My sermon notes for Sunday, July 28th as we continue our study through 2 Corinthians.  Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net

 

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 – “Fighting the Good Fight of Faith” part 1

 

Intro Thoughts:

• 1 Timothy 6:2-12, 2 Timothy 4:1-8
• Standing up for what is right.
• Being proactive with our faith… (Our life making a difference)
• Waging the spiritual fight. Are we ready?
• They are accusing Paul. He has done nothing wrong, yet is being falsely accused.  How does he respond?
• How do we respond?
  • Are we too passive?
    • Some brag about their heart for unity and togetherness. Peace at all cost.
  • Are we too aggressive?
    • Some brag about their roughness/brashness
  • We need to be people of conviction, but also peace makers.

 

Here we have a great picture of Fighting the Good Fight

1. A Christlike Spirit – v. 1
2. A Deep Conviction – v. 2
3. A Victorious Battle Plan – vv. 3-6

 

A Christlike Spirit – v. 1

I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!

 

• Meekness – free from anger, endurance through offences. Free from anger, bitterness. Lack of desire for revenge.
• Gentleness – Leniency toward others. Not as harsh.

 

• OF CHRIST – He is our example.

 

Yet, his accusers mistaken his gentleness as weakness.

• “You are bold from a far, but weak when face to face”
• Yet, Paul’s desire was to see repentance/change. He was not trying to PROVE HIMSELF RIGHT, rather wanted to see lives transformed.
• Look at the life of JESUS. Even in the courts of the those that would crucify Him… How did He respond?

 

I MUST BE RIGHT.  I MUST WIN.

Or

I MUST BE LIKE JESUS

 

A Deep Conviction – v. 2

I beg of you that when I am present, I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.

 

• Confidence
  • He believed in the truth so much, that he was willing to do what needed to be done to keep things right.

 

We need to be people that have such deep convictions, that we are willing to do whatever is necessary.

• People willing to fight wars for what they believe in. (Storming a beach at DDAY)

 

• They accused Paul of things opposed to what he knew was the truth.
  • According to the flesh – evil and selfish interest

 

Today, we can face similar charges.  We know WHAT THE WORD SAYS, yet the world will accuse of being wrong (at times even evil)

 

A Victorious Battle Plan – vv. 3-6

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. [5] We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, [6] being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

 

• Know our enemy
• Know our weapons
• Know our battle plan

(unpack more fully in part 2)

 

 

 

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Scripture References:

1 Timothy 6:2–12 – [2] Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

Teach and urge these things. [3] If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, [4] he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, [5] and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain, [7] for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. [8] But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. [9] But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

[11] But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. [12] Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (ESV)

 

2 Timothy 4:1–8 –  [1] I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. [5] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 

[6] For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (ESV)