Paul's Pastor's Heart
Paul’s Pastor’s Heart
2 Corinthians 11:1-4
Introduction:
Pastoral jokes from James May “Bear with me, Please”
I suppose at times it is easy to make fun of the Pastor, I cannot say that it bothers me at all, I kind of enjoy it.
At the same time the position of Pastor is a serious thing, as is the position of missionary, SS teacher, AWANA leader, etc.
Paul is continuing to defend himself against the criticism leveled against him. Here he is going to share his heart as a servant of God to the people of Corinth. As we think on these things, let us do two things:
1. Consider our heart as a minister of Christ
2. Consider how we are doing on the other end of this ministry
Today we are going to look at two things:
1. The Pastor’s desire
2. The Pastor’s dread
Interesting to see how Paul begins to talk about these things in verse 1
*We saw last week that Paul condemned self commendation
*Yet it seems that they have pushed him and now he feels that he needs to share his heart.
I. Paul’s Pastoral Desire for the Church v. 2
1. That his teaching/preaching would not be ineffective v. 2
The only way that v. 2 would be accomplished is if the people listened to and applied what Paul was telling them
Paul’s goal was not just to present a good speech before the people, but to give them instruction that would be applied to change their lives
My goal in sharing each service is not just to sound nice, but to see people listen to that truth and put it to practice in their lives.
It seems far too easy to listen to the Word of God taught and walk away unchanged
Jesus taught a parable about people’s response to God’s word
Matthew 13
Some hear the Word and push it aside
Some hear the Word and with hearts of stone
Some hear the Word and allow it to be choked out
Some hear the Word and put it to practice and grow
James instructed us to use the Word of God like a mirror
James 1:21-25
2. That people would be presented holy before Christ
Church/believers are often referred to as the bride of Christ
Goal is to present the bride of Christ as holy and chaste before Christ
My desire as a Pastor is not just to see more people inside the doors of this Church (while I like to see that)
It is also not to
--- see people just go through the motions of doing the right things
--- attach people to myself and see them speak highly of me
My desire is to see people attach themselves to Jesus Christ. To see them:
n Start the Christian race by faith in Christ
n Continue the Christian race as they live by faith
n Finish the Christian race and hear from the throne of God, “Well done you good and faithful servant.”
That was Paul’s desire. That is why he continually wrote to them, visited them, and challenged them in the things of God.
II. Paul’s Pastoral Dread for the Church vv. 3-4
Paul’s dread was that people would fall away, that they would not listen to and obey the Word of God, that they would not be presented as holy before God.
He feared that for two reasons:
1. The power of the temper v. 3
Illustration of the serpent deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden
The enemy was crafty: He was willing to do whatever was necessary to lead Eve astray
He did not just say, “Eve, why don’t you rebel against God?!” He deceived her into thinking that she would benefit somehow by it and that it was not that big a deal.
Satan is deceiving many today as well:
Young people:
Lie of “safe sex”
Lie of living together before marriage: “It will strengthen your marriage.”
All of us:
Lie that it is ok to be dishonest now and then: In business it is ok
Lie that marriage is not that big a deal any more
Lie that it does not matter what you believe as long as you believe something
What is the result?
STD are on the rise
Unwanted pregnancies and abortions are on the rise
Marriages are being torn apart
The very thing that represents the believer’s relationship to Jesus is destroyed.
Our truthfulness and honesty as believers is in question
People are going to hell without as much as a second thought from those that should be indebted to reach them.
Satan is powerful and crafty: see 2 Cor. 11:13-15
Illustration: The simplicity of the Gospel. How many have been turned away by the simple message of the cross of Christ?!
Note: Not only is Satan crafty, but how often are people looking to be deceived? We grow up the with idea that “rules are made to be broken,” and “What can I get away with?”
2. The subtleness of the false teachers v. 4
Many times false teachers are like slick salesmen, they can make you buy anything that they are selling.
In Paul’s day and in ours there were many teaching “truth” that actually led people away from God.
We are given warnings all through the NT lest we be lead astray:
Colossians 2:4
Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you by any means
2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
James 1:16
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Luke 21:8 Jesus warned
And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.
There are many today who teach a gospel that is not true, and in doing so lead people away from the truth. Some of the cults get most of their converts from the pews of fundamental Churches.
One of a Pastor’s greatest concerns is that people know and follow the truth.