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!
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!
