We All Have Doubts

Dealing with Our Doubts

Book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 13

What is doubt? Doubt is that state of mind in which we hesitate to choose between two opposite conclusions. To doubt is to be "uncertain" of the truth.

There is only one truth, when it comes to eternal heavenly life!

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

When we ask "show me the way", Christ is the way!

When we ask "what is the truth", Christ is the truth!

When we ask "how can we know true life" Christ is that answer!

Men reveal God by their words, Jesus Christ revealed God by the things that He accomplished and by the facts of His life!

Jesus Christ is the truth, that in His life, we can find the foundations of all truth, morally and spiritually!

Jesus is the only way because He is life. Dead men cannot walk that rode to life. The tomb of the Lord is still empty!

Another truth is, death is "certain".

And still another truth is there will be "Judgment".

In this lesson we will see the Apostle Paul warn this church at Corinth of the chastisement which he is determined to inflict on all offenders of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ", who have not repented of those things.

The truth is everyone on the face of this earth can be prepared for "judgment" because "we can" be saved, "we can know" that we are saved, and "we can judge ourselves" to see if we are living proof of that salvation!

Watch as Paul first gives a minister's warning, then a minister's prayer, then a minister's challenge, and last a minister's blessing. All these by the authority given to him by Jesus Christ.

As every good missionary does, Paul would one day have to make a report of all that he had done on the mission field and especially in such instances as what occurred at this church in Corinth, it would be best to have witnesses.

What did Jesus say?

Mat 18:15  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 

Mat 18:16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 

Mat 18:17  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

So let's learn from these Holy Ghost inspired words of the Apostle Paul.

*****2Co 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 

The truth is, Paul had received letters, Paul had heard rumors, Paul had sent his own witnesses and now Paul intended to complete a full investigation of the condition of this Corinthian Church, himself.

Paul would assume nothing. Paul would take nothing for granted, but Paul would follow the principles of the Word of God, which at that time was the Old Testament.

Deu 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. 

We may wonder sometimes how God can judge us righteously and be just one person but we forget that we have One God but He is in three persons. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit therefore God can surely judge us righteously.

1Jn 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 

We should be clear, three times during the life of Jesus was His Father's voice heard from Heaven confirming the ministry of His dear Son!

Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 17:5; John 12: 28-30

In fact, we will find that those who reject the Word of God in this time of God's "Grace" will be judged more harshly than at any other time in our history.

Heb 10:28  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 

Heb 10:30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

The truth is, God will accept no man's judgment of His children so God keeps His own books on each of us, so He can see for Himself but thank goodness He does allow for a "Mediator". As the song says "A Young Jewish Lawyer"

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 

Paul explains that his discipline would go far beyond normal church discipline but those who had been true to the Lord had no need to fear, just those who were false Christians.

*****2Co 13:2  I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 

Paul has warned these false Christians before in this epistle and he warns them again now, because Paul is certain that they remained in this church causing problems.

There are some of Satan's people in every church!

God warns and warns, but God also says when He comes He will come as a thief and a thief does not warn you of the day he is coming!

Rev 3:3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 

And to those that insisted that Paul was too loving to act in firmness (all the rest) Paul says he would not spare.

This is also the message of the Lord. Those that repent will not see the wrath of God but those that do not accept that a loving God can also show His wrath, will be fooled!

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

Eph 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 

We can see that there is nothing confusing in the Word of God!

Paul insisted that he would exercise his spiritual authority and that he would certainly discipline "all" offenders!

The sins of Corinth must not be allowed to continue in any church!

The church cannot live in sin because the church can only survive if it lives by the power of God!

It is also obvious that God expects His church to take a stand on the Word of God because we do not stand alone, the Lord always stands with us!

These at Corinth would certainly see that there was nothing confusing about what Paul was saying!

*****2Co 13:3  Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 

2Co 13:4  For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 

We should understand, the day after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, there were still some who demanded that Jesus show them proof of His power over life and death.

You cannot show a non-believer enough proof to change their rejection of the truth of Christ and those that reject the Lord will reject all truth!

These born again Christians in Corinth were Paul's proof and that could not be denied except by those false Christians!

The preaching of the "Gospel" is the power of God unto salvation!

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

Christ may have appeared weak when He was crucified but that was certainly not weakness that raised Him from the dead!

As Christians we may appear weak in this world but on the day of the "Rapture of the Church" that will all change and the day that the Lord returns to this world, we will then see who is weak.

Rev 6:15  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 

Rev 6:16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 

Rev 6:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? 

As Christians we need only to examine ourselves to know if we are indeed in Christ and Christ within us!

If we are still living in sin then we need to question our "faith"!

If we cannot feel the Holy Spirit when we think to do things against the Word of God, we need to question our "faith"!

If we do not feel the need to gather with the "body of Christ", we need to question our "faith"!

God says:

1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; "that ye may know" that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

It's not important how we look.

It's not important if we are not eloquent speakers.

It's not important if we have faults, "we all still do".

It is important that we have "faith" in the power of God that lives within us!

We may question our ministry for the Lord but our "salvation" should never be questioned!

We should examine our doctrine to see if it matches the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

More important, we should examine ourselves and realize that errors of the heart are more dangerous than the errors of the mind and we must realize we can never be too sure of our salvation, we certainly do not need to make a mistake here, it is just too important!

What is a reprobate?

A reprobate is someone who may confess that they know God but their actions and their works tell a different story.

A reprobate is someone who has rejected the "grace" of God and is lost to sin!

A reprobate is someone who has been rejected by the Lord!

And sadly a reprobate is someone God has given up on converting!

Rom 1:24  Wherefore "God also gave them up" to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 

Rom 1:26  For this cause "God gave them up" unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, "God gave them over to a reprobate mind", to do those things which are not convenient; 

We must know that we are not reprobates!

*****2Co 13:6  But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 

2Co 13:7  Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. 

2Co 13:8  For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 

What is the truth of salvation? The very moment we place our "faith" in the Lord Jesus Christ and in God's promises, the Holy Spirit moves into us and He will never leave us nor forsake us!

Those false teachers may or may not be reprobates but with the Holy Spirit living within us, then as Christians, "can never be reprobates"!

If those of the Church of Corinth were truly Christians and had self examined themselves Paul was sure that they would come to the right conclusion and we know that they did.

All those who do right in the sight of God will reject all those things that are unrighteous!

And then Paul began to pray for this church. Paul prayed that they would do no evil and repent in order for him to bring a blessing rather than his discipline.

No one has the authority to discipline a Church that follows the truth of the "Gospel"! Not Paul, not these false teachers, not the government and not any other house of God! God would not approve any such thing!

No one can destroy the laws of God! The kingdom of Jesus Christ cannot be shaken because it stands on a solid foundation!

The truth of God is to be lived and boldly proclaimed under any and all circumstances!

The early Church overcame many obstacles and has survived, we should not ever think it will fail in our day or any other day!

One of the greatest rewards to the true Pastor is when he believes he preached his message in weakness yet the believers were still strengthened by it.

When a Pastor has complete freedom to preach the truth of God and not spend his time trying to correct a bad message from the world, the "body of Christ" gets all the benefits!

The church that can withstand the attacks of Satan, and their own corruption to still perform the work of the Lord, shows the strength of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!

It is then that a Pastor can concentrate on the "edification" and "sanctification" of his body of believers.

After all the Pastor's job is to make "disciples" of Jesus Christ!

*****2Co 13:9  For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 

2Co 13:10  Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. 

So why had Paul been so bold in these epistles?

So he would not have to use that same boldness and sharpness according to the power that the Lord had given to him!

Paul did not want to have to confront those who had caused such problems. "As we have said it is the Church's responsibility to put a stop to all such things".

Paul would rather spend his time and his opportunities to build onto the church and not destroy any part of it or any member.

Paul did not want to tear down lives in order to save this church but he would if it was necessary!

Paul was actually content if he was seen as weak as long as it was understood that he ministered with the full power of God. This was the greatest attribute of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was not the power of the miracles that made Christ our Savior.

It was not the power of God that made Christ our Savior.

It was the "meekness" of an all powerful God that loved us enough to die in payment of our sin!

It is only those who reject the Lord that will get to see the immense power of God, when they have refused His "Grace"!

What were some of the powers we have already seen?

We saw Ananias and Sapphira both lose their lives for lying to God.

Act 5:5  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 

And

Act 5:10  Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 

We have seen Hymenaeus and Alexander and the incestuous person at Corinth, delivered to Satan for destruction of their souls, if they would not repent.

1Ti 1:20  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. 

And

1Co 5:4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

1Co 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

Did Paul have this kind of authority, we can be certain that he did, because his authority was that of Jesus Christ but church edification was Paul's main goal!

This last thought, "this warning", was intended to remain in their conscience because right after this statement Paul closes out this epistle.

*****2Co 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 

2Co 13:12  Greet one another with an holy kiss. 

Notice again Paul was writing to the Christians and not to any false christian.

To say "farewell" is a wish of happiness but here it can also mean rejoice in the knowledge that we are Christians who are favored by God through His Son Christ Jesus.

As Peter so wonderfully put it:

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

Paul says knowing this then "be perfect". There has never been but one who was perfect and that was Jesus Christ so Paul is saying be more like Jesus than the world.

1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 

Then be of good comfort.

2Th 2:16  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 

2Th 2:17  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

Then be of one mind.

Php 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 

Php 1:28  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 

Then live in peace.

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

The God of love and peace will be with you.

Rom 16:20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 

The word holy is added to the word kiss so that this kiss is to not be considered anything but as a salute to each other.

1Co 16:19  The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 

1Co 16:20  All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 

To salute is to honor one another!

Rom 16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 

Christians honoring Christians. In America we use the hand shake but a hand shake in some places is repulsive and considered unsanitary.

But all Christians are to honor one another because we are all the "saints" of God and we do not need some man or some church councel or some Pope to declare our sainthood!

*****2Co 13:13  All the saints salute you. 

2Co 13:14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

This epistle to the Corinthians was a very harsh letter and we as Christians need to be made aware of our faults and Paul has been as loving as he could and still make us aware of the truth of the Word of God.

Grace is still the unmerited favor of God and the "Grace of God" can only come by Jesus Christ.

Grace is the absolute love of God shown to sinners who deserve Hell but through our Savour, the Lord Jesus Christ will become a apart of Heaven's glory!

How much does God love His creation?

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

We must never ignore the truth of God's "love" but we must still realize that God had a purpose for His love and that was to join us with the Holy Spirit who is the seal of God ownership!

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

We are all subject to having doubts in our relationship with God but we must remain solid in our "faith".

Faith is the only answer to doubt!

We must also deal with our own spiritual shortcomings before we ever question another brother or sister in Christ.

If there were anyone who had more love for the Church than the Apostle Paul then it could only be the Lord Jesus Christ!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

When God Says No

When Prayer Seems to Fail

Book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 12

The biggest problem in the church of today is that the Word of God is not accepted as the truth. It is a great misunderstanding to think of the Bible as just a book of ancient writings. The Bible is the actual Word of God! The Bible is an actual message from Heaven to humanity! God Himself is the author of the Bible!

When we understand these things, we can then begin to understand what God is saying.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

After all what is "faith"?

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

"Substance" is something real, not imaginary, something solid! Faith is the assurance of things we hope for! Things we hope for are our personal achievements.

"Evidence" is the things that enables the mind to see the truth. The evidence we see is also the proof of things we cannot see. A Supreme being with a supreme cause for His creation.

Faith then is "Believing all the Word of God".

When we accept the Word of God as the truth, we can then enter in to a new life, a new mode of power and a new mode of existence!

Col 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Listen and believe what the Apostle Paul writes by the Holy Spirit:

*****2Co 12:1  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 

It is never a good thing to boast of our accomplishments because we could not accomplish anything long lasting without the Lord in our lives!

Paul had begun this church at Corinth by the power of God and because of false teachers Paul saw the need to defend his ministry.

Paul's salvation was real.

Paul's call into the ministry was real.

Paul had to defend his calling.

Paul began his boasting by lifting up the Lord. Paul is saying "let me tell you what the Lord has revealed to me".

*****2Co 12:2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 

2Co 12:3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 

First if we skip down to verse 7, where Paul says "lest I be exalted" we can see that "this man" Paul was talking about was himself!

Paul had kept quiet about this for 14 years and the truth is, deep matters between ourselves and God should never be subject to boasting unless there is a real reason to do so!

No doubt Paul had many revelations from the Lord on many different occasions. This was the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ and we know Christ is very involved in His Church!

Paul recognizes that he did not know what the state of his consciousness at the time of this revelation. In other words, Paul knew he had a vision and he had seen clearly what God had wanted him to see but he did not know if the soul was in or out of his body. Paul did not know if he was conscious or unconscious.

Just so we are clear, the third Heaven is God's dwelling place! The place where the clouds are is the first heaven, the place where the stars are the second heaven. Even the Apostle Paul rejected the notion of 7 heavens and we should also!

No doubt that as Christians we are all a part of the Body of Christ:

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

Paul had a glorious vision that had only one answer.

*****2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 

The third heaven and paradise are then the same place.

Paradise is then the unseen world! The spiritual world! The spiritual dimension of being!

These two worlds are separated by a great gulf that is impassable. One world a place of sorrows, known as Hell, which continues to enlarge itself because of unbelief and the other Paradise where all believers go at the very moment of death.

Paradise is a picture of Heaven and Heaven is where God dwells in all His presence and glory.

It would never be against any law for Paul not to speak of Paradise, the truth is there are simply no words in any language that can describe the beauty of Paradise.

Isa 64:4  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 

We should understand that there is nothing in the Word of God that is to be hidden and God does not hide anything from us. God just ask us to believe the words He gives to us!

Paul's life was all about the "Gospel". Paul's life was with the Lord, Paul's dreams were of the Lord, Paul saw God as not many see God. Paul heard a Voice that not many hear because most people have of a lack of "faith".

This is the One in which we all should praise and glorify!

*****2Co 12:5  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 

2Co 12:6  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 

Paul was answering his critics who said that he had no authority to preach the "Gospel" but Paul does not stay there long, because Paul knows that our true strength comes from our weaknesses!

It is when we know our weaknesses that we can depend on the strength of the Lord. This is not speaking of our weakness of sin but our weaknesses as servants of the Lord and they are different for every one of us.

These are our difficulties in this life, our great afflictions and even our persecution.

We all, at some time, have tendency to glory in our own accomplishments even when we are foolish to do so but we must always speak the truth and that without exaggeration. The truth of the Lord must never be seen as boasting!

It is a fact that Paul had many visions and many sessions with the Holy Spirit or there could not be so many books of the New Testament which carries his name!

Paul clearly understood that these things did not make him special in any way. In fact, had Paul refused God would just have used someone else!

*****2Co 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 

The Strong's Dictionary describes this thorn as a bodily annoyance or a disability.

A "thorn" can also be anything that is troublesome to our mission to serve Jesus Christ.

Paul also says this thorn was "the messenger of Satan to buffet him".

We could also say this was a "demon".

To "buffet", means "to beat with the fist"! So, Paul's thorn was certainly something evil!

We know that a thorn can cause pain and a thorn is impossible to forget. A thorn always seems to make contact with something as we go about our daily routine. To stop this, this thorn must be removed!

*****2Co 12:8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 

2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

Obviously, this was something Paul could not do himself and something that no other human could do for Paul.

Remember Paul had all the powers given to him by the Lord.

Paul had the power to heal others but he could not use those powers on himself!

We should clearly understand, it is the Lord Jesus who chooses His servants and the mission of each servant.

It is the Lord who oversees their qualifications, their support, their trials and their deliverance from those trials. When that person has a problem and they do not take it to the Lord they show that they do not belong to the Lord! To Paul his prayers seemed to fail.

Notice Paul sought the Lord on 3 separate occasions to remove this obstacle of pain by the time he had written this epistle and it is possible he did so on other occasions.

We should understand the purpose of this life time trial of Paul. (lest I should be exalted above measure)

It is obvious that pride can be our greatest enemy after all it was pride that ruined the life of Lucifer and God tossed him out of Heaven along with his followers.

We are to always be humble servants of the Lord and constant physical pain can be the greatest humbler.

But there is an even greater reason than this!

The Lord Jesus Christ sets us free from the bondage of sin, but the Lord does not give us independence to serve ourselves!

Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

God says we are to bear one another’s burdens.

Notice things happen to us because we live in a sinful world, but our trials come from the Lord for His reasons and one day we will understand that these things had a real purpose that we may not understand while we are living.

In this case of Paul, God appointed this evil and Satan with the Lord's permission inflicted it.

Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 

Job 1:10  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 

Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 

Job 1:12  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So, Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 

Satan needs to have God's permission to bring evil on a child of God! If God allows it then God has His own reasons for doing so!

How did this affect Paul?

****It made Paul a better missionary!

God wanted to reveal His power in Paul. The weaker the vessel the more God will be glorified!

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. God's presence, God's love, God's favor, and God's blessings are all we need in this world to do the work that the Lord has given us to do. In fact without God's grace we would falter and fail in our mission!

God's Grace can carry us through any circumstance we face in this world!

We see that Paul suffered physically and many times this is true of others but there can also be spiritual suffering.

A self-sufficient person is saying that they do not need God!

So the truth is, we should all glory in our infirmities so the world can see the power of God in our lives!

*****2Co 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

This may sound like a hard saying but in fact it is the truth if we remember that God can only do things that are the right thing to do, all the time!

We can take pleasure in the weakness of our mind and body, when we know the power of Jesus Christ will overcome those things.

We can smile and keep going, when we are ridiculed for serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

We can always feel secure, knowing that God will always meet our needs.

We can always feel safe, knowing that we are in the hands of the Lord when persecution comes.

We can always feel the victory, even when we are in tight situations and it looks like there is no means of escape, the Lord will make a way.

All we need to remember is that the power of Christ Jesus is much stronger than all the combined forces that mankind can put together!

Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 

Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 

Nothing on this earth can overcome the "will of God"!

*****2Co 12:11  I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. 

2Co 12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 

Paul is saying, "to many of you I may seem to be a fool" but in fact this church was in error "because they had not defended their Pastor".

Every church who has a Pastor who preaches the truth of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" must come to his aid when he is attacked by those who do not follow the Word of God.

We cannot pick and choose what part of God's Word we will follow. We must accept all God's Word as the truth and we must rightly divide the Word of God to keep it in context.

There will never be a volume 2 of the Word of God. There will never be a revised version of those old Hebrew and Greek scrolls.

We already have the truth of God in our possession!

Every Pastor should ask himself if he can defend his ministry before Jesus Christ.

Every Pastor should ask himself if he is following the lead of the Holy Spirit in his ministry.

Every Pastor should ask himself if he is totally committed to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If he can be positive in his answers, then he needs to stand on his ministry and that church needs to stand with him at all cost!

2Ti 1:11  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 

2Ti 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

A church that stands with such a man of God, will not be inferior to any other Bible believing place of worship!

*****2Co 12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 

2Co 12:13  For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 

Paul ended verse 11 saying "though I be nothing".

We are all nothing in comparison to the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can only boast in the Lord, we would fail without Him.

We can only trust in the Lord, if we trust in anything else we will fail.

We are nothing to be considered in the work of the Lord, the Scriptures will be fulfilled with or without us!

What is the truest sign of a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

Paul had done this many times. Paul had also planted many churches.

Paul had been consistent in his Christian life after his salvation and his calling.

These people had witnessed supernatural miracles showing the Divine Power of God.

These people had seen wonders that could not be explained with man's knowledge.

These people had witnessed many things that just could not be explained away, acknowledging the Power had to come from God.

Act 19:11  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 

Act 19:12  So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 

Anything that any of the other Apostles could do had been witnessed by this church by the hands of Paul!

In fact, the only thing Paul had done differently was to refuse to demand that this church support him financially.

Paul says, "if this was wrong then forgive me".

2Co 11:9  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 

What Paul was saying was, it was this body of believers who had wronged their Pastor!

In fact it seemed to Paul, that the more he loved them the less he was loved by them!

In fact, Paul's critics accused Paul of using the money given for Jerusalem to help him in his ministry which was an absolute lie.

*****2Co 12:14  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 

2Co 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 

2Co 12:16  But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 

It is a fact that if we have a sin that gets us in the most trouble we are usually quick to believe that all others are just as prone to it as we are but that is simply not true. Over and over again, Paul was accused of making money from his ministry as if it were a business. We can be sure that those false critics were guilty of this very thing. In fact, the more they could stir up the people of the church the thicker their wallets got.

The truth of the "Gospel" is that God requires a personal surrender!

Paul was not interested in what these people possessed, Paul was interested in their person. (I seek not yours but you)

At one time, scientist thought that the earth was the center of the planetary system and then they became confused about the heavens.

When it became clear that the Sun was the center of our system they began to see how truly organized our solar system was and it open the doors to exploration.

When we see ourselves as the center of law and order in the universe all other things are confusing but when we make the Lord Jesus the center of all life, confusion becomes order and reality.

Jesus Christ seeks a personal relationship with each, and every one of us. Jesus Christ seeks us. Jesus first saves the soul and then expects our reasonable service until He has us all. This universe already belongs to God to do with as He wishes!

Paul was not seeking their money.

Paul was not seeking their praise.

Paul was not even seeking their affections.

Paul was trying to get them to give themselves over to the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is the purpose of every minister of Jesus Christ!

We are then to follow the Word of God and make application of the Word of God to our lives.

The treasures of Paul were his love and his mercy which came from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 

Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

Eph 3:11  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 

Eph 3:12  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 

God as our Father in Heaven is laying up all His riches for His children of "faith" the body of Christ!

These Corinthians could not say that Paul had been a burden to them in any way. Paul had truly preached the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ freely and it could not be denied!

The critics then said that Paul had deceived them when he sent Titus and those other two to prepare these Corinthians in advance for those collections making Paul out to be a criminal.

Every man called of God must always be on guard against greed and worldliness and giving the impression that he is a cheat or a thief.

Joh 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 

Joh 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 

Joh 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 

Joh 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

And Paul responded to these accusations:

*****2Co 12:17  Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 

2Co 12:18  I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 

2Co 12:19  Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 

Paul clearly understood that he was accountable to God and not to men!

It is obvious that Titus and those with him also had made no request for financial support. Paul had anticipated that he would be accused of using any monies that were gathered.

Titus walked in the same Holy Spirit as the apostle Paul.

Every minister must be willing to preach the Word of God freely when it is necessary!

Titus walked in the same methods as Paul.

Titus lived in the same manner as Paul, "according to the Word of God".

Titus just like Paul worked with his own hands to supply his needs rather than be a burden to this church.

The ministers of God must never show "covetousness".

Paul was not defending himself, in order for them to judge his actions. Paul was called to build the church and not to tear it down

Paul was called of God, he answered only to God, God expected Paul to keep his ministry clean.

Paul only desired for this church to repent and return to the work of the Lord and this a quickly as possible.

It is for certain that God will unmask every deceiver in His own time!

The Apostle Paul did the things he did for the "Bride of Christ".

What had John the Baptist said?

Joh 3:29  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 

Joh 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease. 

These are the same feelings of Paul and every true minister of God!

Paul also had the same "Fatherly Fears" as our Father in Heaven!

*****2Co 12:20  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 

2Co 12:21  And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

We can be sure that Paul was still not completely sure this church would repent and may still reject his ministry.

Paul feared that the church would not deal with these false teachers and Paul's critics.

Those evil attacks against Paul would have to cease in Corinth if the church was to survive and then Paul listed some things that can cause any church to divide.

1) Debates: Quarreling within the church that cause strife.

2) Envyings: Jealousy among the members.

3) Wraths: anything contrary to the Word of God

4) Strifes: Contention, law suits, caught up in things just to prove you are right.

5) Backbitings: Speaking evil of one another, spreading rumors, hurting some one's good name without cause.

6) Whisperings: suggesting evil things of each other.

7) Swellings: Pride and conceit

8) Tumults: Interrupting the worship service for no reason but just to do so.

9) And being unrepentant!

We know of one who had relations with his father's wife but it is obvious that there were others who were committing such sin.

Any and all relationships outside the relationship of one man and one woman in marriage, is sin and is an abomination to God!

It was obvious that some in this church had refused to repent and Paul was sure to address this issue when he returned to Corinth and Paul was making them aware.

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 

Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 

We need to clearly understand if we refuse to repent of our sin, God will never hear our prayers!

Psa 66:18  If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

If God will not hear our prayers they will certainly fail! 

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Understanding the Truth of God

Facing False Doctrine
Understanding the Truth



Book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 11



What is the greatest truth that is rejected by this world?



Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.



When Jesus said these words, His intent was then and still is today to say that "He (Jesus) is the only way to Heaven and there is no other way" to come face to face with our Father in Heaven!



Those that dispute the Lord Jesus Christ are all foolish!



Let's begin:



*****2Co 11:1  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2Co 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.



As we already know there had been false teachers and critics in this church at Corinth who had severely attacked the Apostle Paul and his ministry for Christ. It would have been wrong for Paul not to address this issue and even boast of the truth of God.



Satan was using everything in his power to destroy Paul's influence in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!



We can be sure, even more today that Satan is using many of these same methods to gain control of the Church!



What is the truth about Satan, Satan is a liar!



Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.



The modern-day church of today is filled with false teaching!
The modern-day church of today is rejecting the Doctrine of Jesus Christ on whom the Church is founded!



The goal is obvious, to break the foundation and the church will fall!



Paul is simply saying you heard their side now hear my side (bear with me, "allow me to defend myself").



The Lord teaches us to take a stand.



Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, "and having done all, to stand".



We are not to cower down every time someone voices their attitude of hate toward the ministers of the Gospel!



These false men had boasted of their gifts, and their abilities, and their usefulness to God, which were all lies and Paul saw the need to come to his own defense, not for himself but "for the honor of God".



Psa 106:8  Nevertheless "he saved them for his name's sake", that he might make his mighty power to be known.



Paul said he needed to respond to those false accusations, not for his own account, but it was a "godly jealousy". We could say the Holy Spirit decided these things for Paul!



We should understand that Christ Jesus stands in the relation of a husband to the Church He has founded in His name!



Paul presents himself as the marriage-friend, in a sense the "best man" and therefore shares the bridegroom's jealousy!



Isa 54:5  For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isa 54:6  For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.



Much like John the Baptist did:



Joh 3:27  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28  Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease.



Once a virgin was betrothed, then by agreement they must remain that way until the marriage is consummated!



The Apostle Paul had led these Corinthians to the Lord but at this time they were being deceived by false (strange) doctrine.



Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.



Deception is what brought sin to Adam.



*****2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.



We can use Eve as an example or a "type" of the Church but not "Mary" because Christ is the "new Adam".



1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.



The Church must beware lest, like Eve, the church takes heed to the Tempter(Satan).



2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.



Satan is subtle! Satan is artful, Satan is cunning, Satan is insinuating, Satan is sly, and there are other words to describe him but most of all Satan is evil and Satan has an evil agenda for the destruction of God's people or at least their usefulness in the work of the Lord.



Satan begins his work on the mind!



If Satan can corrupt the mind, he will begin to influence our decisions!



We must always be aware of Satan's agenda!



Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, "which deceiveth the whole world": he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.



Simplicity means "our single-minded devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ".



There will never be a time that the Lord will allow us to have 2 masters!



In a sense, Paul is saying that if "anyone" comes into your church and preaches another Jesus, another Gospel, we need to boot them out the door as quickly as possible. There may be other spirits but there is only One Holy Spirit!



Paul is telling these Corinthians that their mind may not yet be corrupted but they were leaning in that direction and a corrupted mind is hard to overcome!



A corrupted mind will turn away from Christ and we have seen the evidence of this today on a grand scale in many places that used to be devoted to the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".



As Eve gave into the seduction of Satan, so is the Church capable of such a seduction and much of the Church is falling into this trap of Satan!



There is always the danger of false teachers and we need to show them the exit doors of the church building quickly!



What is the truth of our day?



1Ti 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;



We are wrong if we think we are not in that time of these "latter days" now!



All prophesy will one day become history as much of it already has!



*****2Co 11:5  For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2Co 11:6  But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.



If these false teachers had truly had another Gospel then it may have been worth listening to, but the only message they had was a distortion of the "Gospel Truth".



We should realize the truth of this statement!



There are more religions than I can count but each one is only a distortion of the Word of God. If we have the Word of God, then we need to accept it just as God has written it and not in bits and pieces!



We cannot pick and choose what we will believe and what we will reject!



When God calls those who minister the "Gospel", He does not always give them great eloquence of speech. The gift that God gives to each one is the "knowledge" of the truth.



Not only had Paul spent 3 years with the Lord Jesus, Paul had sit at the feet of Gamaliel the greatest of the teachers of the Old Testament in all of Israel.



Col 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.



Paul, having insight from the Holy Spirit, had not been a burden to these Corinthians in finances and now even this was used against him.



*****2Co 11:7  Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
2Co 11:8  I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.



Paul had already taught this church that they should provide support for the true Pastor who preaches the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" so Paul now asked, "was it a sin that he did not ask for such support for himself".



If we remember Paul had used his skills as a "tentmaker" to support himself during this time and he preached the "Gospel" freely to these Corinthians.



It was said by the false preachers that a true Apostle would have certainly demanded such support, as they had!



It was a fact that these Corinthians had no understanding of "free".



Like the world of today, their understanding was that nothing of any value could ever be free and so we see the reasoning of the Apostle Paul.



Much of the world is of this thought today and many fall into the trap of thinking they must pay for salvation or do some work to purchase salvation, neither one understanding the "Grace of God".



The Lord Jesus Christ made the only payment that God would accept and Jesus Christ did all the work that was required!



Our only work is to believe!
Our only payment is to give ourselves to the truth God!



Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.



Paul had received some support but it had come from other churches, mainly the church at Philippi, other than the church at Corinth.



The churches of Macedonia were truly poor so in a sense it was robbing from the poor to help the rich who were the Corinthians in comparison to those Macedonians.



Why had Paul done all these things?



*****2Co 11:9  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
2Co 11:10  As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
2Co 11:11  Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.



When Paul was in Corinth he had to work with his own hands and then witness and preach to get this church started and it started as a house church like many do today but even this work was not enough to provide Paul's daily necessities and he lacked and some brothers from Macedonia had come to his rescue.



Paul had refused to ask these from Corinth for any help at all!



"Achaia" is accepted as meaning all of Greece. Paul was saying that no man and no reason could stop him from preaching the "gospel of Jesus Christ in all of Greece. Paul made an oath that day and Paul spent all his days as an Apostle boasting of the "Grace of God" and God's plan of salvation and boasting how he had preached the "Gospel" freely to these of Corinth.



Paul was saying that these Corinthians had no one to blame but themselves if they rejected the "Gospel" and this is the same for this world today!



This is the truth of all who will come face to face with God at the "White Throne" of judgment, they will have gotten there by their own means with no one else to blame.



Paul's critics had said that Paul had no love for this church, yet Paul had done all these things to show his love for this church and these people of Corinth.



The word "wherefore" means it was for these reasons.



Was it because Paul did not love these people, No, but there was also another reason?



Every Pastor must always guard against giving people a chance to criticize his financial policies and he is never to compromise the "Gospel" to pacify some church members into giving!



This also is a great problem in today's places of worship!



*****2Co 11:12  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.



The one thing for sure is, that false teachers in the church will always seek their own glory and not the glory of God!



They were false and deceitful in all their doings, so their boastings were never to be believed. This should be the same for us today!



The cure for knowing the words of a false teacher is to know the Word of God yourself!



Paul used the word false apostles because:



1) They had not been sent by the Lord.
2) They had no apostolic powers, which the Lord had given to His chosen 12.
3) They were only "actors" trying to play the part of an Apostle.



Tit 1:10  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Tit 1:11  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.



In the day of Paul, it had been mostly Jews but today they are in all denominations of the so-called Christian movement.



False teachers may be religionist "but they are never Christian". They are the deceitful workers of Satan who disguise themselves as men of God!



We should not marvel at these things but we should know these things are true! Why?



*****2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.



All those who are looking for a Devil in a red suit with horns and a tail are foolish!



Satan will appear to be the greatest of all Christians, the greatest of all preachers, the greatest of all teachers, and the answer to all religions!



Satan can still appear in his heavenly glory as he is an angel created of God.



Eze 28:13  Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
Eze 28:14  Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Eze 28:15  Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.



Eze 28:17  Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.



Satan is our enemy!



Satan is under God's curse!



Satan only has a little time left!



Satan is a deceiver!



Gal 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.



So, it should be no great thing that some servants of Satan have infiltrated the church and they will bring the evil world into the church!



Satan will always present himself as the messenger of the truth!
Satan will always present himself as the pathway to intelligent obedience to God's Word.
Satan will always present himself as the one who is to "enlighten" God's people to reality.
Satan will never present himself as Satan!!!!!!!!!!!



Satan false ministers will do the same thing!



How can we know the difference then?



False ministers will always deny the life of Christ, His righteousness as the perfect and ideal sinless man!
False ministers will always deny the death of Christ, that He had to die in payment for all our sin!
False ministers will always deny the resurrection of Christ, that He had victory over death to show the new life for the believer.
False ministers will always deny the blood of Christ!



The truth is God will accept no person apart from Jesus Christ!



Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.



The truth is God will only accept each person who honors His Son!



Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.



God will only accept those who love His Son!



1Pe 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.



In the end, all false teachers, all false preachers, and Satan Himself will suffer eternity for what they have done!



Mat 16:27  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.



Paul said you may think of me as a fool but I am only a fool for Christ sake!



*****2Co 11:16  I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
2Co 11:17  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
2Co 11:18  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
2Co 11:19  For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
2Co 11:20  For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.



We may not completely understand this passage but we should consider that this is the way Paul chose to address his critics and a guideline for every Pastor.



Paul was preaching the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ and these false teachers and preachers were saying that Paul's message should not be allowed in the Church. So how is that different from what is being said today?



The modern-day church is doing it's very best to rid the church of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!



First it is evident that Paul does not believe that Christians should boast before other people but this church at Corinth had placed him in a position to defend the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Gospel.



Paul had already been described as a weak man, so to not defend his message would have been a sure sign of weakness.



Paul is saying "if you think of me as a fool, then receive me as a fool".



These things were necessary if the church at Corinth was to be saved from collapse!



Those false teachers had boasted greatly of their message and had been accepted so it was only being fair to Paul to allow the same.



What is the truth of false teaching and the liberal church of today?



False teaching makes people "spiritual slaves" where as, the Gospel is a message of "freedom".



Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.



False teachers will use "greed" as their inspiration. The "Gospel" is about the "free gift" of God.



False teachers will use "craftiness" to entrap you, the "Gospel" uses the "truth".



False teachers are arrogant assuming, great superiority, trying to become lords over God's people and not being examples of the Gospel!



1Pe 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.



False teachers are always proud and haughty and will show contempt of all others, showing no respect for our rights or our dignity.



BUT, The "Gospel" is all about brotherly love!



Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.



The true man of God must defend his ministry and he must always be bold in his defence of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ!



*****2Co 11:21  I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
2Co 11:22  Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.



We can take this to mean that those false teachers were all Hebrews and Israelites. Not only that but they were also of the seed of Abraham.



These were some of the same evil men who had confronted John the Baptist, always trying to stop the spread of the true "Gospel". Their end is in the "Lake of Fire"!



Mat 3:9  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Mat 3:10  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.



Paul is saying if these were all the qualifications that were needed then his pedigree was even greater than theirs.



Then Paul says if they are ministers of Christ, if they are ministers of the Messiah? Then where is their proof?



It is true that every man of God must have a godly heritage but he then must also walk the walk of the Lord Jesus Christ!



The false teacher will never bear his own cross for Jesus Christ!



John the Baptist had asked this same question of some imposters?



Mat 3:7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mat 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:



John said they were nothing but "vipers". A viper is a snake whose bite will bring death.



A human viper is malignant and extremely dangerous to true life!



What was Paul's proof? His suffering in defense of the "Gospel"!



Joh 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Joh 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Joh 15:21  But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.



*****2Co 11:23  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
2Co 11:24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2Co 11:25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2Co 11:26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2Co 11:27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Co 11:28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.



We can see that the Holy Spirit had moved Paul to say "show me your proof and I will show you mine".



Paul then said surely I must be the biggest fool of all!



Until we come face to face with Jesus Christ, we will never understand the mysteries of God's procedures with His servants.



Some would think that if the "Gospel message" is that important than why would God not have made the way of his ministers clear, safe and even pleasant. It would seem the more trials these men suffer is a distraction and an embarrassment.



The truth is this world will never be reached with the "Gospel" unless God's people are willing to be diligent in labor and willing to sacrifice themselves!



We should remember Adam. Adam had a really cushy job!



Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.



Adam allowed his love for Eve to supercede his love for God and this brought on sin!



So we see, it is the love of God that must sustain us in every situation!



In most every case, the true ministers of God will suffer and labor more than most men do for Christ Jesus!



We can see that Paul had become a vile man to most Jews just by their actions toward him.



Deu 25:3  Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.



They treated Paul more like an animal than a human, if they had the opportunity.



Paul was also a Roman citizen but the Romans had beaten Paul with rods which would be like cane or similar to a fiberglass fishing rod. These were illegal to use on a Roman citizen because some men had died because of their use.



To be stoned would certainly be an attempt to murder the Apostle Paul!



On 3 separate occasions, Paul had been in ship wrecks and at least one time he had survived on a plank for at least 24 hours.



Paul had crossed many rivers that had no bridge.
Robbers were a danger to everyone who traveled on the roads of that day.
We already know that the Jews hated the Apostle Paul and many Romans also, any many were just jealous.



But there were also false Christians just as there are today!



History tells us that Paul was imprisoned at least 7 times.



Paul had hungered.
Paul had thirsted.
Paul had spent many sleepless nights.
Paul had spent many nights without enough clothes to keep him warm.
Paul had also suffered a daily pressure, a daily burden for the care of the churches he had planted and all the "body of Christ" as the church also suffered through the persecution of this world.



Though a lesser man would have just given up or quit, Paul kept going for the cause of Christ!



What is the truth?
Weariness comes with disappointment and defeat. (Victory comes in Christ Jesus)
Weariness comes with our personal conflict with sin but there is a Deliverer. (Jesus Christ)
Weariness comes with unbelief, it is "faith" that gives life and a zest to live. (Life comes by Jesus Christ)
Weariness comes from a state of being alone. (Jesus said I will never leave you nor forsake you)



Paul loved all the "Body of Christ" and it shows, but Paul was not obligated to the Church, Paul was obligated to Jesus Christ.
Paul was fighting for Jesus Christ!
Paul's authority came from Jesus Christ, Paul would surrender to no other authority no matter what the cost to him personally!



But still what was Paul's greatest obstacle? His own flesh!



*****2Co 11:29  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2Co 11:30  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.



Remember Paul had at one time been a persecutor of the "body of Christ" even causing the death of many saints of God but as soon as the 'Love of Jesus" had touched his heart, Paul's zeal became his strength and God had added to Paul much tenderness.



Paul knew how much he had been forgiven and he now knew how to forgive all others!



This is a lesson that we all need to learn!



We all need to understand our weaknesses as we live powerless in this sinful world. Our strength comes from the Lord!
We may be weak in the flesh but we do not have to be weak in the presence of Satan we have already won that battle, it is over, it is finished!



In our world of today we must be honest to see that sin has grown so much that we are just not offended by sin any more. In fact, we have reached a point where we actually sympathize with sin, but God says we are to always hate sin but never to hate the sinner.



The truth is, it is never good to boast of what we have done for Christ Jesus but when we have suffered for the cause of serving Christ we may have a reason to boast!



None of those false teachers who had come to Corinth to lead them astray had suffered for Christ nor had they suffered of the people.



There is a song that says "I cannot walk without you holding my hand".



Paul says "I will glory in my weak flesh that survives by the hand of God"!



*****2Co 11:31  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
2Co 11:32  In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
2Co 11:33  And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.



It could be said that the Bible is a book of principles that we as Christians are to apply to our lives after salvation!



The bottom line is that, it is God who must be King in our lives and in our conscience.
It is God's rules that must rule those who would be righteous.
It is "truth" that rules in God's Kingdom.



There are no loopholes in the Word of God!



It is obvious no one man such as Paul could have survived all these things without the hand of God in his life!



In truth, the "Gospel" cannot be stopped!



What Paul had realized in all his tribulation, was that God could take a man who had tried to destroy the Church and turn him into someone who could be used to build the Church.



The Apostle Paul realized that he was just a servant of Christ who counted all things loss for the cause of Christ.



Paul was always ready to be put to shame for Christ.
Paul was always ready to suffer for Christ.
Paul was always ready to endure, in order to make known the name of Christ.



The Apostle Paul's greatest lesson for us is, that surely Our Savior deserves our best, no matter what we are going through!



2Co 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.



If we are to boast as Christians, let's boast of all the things that Christ has brought us through in our days with Him!



Those that do not know the Lord boast only of themselves!



Questions?



Let's Pray!