November 23, 2008
Evening Service

II Cor. 10

 

Review:

1. In the last couple of chapters Paul has been teaching concerning giving to the poor.  Especially the poor saints at Jerusalem.
2. He gave them the example of the Macedonians, how that they first gave themselves to the Lord.  
3. Then of Christ, how that he was rich, and became poor for us.
4. Then Paul said, 2Co 8:12  For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
5. Continues in chapter 9 with the principle of giving; 2Co 9:6-7  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  (7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

Let’s look this evening at what God has for us in chapter 10.

 

2Co 10:1-18  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 

• Base means of low degree, or humble.  Paul says I am not much when I am with you, but when I am absent from you, I am bold, and speak right out.

(2)  But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.  (3)  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

• Paul could be very bold.  At the conversion of Lydia, there was this woman that was in witchcraft, Paul exorcized the demon out of her, and it got him thrown into jail. 
• Of course we know that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, and the Philippian Jailer and his family was saved because Paul, and Silas had been thrown into jail.
• Some were accusing Paul of walking in the flesh, carnally.  Paul refutes this very strongly.
• For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.  Hopefully we can see, and know the difference.  It was easy to see that Paul was in the flesh, not a spirit, or had his glorified body, as yet.  But he is saying I don’t war after, or follow the ways of the world, satisfying the things of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.   NOTICE. 

(4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) 

• Paul does not mention the weapons that he uses here, but did in chapter 6, listen to him;  2Co 6:6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 2Co 6:7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
• Also in Ephesians when he speaks of putting on the whole armor of God.  Eph 6:10-18  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  (14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  (15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  (16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  (17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  (18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

• Remember what he said in the Galatian letter;  Gal 6:7-8  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  (8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

(5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  (6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

• This goes along with putting on the whole armor of God.  We need to do these things to battle the enemy. 

(7)  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.  (8)  For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 

• Paul could have truly boasted, and did on occasion, when the situation called for it.
• My instructions from the Lord are for lifting you up, and helping you to be founded on the Word of God.  I don’t want to see you destroyed, by following the things of the flesh.

(9)  That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.  (10)  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 

• It is said that Paul was a short man, balding, and not much of a he-man figure.
• But what was it that made him stand out more than anything else?  My opinion would be his knowledge of the Word of God.  The Old Testament. 
• He was making, and putting in force the New Testament teachings, and I believe he knew it.  That’s why he could say “if any man considers himself to be a prophet or spiritual let him acknowledge that the things I write to are the commandments of the Lord.”  I Cor 14. 

(11)  Let such a one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.  (12)  For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.  (13)  But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.  (14)  For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:  (15)  Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,  (16)  To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.  (17)  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  (18)  For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

• Paul said this in another place;  1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

What gave Paul this self confidence? 

• It was his experience on the road to Damascus.  When you have that life changing experience with God, no devil in hell, can take that away from you.
• When you have the scales fall from your eyes, and are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, you have great boldness, and desire to do the Lord’s will.  “Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

AND THE LORD WILL COMMEND THE ONE WHO IS STRIVING TO GROW UP INTO THE FULL STATURE OF CHRIST.  HE KNOWS IT, AND THE WORLD WILL ALSO KNOW IT.