Writings of Paul Pt. 3
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spiritual gifts : 1 cor. 12-15
The gospel: ; 7
false apostles: 2 cor 11
We have reached part 3 and the conclusion of our Writings in Paul series. I do realize as I speak to you every other week, it can be difficult to maintain the progression of thought that has gone into each message. I will try and give you a brief review.
Part 1 dealt with Phillippians 3 and 4 and talked about Paul showing how to have genuine and quality faith, with transfers into acknowledging our duty to accept Jesus as Lord of of our life and not simply just focusing on living perfect, which we also learn is not the goal as Christians, when we focus on individual perfection, we are sure to fail, and our eyes go off from Christ and begin to be self-centered. Perfection comes with the erradication of sin, which Christ will take care of. We also learned this is cause for rejoice and is important part of surrenduring to God. God is not the joy police, God is a joy well, because He is the giver of living water, the giver of life.
(wow I just summarized about 40 minutes of preaching! Maybe you just want the cliff notes of todays message…dont nod your heads in agreement ;)
Part 2
We were largely in the letter to the ephesians chapters 4 and 5.
Paul clarifies, the type of unity God is calling us to. There is not to be a blending or compromise of theology and doctrine with false theology and doctrine, but he does allow for differences in preference and action largely based on personal calling and spiritual gifts. Some who grow to be oversea missionaries and others who do local urban ministries can carry out the same mission with different strategies yet still maintain a unity of the faith. We also talked about the cultural standards of mutual submission between husband and wife is really an overtone our need to submit to God out of love for Him and what He did for us. God doesn’t ask us to love Him and have blind faith. We are not to interpret the texts to try and defend abuse, slavery, or blind submission. God doesn’t ask that of us as followers of him and we should not condone those behaviors either.
It is through this journey we’ve been on which I hope you have picked up on has been about the hard questions involving the Christian life, that we conclude this series in largely in Paul’s writings to the believers in Corinth.
Today we are going to examine the topics of spiritual gifts, sharing the gospel, and false prophets.
Before we get into today’s message, let us bow our heads in prayer.
If you have your Bibles, I would encourage you to turn to 1 corinthians 12.
I’ve mentioned, Paul’s letters are largely a matter of pastoral care for churches he either planted, or had established a relationship with.
Paul founded the church at Corinth during his second missionary journey (probably around ad 51). Paul likely wrote the letter known as 1 Corinthians. he had received a report concerning the Corinthian believers quarreling (see note on ) and a letter from them that raised questions about spiritual gifts, collections, and marriage.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Paul turns to a new topic here, contrasting the church’s former life of idolatry with its new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. In his discussion of spiritual gifts, Paul emphasizes the diversity of the gifts and proper use of them for the mutual benefit of all believers.
Understanding Paul’s reason for writing is a matter of settling the quarreling, I can definitely empathize with Paul in that often during these quarrels that are brought to the pastor or a church leader and we want that person to just take our side, so the leader or pastor feels temptation to take a hard side. Sometimes we definitely need to stand against things to often there is room in our sanctuary for diversity. We are not going to agree on everything, and our passions are often not going to be exactly the same thing.
Based on what we just read, the Holy Spirit will both approach each of us, the members of the church body differently, and for different purposes . Some being blessed in being wise, some as preachers, some as healers, and not just limited to those subjects mentioned. This is purposeful.
For instance, when I go and get my haircut, the different persons cutting my hair will often ask me what my occupation is. When I tell them I am pastor, I often get met with the person becoming uncomfortable, not wanting to get into a spiritual discussion, or sometimes they’ll want to talk about the church and this or that, but my point is that often people will put up walls, when I say, I am a pastor. Those walls won’t go up as much to someone who works construction, or is a doctor or nurse at the hospital, or what ever else profession.
Now I don’t think the wall is even up against the profession, its to friendship or relationship. The work of ministry, is not contained to the pastor. If it were, the church would be in a real bad state.
Paul expounds on this point in verses 12-30
highlights include
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
1Corinthians 12:
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
But all things should be done decently and in order.
If you can’t surmise, God has purposes for each of us! I especially want to get your attention those of you who think you don’t have much to offer. I have talked to many of you in person, who share, because you are reduced to a wheel chair, or bed, or maybe because of circumstance you can’t make it to every event or the energy just isn’t there. Some of you have expressed to me you don’t know what you are offering to the body.
paul writes, the members of the body who seem weaker, are considered indespensible. There isn’t a person who has come today that God does not value their contribution. I think we are all able to do more than we think, but at the same time....God sees each of you as indespensible. That is also I think we should view each other as well. Even those who have different gifts and dare I say opinions.
What is it that binds us? Is it mission? Is it the gospel message of Jesus coming again? Is it the news Jesus died for our sins? The answer to all of those questions is YES!
Listen I get it, there are those out there with theologies that are not Biblical, nor Holy Spirit driven and I will deal with that question, in greater detail a little later. But I also have seen SDA Christian against SDA Christian battling each other as if they were on opposing teams, and not in defense of the gospel, but in defense of their own pride and stubborness! (Im not making an accusation against anyone here, but I’ll also say none of us are immune to that behavior including myself. It would be good for each of us to ask ourselves, is pride preventing me from working with others?
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 corinthians 4:
The gospel is the good news! It stands out in a world full of pain and suffering. It is not the only good news, but it is the only lasting good news. For instance, if I told each of you you just won 1 million dollars! That would probably be really good news, and you’d be pretty excited, but even 1 million is not infinite. The almighty God of the universe is infinite in power, and love for us. The Gospel does not fade.
The gospel also presses us onward! It gives us to the resolve to continue the fight, the things seen and unseen, and felt suffering.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 corinthians 4:7-18
Having extolled the glory of the new covenant, which he preached (), Paul now explains his suffering (see 1:6 and note). While believers share in the knowledge of the glory of God (v. 6) and are being transformed into the image of Christ (3:18), they do so in their frail, mortal bodies. Because of this, Paul suffers and faces hardship, but he perseveres (vv. 8–10). He regards this as part of his ministry, since such hardships benefit the church in Corinth (vv. 11–12). Moreover, believers can endure suffering because of the hope provided by the resurrection of Jesus (vv. 14–15). Suffering is temporary and will give way to an eternal glory (vv. 16–18).
When we are in the midst of suffering and going through a great challenge, understand it is the good news, the gospel that has power to bring hope in a hopeless situation. It is the gospel that brings relief during insufferable pain. It brings peace to the anger and calm to the storm.
Anyone here who has needed that assurance lately? I have, and as I have made quite a few visits to hospitals and nursing homes visiting some of our beloved members here in the midst of awful battles, it is a real testament to hear of the joy they find in Christ.
God doesn’t prevent us from experiencing every trial or battle but he does stand with us as they befall us. But the good news is Jesus is coming soon! We don’t live in a world doomed with out hope. We have a blessed assurance.
Now I will say, suffering, struggle, and trials, can, if we are not grounded in the faith, fall to a false gospel. For every promise, the devil has a counterfeit. He also has counterfeit messengers. He has them. Paul experienced them in his day, and we experience them in our day. We mentioned last time how Paul had to write to churches when some would independently, and not ordained to do so, would try and speak as a messenger of God but really false teachers. They would purposely twist truth with either Pagan or traditional aspects, and inserting them to the same level scripture. Or just plainly use scriptures or even Paul’s own words outside of their intended context. Again this is bearing false witness. I don’t say this to fear monger. I think that can be equally harming, because then we mistrust everyone even those sharing a sound Christ centered gospel message. How can we see through false prophets? or even false gospel preachers?
Well lets look at an example Paul shares in chapter 11 of 2 corinthians.
2 Corinthians 11:4-
For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
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? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 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. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
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. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 11
In this section, Paul defends himself against his opponents, whom he sarcastically calls super-apostles (see v. 5 and note). He compares them to the serpent that deceived Eve (v. 3), calling them false apostles and deceitful workers (v. 13). Paul defends his ministry by pointing out that he did not accept payment while in Corinth (vv. 7–9); his motive for ministry is the expansion of Christ’s kingdom, not payment or respect (see 12:14).
Paul calls for them to look at his character, basically is saying, am I about myself, or am I about Christ? Look at the fruit of my ministry, its not about riches or fame, it is about proclaiming hte everlasting gospel to all who will hear it. His words are not in concern for himself but for his listeners. Selfish motivation seems to always be a object of those who are promoting a false gospel.
You see my friends, the gospel message is one of hope and is not self seeking.
God has called each of the members of His body to active work and finds great value in each of you not dependent on your percieved weaknesses or strengths. Make no mistake is has called each of you to the hope that is in the everlasting gospel, one that has healing properties and one that changes lives! He calls is to keep our eyes on Christ, and not fall to false prophets and false preachers. May your faith be strengthened.
I’ll leave you with the same call Paul leaves his listeners in Corinth.
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
2 Corinthians 13:
2 corinthians 13
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.