Combatting Complacency in the Church
Introduction
Looking at v11-21
Last week – considering the theme of ‘needing to be made weak’
We must depend on God and not ourselves
This week – learning from a complacent church
It is a problem to sit back and let things happen
To let ‘slick’ preachers come in
The Church had made some progress
They had known godly sorry (2 Cor 7), repentance, zeal
Titus had brought a good report to Paul
Still, there was some complacency
There is great danger when the church is complacent
We excuse sin
We lose spiritual discernment
The sins of the flesh can take over
v20
Paul is burdened that the church will continue repentance and the uncleanness will stop (v21)
Background of Corinth – ‘to Corinthianise’
To confine our thoughts from the passage
We must support and love Godly leadership
Paul was first with them for 18m
There was a second visit
He wanted a third visit
So called super-apostles had come in – who were running down Paul
Examples
People started to believe them
Nobody seemed to stand up for him
Paul defends himself
2 Cor 1:12 – " For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you."
2 Cor 3:1 – "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?"
2 Cor 4:2 – "But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God."
v11 – "I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you"
There are problems in churches when there are attacks on the pastor/leadership
Example of Spurgeon
They did not remember that Paul was their ‘father in the faith’
They did not remember that Paul loved and preached to all
1 Thess 5:12-13 "And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves."
It is not nice to be admonished – by God’s word
Ignore gossip unless 2 or 3 witnesses
Do not be taken in by all that appears attractive
The Corinthians were beguiled by charismatic people / showbiz performers
Paul did not think highly of himself (yet he was a true apostle)
v12 – he was a true apostle
He had seen the risen Christ
They were foundational
There are no longer Apostles today
He had been given power to work wondrous miracles and signs (like the other apostles) – examples
It is not about glitz and glamour
Example
It is the regular preaching of the word of God
Imitate what is good
Paul gave the Corinthians a good pattern to follow
Selfless Service (v13-15)
The Corinthians felt inferior to others as they were not charged!
Yet Paul did not want to burden them
A true minister of Jesus Christ does not want to burden the Church
1 Cor 9 – he speaks without charge
Parents ought to support their children – Paul was their spiritual father
Paul is glad to be spent for the Corinthians
What is our motive for serving?
Not for our own benefit
Paul served the Corinthians – even though there was ingratitude
He did not burden them (v16)
To be honest (v16-18)
2 Cor 8:6 – people thought they were after money
Paul did not take advantage of them
Titus did not take advantage of them
Paul appeals to their conscience
Careful use of speech
Not making up excuses
Speaking before God in Christ
The Corinthians are ‘beloved’
By not giving way to sin (v20-21)
Fleshly/carnal sin – v20
Paul has seen this previously in the Church in Corinth (1 Cor)
Paul is warning against these things taking root
Paul does not want to be humbled – v21
To come in tears rather than joy
2 Peter 2:22
Closing Remarks
Reading Gal 5:19-25
We live in a world of tremendous temptation
We must say no
Put off the flesh and put on Christ
Walk in the Spirit