Real Authority
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewSometimes appearances are deceiving, with Paul, that is true, but he always delivers.
Notes
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Paul’s weakness plus Christ’s power equals perfect power.
David E. Garland
There is another saying, Jesus plus anything else is no better than Jesus alone. Pauls power isnt his, it is Jesus. Salvation isn’t his, it is Jesus. Pauls authority isn’t his, it is Jesus. Jesus who calls, Jesus who brings Paul to this place.
Lets read our section along with vv1-6 to give us our context.
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. 8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.
2 Corinthians 10:7 (NKJV)
7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?
We always say don't read a book by its cover right? But Paul doesn't look like a super pastor/apostle/movie star. v10 says he looks like a weakling and sounds even worse. The corinthians are obviously carnal 1 Corinthians 3:2 “I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;”
2 Corinthians 5:12 “For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.” the false teachers affecting the church use this to promote themselves. many do this today. why listen to the church with only 50 peeps, we have 500 or 5k.
why listen to pastor that cant afford shoes when God blessed our pastors to all have 300 dollar shoes. and they all drive bmw, etc.
If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s.
Pauls appeal is to the Spirit and letter, the teaching of truth not the show, not the flesh.
And if you “are his” who introduced you? They responded to Pauls Good News!
Romans 10:14–15 “14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!””
then he brings them to the fact that he was appointed not by their vote, or the false teachers, but by God.
2 Corinthians 10:8 a (NKJV)
8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority,
In Luke we see where Jesus named the 12 Apostles. its a transliteration of Apostolos - Its sent ones. Could say Envoy, Ambassador, Missionary. All fit in that description. And Jesus has made Paul one, which Paul confesses is a crazy place to be given in the church
Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”” 1 Corinthians 4:9 “9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.” This world killed Jesus, they will kill those most like Him. Do we really think those who say they are apostles today would submit as apostles if this kind of hurt was guaranteed?
Apostles are foundational, the 12 among the Jews & world and Paul of the gentiles in Specific.
1 Corinthians 12:27–28 “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Romans 11:13 “For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,” Galatians 2:8 “(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),”
Ephesians 2:19–22 “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” can be abused, have to be careful 1 Corinthians 3:10–11 “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
teaching law required for salvation=wrong. hyper grace = wrong. Need to be on Jesus.
which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction,
i want to address this a little later in the message, what it is, what isn't. But note that we aren't doing it to stop others from building but to help them build correctly. But the false teachers only want to tear Paul down. They cant argue theologically - so they attack the man.
2 Corinthians 10:8b–10 (NKJV)
8 … I shall not be ashamed—9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
as we said last time, false teachers then and now say Paul is just a “Scroll-Warrior”. All text no action. Which isnt true but still they say Paul scares you to death like a big bully with letters but is just a sick nerd in person. Most think Paul was sick when there.
1 Corinthians 2:3–4 “3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” Galatians 4:13 “13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.”
they do recognize that Paul is a powerful teacher. But people can easily be misled if they don’t listen to the details and if there is no power. 1 Corinthians 1:17 “17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”
Speech contemptible, exouthene, despised, treat as contemptible, etc. they would read him then wonder if same guy when started talking. Some folks cant stand the way certain preachers speak - this is Martin Lloyd Jones, listen: This is a description of Paul from an early Christian writing, perhaps from about the year 200: “A man of small stature, with a bald head and crooked legs, in a good state of body, with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked.” (Cited in Kruse)
its not just sounded like yosemite sam but looked it, and that his words were lacking of how he said it. like when you get a text that makes you mad when the person didn't mean it that way, Paul speaks this way lol. 2 Corinthians 11:6 “6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.” Paul was a master theologian. A teacher beyond measure. But him no talk good.
So they accuse Paul of just being tough in letters then because he doesn't express it well they equate that with not being powerful. They forget that this is the same guy and also that tough means building not destroying. Someone willing to die for them.
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.
now let me ask you this, does this verse alone come across as a threat?
of course it does but what did Paul say his authority was for? 2 Corinthians 10:8a “For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction…”
Now, building correctly can sometimes mean having to demo to build the house rightly. But it still means building, not just destroying. Pauls intention is to make them more like Jesus. What could be better?
scriptures teach us that there is a reality to our walk and a call for living in change. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”
that right teaching means right speaking into our lives, Titus 1:9 “9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” Titus 2:15 “15 Speak these things (the word), exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
Not about personal opinion but the plain meaning of the Word of God, which is why pastors say read, read, read. Its why I am even reading the one year bible for you on youtube/fb so there is that option if you have trouble reading. The word is our builder.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
how can you know what we are supposed to live as if we don’t know it? How can you live like jesus if you don’t know how He lived? You can only find that here in His Word.
Now in-closing, Paul in teaching and discipling the church, does sometimes remind us that there can be hard lessons in our sanctification and that teachers are needed. We do the same with our kids. Making them carry what they think they can’t, climb the tree without help, etc.
Sometimes this means pain. The marines say, “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.” Overcoming long term sin, leaving corrupting friends and influences in our lives can mean we are going to hurt. But its building us into the temple he wants in us.
Want to be used by God? Be the man/woman He wants you to be? It means more than just not chewing gum to fast, it means dying. Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Hebrews 13:20–21 “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” and finally
2 Timothy 2:20–26 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”
Run from what the world the flesh and the devil want for you, run to what God wants for you.