October 8, 2023

Marks of a True Apostle

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Series:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 2 Cor 6:3-10, 11:22-30
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Introduction

The apostle Paul was a man who lived with burden

For people and the Church of Jesus Christ – particularly the Corinthian Church
He was much encouraged in 2 Corinthians

Titus has encouraged him of their repentance (2 Cor 7)

There was much to encourage but also discourage him

Some were turning away from the gospel

6:1 – he pleads with people not to turn away

Do we see this today?

6:2 – now is the day of salvation

You have to deal with God now
Continue on in your faith

6:3 – Paul gives an example of how he has lived

He has not given up despite such tribulation
He calls others to follow his example
The best gift we can give to others – our godliness and holiness
The darker the days – the brighter the light will shine
When the church is growing – there is opposition

A great aggravation – false apostles coming into the church

Paul counters these false apostles by showing what it meant to be a true apostle

v3-7 – the marks of the true apostle
He knew the power of God
He was pure in motive

This passage is relevant today

We should not seek to give any offence
We should ask God for help to persevere
We should put on the positive virtues in Christ

A Pattern of Good Behaviour – that protected the ministry (v3)

We give no offence (or "stumbling block")

Total integrity
Total purity
Examples
Sensitive to those of different cultural background – 1 Cor 9
Careful not to offend in secondary issues

The gospel may cause offence

Because the Jews could not consider the Messiah would die on a cross

Paul sought to please God

He did not seek to displease others

It does not mean that you cannot take positions

Example of Believer’s Baptism

No bad behaviour that causes others to stumble

Bad Examples
We must be serious in our actions

Good behaviour

Paul was willing to forgo his salary – 1 Cor 9:12
Paul was willing to forgo certain foods – 1 Cor 8:13
Paul did not want the message to be hindered

Paul gave a pattern of good behaviour

Perseverance in Suffering (v4-5)

Paul is commending himself – he has known much endurance in tribulation

2 Cor 11:22-30
We can only endure by God’s grace
Matt 5:11-12

Tribulations – great "pressure"

The weight of the other churches
Physically
Being abandoned
Unjustly criticised
Seeing churches moving away from the gospel

Needs

We are often thankful for God’s providence (when things go right)
Are we thankful for God’s providence when things go wrong?

Things often went wrong for Paul – he was not outside the will of God
In can be God’s will for you – to purify and sanctify you

Distresses – "restrictions/squeezed in"

Paul spent at least 5 years in prison
Example of John Bunyan
Example of infirmity

Stripes

A terrible thing
But nothing compared to what Jesus experienced
Phil 1 – being imprisoned embolden other Christians

Imprisonments

Philippi, Rome, Caesera

Tumults

Damascas, Jerusalem, Antioch, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, Ephesus
This must have been very frightening

But God never left him

2 Cor 4:8-10
We ought not to fear perscution

Labours

He did not have a wife
He chose a trade so he was not a burden to the churches
Tiring to be a tent maker and a preacher of the gospel

Sleeplessness

Why was this?
His wounds, counselling, prayer?

Fastings

Utterly dedicated to the cause of Christ

How much are we willing to Sacrifice for the Lord?

Examples
Do we live a self-sacrifical life?

Positive Godliness (v6-7)

Purity

A man of moral integrity and purity

1 Cor 9
He was disciplined
He knew his body was a temple of the Holy Spirit

Pure in motive

Not deceitful
Keeping his word
Honest

Knowledge

Yes he had special revelation
He prayed, thought and studied
Those things he said to Timothy – he did also
2 Cor 11:5-6

Longsuffering

He bore long with others – even though who were irritating, provoking or trying
He had gracious tolerance
We need to ask God for patience

Kindness

Another fruit of the Holy Spirit
An evidence of the love of God in your heart
Thoughtful
Doing things in word and deed

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was working in his live
The false apostles did not have the Holy Spirit – they could never be godly

Sincere Love / the Word of Truth / the power of God / the armour of righteousness
Paul shows his godliness comes from God – not of him

Closing Remarks

Recaps
What is your response?

Lord help me
Lord teach me
Lord enable me to stand

Do not turn back – preserve until the end