The Comparison Game
Let's play the Comparison Game!
Which is better?
Coke? or Pepsie?
I.U.? or U of L?
Kentucky? or Duke?
Our first contestant today is the Apostle Paul. Paul is a Hebrew of Hebrews, an Israelite, a descendent of Abraham. He has been in prison several times, beaten, flogged, and shipwrecked... Paul, it's good to have you with us today! Are you ready for your first question?
Here it is: COMPARED TO THE "SUPER-APOSTLES", HOW DO YOU RATE YOURSELF?
Paul's Answer: "I am not inferior to the 'super-apostles,' even though I am nothing." (2 Cor 12:11)
What?
Not inferior? Paul, does that mean you are superior to these so called "super-apostles"? Does it mean that you are equivalent? How can you not be inferior and be nothing at the same time?
Paul describes himself as the "least of the apostles" (1 Cor 15:9) and the "worst of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15) - yet maintains that he is not inferior to these super-apostles. Could it be that he is not inferior because they are "nothing" too? Is it not true that we are all nothing part from Christ (John 15:5). It seems that Paul knew exactly what he was, and who he was. AND he knew who's he was. The only thing Paul could or would boast about is what Christ was doing through him and in him. Paul had no inferiority complex, nor was he proud or arrogant thinking more of himself than he ought (Romans 12:3).
Next question. This one is for the Church of Corinth. Corinth was the Las Vegas of it's day. It was the Sodom and Gamorrah of the ancient world. Corinth - are you ready for your question?
Here it is: COMPARED TO OTHER CHURCHES, HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?
Their Answer: "...inferior to the other churches..." (2 Cor 12:13)
Can you hear them whine - "I wish we were like other churches." "I wish we had a nicer building." "I wish we had dynamic programs." "I wish we were a mega-church."
From Paul's question, "How were you inferior..." we can see that the Corinthians were struggling with an inferiority complex. And by studying the last few chapters of 2 Corinthians, we can see why. Their problem was not their building, not their programs. Their problem was Paul. What the Corinthians wanted was a "Super-Apostle". One that was a good public speaker. Paul referenced their complaint in 2 Cor 10:10, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." Rhetoric was important to the Greeks. They LOVED rhetoric. This was what they did for entertainment 2000 years ago. They didn't care about substance, but style! They didn't want depth, they wanted something that would tickle their ears! Paul was boring in comparison to these great "super-apostles."
They also wanted miracles! Paul defends himself: "The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders, and miracles--were done among you with great perserverance." (2 Cor 12:12) Everywhere Paul went, miracles accompanied him. In Cyprus, he blinded a sorcerer named Elymas (Acts 13:6-12); in Iconium he did miraclous signs and wonders (Acts 14:3); in Philippi, he performed an excorism (Acts 16:16-18); in Ephesus, he healed the sick (Acts 19:11-12); in Troas, he raised Eutycus from the dead! And... kept preaching! (Acts 20:9-12) Paul was never one to wow the crowds with spiritual magic shows. He did miracles - but he hardly ever talks about them to the Corinthians, or in any of his letters. (Even here in 2 Cor 12, Paul is careful to say that miracles accompanied him. It was God who performed the miracles - not Paul.)
The purpose of the miracles was to give credibility to his message. And his message is the grace and redemption that comes through Christ. Paul wanted his audience to see Jesus - not miracles. Paul understood that the Holy Spirit was NOT a tool in his hands - but that he was a tool in the hands of the Holt Spirit. But it seems that the Church of Corinth didn't quite understand all of this. They wanted "Super-Apostles" who did miracle shows at their weekly services. (WARNING: Paul warns in 2 Thessalonians that "the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. - 2 Thess 2:9-10. LESSON: Seek the Truth, not the miracles.)
Paul's implication in 2 Corinthians 12:13 is, "The Church of Corinth is NOT inferior!" The Church of Corinth is the Bride of Christ. The Church of Corinth is a part of the Body of Christ. (This is not the first time Paul has had to remind them of this. Remember in 1 Cor 12, Paul wrote, "If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' it would not cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' it would not cease to be a part of the body... You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor 12:15-27))
I think it is important for us to recognize that we, as a church, are not inferior to the mega-churches in the area, or the popular churches in our area. We are a part of the body of Christ. We exist to do the work of the Lord - and by God's grace, we will accomplish what He has planned for us to accomplish. By the same token, the churches around us are not inferior either. This includes the churches of other denominations that we don't quite see eye to eye with. If they are exalting Christ... If they are proclaiming the Word of God with integrity... who are we to say they are not a part of the Body of Christ? Who are we to judge someone else's servant? (Romans 14:4)
(TS) Paul implies, "You, Church of Corinth, are NOT inferior. But you are sure acting like you are."
He writes, "I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. (2 Cor 12:11-21)
Paul rebukes the Corinthians for:
1. Being UNGRATEFUL
He writes, "I ought to have been commended by you..." (2 Cor 12:11) He's saying, "Where is the appreciation?" The Corinthians should have been boasting about all that God was doing through the life of Paul - but instead, they put him in a position where he had to boast about himself (Awkward!). Kind of like writing a resume, telling your interviewers how wonderful you are.
Or, can parents relate to this? You birth your children. You feed them. You provide for them. You become their personal taxi driver - and all the while, they talk about how great Billy's dad is. Or, how great Susie's mom is. Don't you want to stop and say, "HELLO! I'm the one doing everything for you! How 'bout you let Billy's dad pay for your college!"
Romans 13:7 tells us to give everyone what you owe them: if taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
How 'bout we HONOR these humble faithful servants that surround us? Let's HONOR our parents. Let's HONOR our leaders.
We live in a world that loves to idolize Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Madonna... But we ignore God's humble faithful servants among us. This is WRONG!. We need to appreciate them, reward them, honor them. The Corinthians were ungrateful. Are we guilty of this as well?
2. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for being SUSPICIOUS
He writes, "How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!" (2 Cor 12:13) The whole idea of "not being a burden" comes up repeatedly in this passage. Apparently, many of the Corinthians questioned Paul's motives for NOT taking up a collection among them. "Are we not worthy?" "Is our money not good enough for you?" Others among the corinthians were thinking just the opposite. "He just wants our money" Paul writes, "...what I want is not your possessions but you." (2 Cor 12:14)
With a bit of sarcasm, he says, "...crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!" (I think he is trying to say, "You caught me. You're right. I didn't take up a collection because I just want your money. Does that make any sense at all?")
1 Corinthians 13:7 says, "Love always trust." Sissela Bok writes about a world without trust. “In such a world, you could never trust anything you were told or anything you read. You would have to find out everything for yourself, first-hand. You would have to invest enormous amounts of your time to find out the simplest matters. In fact, you probably couldn’t even find out the simpliest matters; in a world without trust, you could never acquire the education you need to find out anything for yourself, since such an education depends upon your taking the word of what you read in your lesson books. A moment’s reflection of this sort, makes crystal clear that you benefit enormously by living in a world in which a great deal of trust exists - a world in which the practice of truth-telling is widespread. All the important things you want to do in life are made possible by widespread trust.” The point is, we benefit greatly from a world of trust. Yet, we live in a fallen world. And we, of all people recognize the sinful nature in all of us. But "Love always trust."
H.L. Gee tells the story of a homeless man begging for money. He knocks on a door and asks the lady who answered, "Can you spare any change?" The lady went to get something to give him and found that she had no change at all. She told him, "I have not a penny. But I need a loaf of bread. Here is a dollar. Go buy me a loaf of bread and I will give you the change." The man executed the commision and returned. She gave him the change and he began to cry. "It's not the money," he said, "It's the way you trusted me. No one ever trusted me like that before."
Let there be TRUST on earth and let it begin with me. I realize that I will be taken advantage of on occassion, but I would rather be taken than live in a self-made prison of being suspicious of everyone I meet. Romans 2:14 says, "There is something deep within us that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong." (The Message) Perhaps if we would learn to be more trusting... Perhaps if we would learn to give someone a chance... the Holy Spirit would use us to prick their conscience and awaken them to God's moral law that is within them. Paul seems to be rebuking them for having a suspicious, untrusting spirit.
3. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for being WORLDLY
In verse 20, he writes, "For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder."
We are suppose to bear the fruit of the Spirit. But Paul, who loved these people as if they were his own children, is concerned that he will find some rotten fruit.
He is concerned the Corinthians will be quarreling, fussing, complaining.
He is concerned there will be jealousy and envy. That is not of Christ. We are to rejoice with those who rejoice - not envy them.
Or maybe, he will find outburst of anger (The fruit of the Spirit is self-control).
What about factions? We have just seen that the Corinthians were divided over Paul's intentions; Some upset because he didn't ask them to give to the ministry, others thinking he just wants their money. In the Church today, we see factions all the time: republicans/democrats, liberal/conservative, traditional/contemporary, Arminianism/Calvinsim, etc. Some people love to debate the scriptures. Some people are divisive, and are not content to simply agree to disagree. They then break fellowship - standing on the word of God - in the most ungodly way.
What about slander? What about Gossip? Once again, was the reason for much of this letter to address the slander and gossip being spread about Paul?
What about arrogance? It seems that it is fashionable today to brag, to boast, to promote yourself. Conceit is admirable! It's all about titles and status! But Jesus said, "...whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12)
Would Paul find disorder among the Corinthians? Disorder means anarchy. Can you hear some of the Corinthians saying, "Nobody's going to tell me what to do!" It's a matter of pride. The Church and the Christian family ought to be a place of cooperation and harmony as we respect our leaders, and as our leaders submit to Christ.
4. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for being UNREPENTENT
"I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged." (2 Cor 12:21)
- Impurity
- Sexual sin
- Debauchery (which means, having a rebellious spirit that has lost all sense of shame. To disobey without a conscience)
We have been called to repentence. We have been called to be holy.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Next Question: This question is for YOU.
COMPARED TO THE CORINTHIANS, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
Are you inferior to the Corinthians? Are you superior to the Corinthians? (This is kind of a trick question after all that we have just discussed)
I believe the right answer is: We are ALL apart of the Body of Christ. The Corinthians may be the belly button of Christ - But who are we to judge someone else's servant? (Romans 14:4) Let's not judge them. BUT, can we learn from them?
Can we examine ourselves and ask ourselves:
1. Do we care about God's Church? (Paul cared about the Church of Corinth)
2. Do we care about God's Servants? Do we appreciate the humble, faithful servants among us? Those who clean. Those who mow. Those who set up chairs... prepare communion... work the nursery?
3. Do we care about God's Standards? Are we quarreling with each other? Or loving each other? The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness... How are we doing? Are we striving to be holy? Are we truly repentent?
4. Do we care about those who don't know God? Those who don't know may never know if we don't care about the Church... if we don't care about God's servants... if we don't care about God's standards.
The winner of our little game.
Paul!
Paul wrote the Corinthians (1 & 2 Corinthians)
Paul visited the Corinthians (He was planning his third trip to see them, to encourage them)
Paul loved the Corinthians (He writes, "...everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening." - 2 Cor 12:19)
You can be a winner too -
IF...you live for Christ
IF...you love the Church
IF...you stop playing the comparison game
