Confronting Deception in the Church
Introduction
Previously looking at 2 Corinthians and took a break
We last looked at 11:2 in a Communion Service
Then looking at Marriage and the Family
Now returning to 2 Corinthians
Paul had tremendous love for God’s people
Many would have walked away from the Corinthian church
He was a true under-shepherd
Jesus was the ultimate/true Shepherd
Paul’s first visit for 18 months
A tremendous promise – the salvation of "much people"
Despite opposition he continued to minister (free of charge)
He did all he did to relieve them of burdens
Through the passage of time, infiltrators had come into the church
Paul begins to counteract these false teachers
He begins confronting deception in the Church
His first letter was a corrective letter
His second letter was severe but is missing from Scripture – the people had repented of their sins but they were still under danger
Are we alert to such dangers?
Overview
Paul’s concern for the church (v1-4)
Paul unmasking false apostles (v5-15)
Paul’s concern for the church (v1-4)
Is often not overcome by logical reason/argument
There needs to be much prayer
Paul is very impassioned (v2)
He fears for the people (v3)
He is worried they may put up with false teaching (v4)
He is seeking to wake up the Corinthians
Paul says the behaviour of the Corinthians (10:18) in comparing preachers is folly
He has to come down to their level (v1)
He needs to counteract what they are saying
He needs to remind them he worked for free
He need to remind them of his credentials – weakness and suffering
Godly jealously (v2)
As the church planter – he feels a responsibility towards them
He does not want them to be corrupted or polluted
He wants to see the church presented as a perfect bride
Example
He says things delicately but boldly
He is very clear (v13)
Possible deception (v3)
Satan twisted God’s word and deceived Eve
False teachers seek to deceive and twist God’s word – examples
There is simplicity in Christ – in faith
We must not go off on tangents
The gospel of Christ must be our focus
These deceivers are over complicating things
Things are not to be added to the truth of the gospel
Paul has a deep concern for the Corinthians
We must have a deep concern for the truth of the gospel of Christ – faith in Christ alone
Works are fruits of faith
We must not mix up law and grace
Be careful with those who add and take away from the gospel
Those who tone down sin
We must hold to the whole counsel of God
We must pray for pastors, preachers, evangelists and elders
We must pray for each other
Paul unmasking false apostles (v5-15)
He does this by first speaking about himself – light exposes darkness
He is not inferior (v5)
He is not double minded
He is not untrained (v6)
He is not trained in speech but is in knowledge
The truth of his situation was evidence amongst them
Paul’s epistles are weighty
An example of self-sacrificial service (v7-10)
Paul never took any renumeration during church planting (only once established)
He was prepared to work with his own hands – a menial job
He did not want to be a burden in any way
Other churches trusted so much in Paul – they sent him financial gifts
Why should the Corinthians distrust him?
They should be thanking him for his self-sacrifice
A false idea that a free message has no value, that avoiding payments means he wants no attachment to them
Paul did it for love (v11)
Application:
How much do we love the Church of Jesus Christ?
The danger of listening to Evangelical gossip
We need to test all things
He begins to speak about the false teachers (v12ff)
He does not want them to have opportunity
He is clear – they are false teachers
Jesus said ‘do not be deceived’, ‘beware of false prophets’
Example of the fruits of false teachers – Jude, 2 Peter
They are not apostles – they are false
They are workers – but deceitful
They come across as light – but they are darkness
Never has there been a time when Christians could be more deceived
We must be careful what we hear and read
They come across as ministers of righteousness but are ministers of unrighteousness
We are to be ministers of Christ
We must not move from the primary issues – though we may disagree over secondary issues
We must preserve gospel truth
We must talk about concerns and have balance
Closing:
Reading 1 John 2:18-21
We know the truth – let us stick to it