Examine Yourself!

Title: “Taking Life’s Test” Scripture: II Cor. 13:5-6

Type: Expos. Where: GNBC 5-10-20

Intro: Life is full of tests. I don’t mean the challenges of relationships, financial shortfalls or health failings. I mean, actual, literal tests! We start taking standardized tests of basic skills in Elem, PSATS, and SATS, and ACTS in HS. He take tests for our vocations or for our education. My oldest son is a fireman with the IC FD. Besides being a HS grad, college grad, having his CDL for college job, he has a EMT, FF1, FF2, Hazmat Operations and Internal Driver Operator Cert. Many careers require multiple levels of certification from some governing body. The purpose of this is to ensure the quality and competency of the individual. Did you know that we are encouraged to test ourselves for spiritual quality as well?

Prop: II Cor. 13:5-6 challenges believes to take the most important test of our lives.

BG: 1. II Cor. Was written by the Apostle Paul. It was actually the 3rd letter to the church.

2. Technically speaking, I Cor. Was II Cor. Why? In I Cor. 5:9 the Apostle wrote: “I wrote to you in my first letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.” (This letter was lost.)

3. II Cor. is, besides Philemon, Paul’s most personal and least systematically doctrinal letter. See a great deal into his personality and passion.

Prop: II Cor. 13:5-6 challenges believes to take the most important test of our lives.

I. Take the Most Important Test of All. v. 5a

A. Paul Admonishes the Corinthians to Test Themselves to make Sure they were Christians.

1. This admonition was rooted most likely in two specific matters in the Corinthians Church.

a. One of the issues was the rebellious attitude which characterized the Corinthian Church. Many of the Corinthian Church were now openly questioning Paul’s leadership and Apostleship. Read v.3 – In response to the Apostle’s letter of correction and visits, the response of this rebellious congregation is: “Who do you think you are Paul?” Really? Paul was the one whom on his 2nd missionary journey founded this church! (Acts 18; ICor. 2:1-2), Paul (Along w/ Aquilla and Priscilla) was the one who stayed with them 18 months grounding and rooting them in sound doctrine. Be very careful Christian not to demonstrate rebellion towards those in leadership. Illust: Do you remember when King Saul got in so much trouble in the OT? What was the rebuke he received? “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” (I Sam. 15:23)

b. The second issue was the flagrant immorality that characterized the Corinthian Church. Corinth was an incredibly immoral community, being one of the most wicked and degraded cities of ancient times. Many of the believers had come out of horrific lifestyles. And Christians are always to be different from the world no matter what community one lives in. The problem: Many in the church at Corinth were looking just like the world from which they were supposedly redeemed. In fact, we read in I Cor. 5:1 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father's wife.” Might have been stepmother or father’s other wife. Doesn’t matter. Paul says: You are living in one of the most perverse cities on earth and you are tolerating a sin that makes the world blush! Listen friend, you cannot live in flagrant sin and call yourself a Christian. Paul says: Take the test!

2. Paul Challenges the Corinthians to Take the Test to Determine whether are/not Christians.

a. Illust: What’s the most important test you’ve ever taken? Maybe GED? Maybe an exam in college. Maybe Realtor’s License or CPA examination. Possibly nursing boards or medical school boards. If a lawyer the Bar Exam. Maybe an exam or licensure for your profession. Maybe a coaching certificate. Maybe SAT or ACT. Do you want an ASA certified mechanic? ASME engineer? CDL. Life is full of tests. Why? Demands competency. Do you think we can sluff by in our faith? Paul says: NO!

b. Go back to v. 3: Paul is saying: “You want to test me? You better test yourself!”

B. What is the Object of this Test? Clearly determining one’s True Spiritual Standing.

1. Because of their Acceptance of Sin and Rebellious Attitude Paul Challenged the Corinthians to test themselves to determine their true Spiritual Standing.

2. Today’s believer needs to test themselves to determine their true Spiritual Standing.

a. Illust: The evangelical church in America today is full of behaviors that completely mirror the world. High rates of divorce and immorality. Drug and alcohol use and abuse. Pornography amongst both men and women. Using obscene speech (cursing) Materialism. Gluttony. Lust. Covetousness. Mocking unbelief. Effeminate men. Overbearing and usurping women.