Series: Action [#117]
DON’T QUIT- BOASTING
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Introduction:
What would you say if I told you that your phone and your house is bugged? We live in a time when it is quite possible that someone is secretly listening to your private conversations. You may say, “That is not allowed in our Country”; and you would be right, but it is still happening. If the attack on Bible believing Christians continues as it is right now, there will be people listening to you without your knowledge. If your phone or house is bugged, what would those listening in on you find out about your spiritual life? Would they hear you boasting about yourself, others, God, etc…? This morning, we are going to look at 2 types of boasting and the motive behind each.
2 Corinthians 11:16-20
Do you boast for…
1. Personal gain?
In last week’s text, we read about a group of people that Paul called “Super-Apostles”. These people hated Paul. They were a group of leaders who had come into the Church and claimed to be better than Paul. They claimed to be better speakers than Paul. They claimed to be richer than Paul.
This type of boasting is…
* Ritualistic.
In ancient times, boasting was a ritual before you went into battle. Boasting was a ritual part of warfare. How do you get a group of soldiers to fight with all that they have although they could die? A ritual boast. They “trash talked” the enemy. “Trash talking” makes us look good and makes others look bad. The motive behind a ritual boast is, “Look what I did”. “Look how strong we are.” You take credit for it. That was happening in the Corinthian Church. Leaders were boasting about how great they were. Boasting is the natural tendency of the human heart.
This type of boasting is…
* Stupid.
Paul could have said, “I have started more Churches. I have preached the Gospel in many more places. I have traveled more miles. I have won more converts. I have written more letters to the Churches. I have raised more money. I have walked with God more and have seen more visions. I have performed more miracles.” He could have boasted like that; but he did not. Paul used sarcasm. Paul was saying that boasting is foolish. He said, “What I’m about to do is really stupid, which is good because you’re into that kind of thing.”
This type of boasting is…
* Popular.
Paul was pointing at the type of people the Corinthians liked- They were impressive leaders and good public speakers; but they were also very destructive. These leaders took advantage of the people. These leaders robbed followers of their freedom. The biggest problem- The people allowed it and were okay with it.
2 Corinthians 11:21-33
Do you boast for…
2. God’s glory?
Could Paul boast about his accomplishments? Paul could boast about his accomplishments if he wanted to. He was a Pharisee. He had memorized the entire Old Testament. He had spent time with the risen Jesus. He had given his whole life to the mission of Jesus. He had never asked for money from the Corinthians. Paul could have played and won this game; but instead, he boasted about his weaknesses.
This type of boasting is…
* About weakness and suffering.
Paul boasts, not about his strengths, but about his suffering. He boasts about weakness and suffering in his Ministry. Paul boasted about his punishments, persecutions, sufferings, and the dangerous situations he had faced.
This type of boasting is…
* Unselfish.
“Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? Paul was saying when someone in his Churches experienced weakness that he also experienced that weakness. When someone experienced failure, he was burdened. The true Christian life is not about status or self-promotion. We follow Jesus; and live like He lived.
This type of boasting is…
* Centered on God’s values.
There is a conflict between what God values and what we value. We value success, education, wealth, and accomplishments. God values humility and weakness. God’s love and power were made known through humility and weakness. It’s how we were saved.
Conclusion:
We know that we have understood the Gospel when we stop boasting about our strengths, and when we start embracing weakness, humility, and service; when we realize that the very thing that God may use most powerfully in our lives isn’t our strengths, but our suffering.
