DEEP CONCERN

2 CORINTHIANS   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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2 CORINTHIANS 12:11-21

2 Corinthians 12:11–21 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. 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. 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? 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.
During a forest fire on one of the government forest reserves a ranger came upon a bear cub with severely burnt feet and body. The youngster was whimpering painfully, and so the forester put it into his automobile and made it fast with a rope. When he started on his way, however, he discovered that the mother bear had appeared and was following in hot pursuit! Moreover, since the road ran uphill, she was gaining!
The ranger decided to throw the cub overboard, but his attempts to untie the knots were futile. He glanced back; the mother bear was close behind. And just then with a mighty effort she threw herself upon the back of the car, while the forester dived over the side. He regained his feet in time to see the automobile continuing its journey with a happy family reunited. Later he found it at the side of the road. Everything was intact except the side of the seat to which the cub had been tied; the old bear had torn it out to release her offspring.

1- THE CORINTHIANS HAD IT BACKWARDS.

2 Corinthians 12:11–13 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. 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-REFUSE TO BE A BURDEN.

2 Corinthians 12:14–15 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. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
2 Corinthians 12:17–18 ESV
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?

3- BUILDING YOU UP NOT DEFENDING OURSELVES.

2 Corinthians 12:19 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.
Hebrews 3:13 ESV
13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
2 Corinthians 12:20–21 ESV
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.
Acts 3:19 ESV
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
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