SERMON OUTLINE:
• I follow Christ’s example (vs 1)
• I use spiritual weapons (vs 2-6)
• I don’t judge by appearance (vs 7-11)
• I let God do the commending (vs 12-18)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• A family were driving through the country lanes enjoying a day out;
• Dad was driving and looking for a particular country park.
• As he drove the lanes started to become more windy and narrower;
• And as they drove down one of these lanes they saw a sign,
• It read, “Naturist site ahead”
• Now dad had a problem, the lane was too narrow to turn around;
• And he did not want his children to see things that they should not be seeing.
• Unable to turn round and unable to reverse back along the windy lane;
• The car carried on forward.
• Then suddenly it happened!
• Out of nowhere appeared 4 adults on bikes all naked;
• Before Dad could call out; “Don’t look kids!”
• One of his young children beat him to it and called out;
• “Dad look! Those people are not wearing cycle helmets!”
• TRANSITION: Now that’s what I call being focussed;
• Despite all the distractions those kids were focussed on one thing!
• In this chapter we will see that the apostle Paul stayed focussed;
• Despite the distractions!
• Those distractions came in the form of the apostle Paul’s opponents;
• One of the themes found in this second letter to the Corinthians;
• Is the apostle Paul having to defend his apostleship.
• In fact in the next three chapters (10 to 13);
• We will see that the apostle Paul's is having to defend his apostolic office.
Since the apostle Paul left this Church in Corinth to go his third missionary journey;
• Other people had joined the Church.
• These others had never met the apostle Paul and so had no loyalty to him.
• They also came into the Church with their own agenda (false ideas);
• They were mixing the old way (Judaism) with the new way (the Gospel of Christ)
• So they were altering the message of the gospel from faith alone in Jesus Christ;
• To faith in Jesus plus works;
• Those works taught that a person had to adhere to certain Jewish laws and rituals.
• If they wanted to be truly saved.
Ill:
• Now as soon as you add anything to the gospel, it is no longer the gospel!
• The emphasises changes from Christ alone,
• To Christ plus….
• i.e. To Christ plus… the book of Mormon.
• i.e. To Christ plus… the teachings of the Watchtower Organisation.
• i.e. To Christ plus… a need for our good works.
• i.e. To Christ plus… man made rituals and religious ceremonies.
• The gospel is complete in itself! It cannot be improved.
• That is why it is ‘the Gospel’ (‘Good News’).
• Because it does not rest on us it depends on Christ!
• And when we mess up and fail time after time, after time,
• Jesus Christ never did and never will!
• So we are always accepted in him and have all that we will ever need in him!
Ill:
• I was thinking as I was preparing this sermon;
• Of the story of Noah and the ark.
• In the story Noah was never told to place grips or hooks on the outside of the ark;
• So he could hold on.
• That would have been ridiculous!
• Imagine poor old Noah is holding on to a hook or a handle on the outside of the ark.
• His knuckles would have turned white with cold.
• And it would be a matter of time before he fell or was swept off!
• I guarantee you, that Noah would not made it.
• If the ark was depended on God’s structure and Noah’s efforts.
But you all know how the story goes:
• God called Noah to go inside the ark (Genesis chapter 7 verse 1).
• God was already inside the ark inviting Noah to come in with Him!
• It was then that God shut and sealed the door.
• Not only did God shut the water out,
• But at the same time He closed Noah in with Himself.
• Noah was as safe as the ark itself was safe,
• Because he was in the ark.
• We are likewise in Christ.
• And we will only go down if Christ himself goes down.
• So the apostle Paul defends his message/Gospel;
• We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone!
• And in defending his message;
• He will need to defend his authority, his apostleship;
• We see that theme in the next three chapters of this letter.
(1). I Follow Christ’s Example (vs 1):
“By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you”
Ill:
• A little girl asked her mother how the human race got started.
• The mother told her how God created Adam and Eve.
• The little girl asked her Dad who was not a Christian and he said;
• “We evolved from monkeys”.
• The little girl asked why Dad had a different story.
• Mom said
• “I told you about my side of the family…
• And your father told you about his side of the family”.
• TRANSITION: The apostle Paul was from Christ;
• And therefore acted like Christ.
• But his critics (these false teachers) loved to boast in men;
• i.e. 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 21;
• Reminds us that this was a Church divided over its leaders.
“One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
• i.e. 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 21:
• “So then, no more boasting about human leaders!”
• This Church at Corinth had been “swept of its feet”
• By the personality and charm of these false teachers
• They were teaching that the apostle Paul was weak, unimpressive;
• But they had real power, real dynamism.
Notice the apostles response to these accusations:
• Verse 1: “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you”
• He tells them he is not weak but meek (gentle).
Ill:
• Only once in the Bible does Jesus describe himself:
• Not a claim, such as “I am the…etc.”
• But an actual description of his inward character,
• ill: The Encyclopaedia Britannia has devoted 20,000 words,
• To describe the person of Christ.
• Jesus used just two words (Matthew chapter 11 verse 28-29):
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am GENTLE and HUMBLE in heart, and you will find rest for your souls".
• Two words: “Gentle" and "Humble",
• Jesus linked those words with an instruction: “learn from me”.
• That is the most Christ-like attitude we can demonstrate.
• TRANSITION: In verse 1 the apostle Paul describes himself that way:
• “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you”
• Like his master, the apostle demonstrated an attitude of meekness (gentleness).
Ill:
• Meekness means "strength under control."
• Picture a wild stallion that has been broken and is now tamed.
• That stallion still has as much power as when he was wild,
• But now that power is bottled up for the master's use.
• TRANSITION: the apostle Paul was never weak!
• He had risked his life for this Church!
• But he was meek (gentle), he did not lord it over the people, he served the Church;
• This imposters wanted to dominate, to be seen as important;
• They were what we might call “Power-house preachers”
• But that in itself did not mean they were displaying the power of God!
Ill:
• I like the play on words quote that says:
• “If you think meek is being WEAK, then try being meek for a WEEK”
• It takes an incredible amount of self-control and maturity to be meek;
• To look at the situation and circumstances and to look at the example of Christ.
• And to not react, but rather to act like Christ.
• So there is a challenge for us this week!
• To be meek like Jesus, to control our power for the greater blessing of others.
(2). I Use Spiritual Weapons (vs 2-6)
Quote: I love the way the Living Paraphrases these verses:
“I hope I won’t need to show you when I come how harsh and rough I can be. I don’t want to carry out my present plans against some of you who seem to think my deeds and words are merely those of an ordinary man. 3 It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don’t use human plans and methods to win my battles. 4 I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds. 5 These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts’ desire is obedience to Christ. 6 I will use these weapons against every rebel who remains after I have first used them on you yourselves and you surrender to Christ.”
Ill:
• During WW2 one of the favourite Allied tricks;
• Was to make wooden tanks or trucks in order to trick the enemy.
• When enemy planes flew overhead they couldn't tell the difference;
• And wasted their time and ammunition.
• The enemy wasn't always fooled though.
• One time when the Allies had a wooden tank,
• The Germans dropped a wooden bomb on it.
• I guess the Germans also had a sense of humour!
• TRANSITION: Deception has always featured strongly in warfare.
• And the purpose of deception is simple;
• It is to gain an advantage so that you can take more ground.
• Now the apostle Paul did not use carnal (fleshly, worldly) weapons;
• He did not rely on a ‘strong personality’ or on ‘manipulating’ people,
• Instead of relying on human wisdom, human abilities or physical prowess.
• The apostle Paul used the weapons of Christian character,
• And the truth of God’s Word.
Ill:
• If you want to show that a stick is crooked;
• Just place it next to a straight stick.
• TRANSITION: The apostle Paul warns them that when he returns;
• He will smash their clever arguments;
• He will smash their false doctrine;
• And bring to God anyone lead astray by these false teachers,
• Notice in verse 5 that it is not performance but obedience God wants;
• So the apostle will turn back people’s hearts & minds to the place of obedience.
Note: The apostle Paul was out to build up and not tear down (vs 8):
“So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.”
• Building up, creating is a sign of maturity;
• But tearing down, destroying is a sign of immaturity.
Ill:
• When my children were little I used to build a tower with their blocks of wood;
• Then I would pretend to look the other way,
• And they would crawl over and knock the tower over,
• They would giggle and we would play that game all over again.
• But over the months the game changes;
• Instead of destroying, knocking down the tower;
• They wanted to help me build one.
• Why the change?
• Because Building up, creating was a sign that they were maturing;
• While tearing down, destroying was a sign of their immaturity.
• TRANSITION: The sign of a healthy leader is their concern to build up.
• Anyone can tear down, anyone can find fault, anyone can criticise;
• But it takes effort and character to build up people and Churches.
(3). I Don’t Judge by Appearance (vs 7-11)
“You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.’ 11 Such people should realise that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.”
Ill:
• Don’t be fooled by appearance.
• A visitor to the zoo noticed one of the keepers sobbing quietly in a corner,
• When he inquired he was told that the elephant had died that morning.
• The visitor replied, "Was he fond of the elephant?"
• The man replied. "Not really, but he's the chap who has to dig the grave."
• TRANSITION: Don’t be fooled by appearance.
• Appearances can often be deceptive!
Question: What do you think of when you picture the apostle Paul?
Answer:
• I always think of him as a cross between Clint Eastwood & Tom Cruise,
• With the wit of a Jack Dee and the brains of an Albert Einstein.
• I find it remarkable that we only have one description of the apostle Paul in history;
• Not in the Bible but in apocryphal writings called, ‘Acts of Paul and Thecla’.
• (This work is uninspired, and so it may/may not be a true description of him).
"A man small in size, bald-headed, bandy-legged, well-built, with eyebrows meeting, rather long-nosed, full of grace. For sometimes he seemed like a man, and sometimes he had the countenance of an angel"
• You get the impression the apostle Paul was not a looker;
• His physical appearance was not too impressive;
• And that idea is backed up in this chapter (vs 8).
For some say, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.’
• To paraphrase:
• “His letters pack a punch but he is not much to look at and his preaching is boring!”
• Wow! This is one of the greatest men in Church history;
• Yet he was small, bold, with a hooked nose and a boring public speaker!
• And the apostle Paul knew this is what his critics were saying;
• And so he picks up on this and plays on it in verse 1:
• "I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away!"
The apostle Paul did not judge by outward appearance:
• The opponents of Paul did;
• They said he doesn’t have the physical presence of a Peter,
• Or the eloquent speaking skills of an Apollos,
• He hasn’t got the dynamism we have when we preach;
• He is just ordinary!
Ill:
• These opponents of the Apostle Paul;
• Were like a car that had the body of a Rolls Royce;
• But contained the engine of a Reliant Robin.
• The Apostle Paul was also like a car that had the body of a Reliant Robin.
• But contained the engine of a Rolls Royce!
• TRANSITION: God is never impressed with outward appearance;
• But sadly, so often we are!
• We need to constantly be looking deeper at people!
Ill
• Classic example of course is 1 Samuel chapter 16.
• When David the skinny runt of the family is chosen by God to be king;
• Over his bulky battle scarred brothers!
• "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
• Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart".
(4). I Let God Do the Commending (vs 12-18):
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”
Ill:
• ‘Check-A-Trade’ is an organisation I have used several times lately;
• If you do not what it is – let me explain.
• It is a resource of local trades people i.e. builders, roofers etc.
• And whoever uses their services can give feedback on the ‘Check-A-Trade’ website.
• The idea being your customers are the ones who commend and recommend you;
• To other people looking for a reliable and good trades-person,
• Rather than you choosing them because of their advertising or good publicity.
• TRANSITION: That principle;
• Of being commended by another is what the apostle Paul has in mind here.
The critics and opponents of Paul:
• Were part of their own mutual appreciation society;
• Who thought highly of each other.
• But all they do says the apostle is "boast" about themselves,
Ill:
• You can imagine their publicity posters advertising them as next-weeks preacher;
• “Dynamic prophet of God, Spirit anointed ministry, Internationally acclaimed…”
• But where were these ‘superstar teachers’;
• Where were they when the apostle Paul was flogged and put in prison?
• Church planting in New Testament times was a dangerous business.
• These showmen came along when the danger was gone,
• They came along when the hard work of establishing a Church had been done.
• Let’s face it, anyone can come along afterwards,
• And criticise the founder and take all the glory!
• That is what these false-teachers, these critics had done.
• These opponents policy was to invade another man’s territory;
• And take over the work he had done.
• In contrast to them;
• The apostle Paul’s desire was to take the gospel to places where no-one had ever gone;
Note:
• The word "boasting" is used 12 times in this letter (2nd Corinthians),
• Which is far more than any of Paul's other letters.
• And it literally means to "to glory in."
• While his critics "glory in" their wisdom, accomplishments, and judgements,
• The apostle Paul says in verse 13;
• He will only "glory in" the task that God has given him.
“We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you”
• The apostle Paul goes on to subtly remind the readers and his critics;
• That the ultimate goal of the Church is not to sit around admiring one another.
• But rather to see the Kingdom of God expand.
• The apostle Paul reminds us that a Christ-focused ministry;
• Is all about the gospel going forth into new territories,
• And not about "reworking" something already established.
• He put himself out to start a Church in Corinth;
• And now he wants that Church to assist him;
• In sharing the gospel in the regions beyond (vs 16)
ill
• After years of service in South Africa,
• The famous missionary Robert Moffat returned to Scotland to recruit helpers.
• When he arrived at the church one cold wintry night,
• He was dismayed that only a small group had come out to hear him.
• What bothered him even more was that the only people in attendance were ladies.
• Although he was grateful for their interest, he had hoped to challenge men.
• He had chosen to preach on Proverbs chapter 8 verse 4;
• "Unto you, O men I call."
In his discouragement he almost failed to notice one small boy:
• The boy was in the loft pumping the bellows of the organ.
• But God works in mysterious ways.
• And although no one volunteered that evening for service on the mission field,
• The young boy fellow assisting the organist was deeply moved by the challenge.
• And the boy made God a promise;
• That one day he too would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary.
• When he grew up the boy kept his promise;
• He went and ministered to the unreached tribes of Africa.
• His name was David Livingstone!
• TRANSITION: David Livingstone, Robert Moffat and the apostle Paul;
• All had one thing in common,
• A desire to share the gospel with those who had never heard!
• That was there burden;
• What is yours?
Let’s conclude with verse 18:
“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
• As far as commendations are concerned:
• The only pat on the back the apostle was looking for was from God.
Ill:
• In an interview that aired January 18, 2011 on the TV Show Piers Morgan Tonight,
• Host Piers Morgan interviewed shock-jock Howard Stern.
• At one point in the interview,
• Morgan said he had read stories that Stern grew up;
• Watching his father praise people that he really respected,
• And throughout his career all Howard Stern really wanted was his Father’s approval!
• Forget the awards and the accolades that the industry thrust upon him,
• All he wanted was his father’s approval!
• TRANSITION:
• The apostle Paul was never impressed with what people thought about him;
• He only ever wanted ‘The Father’s approval’.
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=5Uzs4eyIxRygKvBZvAhz6CsMfdYSeBTS
