August 9, 2015
Evening Service

Tonight we will close out the second letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth.  In the last few chapters he has felt compelled to “defend” his apostleship to them.  In chapter 11, he listed all the suffering he has incurred as he has endeavored to preach the gospel message.  In chapter 12, and throughout this letter, he has reminded them that he did not burden them financially during his stay. In verse 14 he says this:

2Co 12:14 Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burden you, for I do not seek your things, but you.

·         The NLT says, “I don’t want what you have, I want you.”

·         He truly loved these people and desired for them to become that “new creation” in Christ.

 

2Co 13:1-2 I am coming to you this third time. In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.  (2)  I told you before, and I say beforehand, as being present the second time and being absent now. I write to those who sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare.

·         Paul here is again warning those who continue in sin to be prepared to be confronted.  He plans on implementing the procedure Jesus set up for church discipline in Matthew’s gospel.

 

Mat 18:15-18 But if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.  (16)  But if he will not hear you, take one or two more with you, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  (17)  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax-collector.  (18)  Truly I say to you, “Whatever you shall bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven; and whatever you shall loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven.”

·         This is the same authority we would also use to confront an offending brother in hope of turning his heart to repentance.

 

2Co 13:3 Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me (who is not weak toward you, but is powerful in you;

·         Paul again confirms the fact that there were those who were challenging the authority that he was speaking in.  He says he spoke not in weakness, but the full authority of God as he spoke in his first letter:

 

1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or a spiritual one, let him recognize the things I write to you, that they are a commandment of the Lord.

 

2Co 13:4-6 for even if He was crucified out of weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For indeed even we are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you), (5) examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith, prove your own selves. Do you not know your own selves that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are disqualified?  (6)  But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

·         It is in admitting to our own weakness that we are able to allow Christ to be powerful in our lives.  Jesus’ most powerful action was one of yielding His will to the will of His Father.  Surrendering Himself seemed like an act of weakness, but really was one showing the power of God.  An act that conquered sin for eternity.

·         It is also in our surrendering that allows God to work powerfully in us.  We choose to follow Him becoming the clay in the potter’s hand.  A willing and yielded heart plus God is a powerful thing.

·         Paul then challenges the church to “examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith.”  Look in that spiritual mirror and see.

 

o    Is God working powerfully in your life? 

o   Do you “prove” your faith by your works?

o    Does your life reflect that Jesus lives within you?

 

The answer to these questions not only reflects upon you, but also the church as a whole.  The life the Corinthians were living helped to prove their faith true and the one who taught them true as well (Paul).  They were proving Paul to be a true apostle by surrendering themselves to his authority which came from God. The same scenario plays true here at the Bride.  Our lives prove we are being taught the truth and we are yielding ourselves to it.

 

2Co 13:7-9  But I pray to God for you not to do evil, none. And not that we may appear approved, but that you should do the good things, though we are deemed to be disqualified.  (8)  For we have no power against the truth, but for the truth.  (9)  For we are glad when we are weak, and you are powerful. But we pray also for this, your perfection.  (Complete)

o   Our lives can be a powerful witness for the truth, as we continue to grow in Christ and seek perfection (or to be complete).  Paul’s ministry goal was not for him to be exalted, but for the truth to be preached and lives to be changed.

 

Col 1:27-29  For to them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,  (28)  whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  (29)  For which I also labor, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2Co 13:10-14  Therefore I write these things while absent, lest being present I may not deal sharply with you according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for pulling down.  (11)  Finally, brothers, rejoice. Perfect yourselves; encourage yourselves; mind the same thing; be at peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.  (12)  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  (13)  All the saints greet you.  (14)  May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

o   Paul never quits even in the end of the letter.  He challenges them to seek perfection, encourage one another, be of one mind and live in peace.

o   The promise that is given then is that the “God of love and peace will be with you.”  Notice he makes no promise here that we will be healthy, wealthy, pampered, pain free, or without trouble.  His promise is only that He will be with us.  We will suffer, struggle, face persecutions, and many heartaches, but will not do it alone.

 

Is that enough for you?

 

 Do you know who holds tomorrow and know who holds your hand?

 

Is that promise enough to keep our commitment to Christ even during the tough times?

 

o   John 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life.”

 

Lord, may we always strive for perfection as we confess our weakness and proclaim Your power.