My sermon notes for Sunday, Sept. 22^nd  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 12:11-21 “The Fruits of a True Leader”

 

Intro thoughts/remarks

• Paul closes out his discussion proving his apostolic ministry/calling.
• His ministry proves who he was. His consistent legacy in ministry
• Leaders make an impact. Christian leaders make an eternal impact.  Paul was the real deal, not a false prophet.  His results will pay dividends for all eternity.
• The fruits of a true leader.

 

Matthew 7:15–20 – [15] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (ESV)

 

The Fruits of Leadership:

 

Perspective – v. 11

• For I was not inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am weak.
• Remember vv. 1-10. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)
• Even after great visions and revelations… He kept a healthy perspective of himself and his calling. WHO HE WAS AND WHAT GOD HAD ASKED HIM TO DO.
• Him nothing.  Who He was in Christ… Everything!!!

 

Patience – v. 12a

• Endurance through adversity
• How do we respond in tough times and when we do not get our way?
• How do we respond in good times and everything goes our way?
• Colossians 1:9–14 – v.11 – being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
• Philippians 3:13–16 – [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead

 

Trust – v. 12b

• Sings and wonders and mighty works. People coming to faith in Christ.  LIFE CHANGE.
• Trust the process (leadership term)
• He was faithful to the means of Grace.
• Trusted the means to which brings about conversion and growth.
• He was authentic. He preached it and he lived it. He pointed people to the hope of the Gospel.

 

Sacrifice – vv. 13-15

• Were you less favored than the other churches… except I did not burden you.
• Sarcastically… Forgive me this wrong. For not asking for your money!
• Visit 1. Founding of the church and 1.5 year stay (Acts 18:11). Visit 2. Painful visit between writing 1 Cor and 2 Cor.
• Seek not your things, but you. Paul’s concern for them and their heart.  Just as Parent loves their child.
• Spend and be Spent for their souls. Willing to give of himself for the church and their salvation and sanctification.

 

Part 2

Honesty – vv. 16-18

 

Reverence – v. 19a

 

Edification– v. 19b

 

Conviction – vv. 20-21

 

 

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Scripture References:

2 Corinthians 12:11–21 – [11] I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. [12] The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. [13] For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

[14] Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. [15] I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? [16] But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. [17] Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? [18] I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

[19] Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. [20] For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. [21] I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. (ESV)

Colossians 1:9–14 – [9] And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. [13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)

Philippians 3:13–16 – [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (ESV)