My sermon notes for Sunday, Aug 25th 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 11:7-15 Stay the course part 2
(Ministering or Masquerading)
Intro/Thoughts
- The accusations continue to come. Paul is continuing to defend his life and ministry.
- He was defending himself (he knew who he was) and he is also encouraging and admonishing them (stay the course!)
- His message to the church was… you are either MINISTERING in the light or MASQUERADING in the light.
- John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Ministering in the light – vv. 7-12
Humility – v. 7
Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge?
Wisdom – vv. 8-9
[8] I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. [9] And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
- Conveying the truth of the Gospel at all cost.
- He knew that it could hinder his message if he felt obligated to them because of their giving.
- GOAL WAS THEIR EXALTATION. Not his.
- We need to be people of wisdom.
- James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
- Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
- Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Proverbs 8:11-12 – For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
Love – vv. 10-11
[10] As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. [11] And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
- He did what he did for them because he loved them.
- Christianity is not just about me and Jesus. LOVE GOD. LOVE OTHERS. 22:34-38 ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE CHURCH.
Conviction – v. 12 (determination)
And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
- He knew who called him and who he was called to serve.
Masquerading in the light- vv. 13-15
Previous description of those in the dark:
- 2:17 – peddling the Word
- 10:12 – commended themselves
- 11:4 – preaches a different Gospel
Untruth – v. 3a
For such men are false apostles
- the measure of a persons love for truth is how that person responds when confronted by an untruth. Those who most proclaim the virtue of tolerance are often those with the most to lose if confronted by truth. (JM)
Deceit – vv. 13b -15a
deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. [14] And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. [15] So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness
- not an open enemy, but often a false friend. (they disguise themselves)
- appear to be religious “christan” people
- for the sake of happiness, unity, (be positive)
Their CLAIM to apostleship and their MESSAGE were both false and full of deceit.
Satan’s Tactics – (FROM LAST WEEK)
- Doubt in the truth
- Gen. 3:1 – “Has indeed God said”
- Denied the truth
- Gen. 3:4 – “You will not surely die”
- Replaced the truth
- Satan offered a lie instead
- Gen. 3:5 – “Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God”
Damned – v. 15b
Their end will correspond to their deeds.
they are judged by their deeds.
- 1:8-9
- You DO WHAT YOU DO because OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND TRUST IT.
- 1 Peter 1:17 – And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
- TRUE FAITH IS MANIFESTED BY TRUE WORKS.
- James 2:26 – “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
- Not just WORKS, BUT RIGHTEOUS GOSPEL WORKS
- Good works….Doing the will of our FATHER
- Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
- Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 11:7–15 – [7] Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? [8] I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. [9] And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. [10] As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. [11] And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
[12] And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. [13] For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. [14] And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. [15] So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (ESV)
Galatians 1:6–9 – [6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—[7] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (ESV)
1 Peter 1:17 – And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
Matthew 7:21–23 – [21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (ESV)
James 2:14-26 – What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.