Closing challenge of Paul (3 things)

• 1^st – Examine yoursleves… vs. 1-6
  • Paul was coming to see the church in Corinth for a third time… vs. 1
    • The first time is when he established the church – 3^rd missionary journey – Acts 19-20
      • The second time was during his 3-year stay in Ephesus – II Corinthians 2:1…
      • Now he would come to the church one last time – his 3^rd visit…
    • By the mouth of two or three witnesses…
      • Paul would now be able to confirm for certain the spiritual state of the church…
      • Deuteronomy 19:15 – “At the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”
      • They first trip was Paul’s introduction to the people and church in Corinth…
      • The second trip was precipitated by the need to correct problems in the church…
      • This third trip – third witness – would reveal the true nature of the believers…
      • First impressions are powerful – what we think of a person when we meet them…
      • But they are not always correct – it takes time to see who someone really is…
      • When a plant first sprouts – it is hard to know what kind of fruit it will bear…
      • In the same way we need to be patient with others – wait for the fruit…
        
  • Paul had already rebuked those who were sinning on his 2^nd trip… vs. 2-4
    • When he came this 3^rd time he would not be any gentler – he would not spare them…
      • There were still many who thought Paul was weak in person…
      • But he would give them their ‘proof’ that Jesus was speaking through him…
      • Jesus was also ‘weak’ – when He went to the cross to die for the sins of all men…
      • But it was the ‘weakness’ of the cross – the brought the ‘power’ of salvation!
      • Likewise Paul was gentile with the believers while he was away…
      • But when he came again – the hammer would fall – he would come in ‘power’!
    • Paul would not let those in the church continue to live in sin…
      • * Roman 6:1-2 – “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
      • God has given us the AMAZING gift of His grace – all of our sins forgiven in Jesus…
      • But that Grace is not a permit to live our life anyway we want – live in sin…
      • The Grace of God is the power ‘not to sin’ – free to live our life for Jesus!
      • Continuing in a lifestyle of sin – using ‘grace’ as an excuse – is abusing God’s gift!
      • Not talking about an occasional mistake – but a lifestyle of constant willful sin!
  • Therefore examine yourselves… vs. 5
    • Paul challenged the church to take a test…
      • Take a long hard look at their lives – and see if their faith was really genuine…
      • Our lives after we believe in Jesus should be different – changed…
      • * James 2:17-18 – “So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless…”
      • It is easy to say we have ‘faith’ in Jesus – but the proof is in our actions…
      • If we say we are Christians – but still live like the world – do we really have faith…
      • We can call ourselves Christians – but if we are continually sinning – are we…
      • That is not to say that as believers we never make mistakes…
      • But as believers – if we sin – there should be remorse – confession – repentance…
      • If there is no remorse – no repentance for sin – there is good reason for concern!
    • If you cannot tell that Jesus is among you – you failed the test…
      • If we are still acting like (or worse) than the world around us – where is Jesus…
      • If you are wondering where your walk with the Lord is – examine yourself…
      • Stand in the light of Christ and be honest about the sin in your life…
      • * I John 1:7 – “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
      • Do we live in willful sin – ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our lives…
      • Or are we forgiven by grace – not living for sin – but living our lives for Jesus!
• Paul hoped the church recognized – Paul had passed the test… vs. 6
  • The suggestion is the church was quick to judge Paul – point out his failures…
  • But they were not nearly as skilled at examining themselves…
  • It is often much easier to see the flaws in others – than our own mistakes…
  • We may even like to focus on others – in the hope no one will notice our flaws…
  • But we are only responsible for our own mistakes – flaws…
  • Rather than pointing out everyone else’s sin – we need to be honest about our own!
    
• 2^nd – Do what is good… vs. 7-10
  • Paul encouraged the church to do anything wrong… vs. 7
    • Not for Paul’s benefit – but for their benefit…
      • Paul had the full authority as an apostle to correct and admonish the church…
      • But if they did nothing wrong – there would be no reason to correct them…
• Do not let your freedom – bring you into bondage to sin…
  • I Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
  • In many areas in life we are not bound to any rules – we have freedom…
  • But though we have freedom – not everything we do is ‘good for us’…
  • In fact – anything that brings us under its ‘power’ – is not good for us…
  • Perhaps we enjoy an occasional drink – is that sin – not in of itself…
  • But the question is can we stop – who is in control – are we or the habit…
  • If we are not longer the ones in control of our ‘freedom’ – it is no longer good…
  • There might be something in your life that comes to mind right now…
  • Something you have been convicted of – wanted to stop – but not been able to…
  • If we want to stop – but cannot – then we are not longer in control of our lives…
  • We are have gotten caught up in the snare of sin – and need Jesus to set us free!
• The  best way to stay out of trouble – is not to do anything wrong…

We will examine ourselves – and find the peace of God filling our lives!

The best solution to sin – is to avoid it – avoid the temptation…

If you are tempted to have drink – if you think you will compromise – stay away!

Be accountable – don’t trust yourself – given the chance – you will likely sin!

If you find you are tempted – run away…

* II Timothy 2:22 – “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Don’t worry about what others think – don’t test your resolve – just get out…

It is not worth your reputation – it is not worth your pride – to risk falling into sin

We like to think we are strong – that we will make the right decisions…

It only takes one moment of weakness – to make a very poor choice…

Be wise – be smart – keep your guard up / and run when temptation comes!

Paul would gladly be ‘weak’ – if it meant the church would mature… vs. 8-10

It would be Paul’s joy – no to have to come in ‘power’ to correct the church…

Desired them to be ‘perfect’ (only here NT) – restored in their relationship to God!

Like any good father – Paul simply desired for the church to grow and mature…

II John 4 – “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

He did not want to have to come with a rod – to correct and discipline the saints…

No father likes to punish his children – it is the hardest part of being a dad…

I was a very ‘mischievous’ boy – I was always getting into some kind of trouble…

Which meant getting spanked by my father was almost a daily event…

He would always tell me – ‘this hurts me more than it hurts you’…

I never believed him – till I got older and then began to understand…

My dad hated punishing me – it tore him up to see me hurting…

But He loved me too much to let me get away with doing bad things!

But he was not willing to let them continue going the wrong way…

* Hebrews 12:5-8 – “You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD… For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives…’”

God loves us too much to let us get away with our sin – so He punishes us…

Not because He is angry – or mad at us – but because of His great love for us!

God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a pure and holy life

Like any child – we have a hard time believing it is for ‘our own good’…

But when we are ‘punished’ by the Lord – is proves we are His kids!

3^rd – Become coplete… vs. 11-14

Closing commands (Imperative) of Paul… vs. 11

Be complete – perfect in Christ…

Not that Paul thought the church would not have any more problems…

But he wanted them to move beyond their rebellious ‘teenage’ years…

Move on towards adulthood – maturity in their walk in Jesus…

When we first come to know the Lord – we are not going to understand much…

We are going to make a lot of mistakes – and struggle to overcome our sin…

But we should not stay that way – as we get into God’s Word – we should grow…

It is cute to bottle feed a young infant – no surprise when they mess their diapers 

But when a grown adult is still on the ‘bottle’ – still wearing diapers…

* Hebrews 5:12 – “You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead… you are like babies who drink only milk…”

As believers in Jesus we should by spending time in God’s Word…

Growing in the Lord to a place where we can begin to teach others about Jesus!

Be of good comfort – come along side one another to encourage each other in Jesus…

Do not just focus on your own walk with Jesus – strengthen your brother…

If we see someone struggling with sin – we are called to step in and help…

Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Be of one mind – bring unity to the church of God…

The church in Corinth had really struggled with unity – ‘I am of Paul / Apollos’…

Division causes the church to be ineffective for Jesus – keeps us from shining…

Rather than seeing the love of Jesus in us – the world sees us fighting each other…

Satan loves to cause division in the church – then we will not be able to fight him

When we are busy fighting ourselves – we are not fighting for a lost world!

Live in peace – and the God of peace will be with you…

The grace of Jesus / the Love of God / the communion of the Holy Spirit…

As we depend more on the grace of Jesus – the more we will mature in the Lord…

As we comfort others around us – we will overflow with the Love of God…

As we live in unity – we will experience a richer relationship with the Holy Spirit…