2 Corinthians 11:12-15 • From Accusation to Affection Pt. 3
From Accusation to Affection • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Review & Overview
Review & Overview
1. Previous Study’s Review
1. Previous Study’s Review
We’ve mentioned that in chps.10-13: Paul deals with some Corinthians who were not thrilled about his 1st letter to them...
A letter that exposed that they were Divisive... Sexually Immoral... Unethical... Idolatrous...
So they became Critical of Paul... in chp.10: they questioned his Motives... & his Authority for writing that letter...
We saw how Paul dealt with the issue of Authority... Spiritual Authority...
He dealt with it by communicating what Spiritual Authority is:
It’s Not Based On Outward Appearance
Comes From The Lord
Results in Edification
Is Consistent
Is Not Self Approved
2. Current Study’s Overview
2. Current Study’s Overview
Here in chp.11 we come to the 3rd accusation against Paul by his critics & it’s about: his LOVE...
This 3rd accusation against Paul is simple... Paul you don’t love us... you don’t have affection toward us... or you wouldn’t have written these things about us... look at vs.11...
So Paul answers this accusation beautifully by comparing his love for them...
To a father’s love for his children... turn to 1 Cor.4:14-16... because this is not the 1st time Paul brought this up...
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
If a father loves his children he warns them...disciplines them...corrects them... because he wants the best for them
And so far Paul deals with this issue in several ways:
1. Paul’s Jealousy for the Church Vs. 1-4
Is Godly Jealousy
Is Goal Oriented
Involves His Fear
Involves the Motive for His Fear
Last we were together we saw…
2. Paul’s Service to the Church Vs. 5-11
Involves Comparison: Comparing himself w/ Super Apostles - Regarding Knowledge
Paul Service was free of charge
Involves Boasting:
That brings us to our portion of scripture and the 3rd way Paul deals with this issue. Read…
The Title of today’s series is: From Accusation to Affection.
As you can see in our quick reading of todays scripture Paul deals w/ this issue by warning them, he warns them of the false teachers, the Judaizers.
Paul’s Jealousy for the Church Vs. 1-4
Paul’s Service to the Church Vs. 5-11
Paul’s Warning to the Church Vs. 12-15
1. Paul’s Warning Involves His Dedication Vs. 12
1. Paul’s Warning Involves His Dedication Vs. 12
1.1 What is he Dedicated To Vs 12a
1.1 What is he Dedicated To Vs 12a
He is dedicated to continue boasting of the fact that when he came to Corinth he didn’t charge them, he didn’t ask for any money, he served them free of charge. Look at Vs. 7-10
Like any loving father Paul will continue or be faithful & dedicated to do what he’s been doing, which was to preach the gospel for free... why? Look at Vs. 12b
1.2 Why he is Dedicated Vs. 12b
1.2 Why he is Dedicated Vs. 12b
Why? to cut off any opportunity for the false apostles to say they’re like Paul...
Because they’re not like Paul... they were in it for the moolah! … they only loved themselves...
2. Paul’s Warning Involves False Apostles Vs. 13-15
2. Paul’s Warning Involves False Apostles Vs. 13-15
2.1 They’re Deceitful like Satan V.s 13
2.1 They’re Deceitful like Satan V.s 13
Look at vs.3 Paul talked about Satan deceiving Eve...
Here, these false apostles have an EXTERNAL transformation to deceive the Corinthians...
but INTERNALLY they were only in it for the money... for themselves...
18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
APPLICATION: Talk about NOT BEING DECEIVED - Self help guru’s, New Age Spirituals, Etc.
Keep it simple…
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
2.2 They’re Patterned after Satan Vs. 14
2.2 They’re Patterned after Satan Vs. 14
Satan’s pretty smart... he’s not walking around in a red suit with a pitchfork & horns saying hello I’m the devil do you want to sin today...
No he comes as a angel of light... making sin look fun... inviting... with no consequences...
APPLICATION: And as loving fathers we need to warn our children about the subtle tactics of Satan...
ILLUSTRATION: Talk about Muslims & Mormons thinking they say an angel.
1. Islam: The Prophet Muhammad's encounter with the Archangel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) is a central event in Islamic tradition. Gabriel is said to have appeared to Muhammad in the Cave of Hira, beginning the revelation of the Quran.
2. Mormons: Angel Moroni
3. Hinduism: Hindu scriptures describe various divine beings appearing to saints and kings. For instance, Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared in various avatars to earthly figures.
4. Buddhism: While not angels in the traditional sense, Buddhism has stories of Bodhisattvas and other celestial beings appearing to humans. For example, in various Jataka tales, which are stories of the Buddha's past lives, there are descriptions of encounters with divine beings.
5. Zoroastrianism: In this ancient religion, there are references to spiritual beings called Amesha Spentas, who appear to guide and protect.
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of 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 of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
2.3 They’re Empowered by Satan Vs. 15
2.3 They’re Empowered by Satan Vs. 15
Just as demons are empowered by Satan, these false apostles are empowered by Satan too...
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
APPLICATION: Point: it’s easy to be deceived... so how do guard against it... by the Word of God...
don’t believe a word anybody tells you... especially me... we need to turn to the Word of God...
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
And notice at the end again it says, “Whose end will be according to their works”…
At the end of the day, though they may have an external look of righteousness - Eventually they will show their cards, they will show their true selves…
FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: don’t be deceived because look, it’s confusing when you see a person who has an appearance of godliness and righteousness and MIXED W/ that they have satanic devil characteristics.
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Satanic Works & Characteristics:
tempter in the Garden of Eden, Jesus, - Though not named directly as Satan, the serpent in the Garden of Eden is traditionally interpreted as Satan, who tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. (Genesis 3:1-6)
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
Accuser of Job - Satan challenges God's praise of Job's righteousness, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity and good health. This leads to the testing of Job. (Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7)
Adversary to Israel - Satan acts as an adversary to Israel in several instances. One notable example is his role in inciting David to take a census of Israel, an act that angered God. (1 Chronicles 21:1)
1 Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
Father of Lies - Jesus describes Satan as the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning, emphasizing his deceptive nature. (John 8:44)f
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Roaring Lion - Satan is described metaphorically as a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, symbolizing his role as an adversary seeking to destroy. (1 Peter 5:8)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Fallen Angel - While the specific fall of Satan is not detailed in the Old Testament, later Christian tradition and some New Testament passages interpret Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-17 as references to Satan's fall from heaven due to pride.
He is disobedient to the things of God…
Prince of the Power of the Air - Satan is referred to as the prince of the power of the air, hinting at his influence in worldly affairs and spiritual realms. (Ephesians 2:2)
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
Deceiver of the Whole World - Satan is described as the deceiver of the whole world, highlighting his role in leading humanity astray. (Revelation 12:9)
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The god of This Age - Satan is called the god of this age, indicating his influence over worldly systems and ideologies contrary to God's truth. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
He is worldly…
Prince of Demons - Jesus refers to Satan as Beelzebul, often interpreted as the prince of demons, indicating his authority in the demonic realm. (Matthew 12:24-27)
He is spiritual…
Ruler of Darkness - Satan is implied to be the ruler of darkness, representing spiritual darkness and opposition to the light of God's truth. (Ephesians 6:12)
The Accuser - In Revelation, Satan is explicitly called the accuser of our brothers and sisters, highlighting his role in accusing and condemning people before God. (Revelation 12:10)
Disguiser as an Angel of Light - Satan is said to disguise himself as an angel of light, suggesting his ability to deceive by appearing as good or righteous. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Inspirer of Sin - Satan is often seen as the inspirer or instigator of sin, leading people away from God's commandments. Various instances in the Bible imply his role in inspiring acts of betrayal, lies, and other sins.
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