2 Corinthians 12:11-21 Signs of a Concerned Pastor

Intro:

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The high point of the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians comes to us in the form of a direct statement from Jesus to him: “ ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ ” (v. 9a).

The statement is what theologians call dominical, because it comes from the very lips of the Lord (Latin, dominus).

Christ’s words came as Paul pled three times that his thorn be removed (paralleling Christ’s own plea in Gethsemane).

We do not know how he heard Christ’s reply

Paul heard Jesus himself voice the grand paradox of true ministry: strength in weakness.

There are two ways of relief.

It can come by removing the load or by strengthening the shoulder that bears the load.

Instead of taking away the thorn, God strengthened Paul under it, and God would show His strength through Paul’s apparent weakness.

This logic sank deep into the apostle’s heart, so deep that his weakness then became his greatest boast: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (v. 9b).

Paul rejoiced in his limitations because Christ in his power literally pitched his tent with him in his weakness.

For when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10).

There is no shyness here

This was counterintuitive and effeminate to Greeks.

They are irrational today yet eternally true.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Transition

To say that this church has been his problem child would be an understatement

Because of their wealth, Corinth had a history of treating ministers like employees or servants

They would support them financially and then expect them to do whatever they wished

The well-to-do in the Corinthian church want an apostle they can be proud of—one who conforms to their high-society expectations for a professional moral teacher.

Thus they want Paul to stop working and to accept support from them, to become their client or dependent

Paul exasperated them because he saw this and refused to accept their financial support

This made the people in the church try to shame him and question his motives even though there was a body of evidence that refuted that

Paul wanted them to see that concern for them as a pastor and spiritual father was evident

Paul lays out many of the pastoral duties he preformed to show them how concerned he was for them

I want to show you three signs of a concerned pastor

I. Ministers with Patience vs. 11-12

The first sign of a concerned pastor is that they minster with patience

Paul wasn’t charismatic or physically appealing but he was there for them when they needed him

He put in the time and stuck with them through thick and thin

In reality, Paul is a little shocked that they weren’t expressing any confidence in him

vs. 12 The signs of a true apostle

What are some signs of a true messenger of God

They teach the Word of God

“Signs and wonders” is an Old Testament expression, often used in reference to what God did in the exodus in bringing about the deliverance and salvation of his people.

“Mighty works” is used in the New Testament for miracles

Paul did all of this with utmost patience

“with utmost patience” (or literally, “with all perseverance or endurance”)

1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

It was not just the signs that proved his apostleship; it was that he did them under great stress with magnificent patience and perseverance

II. Spend and Be Spent vs. 13-18

The second sign of a concerned pastor is that they spend and are spent

Paul was willing to spend and give everything he had until he had nothing left to give

The false apostles wanted applause and to get rich

Paul was willing to go bankrupt so that this church came to know Jesus

vs. 13 There was an accusation that Paul played favorites

He favored other churches over the one in Corinth

Paul responds by saying “How could you say that?!?

I have spent more time with you than most other churches

I have written you multiple letters

My time and effort should show that I don’t play favorites

vs. 14 For I do not seek yours, but you:

This is the testimony of every godly minister.

They do not serve for what they can get from God’s people but for what they can give to God’s people.

They are shepherds, not hirelings

They don’t want to be a burden

As their spiritual father, Paul saw them as his responsibility

vs. 15 Gladly Spent

Paul tells them that he would gladly spend all he has so that they may come to know Jesus

He didn’t want their money, he wanted their souls

Paul shows us a pastor who is concerned for his church by having an “At all cost” mentality

You know you have a caring and concerned pastor when they are willing to be poured out

Phil 2:17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

vs. 16-18 Did I take advantage of you?

Some actually believed that Paul was a con man.

Paul’s refusal of Corinthian support was nothing more than a clever psychological ploy to extort more money, they charged.

III. Speaking in the Sight of God vs. 19-21

The final sign of a concerned pastor is that they speak in the sight of God

Nothing Paul has said to the church in Corinth is something he wouldn’t testify before God

What is the cause of this lack of appreciation?

Paul dealt with it in the next paragraph: lack of consecration (2 Cor. 12:19–21).

There were terrible sins in the church, and Paul wanted them judged and put away before he came for his visit.

Otherwise, his visit would just be another painful experience.

Thru multiple discomforts and dangers, because of his sacrifice and because of his desperately passionate love for them, he was a happy man.

But his gladness was never immune to the fear that someone might fall to sin or unbelief

Rom 9:1-2 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit

Love the church, serve her, spend and be spent, seek souls, and your heart will know an index of fears unknown to the uncommitted heart.

Vs. 21 The powerful members of the Corinthian church despised humility