This exposition of 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, October 7, 2018.
Intro:
It seems out of place. You might even think it is contrary to what he had just said.
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The apostle Paul just finished a convincing and forceful argument against boasting. He concluded by saying, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” He is right. You don’t get anywhere comparing yourself with yourself. The only judgment the matters, in the end, is that of our Sovereign. But then he says, “Bear with me as I boast.” What’s going on? Why would he do that? How can you in one breath condemn boasting and then boast with your next breath? Paul is in the process of dealing with those false teachers in Corinth. Those who have been attacking his calling as an apostle, his preaching, his doctrine and thus undermining the gospel itself. They have made headway through their boasting. In combating that, Paul says, “Indulge me for a minute with some foolish boasting of my own.” What follows is not so much boasting about Paul but outlining what qualifies as an authentic gospel witness. This is a much needed truth for today’s church. Our text this evening is found in the 11th chapter of 2 Corinthians.
Text: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
As we work our way through this text we are reminded that…
Thesis: In a day enamored with culture and marked by compromise it is essential for the church to maintain and authentic gospel witness.
We are constantly being challenge to be relevant.
We are told we need to reflect the times in which we live.
We are even told that if we don’t want to be left in the dust pan of history we need to change what we believe!
The call 25-30 years ago was to go out and ask the lost what it would take to get them in church and then give them what they want. Many heeded that call and what has it produced? Falling church attendance, record lows in baptism and a weak and anemic church. Our call, our assignment has not changed. We are to preach the gospel. We are to boldly declare the truth of God to every man, woman, boy and girl. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting that we prove our faithfulness to the gospel by being as obnoxious as possible. I’m not suggesting that faithfulness must be harsh and uncaring. But I am suggesting that the gospel is not palatable to the sinful heart of the unrepentant. The gospel says, “You are a sinner incapable of saving yourself. You are a hell-bound, hell-deserving sinner but Christ died for you to give you life and hope. But that life and hope comes at the cost of your dying to self. It demands a total and unconditional surrender. Not what most want to hear but what all need to hear.
Paul is dealing with a church he dearly loves. He spent 18 months in Corinth teaching them the way of Christ and developing them in the truth of the faith. False teachers have come in and are disrupting that work, distorting the message of the gospel and jeopardizing the future of the church. As we consider the first half on chapter 11 we find some marks of an authentic gospel witness.
There are three I want to point out.
- An authentic gospel ministry warns of the deadly consequence of following false teachers. (11:1-6)
- An authentic gospel ministry is marked by the Christian graces of humility, sacrifice and love. (11:7-12)
- An authentic gospel ministry dares to expose the true nature of the false teachers within their midst. (11:13-15)
Conclusion:
An authentic gospel witness takes its responsibility seriously.
It warns of the danger of false teachers and their teaching.
It stands in stark contrast to the false teachers and is marked by humility, sacrifice and love.
It dares to expose the true nature of the false teachers in their midst.
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