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Standing up for the truth… (3 things)
We will know when we get our eyes of the Lord – because we get overwhelmed
1st – The light of the Gospel… vs. 1-6
Paul never gave up… vs. 1
Paul understood what he was fighting for – and whom he was fighting against…
The men who were attacking him – were in truth attacking his message…
The message of the Gospel of Grace was the real target – because it is the truth…
And Paul was not going to give up preaching – it is the message everyone needs!
Paul did not use deceit / or distort the Word of God… vs. 2
Paul takes a shot at the false teachers – who were not teaching the truth…
They’d used crafty words / outright deceit – to convince people of their message…
They had no problem distorting the Word of God to make it fit their teaching!
There are many ‘teachers’ out there today who do the same thing…
They use eloquent speaking and verses taken out of context to make their point…
Matthew 15:9 – “Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
That is why it is so important for us to know the Word – know the truth!
So we know a false teacher when we see one – and stand up for the truth!
If the Gospel is hidden – it is to those who are perishing… vs. 3-4
Why do men follow the false teachers – because they cannot see the truth…
They are either blinded by their sin…
We all know people who are stubborn – refuse to give up their sinful lifestyle…
They cannot see Jesus because they are blinded by their sin…
John 3:19-20 – “The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed…”
Jesus is not hidden – He is easy to find – the Gospel message is available to everyone!
But Men don’t want Jesus – because they prefer to stay in their sin…
They would rather have their sin – than eternal life with God in Heaven!
Or they are blinded by the ‘god of this world’ – satan…
In the parable of the Seed and the Sower – satan steels away the word – Luke 8
If we don’t think we need Jesus – the satan takes away the seed from the heart…
If we reject the Word – satan is more than willing to fill it in with something else…
That is why there are so many cults – false religions…
Lies that satan encourages the world to believe to keep them from seeing Jesus!
We preach Jesus… vs. 5-6
Paul did not – like these false teachers – preach himself…
Rather than pointing people to Jesus – these men taught they were the answer…
The problem is we are a VERY poor substitute for Jesus…
If someone needs food/money/or counsel – we try to be Jesus…
And men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God
The problem is we are limited – and can’t always help those who look to us
Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back – again and again…
We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
Paul preached Jesus – and himself a servant of Christ…
It is only when we point others to Jesus we really give them the answer
He has no limitations – all the abilities – all the resources – all the power!
He is the only answer that we need to give to those who are in need!
Our opportunity – responsibility – it to be a billboard that says, ‘this way to Jesus’!
Because Jesus is the light that shines out of the darkness…
We are in a battle for the hearts of minds of those who do not know Jesus!
For those who are blinded by sin and satan to the message of the Gospel…
Not a battle that we fight with our fists – we fight with prayer and God’s Word!
* II Corinthians 10:4-5 – “We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.”
Our enemy does not stand a chance – Jesus has ultimate power and authority!
In Christ we have victory – no weapon can defeat us! Isaiah 54:17 / I John 4:4
2nd – How to be used by God… vs. 7-14
We are clay pots… vs. 7
Paul understood it was not about the person – it is about what is inside…
If you take a clay pot and fill it up with rocks – it is still a cheap pot…
But if you take that same pot and fill it up with diamonds – its priceless!
We often get the impression there are ‘special’ people whom God chooses to use…
There are only ordinary people – who believe in God – making them ‘special’!
We are all just clay pots – the question to be asked is what is inside of us…
Are we full of ourselves – trusting in our abilities – no blessed
Or are we full of Jesus – believing in God – having faith (trust) in His Word…
How to be a special pot… vs. 8-14
In a great house there are many pots…
* II Timothy 2:20 – “In a [Great house] some [pots] are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive [pots] are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special [pot] for honorable use.”
God is going to use our lives no matter what – but how will He use us…
Are we going to be special pots used for extraordinary purposes – or ordinary…
Becoming extraordinary through the trials of life…
We are pressed (squished like a grape) – but we are not crushed…
We are confused (have doubts) – but we are in despair (without hope)…
We are persecuted (made fun of) – but we are not forgotten (God is on our side)…
We are struck down – but we are not destroyed (we are still alive)…
The more we learn to trust in God – the more blessed our lives will become!
We become ‘special’ clay pots – used by God to do extraordinary works!
Showing the suffering of Jesus – so the life of Jesus can also be seen…
In fact Paul says his life was in constant danger for the sake of the Gospel…
But the fact that Paul faced death – meant the church heard how to live!
There are parts of the world – muslims – where preaching Jesus can mean death…
But the worst they can do is kill you – then you go to heaven (not a bad thing)…
In most cases the worst thing that happens – we are made fun of…
People might accuse us of having ‘changed our religion’ – they miss the point…
More often they are just trying to change the subject to avoid conviction!
But when we stand up for God – in spite of the danger – people take notice!
Paul kept preaching because he believed…
Paul was absolutely convinced of the truth of the Gospel message…
How then could he keep silent – Psalm 95:1 – ‘I believe in God and so I speak…’
If we believe there is only one way to get to heaven – how can we be silent…
Keeping people from Hell is worth a little ridicule – worth being made fun of…
We are talking about men’s eternal destination – people are worth fighting for!
And even if Paul gave his life for the Gospel – he knew God would raise him up!
3rd – Eternal persective… vs. 15-18
Abounding grace… vs. 15
Everything Paul did – he did for the benefit of others – so they could go to heaven…
The more people who heard – the more who believed – the more thanks given to God!
That is why Paul never gave up – even though at time things were so hard…
Though outwardly times were tough – inside he had the blessing of being use by God!
Light momentary problems… vs. 16-18
I love that Paul calls his problems light…
II Corinthians 11:24-28 – Paul gives us a list of these ‘little problems’ he had…
5 times he was beaten with 39 lashes / 3 times beaten with rods…
Once he was stoned – Acts 14 / 3 times he was shipwrecked – a night in the ocean…
Traveled on countless long journeys – in fear of robbers / fear of the Jews…
He had many sleepless nights / was often hungry / cold from lack of clothing…
And besides all of these things are the daily needs of the churches!
This Paul calls ‘little problems’ – if these are little mine are non-existent!
So often in life we think our problems are the WORSE than anyone else’s…
No one could possibly be going through anything are difficult…
But it turns out – they are just little problems – in the light of eternity!
Not looking to what we can see…
What we can see is all temporary – it is what is unseen that is eternal…
It is very hard for us to look beyond our circumstances – like HUGE wall…
We cannot see beyond them – we don’t know what will happen next…
The only thing we can do is look up and trust that God has a GREAT plan…
It is by keeping our eyes on the Lord we see beyond the moment…
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