Logic of Children
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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2 Corinthians 12:11-21
by way of introduction, lets read verses 1-10 of 2 Co 12.
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
This all harkens back to Pauls initial call from the Lord when Ananias was sent to pray for Paul and was afraid Jesus comforted him with, Acts 9:15–16 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.””
Note nearly every reference where they cry Lord they mean Jesus. Who is now as the Son of God, interchangeable with Him. Just a tidbit. So when they Lord, they mean, God and they mean, Jesus.
Now we have a lot of text to cover so lets go a bit a time.
Baby Logic 11-15, Sneaky snake 16-18, Don’t make me come in there 19-21
Baby Logic 11-15
Baby Logic 11-15
11 I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
I fell for it. A bragging idiot, you guys forced it out of me. He is being facetious because later he points out they blame him for their own choices. So the brag is not the point.
I did so much more than those guys! Again, they have him bragging to compare himself (a real apostle versus fake). He has healed, folks filled with Spirit, they have done nothing.
At the same time, paul says, I am nothing. He knew was all about Jesus 1 Corinthians 3:7 “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” But Paul also worked like it depended on himself. But Paul also drives the point home:
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Paul was used greatly - Acts 14:3 “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” His statement here indicates the same thing, he had to struggle there in Corinth and God assured him (another vision/revelation) Acts 18:9–11 “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
Again, mighty deeds mean mighty enemies.
13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Some seem to be accusing Paul of favoring other churches when Paul didn't even take money from them. The false teachers used this as a point of contention because they took money from them.
this is a video of false teacher - Bethel endorsed KEITH FERRANTE - look at the class prices. His how to be a prophet one on one is $25,000 for 12 sessions, or $3500 for a single session consulting.
Again, they are complaining that he didn't take their money!
14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
I didn't want to take from you because you were not ready for it, not mature enough. Parents save up to give to kids, not vice-versa. Paul is willing to suffer it, if it would mean them getting saved, and walking with Jesus.
Like many parents, the more they do for their children, the more the kids seem to stand-offish, entitled and hateful about it!
He says they are being immature about it! Immaturity always blames others for its choices and behaviors. 2 Corinthians 6:12–13 “You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.”
he had told them, 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done with love.”
Sneaky snake 16-18
Sneaky snake 16-18
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
Whatever he did, he did his best not to be a burden which of course made him to blame lol. Snuck right up on them with that one!
and titus, oh man, 2 Corinthians 8:16–18 “But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 18And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,”
he facetiously asks, how else did i take advantage of your grace? did Titus take your money? take your food?
or did Titus live among you as i taught them both?? if it was wrong why did they do it too?
Don’t make me come in there 19-21
Don’t make me come in there 19-21
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
again, Paul doesn't want to tear down. Doesn't want to attack but build up. None of this is about breaking them.
20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
There are specific results in the lives of those that give into false teaching. And you don’t want me catching you like that!
Such as, Quarreling arguing. Fighting.
zeloi - Jealousy.
Thymos - sudden burst of anger - uncontrolled.
eriteiai - Selfishness ambition - manipulation, abuse, personal profit is the goal and abounds when the gospel becomes about you and not about being a servant. You love to go to church because its all about you.
katalaliai - backbiting - evil speech, slander. Especially about those in the church. Like they were doing against Paul!
psithyrismoi - telling stories - whispering about peoples hurts, secrets, sins, etc. see backbiting
physioseis - conceits, arrogance, pride. You read yourself into every scripture. an exaggerated view of own import
akatastasiai - disorder, insurrection, tumults. mob rules. if a lot of folks leave the church or do one of these other things, people feel easier about being one of them.
21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
Once we were driving down a road that wasn't used very often when our kids were behaving like demons. We threatened that they didn't want us to stop the car. They kept going. Probably Alex and Karl - but mostly Alex, we kicked them out on the side of the road and drove away. we waited about 1/2 mile down the road. they behaved rest of the way.
Paul says that he will mourn because of their sin, truly saddened by their disobedience and refusal to repent. Please remember, repentance isn't sadness. Its a mental change of mind, recognizing wrong and deciding another way. metanoeo - repent - to change ones life as the result of the complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin/righteousness.
Paul had taught them, they should’ve put all these sins away i.e. Sort yourselves out! 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
Would you repent? Do I? In a single moment we can be caught up in false teaching, torn apart and dragged into a place that we don’t really want to go. Come back. Turn from sin and turn to Jesus.