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Sermon20131110

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (NASB)

1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on 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 out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows —

4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.

6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself!

8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Three significant consequences of a legitimate boast so you will remain humble in it.

I. The characteristics of a legitimate boast vv.1-6

A. It is a unique and superior spiritual experience vv.1-5.

B. It is a true experience vs. 6a

C. It is properly incorporated into over all Christian experience vs.6

II. The three significant consequences of a legitimate boast vv.7-10

A. Divine ________ vs.7

B. Sustained ________ vs.8

C. Christ manifesting ________ vv.9-10

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Sermon20131103

2 Corinthians 11:16-33 (NASB)
16 Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.
17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.
20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.
21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold — I speak in foolishness — I am just as bold myself.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? — I speak as if insane — I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty- nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me,
33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: three aspects of a foolish boast so you will understand the extreme measures under which it may be used.

I. The reasoning behind his foolish boast vv. 16-21
A. The appeal for his foolish boast vs.16
B. The nature of his foolish boast vv. 17-18
1. Not as the Lord would
2. Acknowledging its foolish and fleshly nature
C. The need for his foolish boast vv. 18-21
1. They bear with others who are foolish
2. They bear with those who mistreat them

Application:

II. The content of his foolish boast vv.22-29
A. His pedigree vs. 22
B. His privilege vs. 23
C. His persecution vv. 23-25
D. His perils vs. 26
E. His personal hardship vs. 27
F. His pastoral anxiety vs. 28-29

Lessons:

III. The alternative to his foolish boast vv.30-33
A. His preferences to boast in his weakness vs.30
B. A prime illustration of this boasting vv. 31-33

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Sermon20131027

2 Corinthians 11:16-33 (NASB)
16 Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.
17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.
20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.
21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold — I speak in foolishness — I am just as bold myself.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? — I speak as if insane — I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty- nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me,
33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: three aspects of a foolish boast so you will understand the extreme measures under which it may be used.

I. The reasoning behind his foolish boast vv. 16-21
A. The appeal for his foolish boast vs.16
B. The nature of his foolish boast vv. 17-18
1. Not as the Lord would
2. Acknowledging its foolish and fleshly nature
C. The need for his foolish boast vv. 18-21
1. They bear with others who are foolish
2. They bear with those who mistreat them

Application:

II. The content of his foolish boast vv.22-29
A. His pedigree vs. 22
B. His privilege vs. 23
C. His persecution vv. 23-25
D. His perils vs. 26
E. His personal hardship vs. 27
F. His pastoral anxiety vs. 28-29

Lessons:

III. The alternative to his foolish boast vv.30-33
A. His preferences to boast in his ______ vs.30
B. A prime ______ of this boasting vv. 31-33

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Sermon20131013

2 Corinthians 11:7-15 (NASB)
7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?
8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you;
9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

Introduction:
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

Review:
He embarks upon foolish boasting
He demonstrates intense concern for them in godly jealousy and fear
He asserts his apostolic equality

Theme: Two contrasting portraits of an apostle so you will recognize a true servant of Christ today.

A. Four Marks of a True Apostle vv.7-12

1. His ministry He preached the gospel vs.7
2. His means: He depends on the support of generous saint’s vv.8-9
3. His method He continues to use boasting vv. 10, 12a
4. His motive : He genuinely loves them vs. 11

B. Four Marks of a False Apostle vv. 12b-15

1. Their desire : They intend to be viewed as true apostles vs.12b
2. Their deception : They are deceptive in their “work ” of “ministry” vs.13a
3. Their disguise : They masquerade as true apostles vv.13b-15a
4. Their destruction : They receive what they deserve in the end vs. 15b

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Sermon20131006

2 Corinthians 11:1-6 (NASB)

1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me.

2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led

astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.

6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.

Introduction:

Theme: Four convictions a pastor must hold so that the church will remain true to Christ.

Conviction #1 The fitness of folly vs.1

Conviction #2 The passion for purity vs. 2

Conviction #3 The danger of deception vv.3-4

1 Do not understand and have not accepted the Gospel

2 Not well taught in Gods word and understanding the Gospel

3 You are living in or lingering in unrepentant sin.

4 You have come under the influence of unbelievers.

Conviction #4 The assertion of authority vv.5-6

A. Assessment of authority v5

B. Assessment ability v6

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Sermon20130929

2 Corinthians 11:1-6 (NASB)
1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me.
2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband,
so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.
3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.
5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.
6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.

Introduction:

Theme: Four convictions a pastor must hold so that the church will remain true to Christ.

Conviction #1 The fitness of folly vs.1

Conviction #2 The passion for purity vs. 2

Conviction #3 The danger of deception vv.3-4
1 Do not understand and have not accepted the Gospel
2 Not well taught in Gods word and understanding the Gospel
3 You are living in or lingering in unrepentant sin.
4 You have come under the influence of unbelievers.

Conviction #4 The assertion of authority vv.5-6

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Sermon20130922

2 Corinthians 10:7-18 (NASB)
7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,
9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme:Two aspects of a gospel ministry to acknowledge so you can serve Christ in greater humility

I. Understand the leverage of a Gospel Ministry vv. 7-11

leverage –
1. the exertion of force by means of a lever
2. the power to influence. Concise Oxford English Dictionary

A. He’s confident he belongs to Christ vs.7

B. He’s proud of his authority in Christ vs. 8

C. He’s effective in both his public and personal ministry for Christ vs.9-11

II. Accept the limitations of a Gospel Ministry vv.12-18

A. He avoids human comparisons in the gospel ministry vs. 12

B. He brags within the limits of his gospel ministry vv. 13-17

C. He receives commendation from Christ alone to approve his gospel ministry vs.18

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Sermon20130915

2 Corinthians 10:7-18 (NASB)
7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,
9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme:Two aspects of a gospel ministry to acknowledge so you can serve Christ in greater humility

I. Understand the leverage of a Gospel Ministry vv. 7-11

leverage –
1. the exertion of force by means of a lever
2. the power to influence. Concise Oxford English Dictionary

A. He’s confident he belongs to Christ vs.7

B. He’s proud of his authority in Christ vs. 8

C. He’s effective in both his public and personal ministry for Christ vs.9-11

II. Accept the limitations of a Gospel Ministry vv.12-18

A. He avoids human in the gospel ministry vs. 12

B. He brags within the of his gospel ministry vv. 13-17

C. He receives from Christ alone to approve his gospel ministry vs.18

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