, are we in His..

Are we.. living our lives.. to please Him.. and give Him pleasure?

Are we doing what we have been called to do.. to be fruitful.. as a believer????

SLIDE 13

2 Corinthians 13:7–10 ESV

7 But we pray to God that you may not do 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. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

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Here.. Paul expresses great humility..

Essentially.. it would seem, that he is challenging them to live right..

But.. not for his sake..

Do what is right.. for the sake of it being right.. ++

Hey.. don’t make a decision to live right.. because of me..

I don’t care if I end up looking disqualified..

I don’t care if I’m out of the picture..

Do what is right.. because it is the honorable thing to do.. ++

It’s awkward sometimes to run run into people....

When I am the pastor..

And they are people from my church… who haven’t been to church in a while.. ++

I know you haven’t been to church..

It’s obvious..

I’m not preparing to lecture you..

You don’t have to give me your list of excuses..

It’s not necessary.. ++

Actually.. often times.. it’s really annoying..

Because the list of excuses is usually a bunch of malarkey..

And the real reason.. remains unsaid..

And so.. people might see me or Dave..

And think..

Oh, I ran into Dave.. I’d better go to church..

Who you going to church for?

Dave. I hope he saw me there.

No.. forget that.

Do what is honorable.. because it is the right thing to do..

I love what he said in vs. 10..

Because people will read into Paul’s words.. they will twist them.. they will interpret them negatively..

They will create intentions of malice..

Why?

Because they don’t like Paul.. or, they just don’t want to change.. ++

So Paul tells them..

My only intent.. is to build up.. not tear down.

This is my heart’s desire..

Not to do anything.. that’s destructive.

But.. rather.. constructive..

Because we are still a little broken… awaiting that perfection which is yet to come… we still do broken things… and we say things that are more destructive than constructive.

I make mistakes.. or say things in ignorance..

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We are not careful with our tone… we are not thoughtful with our words..

But my heart.. rings true to vs 10..

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Our words cause damage… and not edification.

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What a great challenge for us… to be extra cautious with our words… our tone… our emotions… - So that, instead of opening our mouths and causing damage… we can be careful… slow to speak… prayerful in our response… and find a way to speak in a constructive way, rather than a destructive way..

I don’t want anything to be destructive..

So this is a thing that you can pray for..

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That we would always be discerning..

That the things we do.. would be Spirit led..

This was a a common message that Paul had for the churches he ministered to..

And.. we would do them in a manner.. that builds up..

SLIDE 14

..rather than.. tears down.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

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SLIDE 15

Colossians 4:6 ESV

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

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SLIDE 16

2 Corinthians 13:11–14 ESV

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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Your Bible might have the word ‘farewell’ in vs. 11, where mine says ‘rejoice’.. - They mean the same thing, culturally in this time period. This is how they said goodbye. Not with sorrow and regret… but with a challenge… to rejoice. ++

What a cool way to say good-bye.

Rejoice!

Why?

For we have so much to rejoice about..

And we depart.. or when we conclude in our fellowship..

This is a good reminder.. a good thought.. a good thing to leave with..

A challenge..

Don’t forget.. to rejoice.. ++

He then encourages them to do several things:

to aim for restoration… or.. to ‘be made complete’..

What does that mean?

IN the context of the letter… I believe it means… that they should be restored in their relationships with one another… they should be restored in their doctrine… and they should be restored in their relationship with Paul.

Become.. as one.. who is in Christ.. more and more..

++

And in self.. less and less..

Comfort one another..

Find comfort.. in the right place..

Not in the things that numb or distract..

But rather.. in the promises of God.. and in the fellowship of the saints. ++

IN the knowledge that He is coming back for us..

In the knowledge that He has a blessed life for us to experience.. in Him.. right now..

Be of one mind.. / or / agree with one another

This is a hard one..

For we are sometimes.. so obsessed with our unique topics.. our pet doctrines.. our special philosophies on how ministry should take place..

… that it becomes hard.. to be of one mind..

I’ve learned.. not be so “topic oriented” in my faith..

But rather.. to orient my life.. first and foremost.. around the love of JX..

Who He is.. and How He can be obvious through me..

When the topics are in the forefront..

And we are focused on promoting some political thing.. or some philosophy of ministry.. or some pet doctrine..

We immediately.. isolate.. we immediately.. segregate… we immediately.. put up a wall of division.. ++

But if our main focus is Jesus..

Then, you will find.. that our differences.. in the “topic” area..

Will be tolerated.. understood.. and embraced.. under a covering of love and grace.. ++

Don’t take what I’m saying and run into the dark jungle of speculation..

Yes… doctrine is still of vital importance.. t.. some things.. are beyond compromise..

But unified fellowship can be attained.. amongst people.. who have minor disagreements..

And if you disagree.. well.. “get out!”.. (joking) ++

Conclusion…

This brings us to the end.. of II Corinthians..

For me.. this has been.. a challenging study..

It has been very difficult.. and God has led me down some obscure paths of understanding..

And I believe.. I have grown..

As I rambled on and on at the beginning of this message.. it’s obvious… that I have learned a lot .. through Paul’s expression of emotion..

As I rambled on and on.. earlier..

For me.. I have learned a lot .. through Paul’s expression of emotion..

++

..the connection of understanding between Him, and us..

It’s been improved.

I’ve been encouraged.. to be a better representative of Christ..

I’ve been encouraged.. to become.. more effective for Christ..

And.. I’ve been encouraged.. to be a pastor..

That Paul would not have to write this letter to..

++

I hope and trust that God has opened your eyes in new ways… and challenged your heart also.

I’m going to do something that goes outside of our verse by verse distinctive..

++

As we moved into Galatians… we find Paul in a similar circumstance. The churches he helped to found were being influenced to abandon grace and embrace law. Paul’s authority, and therefore his message… was being challenged. Paul combats this false teaching… with more and more grace.

I’m going to go “topical” for a short season..

++

And I’m going to do a series of messages on the “basic principles of Christianity”

If you are a fan of grace… you will really like the study in Galatians.

In addition.. I’m hoping.. in about 4 or 5 weeks.. to do something we did here a couple years ago..

And it’s scary.. but I think it will be a good thing..

++

For every 20-25 questions I receive.. we will do a service.. where I will attempt to answer.. any questions you submit..

Close.

So.. please.. ask real questions that you have..

Don’t just try to stump me or put me on the spot..

And I’ll come up w/some answers and probably a lot of imaginative ways of saying “I don’t know.”..

Close : BAND

invitation..

prayer / salvation.

Glenn Diaz -589-2728 -

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[1] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville

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[2] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville

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[3] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville

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[4] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville ++