Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
Sunday Service 2 Corinthians 11
  • Joy To The World
  • Jesus Lead On
  • Ancient Of Days
  • You Are My King (Amazing Love)
  • Holy And Anointed One
  • The King Is Among Us
  • Last week:
    Paul began defending against spiritual pride and those who come against him.
    We cannot think more highly of ourselves than we ought, we need to know who is doing the work, and that we are just those serving our God.
    Today, we see as Paul continues his defense of his work and heart for the Corinthians
    Introduction
    Before we start… Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:1
    1 Timothy 3:1 NASB95
    1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
    For those who aspire to this calling… it is a fine work.
    However, it definitely comes with its set backs.
    If you want to lead, you will be questioned, you will face criticism, and you will almost certainly face rejection.
    This calling is not for the faint of heart.
    This becomes important, not only for those aspiring to lead in the Church, but for everyone else, for the body, so we understand what the reality is that leadership faces.
    This is also important, because not everyone who aspires to lead will be called by God. In fact, we will see, they are wolves and become servants of Satan himself. This may be harsh, but we need to know who we should follow as we grow in the Lord, and who we need to steer very clear of.
    Fear of Deception (V.1-4)
    V.1
    O: I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you are bearing with me
    I: Paul is about to begin in what he would consider a fool’s tirade, but hoping they understand his point in this whole thing
    A: Remember, Paul has become all things to all men so that he might save a some. 1 Corinthians 9:22
    1 Corinthians 9:22 NASB95
    22 …I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
    Paul has decided that if the Corinthians want to be entangled in foolish arguments, then he would give them a taste of their own medicine.
    V.2
    O: For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.
    I: Paul’s desire for them is their spiritual wellfare, their faithfulness to Christ and to Him alone
    A: It is Christ we preach, not ourselves nor any made made sect
    Remember what he says in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
    1 Corinthians 1:23–24 NASB95
    23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
    V.3
    O: But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ
    I: Paul’s worry is that they are allowing themselves to be led astray. Hiss concern is they are turning from devotion to Christ to spiritual things that appear to be more intriguing.
    A: Don’t be pulled away from the simplicity of the gospel. Think of what Peter says in 1 Peter 2:2-3
    1 Peter 2:2–3 NASB95
    2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
    The problem is, people are chewing on the fake fruit that people set out to make the table look nice. It appears to be good, but it has no substance and only harms you. This is what Paul is afraid of.
    V.4
    O: For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted; you bear this beautifully.
    I: Paul’s biggest concern was they were very open and willing to accept these things so quickly.
    A: Anything new should not be accepted quickly. We need to be discerning.
    Paul Validates Ministry (V.5-15)
    V.5-6
    O: For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. (6) But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we made this evident to you in all things.
    I: Paul is being compared to those who had different giftings than him, and they thought less of him because of it
    A: Our gifts do not make us superior nor inferior to one another. This is why we need the Church body, each one does their part, where we pick up for where people lack, and people pick up for where we lack.
    Certain giftings can be more enticing, but it does not place a person above the rest.
    You will never find a pastor of a church that has it all. If they do, they are probably a wolf and someone Paul is warning the Corinthians about.
    V.7-11
    O: Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge (8) I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; (9) and when I was present with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and I will continue to do so. (10) As the truth in Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. (11) Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
    I: The Corinthians thought less of Paul because he didn’t get paid by them. That is because other churches were supporting him.
    A: Just because you get paid, doesn’t make you superior to others that don’t.
    47% of evangelical pastors are bi-vocational
    This doesn’t make them any less, does it? NO WAY!!
    Paul wasn’t preaching for money, but for souls
    But he was also being supported by other churches, a reason we support ministries like Slava in Belarus and Mission VHF going on in Ukraine.
    V.12-15
    O: But what I am doing I will continue to do so that I may cutoff opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. (13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (14) No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
    I: These are wolves, men who look the part, talk the part, want to be recognized as the part, but in reality, they are servants of Satan, ones who disguise themselves as angels of light, but are false and not from God.
    A: This is where John helps us to discern in 1 John 4:1-6
    1 John 4:1–6 NASB95
    1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
    Test every spirit… don’t just take someones word for it. Don’t be caught in a deception
    Foolishness of Deceivers (V.16-21)
    V.16-18
    O: Again I say, let no one think me foolish, but even if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I may also boast a little. (17) What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. (18) Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
    I: Paul knows this is foolish talk, not the way the Lord would have him talk.
    A: This reminds me of Proverbs 26:4-5
    Proverbs 26:4–5 NASB95
    4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.
    Paul wants them to see how ridiculous these guys are who are making these silly and bold boasting about themselves.
    V.19-21
    O: For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. (20) For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. (21) To my shame I must say that we have been weak in comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold- I speak in foolishness- I am just as bold myself.
    I: The Corinthians were tolerating spiritual abuse. Paul makes fun of them, saying “yeah, in spiritual abuse, I have been weak in comparison.”
    A: It is a sad reality when abusive people are the people we would rather have as our pastor.
    These guys tend to know how to build big churches, not to say all big churches are built this way.
    But it is funny, how these wolves will take advantage and abuse people, and they will be so attached to them, there is nothing that will make people leave.
    But a pastor, who loves the sheep, who has given himself to them in love, who has given up wages and comfort to minister to people, and he makes a decision or says something that is trivial, and all of a sudden, people flee like he’s got the plague.
    The real problem… we value our leaders and pastors according to the flesh
    Paul’s Sacrificial Ministry (V.22-33)
    V.22-23a
    O: Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. (23)Are they servants of Christ- I speak as if insane- I more so;
    I: Paul has the same heritage as these guys, but even more, he is a servant of Christ.
    A: Paul can’t believe this is what he has to defend himself against. Often times, this is what wolves will do… needlessly divide and bring people against you.
    V.23b-27
    O: in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. (24) Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. (25) Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. (26) I have been on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my countrymen, danger from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness. danger on the sea, dangers among false brethren; (27) I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure
    I: Paul’s ministry has been defined by sacrifice, danger, discomfort and an healthy dose of rejection.
    A: The fact that Paul points out to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12
    2 Timothy 3:12 NASB95
    12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
    This is a reality for those who want to live for the Lord, and even more so for those who want to lead.
    This is what it means to live by faith, just as we read in Hebrews 11:13
    Hebrews 11:13 NASB95
    13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
    Wolves want you to live for the here and now… pastors want you to live for eternity.
    V.28
    O: Apart from external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
    I: It isn’t just the physical things, but the spiritual strain for the well being of all those Paul has ministered to.
    A: It isn’t just the finances of the church or the maintenance of the building, it is tending to the sheep that often ways heavy on a pastor.
    V.29
    O: Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
    I: Everything the church goes through affects Paul, it affects your pastor.
    A: Just know, those who minister to others will feel the weight of those they minister to.
    When someone is hurting, it becomes an intense sense to pray for them and make sure everything is ok.
    When some one is led into sin, the heart to see them restored before their heart becomes hard can be overwhelming.
    V.30-31
    O: If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. (31) The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
    I: Paul’s confidence is that the Lord has used him through his most weakest moments, and that is to the benefit of the Corinthian church
    A: When you see your pastor struggling, or hurting, when he is weak, don’t pity him, pray for him. It’s in these moments that the Lord uses him to minister to you in great ways.
    V.32-33
    O: In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of Damascenes in order to seize me, (33) and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.
    I: Paul shares this example of having to escape, not valiantly, but through a window in the wall, through a basket.
    A: The ministry may not be full of what appears to be victorious and splendid victories, but through obedience and loving the sheep, loving the people the Lord has put for you to minister to.
    Conclusion:
    The work of the ministry is not always pretty, if ever. But don’t get caught up in foolish ideas and come against those who faithfully serve among you, displaying love through their sacrifice. There is no place for self promoters, only a place for people who are willing to take on the difficult task to take care of God’s sheep and tend to them in a loving and gracious way.

      • 1 Timothy 3:1NASB95

      • 1 Corinthians 9:22NASB95

      • 1 Corinthians 1:23–24NASB95

      • 1 Peter 2:2–3NASB95

      • 1 John 4:1–6NASB95

      • Proverbs 26:4–5NASB95

      • 2 Timothy 3:12NASB95

      • Hebrews 11:13NASB95

Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
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