Marks of a True Apostle

October 8, 2023

Preacher: Andrew Love

Series: 2 Corinthians

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

Service Type: Sunday Evening

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

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

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?

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