Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
Sunday Service 2 Corinthians 13
  • Angels We Have Heard On High (Gloria)
  • Joy To The World (Antioch)
  • O Come O Come Emmanuel
  • What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
  • How Sweet It Is
  • A King Like This
  • Exalt The Lord
  • Last Week:
    Paul is open about his weakness, because when he is weak, then Christ is strong
    It is a good reminder that circumstances don’t define our worth in ministry.
    Illustration:
    Picture someone who’s furiously searching for their keys, only to find them in their pocket! Sometimes we question our salvation in a similar way; we’re searching for assurance and peace, only to realize we already possess it in Christ! The truth is often closer than we think, and we shouldn't overlook what we already have.
    Prove Yourselves (V.1-6)
    V.1
    O: This is the third time I am coming to you.
    I: Paul confirms that this will be his third visit to the Corinthians
    O: Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses
    I: Paul is confirming that everything needs to have at least two or three witnesses to what is happening
    A: Since this is Paul’s third time coming, he has enough information and experience to be able to judge the situation in Corinth.
    We need to be careful not to judge situations too hastily.
    Paul is quoting from Deuteronomy 19:15
    Deuteronomy 19:15 NASB95
    15 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.
    Too many times we are lead astray by a single witness
    Paul practices patience with the Corinthians, and knows that if you are going to come after someone, you better have your facts straight.
    V.2-3
    O: I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, (3) since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
    I: When Paul does come, he will not be soft or timid, but will come after those who refuse to repent and are causing trouble. Paul wants to make sure Christ is made evident to them all
    A: Paul is making a stand for the gospel, and will not spare anyone.
    Think of what Jesus says in Matthew 10:34-35
    Matthew 10:34–35 NASB95
    34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
    It is necessary to draw lines with the gospel
    When people are unrepentant, there needs to be some tough love.
    All of us come here with baggage, old habits, old lifestyles. But as we read in Romans 12:2
    Romans 12:2 NASB95
    2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
    and then in 1 Peter 1:14-15
    1 Peter 1:14–15 NASB95
    14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
    Some of us aren’t being transformed by the renewing of our minds, but rather, continue to conform to our former lusts. If you’ve been here for a short time, there is a lot of grace and patience to see the Lord work in you and change some bad behaviours. But if you have been here several years and you haven’t grown in regard to these things, there might have to be a new approach.
    WHY??
    So Christ could be shown mighty in you
    Not your flesh, not your sin, but Christ
    We hold onto the flesh and sinful behaviors, as if they are too much. We are doomed to them.
    How mighty is God?? How powerful is He really?? How big is your God??
    Our lives become a living testimony to the power and strength of Jesus Christ. But when we continue to hold onto our former lusts and do not repent, we make a mockery of God.
    Remember what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:21
    2 Corinthians 12:21 NASB95
    21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
    You are not beyond the powerful work of Christ, but He is a gentlemen, He won’t force you.
    But this is what Paul is teaching them, this is what he wants them to understand… the power of Christ
    V.4
    O: For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
    I: Jesus Christ died because of our weakness, but it is God’s power that He lives!!! Today!!! And even though we are humans and are very weak, it is because of the power of God that we will live in Him
    A: We will live with Jesus, not because of our goodness or ability, but because of His power.
    This is why there is no shame in repentance, because it is His work in us, it is because of Him that we are powerful!!
    When we don’t repent, it is a declaration that my weakness is too much for God
    When I do repent, it is the declaration that I am weak, and Christ is strong!!
    V.5
    O: Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus is in you- unless indeed you fail the test?
    I: Paul is telling them to test their faith… is it in their works or in Christs work??
    A: This test is not a test of condemnation, but a test of of commendation. This isn’t Paul questioning their salvation, but rather, affirming their salvation.
    When we hear bad theology and doctrine, it makes us question the work of Jesus and compels us to add to that work.
    Paul, in his defense against these false apostles, these wolves that have snuck in, he wants the Corinthians to be firm in their faith, not to be swayed to destructive ideas.
    How do you know if you are saved?? Put yourself to the test?
    Are we testing our works? No. We are testing to see if we are in the faith.
    Romans 10:9–10 NASB95
    9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
    Paul was confident in the Corinthians passing the test, and for us, if this is our faith, we can be confident as well.
    V.6
    O: But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
    I: Recognize this, Paul passes this test as well.
    A: He has examined himself, and he knows where he is. And it should be recognized by the Corinthians, not questioned.
    This is what some would call the fruit of salvation… the evidence that you are saved.
    Matthew 12:33 NASB95
    33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
    To Be Complete (V.7-10)
    V.7
    O: Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
    I: Paul wants them to grow in their salvation, to bear good fruit, but not for the sake of appearance.
    A: Another brother or sister’s behavior is not to make you look good or bad. We want to see people grow so that what they do is pleasing to the Lord.
    Don’t fall into the trap of ministry for reputation.
    Minister to people to see them grow. It may not always be pretty and looks messy a lot of the time, but don’t get turned away from equipping others because of how it may or may not make you look to others.
    V.8
    O: For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth
    I: Paul’s work is in the truth, not lies
    A: To persuade people, there always has to be an element of truth, but will always be sprinkled in with lies.
    Think of what Jesus says in John 8:44
    John 8:44 NASB95
    44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
    This is how people are deceived.
    Jesus prays for his disciples in John 17:17
    John 17:17 NASB95
    17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
    Remember what He says in John 8:31-32
    John 8:31–32 NASB95
    31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
    Then we read in Psalm 119:160
    Psalm 119:160 NASB95
    160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
    Operate in the truth, not lies. Do not be deceptive, be truthful in your ministry, in the work the Lord has for you
    V.9-10
    O: For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. (10) For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not tearing down.
    I: This is Paul’s heart, that they would be made complete in the Lord, to build them up, not tear them down.
    A: Authority is given in the church for building up of the body, the people, the sheep. We cannot abuse this position.
    This is exactly what Paul was contending with, and why he wrote this letter. That in truth, he could tear down the work of Satan, which is perverting the truth with lies, and contending against those who are tearing down the Corinthian church.
    This may not look like a good reputation for Paul, in fact, it might just ruin it. But again, Paul isn’t worried about that, he is worried about the church being built up.
    Final Words (V.11-14)
    V.11
    O: Finally brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
    I: Paul wants them to know God intimatley, and to enjoy the body of Christ in its entirety.
    A: Reminds me of what Paul says in Ephesians 3:17-19
    Ephesians 3:17–19 NASB95
    17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
    V.12
    O: Greet one another with a holy kiss
    I: Be happy to see one another
    A: Romans 12:10
    Romans 12:10 NASB95
    10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
    V.13
    O: All the saints greet you
    I: You are loved by all the churches
    A: To know there are people far and wide, praying for us and remembering us, gives us such a great understanding of the bigger church and the body of Christ.
    V.14
    O: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
    I: In his last words, that the Corinthians may experience the entirety of the Lord and all His goodness
    A: I love here the Trinity exposed, the Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit
    We don’t deserve what Jesus did… His grace
    God the Father, that we would experience His love
    And the Holy Spirit, the fellowship we have in Him.
    We have been invited to do this work with the Holy Spirit, leading and guiding us

      • Deuteronomy 19:15NASB95

      • Matthew 10:34–35NASB95

      • Romans 12:2NASB95

      • 1 Peter 1:14–15NASB95

      • 2 Corinthians 12:21NASB95

      • Romans 10:9–10NASB95

      • Matthew 12:33NASB95

      • John 8:44NASB95

      • John 17:17NASB95

      • John 8:31–32NASB95

      • Psalm 119:160NASB95

      • Ephesians 3:17–19NASB95

      • Romans 12:10NASB95

Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
office@ccwenatchee.org
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http://ccwenatchee.org
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