Joyful Supremacy 4: God’s Provisions

Last session.  The first three are foundational because without them THIS is legalistic not joyful.  The result is practical theology.  Theology must action or its faulty & doesn’t glorify God.  Providence AND Responsibility from 1 Cor 15:10… (Read & comment.  Primarily in regard to our faith!)

By the grace of God I am what I am, & His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is w/ me..

Exercise

The body is the Temple of God (1 Cor 6:19).  We are body, mind, & soul.  All three are inter-related when it comes to processing suffering in a manner that glorifies The Father.  God has made our body in such a way that when we exercise several things happen physiologically.

First… stress is released.  Second… endorphins make us feel better.  Third… our body heals its self.  So it is wise to exercise when you are in hardship… especially b/c you don’t feel like it.  I suggest at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.  Get your heart rate up by cardio exercise.  Brisk walking will do.  Oh… eat better too.  Chunk the junk.

WORSHIP

Years ago I heard Dr. David Jeremiah say, “Worship is God’s panacea for discouragement.” This is true!  God works thru His Spirit to encourage us when we worship Him.  Worship has the effect of reorienting our heart from temporal concerns to eternal reality.

Worshipping has worked in me peace, contentment, & joy that surpasses all comprehension.  I worship: 1) Privately, 2) Corporately.

Private Worship.  I worship God two ways privately: Music & Preaching.  My i-Pod has many songs by various artists which God has used to draw me closer to him.  Pick out your own favorite songs and put them on CDs or an i-Pod and then listen to them regularly.  Here are some of mine… (Click on the title for You Tube of the song)

I asked the Lord that I might grow

The Well (Casting Crowns)

You’re Already There (Casting Crowns)

10,000 Reasons (Matt Redmon)

I Then Shall Live (Gaither Vocal Band)

All I Have Is Christ (Devon Kauflin)

Not For A Moment (Vertical Church)

Trust In You (Jeremy Camp)

In Christ Alone (Keith & Kristyn Getty)

Voice of Truth (Casting Crowns)

Because “faith comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God,” I listen to several preachers.  These include: Tim Keller, John MacArthur, Ligon Duncan, John Piper, & others (Download MP3).  I have messages of special meaning I listen to regularly.  NOTE: I’ve found that The Spirit speaks to me on many things as I listen to the Word being preached.  I keep something handy to write on!

“Practical” Worship.  As Christians, everything we do is meant to be an offering of worship to God.  Consider Romans 12:1…

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

1 Cor 10:31 Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Studying is worship.  Career is worship.  Recreation is worship.  Dates and marriage are worship.  Committee meetings are worship.  Everything we do in the body is to be an act of worship to glorify God.  Following then Romans 12:1 and 1 Cor 10:31, we can worship in all things.

Corporate Worship.  Worship is meant to be private & corporate.  In order to know God fully there MUST be participation in public corporate worship.  This means being with people IN a worship service where there is corporate singing… corporate praying… corporate giving… corporate hearing of the Word being preached.  This is of mutual benefit for you & others!  Heb 10:24-25

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love & good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, & all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

The closer we are to God, the healthier we are spiritually & emotionally.  It is good to have a plan to read the Bible regularly.  Some read it through every year.  I have done this, but prefer to take another direction. The purpose for reading the Bible is to know God… NOT find answers to our questions or help in making a decision or even relief for whatever situation we are in.

Toward this end my goal in daily Scripture reading is to be closer to God.  I pick a passage or book and read it SLOWLY because I want to read for understanding.

Then I have something I read every day and update every month or so.  It begins with the Ten Commandments.  Then selected texts of meaning for me at the time.  Followed by The Apostles Creed and ends with selected quotes I’ve read through the years.  (CLICK HERE)

Come up with your own plan… and daily reading… and other things.  Keep it to two pages so it can all be read in less than ten minutes.

PRAYER

Worship, Scripture, & PRAYER are meant to go together.  To neglect any of the three is to short circuit the process God has given us to be encouraged and comforted.  Some have tried praying & quit because they “didn’t get anything out of it.”  As I read one time, “You certainly won’t get anything out of NOT praying!”  In prayer we join the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:26-27) and Jesus (Ro 8:34) in talking to God.

The way we pray in times of difficulty is important.  I suggest the following:  Ask God to reveal Himself to you in the midst of the trial.  Ask Him to use you to glorify His name in whatever way He desires.  Ask Him to strengthen you so that you do not defame His holy name.

Ask God to reveal to you your blind spots that He is working on.  Ask Him to show you the idols in your life He is attacking.  Ask Him to help you become more like Christ and glorify Him in your difficulty so that you reflect Christ’s love to those who are watching you.

Ask God to help you work WITH Him in order to conform to the image of Christ.  Ask Him to give you strength to stand.  Ask Him to IN THE TRIAL make you more loving, merciful, gracious, compassionate, forgiving, patient… more like His Son!

If someone is against, opposing, or causing you problems, pray FOR them (Mt 5:44-45).  Ask God to bless them, their family, to reveal Himself to them, to protect them from the evil one, for safety & revival.  Ask God to bless them according to their need in His wisdom.

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17).  For me that means as I go through the day, & the issue comes to my mind, I pray one… some… or all the above to some degree.  But I always make sure to dedicate an extended time to pray in my “Prayer closet.”

Quotes:

Just because we don’t see how something can be good doesn’t mean it isn’t good. (Tim Keller)

In prayer God gives us everything we would’ve asked for if we knew everything He knows. (Tim Keller)

Nothing tests your obedience to Christ like conflict/hardship/adversity. (Copied)

Never doubt in the dark what God has revealed in the light. (Copied)

Anger & revenge is the poison we drink hoping others will die. (Copied)

It is no accident Romans 8 ends with Paul doing everything to help our joy be indomitable in suffering. (John Piper)

What now?  Prepare diligently.  Meditate, ruminate, reflect.  Listen to the CDs.  Read the manuscripts.  Put your notes and these things so you can find them later when you need them.  Be diligent NOW to walk with God in: Scripture reading, Worship, and Prayer.

My Daily Reading

This is an addendum to a message on Joyful Supremacy In Suffering: God’s Provisions.

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17, ESV)

2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation (Ezekiel 18:1-4) of those who hate Me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

7 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 Honor your father & your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

13 You shall not murder.

14 You shall not commit adultery.

15 You shall not steal.

16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

The Shema

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Jesus’ Commands

Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Luke 6:27 I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Important Texts

Ps 11:1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain…”

Ro 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?

Ps 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Ps 56:10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Ps 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper…

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old; for I am God, & there is no other; I am God, & there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning & from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, & I will accomplish all my purpose… 11 I have spoken, & I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, & I will do it.

Leviticus 26:5 You shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. 6  I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible… as much as it depends on you… be at peace with all men.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God… 31 Let all bitterness & wrath & anger & clamor & slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:12 Put on then… compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, & patience, 13 bearing with one another &, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father thru him…

2 Tim 2:24 The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.

Titus 3:1 Be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, & to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Titus 3:9 Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, & quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable & worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once & then twice, have nothing more to do with him…

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

7 Non-negotiable Truths & My Personal Applications:

God is love: Nothing bad ever has, or ever will, happen to me. Evil, yes. Bad, no. (1 Jn 4:16; 2 Cor 1:3-6; 12:9; Ro 8:28)

God is good: It is impossible for me or others to mess up my life past God using for His glory. (Ps 73:1)

God is in control: God only allows into my life what is ultimately good for me. (Ro 8:28; Dan 4:35; Is 46:9-10)

God is just: Satan can only do what God allows. (Ezra 9:15; Job 1:12, 2:6)

All God’s ways are perfect: I rejoice in every circumstance by keeping a heaven theology. (Gen 18:25)

God is trustworthy: I have great hope & peace, relying upon God alone. (Ps 62:8; Is 42:3)

God does not change: My salvation & faith in God cannot be lost. (Mal 3:6; Ja 1:17-B)

Quotes

Just because we don’t see how something can be good doesn’t mean it isn’t good (Tim Keller).

In prayer God gives us everything we would have asked for if we knew everything He knows (Tim Keller).

Nothing tests your obedience to Christ like conflict/hardship/adversity (Copied).

Never doubt in the dark what God has revealed in the light (Copied).

Anger & revenge is the poison we drink hoping others will die (Copied).

Its no accident Romans 8 ends with Paul doing everything to help our joy be indomitable in suffering.

Proof Of God’s Love: Discipline

Tags

2 Corinthians 13:1-4, Church Discipline

2 Corinthians 13:1-4

To listen to the audio of this message, click below…

Jesus cared about those who followed Him.  He wasn’t worried about the size of the crowds but the quality of their faith (Jn 6:65-71).[i]  One thing matters to God… the quality & strength of OUR faith.  God works to discipline us for our good… holiness & conformity to Christ.

Corinth was a church saved out of paganism.  They had not let go of old practices.  Much of their former life was still in them & this concerned Paul.  The NEW life was to be marked by: Love, mercy, grace, repentance, forgiveness, patience, & things like that.

Remember Paul in 2 Cor 12:20?  “I fear (when I come)… that perhaps there may be (among you) quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, & disorder.”  He knew if those things were present, they needed drastic Apostolic intervention… thus what we find in 2 Cor 13:1-4.

ASIDE: One of the things about preaching verse by verse thru a book, you don’t decide what to preach.  Whatever is next… you preach it.  Of the seven commentaries I read, they all wrote this passage is about Paul threatening to implement Church discipline.[ii]

Most Christians dislike the idea of Church discipline (CD).  For a church to discipline anyone turns their stomach.  I’d struggle with it too… EXCEPT I find it so often in Scripture.

The Bible is THE rule & guide for faith.  Whatever is found there must be applied faithfully, no matter what we think.  Church discipline is POSITIVE (Preferred!) when we remember THE purposes…

The purposes of Church discipline are God’s glory… the Church’s purity (Restoration)… & the person’s good.  For the rest of our time this morning… let’s take an OVERVIEW of this topic in Scripture.

There are three ascending levels of discipline to consider: 1) Self discipline, 2) Church discipline {Two kinds: Personal & Corporate}.  3) God’s discipline {Two kinds: Formative & Corrective}.

Self Discipline.  This is where it all begins… with the believer themselves.  The individual is to do on their own what is right when it comes to sin.  Confess… Repent… restitution… then restoration.  The purpose of self discipline is to avoid & avert the need for further discipline.  1 Cor 11:31-32…

If we judged ourselves TRUELY, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined  SO THAT we may not be condemned along with the world.

We are responsible to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel.  God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us thru the Word & our conscious.  If we stray, He disciplines.  If we ignore Him it moves to the next level.  Self discipline is: “If you love me, keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15).  The implication is clear.  We are responsible to live disciplined lives…

Church Discipline.  In Church discipline there are two aspects.  The first is Personal, the second is Corporate.  Let’s consider the Personal element of discipline.[iii]  Again Gal 6:1-2…

If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual (Loving Godly friend) should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, & so fulfill the law of Christ.  (IF They won’t listen, then the next verses)

Titus 3:10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once & then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing… such a person is warped & sinful; he is self-condemned.

2 Thess 3:14 If anyone does not obey what we say… take note of that person, & have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Don’t regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

When someone you love strays, treat them as family!  Be objectively discerning because friendship can cloud judgment.  When you see sin, interact with them to “snatch them from the fire.”[iv]  When we love others, we’ll alert them to sin as Paul with Peter in Gal 2:11-14.

Corporate Discipline.  There is just no way around Scripture.  No matter how difficult some passages are, God put them in His Word to be honored.  Everything in God’s Word is for His honor & our good! (Repeat Twice).

1 Cor 5 is direct about “CD” AND filled with hope.  Paul addresses THE CHURCH…

1 It is reported that there is sexual immorality among you, & of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And YOU are arrogant! (Real problem!) Ought you not rather to mourn?  (The correction) Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3… I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit MAY BE SAVED ON THE DAY OF THE LORD.

1 Cor 5:5-B… “So that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord!”  What some view as harsh is love for an eternal soul… a brother or sister’s ultimate good!!  1 Cor 5:11…

I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler (Gossip, slanderer), drunkard, or swindler… not even to eat with such a one. 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

John MacArthur wrote in his commentary about 2 Cor 13:1-4 (Applies to 1 Cor 5)…

The biggest problem facing the church is… insensitivity to sin. The disinterest in confronting sinning people in the church for the purpose of repentance & restoration, or exclusion if they do not repent, is the most visible symptom of the church’s moral & spiritual decline. It is its most disastrous failure, for it signals a lack of concern for holiness… to say nothing of a lack of reverence for the Lord of the church & a shallow commitment to Scripture.  Failure to practice church discipline is the most glaring evidence of the church’s worldliness & a major reason for its impotence.[v]

God’s Discipline.  God’s discipline is NOT His wrath.  That was dealt with on the cross.  God disciplines His children for other reasons.  Heb 12:4 (Turn… follow outline!)…

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. 6 For the Lord disciplines THE ONE HE LOVES, & chastises every son whom He receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left w/out discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children & not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us & we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits & live? 10 They disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us FOR OUR GOOD, that we may share His holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

God disciplines because: 1) He loves us {12:6}; 2) We’re His Children {12:7-A}; 3) Our good {12:10-A}; 4) To share in His holiness {12:10-B};  5) Peace {12:11}.

Last Resort.  There are 3 instances in the N.T. of God calling people home.  Ac 5:1-11 (Ananias & Sapphira).  1 Cor 11:29-32 (L.S.).  1 Jn 5:16-17 (Sin unto death).  God takes sin seriously.  Rather than allow it to continue, sometimes He ends life to bring the believer home (A.K.A.: Sin unto death)…

Paul didn’t want to implement discipline.  If the Corinthians had been better at SELF-discipline, they wouldn’t have had so many problems in the church.  So what about us?

We ask God to search our hearts.  We judge ourselves rightly so we will not be judged.  We are all called to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel…

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[i] John 6:65-71

[ii] New American Commentary (SBC); John MacArthur’s Commentary on 2 Cor; Barnes’ Notes; Bible Knowledge Commentary; Clark Commentary; Matthew Henry’s Commentary; Bible Expositor’s Commentary.

[iii] Galatians 6:1-2; Titus 3:10-11; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

[iv] Jude 23

[v] John MacArthur on 2 Corinthians.

Mourning Over Sin

Tags

2 Corinthians 12:11-12, Sin

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

This morning I begin with a few thoughts from my heart to yours.  These passages are the prayer of every pastor & my desire for you!  Colossians 1:9…

We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom & u’standing, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work & increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance & patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone & teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all His energy…

3 Jn 4, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Everything I do is for YOU to grow & mature in Christ.  From the daily Bible readings… prayer ministry… “99-1”… “1 in 2012” AND what I preach… is ALL for you to walk with Christ.  It is so that when you stand before God you will be mature in Christ!

Like John wrote, I have no greater joy than when YOU walk, talk, think, & live in the truth of Jesus!  Than when YOUR life pleases God… bearing fruit for HIS glory… & YOU are strengthened according to HIS might!

My call & goal in life is YOUR readiness to stand before Almighty God (Col 1:28).

Parents know what I’m talking about.  You want your children to do well in life.  You want them to marry well… have a vocation that is honorable… raise their children as Christians… & live for Jesus.  If/when children go astray, it grieves your heart.  When kids don’t become all they can… parents (wrongly) tend to wonder if they failed somehow.

Paul viewed Corinthians as his children in the faith (6:13).  His heaviest burden was “The daily pressure… of my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Cor 11:28).  When believers had struggles, it burdened HIS heart!  This helps us understand better his struggle in today’s text.

12:11-13.  That which wounded Paul most was the Corinthian’s rejecting his love for them.  He didn’t abuse the fellowship, it was the “Super-Apostles” that did that.  He loved them & was proved by his actions while among them and why he “didn’t burden (them).”

12:14-18.  Compare 12:15 with Jesus’ “Greater love has no man than this.”  Paul gladly spent himself for their souls!  Paul died to comfort & safety for the Corinthian’s benefit.  What hurt Paul was that they did not in return love him.

Instead they accused him of being deceitful & crafty rather than honest (12:16-B).  Paul pointed out he did not take advantage of them by what he did OR by those sent to carry out his instructions.  He always did what was best for the church & the members… whether they saw it or not… believed it or not.

12:19-21.  At this point Paul turns the discussion in a direction unexpected by the Corinthians.

All the things he wrote were not to exonerate himself but for their good (“Upbuilding”).  Paul knew their present attitudes resulted in conduct not good for them before God!  So he did what every faithful pastor would do… he warned them!

For their good he told them where they were wrong.  He wrote NOT to be divisive, (1 Cor 1:12).  Jealousy & strife were improper (1 Cor 3:3).  Not addressing immorality was wrong (1 Cor 5).  Suing each other was abhorrent (1 Cor 6).

Proper conduct was (1 Cor 10:31)… “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Thus they were to honor one another at the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11).  He reminded them they were the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12) & as such to love each other.  To make sure they understood what love was, he wrote 1 Cor 13:4-8 which was Paul’s love for THEM!  To build them up!

12:20-21.  Paul feared when he got there, there’d be problems.  Then he’d have to take a course of action he didn’t like.  Paul wrote in 2 Cor 12:20…

I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish… that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

If those things are present in any relationship it is not of God because “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33).  Paul wanted the Corinthian’s GOOD & BENEFIT!

What Paul hoped to see in the Corinthians is more of Gal 5:22-23…

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

12:21.  Paul’s desired Godly Repentance over sin (2 Cor 5).  He feared Corinth being filled with 12:20 attitudes rather than Gal 5:22-23 attitudes.  IF that were the case, it would cause him to mourn (12:21-B).

At this point, let’s reflect a little…

Q: Do WE mourn over sin?  Does OUR heart grieve over the things that grieve God’s heart?

When we become aware of 12:20 type things… quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, & disorder… are WE grieved in our heart?  Do we mourn over their presence in the lives of people we know and/or love?

IF/when we are troubled… shouldn’t our response be to hit our knees in prayer?  Shouldn’t our reaction be to honor God & His Word in them… regardless of what anyone else does?  Shouldn’t we follow what Paul wrote earlier in 2 Cor 5:18…

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself & gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, & entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

There is an interesting passage about this ministry found in Jude 20-23…

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Paul’s greatest joy was fellow Christians walking with Jesus.  He rejoiced when they honored Him with their lives… words… & thoughts.  He wanted them to stand before God mature in Christ.

I mentioned that in Christ God reconciled the world.  That means Jesus died for at least two reasons: 1) To glorify God by saving sinners from God’s wrath… 2) To glorify God by freeing believers from the entanglements of sin (Like found in 2 Cor 12:20).

Now the responsibility is in our hands!  The sinner is to repent & believe so as to be saved.  The Christian is to “Walk in the Spirit so as not to carry out the desires of the flesh.”[i]

It doesn’t matter what anyone else says or does.  We alone are responsible for our actions.  We are to do what is right in God’s sight.

“God commands all people, everywhere, to repent” (Acts 17:30).

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[i] Galatians 5:16

SBC, Calvinism, And HBC

Tags

Calvinism, Theology

NOTE: This is written for the membership of Huffman Baptist Church.  It is not intended to be exhaustive or academic, but informational.  It was presented to the congregation on the evening of 10/14/2012.  For each Scripture reference if you will click on it, you can read the passage or verse.

To hear the MP3 of this study click below…

The reason for this study comes from Huffman Baptist Church’s Chairman of Deacons.  In the September 2012 Deacon’s meeting he requested that since Calvinism has garnered attention in our convention and state paper, it would be good for me to present a study on it… which I am honored to do (Ro 1:16).  There are some texts hard to understand on this topic which I’ve studies for years and many are still a mystery (Like The Trinity, Deity/Humanity of Chirst, etc.).

My goal is to briefly present: 1) What Calvinism is.  2) What Southern Baptist have believed about Calvinism.  And, 3) What I believe.  So much has been written it is impossible to cover every point thoroughly.  I cannot address completely the history of Calvinism or SBC views of Calvinism in such a short time. (I suggest reading all the texts given in this study.)

Does what a person believe about Calvinism matter?  Not really.  It is faith in Christ that saves, not what you believe about Calvin OR Baptism OR Eschatology.  It doesn’t mean you are or are not closer to God.  It doesn’t mean you are right (Whatever you believe about it) & others are wrong.  It doesn’t mean one loves God more & the other loves Him less.  God does not love you more or less because of what you believe about Calvinism.  It doesn’t preclude or qualify anyone to minister.

What does matter is: 1) Do you love God?  2) Do you love others?  3) Do you love the lost & share the Gospel with them?  {If we love God & others & the lost, we will be evangelistic!  “1 In 2012.”} 4) Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?  5) Are you seeking to honor and glorify God in all things {1 Cor 10:31}.  THOSE matter!

Theological And Philosophical Approach

Attitude is important.  In discussing Calvinism… or baptism with Methodists… or tongues with Charismatics… or views of church government… or ANY other issue, what we say and how we say it is of great importance.  Consider the Scripture… (Ask God to make us the person described below.  Read Slowly!)

Romans 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, & let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One… esteems one day as better than another… another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God… 31 Let all bitterness & wrath & anger & clamor & slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:12 Put on then… compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, & patience, 13 bearing with one another &, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him…

1 Timithy 6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine & doesn’t agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ & the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit & understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy & for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 & constant friction…

2 Timothy 2:23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies… they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.

Titus 3:1 Be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, & to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Titus 3:9 Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, & quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable & worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once & then twice, have nothing more to do with him…

What Calvinism Is

Calvinism is known by the acronym: T.U.L.I.P.  T: Total Depravity (Eph 2:1).  U: Unconditional Election (Eph 1:4).  L: Limited Atonement (Eph 5:25).  I: Irresistible Grace (Ac 13:48b).  P: Preservation of the Saints (Jn 10:28-29).  “TULIP” was written at the Synod of Dort in the early 1600s to answer assertions of the Arminians (Jacob Arminius) and  semi-Pelagian protesters.  Calvinism is usually equated with The Doctrine of Election or Predestination.  The term “elect” and word “predestination” are in The Bible (Mt 24:22-24, 31; Ro 8:33; Ac 4:27-28; Eph 1:4-5, 11).

What Southern Baptists Have Believed About Calvinism

Southern Baptist were founded because they would not free their slaves.  Early Southern Baptist Theologians were Calvinistic.  The first Southern Baptist seminary was largely Calvinistic.  The last 70+ years Southern Baptists have been much less Calvinistic in their theology.  Today most Southern Baptists are not Calvinistic.

Some of the great missionaries and preachers of the church have been Calvinists (David Brainerd; William Carey; Jonathan Edwards {First Great Awakening}; C.H. Spurgeon, George Whitefield).  Some of the best preachers and theologians of the SBC would not describe themselves as Calvinists (Billy Graham; Chuck Kelly {NOBTS}; and Paige Patterson (SWBTS).).

Southern Baptists have always had Non-Calvinists and Calvinists in their ranks.  Southern Baptist have respected differences in minor doctrines (Such as Calvinism) for the purpose of uniting to spread the Gospel and build the Kingdom.  Cooperation and mutual respect have been strengths for Southern Baptist for many years.

What I Believe

I am a Biblicist (I affirm, believe, and teach Scripture).   Some say I am a Calvinist and I can tell you why.  I have a very high view of God and His sovereignty (Is 46:9-10)!  I have a very low view of man’s condition {Spiritually dead prior to salvation (Eph 2:1)}.  I affirm what is written in Scripture AS IT IS WRITTEN without trying to force it to fit any particular system.

What I Believe: God commands ALL to be saved (Ac 17:30).  God desires all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4).  I believe God is 100% sovereign & man is 100% free in all his decisions… at the same time.  Any person can choose Christ or not choose Christ.  All who desire to be saved will be saved.  God doesn’t make anyone believe in Him.  Jesus died for the world (Jn 3:16) & if they want to be saved, God will save them!  All babies that die in infancy (And before) are saved… as are those with mental disabilities.

I am committed to preach God’s Word in its entirety (Acts 20:27).  I have preached at HBC everything I believe.  You’ve heard my theology on every major point of doctrine.  Non-Calvinists say I’m Calvinist.  Calvinists say I’m not a Calvinist.  I will preach The Word.  I will not align myself with any man’s belief system.  Here’s why…

No one (Including me) has the right to make Scripture say what they want (2 Pet 1:20).  God’s Word is GOD’S Word.  If a passage is what some term Calvinistic (Mt 11:25-27)… I will preach it.  If it is what some term evangelistic (Mt 11:28-30)… I will preach it.  Some say I’m contradictory…  I call it being faithful to God’s Word.  I will NOT try to make Scripture mean what it does not mean!  That is a grievous sin before God (2 Pet 3:16).

Therefore I will preach Jn 3:16 with Eph 1:11.  I will preach Ac 13:48 with 1 Tim 2:4.  I will preach Mt 23:37 with Ac 4:27-28.  I will preach Mt 11:25-27 with 11:28-30.  If preaching Scripture means being called a conservative… radical… contradictory OR Calvinistic, so be it.  I am more concerned about God’s evaluation of me than what men think or say (Heb 13:17–B; 1 Cor 4:1-4; Gal 1:10).  Every verse in The Bible is God’s Word & I believe it as written.

What Grieves My Heart

I am grieved by the attitudes of some Calvinists and Non-Calvinists (This is in every church & the Al Baptist has addressed it.  No one has come to me to discuss my views.  This is not a personal discussion made public {Chairman of Deacons request.}).  This is a difficult topic to figure out, so we must have grace and mercy in all our conversations about it.

It grieves me when Christians assign beliefs to other Christians that are unfair or inaccurate.

It grieves me when Christians give unbelievers a reason blaspheme God’s name by their attitudes & conduct toward each other about doctrinal matters or anything else (Romans 2:24)!

Conclusions

I will preach God’s Word faithfully & lovingly (Ac 20:27).  YOU study the Scripture & come to your own conclusion(s) {Ro 14:5, 15:1-2}.  Put the most weight on what GOD says in His Word rather than what anyone says or writes about His Word… including me (1 Jn 4:1)!  Continue praying for your 1 in 2012… share (And keep on sharing) the Gospel with them… in hopes of their salvation!

I am thankful SBC leaders are attempting to recover our cooperative spirit. Dr. Frank Page (Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President) is leading this endeavor… CLICK HERE.

“In essentials… unity, in non-essentials… liberty, in all things… charity (love).” Rupertus Meldenius (Click for source).

For more information: The booklet “Baptists and Calvinism” can be ordered from The Alabama Baptist for $5 (Includes tax, shipping and handling).  Call 205-870-4720, Ext. 103.

To God be the glory in all things!

When God Uses Satan

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2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Boasting, Prayer

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

To listen to the audio of this message, click below…

Just because you struggle it does NOT mean A) God is punishing you, or B) Satan alone is THE one causing it.  There’s a third option for the Christian: God is using Satan to make you more like Jesus OR keep you from straying from His side. (Repeat)

2 Cor is about comfort (2 Cor 1:3-4).  My goal today is for us to u’stand stress in God’s terms, not our own.  So we CAN “Count it all joy WHEN you encounter various trials…” (Ja 1:2).

People in Corinth liked to brag.  So Paul took them to school on it.  He boasted of his weaknesses (Last week).  Now he really lays them low… by boasting humbly… (I know that sounds odd)

Paul’s Humble Boast (12:1-6).  Paul talks about “a man,” though in 12:7 we know it is him.  He was caught up to “the 3^rd heaven” (1^st is birds fly, 2^nd is sun & moon, 3^rd is God’s dwelling place).  This person (Paul) experienced heaven as no one else in the Bible!

Imagine in Corinth one saying… “I speak in tongues!”  Another, “I can heal!”  “I’ve talked to angels!”  “God has spoken to me!”  {Paul… yawn…}

Paul could’ve said: “Oh really?  Top this: I’ve been to heaven!  HAVE YOU?!”[i]  But he didn’t.  He refused to use his own name b/c playing “one up” was of no profit.  Thus “weaknesses” in 12:5-B.

12:6.  Paul didn’t want honor or recognition or attention.  All that mattered were Jesus & the Gospel!  Thus real humility about his heaven experience.

Aside!  Godly people do NOT boast!  Especially in relation to faith matters!  Peter, James, & John saw Christ transfigured.[ii]  Yet didn’t speak about it till after the resurrection.  And then NONE of them wrote about it.  Matthew, Mark, & Luke did.  Godly people will not boast.  Another…

On 11/23/1654 Blaise Pascal encountered God.[iii]  He wrote of it & sewed it into the liner of his coat.  After his death people learned of i & realized Pascal carried this experience always.  It is known as “Pascal’s Night of Fire.”  Here is part of his description…

From about 10:30 PM till 12:30 AM,  FIRE. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of philosophers & scholars.  The world forgotten, & everything except God.  Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.  Sweet & total renunciation.  Total submission to Jesus Christ…  Everlasting joy in return for one day’s effort on earth.  I will not forget Thy Word. Amen.

Pride & boasting are dangerous.  If we like being elevated because of successes, seek credit, or are proud… that’s inconsistent with Scripture.  God’s work results in humility.  Pride is scary! (Paul)

The Cost of Spiritual Blessing (12:7).  The more God uses a person… or prepares them to be used… the more God humbles them.  God breaks everyone He uses.[iv]  He will also keep His own from becoming prideful.

Those who are used by God will either BE humble OR be HUMBLED[v] (Repeat!).  (PAUSE)  Then there times God humbles His children PREIMPTIVELY (!)… as He did with Paul in 2 Cor 12:7…

12:7.  “To keep me from being too elated…”  “Surpassing great revelations.”  Paul: Saw Jesus (1 Cor 9:1); Taught by Jesus (1 Cor 11:23);  Tongues (1 Cor 14:18); Raised the dead (Ac 20:9-10); Healed (Ac 14:8-10); Cast out demons (Ac 16:16-18); AND visited heaven (2 Cor 12:1-6).  Pride alert?  God took PREIMPTIVE action to ensure Paul didn’t become proud.  How did God do this??

12:7.  “A thorn… messenger of Satan.”  God uses Satan for our sanctification!!  It doesn’t matter what the thorn was.  What matters is God does not leave our conformity to Christ to chance!  He wills & accomplishes it! Phil 2:13, Ro 8:29.

Aside.  When Paul was saved, God sent Ananias because God would “Show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name” (Ac 9:10-16).  This is how God sanctifies us!  Paul knew it going in…

God sends hardships, difficulties, or adversities our way on purpose.  To make us pray more… rely on Him more… study Scripture more… draw closer to Him… & be more like Jesus!

When we’re stressed… pressed… or struggling (Emotionally or spiritually), we should look at our walk with God FIRST!  Ask Him to reveal what HE is doing IN us.  Every struggle we have is ALWAYS for our ultimate good… to make us more like Jesus.  Consider Heb 12:6 (Turn!)…

The Lord disciplines the one He loves, & chastises every son whom He receives. 8 If you are left w/out discipline… then you are illegitimate children & not sons. 10 He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

God’s loving formative discipline is NOT fun in the moment.  But because God loves us… He won’t stop it until we have been “trained.”  12:10 is WHY God puts “thorns” into our life… to “Share in His holiness!”  Is a “thorn” worth sharing in God’s holiness??  If so… don’t fight it!

Identifying Thorns (12:8-10).  Emotional stress points.  Frustrations.  Hardship.  When we hurt or struggle, consider them as thorns… ultimately given by God… for our sanctification.

2 Cor 12:8-9.  Paul didn’t like pain.  He prayed 3 times for the thorn to be removed… & God said… “NO.”  But with the “No” answer was a promise… “My grace IS sufficient for you.”

God’s grace is: His protection… His strength… His presence… His power… His love.

Grace “wasn’t sufficient” (past), the past is gone.  God didn’t say, “My grace will be sufficient” (Future), tomorrow may not come.  God said, “My grace IS sufficient!”  What we need, when we need it, as long as we need it… God will provide!  PRAISE HIM!  Now for Paul’s response…

12:9B.  He would boast of weakness SO THAT Christ’s power rested upon him.  WHY?!

12:10.  For Christ’s sake & God’s glory… he was content with thorns & weaknesses… insults… hardship… persecution… & calamity.  Wait… read that again!!  CONTENT?!  Yes.  Content…

What is our reaction to stress, adversity, or hardship?  How do we react when insulted?  What do we do when tragic events happen in OUR lives?  Do we mope… have pity parties… whine… gripe… complain… lash out in anger?  OR do we trust God is conforming us & thus content?

If we’re not content, we haven’t believed God enough.  We haven’t embraced “When I’m weak… THEN I am strong.”  Until we learn God’s lesson(s), He will continue disciplining us with thorns!

God sending thorns PREIMPTIVELY to us so we don’t become prideful… haughty… or self-sufficient is another reason to know adversity is NOT God’s anger toward us.  Never forget… ALL God’s wrath toward us was dealt with on the cross!

God’s “No” to removing thorns is for our good.  If Paul needed it… we do so that we walk closer with God.  Bottom line… trust God with OUR thorns according to Pr 3:5!

Conclusion.  How do we view OUR thorn(s)? {Every Christian has them}  Know God is working so you will share in His holiness.  Unwillingness to submit in to Him in hardship is hindering holiness!

Jesus suffered the ultimate thorn… God’s wrath for our sin.  Jesus prayed for it to be removed… “Let this cup pass from me,” & God said no.  God didn’t send grace, but punishment… so that all who believe in Him would receive God’s grace of forgiveness!  COME TO CHRIST!

I close with Ja 1:2-5 and two verses from Ps 119…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect & complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him…

Ps 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.

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[i] Tim Keller

[ii] Matthew 17:1-8

[iii] Christianity Today Article

[iv] Chuck Swindoll

[v] Copied

Suffering And Honor

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2 Corinthians 11:16-32

2 Corinthians 11:16-32

To listen to the audio of this message, click below…

Series title: “The God of Comfort.”  One of my goals is for your faith to be strong… so that when you suffer you will rejoice.  I want you to walk so close to God that nothing can rattle or shake you… so you’ll (from within) have peace & joy that passes all understanding.

The context of this passage is Paul’s continued defense of his ministry.  “Super-apostles” (11:5) were taking every opportunity to cast doubt… undermine… & call in to question Paul’s integrity.  They accused him of all sorts of things falsely… which we’ve discussed before.

By 11:16 Paul has had enough.  After offering numerous defenses to show & prove his accusers wrong, in 11:16-21 he gets sarcastic with them!  He changes gears in presentation to make a point.

11:20.  The false teachers in Corinth plundered them financially, elevated themselves, & obsessed with their own importance.  The Corinthians tolerated humiliation by being slapped… & they allowed it! The false apostles’ abusive treatment makes it clear that they were not men of God.[i]

Paul’s “weakness” in not exploiting, dominating, & humiliating them proved his genuineness as a true apostle & the evidence of his love for them (11:21).   Thus comparison in 11:21B-23…

11:21A-23.  Paul’s indisputable credentials.  Hebrew… Israelite… Abraham.  “I AM better than them!”  Paul hated writing that, but he had to so as to wake them up from being deceived.

11:21B-29.  One message I heard heard on this passage[ii] suggested false teachers said something like… “IF Paul is sent from God… WHY does he have problems everywhere?  Why does he get run out of towns?  Why is he always in trouble?  Why in Jail?  Wouldn’t you think if God was with him he would be successful, not hated?”

But Paul turned their argument against him as PROOF OF God’s call.  Proof of being a true Apostle.  Proof he was in God’s will.  Their accusations of failure were actually a badge of honor and affirmation to Paul.

Consider Paul’s PROOFS he was called by God & in God’s will.  2 Cor 11:23-28, 32…

Far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, & often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews 39 lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten w/ rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night & day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers… robbers… my own people… Gentiles… in the city… in the wilderness… at sea… from false brothers; 27 in toil & hardship, thru many a sleepless night, in hunger & thirst, often without food, in cold & exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 32 At Damascus… King Aretas (tried) to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall & escaped his hands.

Compared to Paul, none of us have suffered!  Until things happen to us like they did to him, we can’t say we have really suffered can we?

Paul probably limped & had literal scars.  Even though he was mistreated in ways we can’t imagine, he didn’t blame anyone.  That was what he signed up for.  He knew it all was God’s will (Ac 9:16; Phil 1:29).  Those were PROOF he followed Christ!

11:30-31 is odd to some.  “I’ll boast of things that show my weakness?!”  That’s not normal for us.  We like to be thought of as right… sharp… intelligent… savvy… godly… spiritually mature… and things like that.  Paul went the other direction!  He boasted of his weaknesses?  Faults?  Mistakes?  Failures?  Consider 2 Cor 12:8…

(Paul’s thorn in the flesh) Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, & calamities. For when I am weak, THEN I am strong.

(God Willing, Examine in detail next week.).  Whatever Paul’s thorn was, God refused to take it away.  He was, however, given God’s grace.  So he boasted about his weaknesses!  The physical issues, character traits, & short-comings people used to beat him down were the things he boasted about!  Why?

12:9-B… That was when Christ’s power was on him!  12:10-B… “I’m strongest in weakness.”  This is another seeming contradiction of Christianity!  We’re strongest in our weaknesses!  THAT is when God’s power is most manifested in us.

(PAUSE)  Let me take a minute to talk about God’s blessing and favor.  In particular whether or not a person’s life experiences of blessings or hardship are evidence of God’s hand upon them.

Turn to Heb 11.  This chapter is called “The Hall of Faith.”  It’s a compendium of greats who had faith in God: Able, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & many more.  Let’s begin reading in verse 32…

Time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David & Samuel & the prophets— 33 who thru faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection.

These were used mightily by God.  They were blessed & admired for many reasons.  We ALL want to be like them in God’s kingdom don’t we?  Let’s keep reading… (11:35-B)

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking & flogging, & even chains & imprisonment. 37 They were stoned… sawn in two… killed with the sword… went about in skins of sheep & goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated… 38 of whom the world was not worthy… wandering about in deserts & mountains, in dens & caves…

BOTH groups are in God’s Hall of Faith!  Those blessed with success AND those who weren’t!  Those God used to do miracles… & those He didn’t.  Just because a person has life hard… is persecuted… & mistreated does NOT mean God is punishing them or loves them less than others OR they’re not obedient to Chirst!  Such is Paul’s case.

The phrase “of whom the world was not worthy” was applied to the last group, not the first!  That is significant…

We don’t have a point of reference for this!  We’re so soft we call it suffering when someone doesn’t like us… or we’re criticized… or opposed.  Last time I checked no one with an AK-47 was standing out front of the church.  None of us worries about losing life or being put in jail BECAUSE OF Jesus.  Know anyone sawn in two for singing in the choir… teaching SS… or being a deacon?

I had say this to me recently… “I’m worried because I’m not being persecuted.”  He had it right!  It is only when the Adversary sees us as a threat that he pushes against us to the point that we suffer.  1 Peter 2:20…

What credit is it if, when you sin & are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good & suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps (Suffering).

3:14 If you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy… 17 it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, b/c the Spirit of glory & of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer… thief… evildoer or meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Let’s finish up back in 2 Cor with Paul.  The proof of God’s call for him was what others used to say he wasn’t called (His adversity & hardship).  Paul suffered for the Corinthians to hear & know the TRUE Gospel.  What he went through in life was proof to them that he loved them AND that God called him.

What does all that mean for us… at HBC… today?  Keep it in the context of 2 Cor 11!  We are in a war against Satan (Last week’s message).  Being the Bride of Christ makes us enemies of Satan who will push against us to the degree we push against him.

As we said last week, he can be defeated as we are obedient to Jesus.  Paul was determined that when it came to the Corinthians “As much as it depended on” him, he would do what was right.  That’s why he wrote in 2 Cor 2:10-11 so much about forgiveness as the way to outwit Satan.

If we’re ever going to boast about anything… let it be in the Lord!  If about ourselves… let’s boast about our weaknesses because THAT is when we most have to rely on Christ and His power is manifested in us.

Q: What are YOUR weaknesses?  Do you know them?  Have you taken them to the cross?

Invitation…

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[i] MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Copyright Moody Press & John MacArthur, Jr., 1983-2007.

[ii] Tim Keller

Satan In The Church

Tags

2 Corinthians 11:7-15

2 Corinthians 11:7-15

To listen to the audio of this message, click below…

Why are we in this passage today?  Because it is next in 2 Corinthians…

The most important call I have as your under-shepherd is to preach the Word.  Your benefit is protection from the Adversary’s attacks.  As you hear The Word, The Spirit alerts you to his presence, work, & deceptions so you can resist him (Ja 4:7-B). I am taking my cue from Paul in 2 Cor 11:7-15…

The situation in Corinth was critical.  They had problems b/c they had been led astray by “Super-Apostles” (11:5) regarding the Gospel.  This was introduced last week The Corinthians had been deceived by Satan just like Eve (11:1-6).

The Adversary is always fighting against God & by extension, us.  We must be careful not to tripped up by him… unwittingly.  Satan tried to use Peter to hinder Jesus going to Jerusalem to die (Mt 16:21-23).  Without knowing it, Peter… the #1 Apostle… could’ve become a stumbling block to Jesus!

If it can happen with Peter & Corinthian believers, it can happen with us… ME… here at HBC!  So let’s all be careful…

Paul addressed what was happening in Corinth because the health & future of the church was on the line.  That’s his point in 11:12.  Now let’s read again 11:13-15

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

My goal today is to attack the Adversary.  By God’s grace & power I want to assault Satan & demonic powers to expose them.  My goal in doing these is for your good and protection as those for whom Jesus died.

So let’s answer two questions: 1) How do we know Satan is working?  2) How do we defeat Him?  First let’s examine… How to know Satan is working.

C’ians are warned about Satan often in the NT.[i]  It takes a little discernment to recognize when he is working around us.  The easiest way to recognize Satan is found in 1 Cor 14:33…

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”  Paul’s point: “Look around!  What is happening there & what you’re feeling is not from God!  God doesn’t cause confusion… He is the God of peace!”

God does NOT bring, cause, or create confusion.  His Spirit does NOT foster disharmony or disunity.  When God is honored among His people, there IS peace.  If there isn’t peace, it’s Satan… not God.  What’s tough is recognizing when we’re close to being deceived!  Turn to Ja 3:13…

Who is wise & understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy & selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast & be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy & selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder & every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above IS first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy & good fruits, impartial & sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

When reading Ja 3:14-16, I ask… “God is that ME?  Are MY emotions & thoughts evidence Satan is nearby?”  (Pause) It is important that we monitor ourselves & circumstances around us.  James shows us that a good indicator is our own heart AND events taking place around us.  For me, I know Satan is working when my emotions & desires are not in line with Ja 3:17-18…

Ja 3:13-18 is a matter of the heart revealed by our desires… spirit… intentions & motivations… proved by our actions.  If we don’t work through Ja 3 ourselves, there is great potential to be deceived by the one who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). I have to work here as more than anyone!

Now… How to defeat Satan.  From Ja 3 we admit the truth to God & ourselves (3:14).  Then we consciously follow Ja 3:17-18.  WORK to live out purity, peace, gentleness, reason, mercy, good fruits, being impartial & sincere.  Those are choices C’ians CAN make.  Romans 12:18…

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Then there is a third thing we can do from last Dec in this series.  This is THE way to defeat Satan.  Turn to 2 Cor 2:10…

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

2 Cor 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice.  Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; & the God of love & peace will be with you.

The way to defeat Satan & short-circuit his schemes is thru forgiveness & restoration.  Those are things Satan CANNOT overcome!  When we forgive the way God has forgiven us (Eph 4:31-32), Satan looses and has to flee (James 4:7).

When one race forgives another… Satan loses.  When siblings forgive… Satan loses.  When co-workers forgive… Satan loses.  When spouses forgive… Satan loses.  When neighbors forgive… Satan loses.  When a S.S. Class sees two of their own forgive each other… Satan loses.

When WE forgive… SATAN LOSES!  WE can choose to let him win or not.  How often are we to forgive?  70 x 7.[ii]  Why?  Because God has forgiven us more times than we will ever forgive others…

We’re about to observe The Lord’s Supper.  A solemn time of fellowship honoring Jesus & The Gospel.  Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23…

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, & I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them & you in me, that they may become perfectly one…

Jesus gave his life so we could be reconciled to God.  He gave his life so we could forgive our enemies.  He gave his life so we could forgive as we’ve been forgiven… AND BE ONE.

Consider what Paul wrote in 1 Cor 11:28 & 31…

Let a person examine himself, then, & so eat of the bread & drink of the cup. 31 If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.

So let’s examine & judge ourselves in the sincerity of The Spirit & Jesus’ prayer.  Let’s forgive others as God has forgiven us… that we may be children of God.  I close with 1 Jn 3:10 & 5:2-4…

By this it is evident who are the children of God… whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God & obey his command. 3 This is the love (for) God, that we keep his commands.  And his commands are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.

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[i] 1 Thess 5:21

[ii] Ac 20:29-31; Ro 16:17-18; Gal 1:6-7; 1 Tim 1:3-7, 4:1-2, 6:3-5; 2 Tim 3:1-7, 4:3-4; Eph 4:11-14; 1 Jn 4:1.

Symptoms And The Problem

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2 Corinthians 11:1-6

2 Corinthians 11:1-6

Corinth was a dysfunctional church.  They had: Loyalty factions (Paul, Apollos, Peter, Jesus)[i], Socio-economic divisions[ii], jealousy & strife[iii], approved of immorality[iv] and refused to implement church discipline,  lawsuits[v], dysfunctional marriages[vi], disrespect over the Lord’s Supper[vii], & arguments over who’s most gifted.[viii]

Their “problems” were actually symptoms of real problems.  Problems were the “fever,” but not what CAUSED the fever.  Think this way: When we’re sick, we treat what CAUSES the fever!  Right?

Application: When I’m angry, anxious, resentful, or frustrated those are a “fever” alerting me to A DEEPER PROBLEM.  A spiritual virus only the Gospel can heal!  Today’s message isn’t a history lesson about Corinthian problems, but for US to know when we need to visit the Great Physician!

The virus infecting Corinth needed a Gospel antibiotic… thus LOVE in 1 Cor 13!  Corinth had disordered loves because they loved themselves more than others.  But that wasn’t all…

But there was an even bigger problem which was the reason they didn’t love each other.  It is found in 2 Cor 11:1-6.  And THIS was THE problem they had…

Before we reveal it, remember they ARE Christians!  They ARE believers!  They WERE forgiven!  Why point that out?  Because WE can be saved… get infected & need a regimen of Gospel Antibiotic!

(11:3) Their problem?  They’d been deceived about the Gospel… & didn’t know!  We don’t know we’ve been infected with a virus WHEN it happens.  Symptoms must manifest themselves before we realize WE are infected.  Only then do we take steps to kill the virus in us.

Paul knew getting the Gospel wrong was really serious!  He was preparing them to stand before Jesus (11:2), so they HAD to believe the Gospel RIGHTLY!

The Gospel is always under attack by the Adversary, which Paul pointed out in 11:3-B about Eve.  Satan’s deception of Eve is found in Gen 3:1-7.  Satan used “The Sneer” & “A Lie.”   Gen 3:1…

“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, & you will be like God, knowing good & evil.”

The Sneer… “Did God really say that?!  He REALLY said you’d die?!  NO WAY!  I can’t believe He’d say THAT!  You sure??”  The Lie… “You will not surely die.”

Paul’s point: “Your problems are from a distortion of the Gospel.  You’re deceived by Satan just like Eve!  You’re departing from THE Gospel!  You’re believing a FALSE gospel from FALSE teachers & that’s the REAL problem!”  (11:4 Paraphrase)

The Gospel is more than believing… it is about living it & being conformed to Christ!  Just because a person believes the Bible & things about Jesus doesn’t mean much.  Consider Ja 2:19, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe… & shudder!”

(11:3-B) “But I am afraid… your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere & pure devotion to Christ.”  How we LIVE begins with what we THINK (Message 2 weeks ago).  The Corinthian problems stemmed from not thinking about Jesus & the Gospel in a pure (True, accurate) manner!

We’re warned in Pr 4:23, “(Guard) your heart… for from it flow the springs of life.”  How are we to THINK in relation to Jesus… the Spirit… & the Gospel so we are not deceived?

The Real Jesus.  Jesus is the personification of The Gospel.  He lived it & died because of it to save the world.  Jesus is who we follow.  We want to think like Jesus… talk like Jesus… & live like Jesus because He saved us!  Nothing short of that is acceptable.

He turned the other cheek when insulted.  He was a servant.  He always put others first.  He was patient… gracious… kind… merciful to everyone.  He died for others to live because He loved them.  Jesus asked God to forgive those who killed Him.  That’s is living the Gospel of Jesus Christ…

Application.  Jn 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you (The Gospel), you also are to love one another. 35 By this all… will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  What does Jesus’ love look like IN US?

It is patient & kind; does not envy or boast; is not arrogant or rude.  Does not insist on its own way; is not irritable or resentful; does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices w/ the truth.  It bears… believes… hopes… & endures ALL things.  Love never ends. (1 Cor 13:4-8).  Meditate!

THE Holy Spirit.  (“At work in you…”)  Those who believe the Gospel are t’formed by it!  We can’t help it because it is a work GOD does IN us.  Phil 2:13, “It is God who is at work IN YOU to will & accomplish HIS good pleasure.”  God’s “good pleasure” is to become more & more like Jesus!

Application.  Turn to Galatians 5:16…

Walk by the Spirit, & you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, & the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery (drugs), enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, & things like these. I warn you… that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh w/ its passions & desires.

When the Gospel is NOT in a person, it is evident (19-21).  When the Gospel IS present, it is just as evident (22-24).  When God’s Spirit IS at work, we become MORE.  MORE loving… more joyful… more at peace… more patient… more kind… more faithful… more gentle… more self-controlled.  As Peter wrote, “If these are your & are increasing…” (2 Pet 1:8-A).

There is no Gospel apart from sanctification… growing in holiness.  Which is a lifelong process that never ends.  As long as we’re in this body God will work on & in us to make us more like Jesus.  If that isn’t happening… the person is not saved (Gal 5:12-B).

The True Gospel.  The Gospel is this: All people are sinners, condemned unclean before God.  We all deserve eternal damnation because of what we are… sinners.  There is no possible hope of being saved on our own.  If God were FAIR, NONE would ever be saved!

God ISN’T fair… He’s merciful!!  Eph 2:4, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

Then (Jn 1:12), “To all who received (Jesus), who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…”  All who believe have their name written in the Book of Life.

Not only that…!  (Jn 10:27-30) Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, & I know them, & they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, & they will never perish, & no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, & no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I & the Father are one.”

That IS the Gospel.  When you believe THE Gospel, you ARE transformed by the Spirit!

“The Truth” is not about doctrine or theology as much as it is about Jesus!  HE is the way THE TRUTH & the life.  The Gospel results in service… sacrifice… forgiveness… repentance… joy… peace… & love.  Those who have the TRUE GOSPEL of Jesus have crucified the flesh & live for Him.

Conclusion (11:4-c).  Meditate, Speak, & Live THE Gospel!

What GOD looks for is found in Ps 51:16, “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken & contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

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[i] 1 Corinthians 1:10-12

[ii] 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

[iii] 1 Corinthians 3:2-3

[iv] 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

[v] 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

[vi] 1 Corinthians 7:1-12

[vii] 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

[viii] 1 Corinthians 14

One Thing Matters

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2 Corinthians 10:7-18

2 Corinthians 10:7-18

Paul wrote 2 Cor to answer critics in the church.  One commentator wrote…[i]

No church has ever been exempt from the Enemy’s attack on the truth, & the assembly at Corinth certainly was no exception. Satan’s emissaries, claiming to be apostles of Christ, had arrived in Corinth, seeking to lead the church “astray from the simplicity & purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). They knew that to do that they had to destroy Paul’s credibility in the eyes of the Corinthians.   Therefore, he wrote this epistle to defend himself against their attacks.

Satan tries to disrupt every church, ministry, & Christian (YOU!).  For Satan to hinder/stop God in Corinth, he had to destroy Paul’s credibility.  Like he used Peter to get at Jesus…

(Mt 16:21-23) Jesus told the Apostles he would go to Jerusalem, die, & rise 3 days later.  Peter took Jesus aside to forbid it.  Christ recognized Satan was using Peter… & is why Jesus said TO SATAN, “Get thee behind me SATAN…”

Peter wasn’t demon possessed nor evil in what he said.  Peter loved Jesus & was trying to protect Him.  Peter didn’t want Him to suffer OR die.  Peter had good intentions!  They just weren’t God’s will.

BEWARE!  When you proclaim truth… honor Jesus… & glorify God… Satan will come after you.  He’ll use friends, family, anyone to try and hinder or stop you!  And that doesn’t necessarily make THEM evil or demonic!  If Satan will use Peter to get at Jesus, he’ll use anyone to get at you.

If you think, that’s chilling!  We can have good intentions & be out of God’s will!  Peter thought he was helping Jesus, protecting Him, doing what was right.  But he was out of God’s will & DIDN’T KNOW IT!  If I didn’t know God was in control, that’d bother me (Eph 1:11-B).

10:7-12.  When people disagree, they tend to paint the others as evil, question their morals, ethics, & integrity.  We demonize others to justify treating them harshly (Happened to Paul in Corinth).  He answers this in 10:7 by reminding the Corinthians he is just as saved by Christ as they are.

Paul’s purpose was to build up the church.  In the midst of being misunderstood, Paul’s goal was still to help them mature in Christ.  Though his enemies portrayed themselves as super-spiritual & Paul as an immature liar (2 Cor 1:17), he stayed true to his call to build the church.

When YOU serve Christ for the Kingdom, stay on point.  Do not get distracted.  Carry out God’s call.  I have seen many answer God’s call… then when they catch heat they check out.  Some come back to faithful ministry… most don’t.

10:13, “Area of influence God has assigned.”  Paul didn’t do everything nor was he called to.  He wasn’t a jack of all trades to handle every situation in every church.  Paul was called by God to plant churches, train leaders, in multiple places.  So he stayed in the area God assigned to him.

YOU are gifted & called by God to build up the body of Christ.  We’re all to serve one another SO THAT we mature in the faith.  Everyone’s call isn’t the same, but everyone has A call that leads to ONE GOAL.  If you can get there quickly, turn to Eph 4:11…

He (God) gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain… the unity of the faith & of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the… fullness of Christ, 15 Speaking the truth in love, WE are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined & held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow SO THAT it builds itself up in love.

That is church!  The staff’s responsibility & call is to YOU!  The body of Christ.  To disciple & help YOU become more like Jesus… so YOU can “do the work of the ministry” (Evangelize, missions, teach, etc).  If/when we do OUR job to equip, THEN you are able to do yours… and God is glorified!

We help YOU grow SO we ALL help each other grow & build one another up… becoming like Jesus in LOVE!  THAT is what Satan wants to prevent & why he worked so hard to invalidate Paul in the Corinthian’s mind.  It IS a spiritual war we fight…

10:13-16.  Paul exposes a huge problem in Corinth.  One we ALL battle… P-R-I-D-E.  He mentioned “boasting” 5 times in 5 verses.  4 negative, 1 positive.

The “Super Apostles” that opposed Paul were full of pride & false humility (10:12).  Like the Pharisees, they craved compliments.  They liked reverence & admiration of others.  They sought attention… posturing to be recognized & getting credit for everything they could.

Paul refused to boast or receive empty praise.  The only thing Paul affirmed was God’s call to “Preach the Gospel” (10:16).  He wasn’t concerned with what others thought (Gal 1:10)…

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Be careful about pleasing man, wanting praise, or getting credit!  If you seek those, by definition you will not be serving Christ!  That was happening in Corinth.  They boasted, praised & received each other’s praise foolishly!  Consider 1 Cor 4:7…

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

(10:17)…. The positive.  In Ps 20:7 David wrote, “Some boast in chariots & some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God,” in Ps 34:2 he added, “My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear it & rejoice.”  Then Jeremiah declared (Jer 9:23-24)…

Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, & let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands & knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice & righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

Everything we have, we’ve received.  Boasting & taking credit for things isn’t proper.

When it comes to HBC, to GOD alone is the credit… glory… & honor!  If you’re blessed by a something I say, thank God.  HE did it.  If you’re encouraged, thank God.  James 1:16-17…

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift & every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

10:18.  The only thing that matters is God’s evaluation on Judgment Day.  Christians aren’t judged in relation to salvation… but rewards (1 Cor 3:12-15).  We live for God’s praise!  1 Cor 4:5…

Do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness & will disclose the purposes of the heart.  Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Nothing compares to hearing Jesus say, “Well done!”  We live to hear that in eternity… because our rewards aren’t thru piling up!  That begins by trusting Christ for salvation.  THEN it is lived out every day of your life.  How?  1 Cor 10:31…

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

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[i] MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Copyright Moody Press and John MacArthur, Jr., 1983-2007.