September 10, 2023

Personal Integrity

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:9-16, Isaiah 6:1-8
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Introduction

Have you known people who have gone through deep trauma

It might be difficult for them to trust
When trust has broken down – people are often broken inside
When people see your genuineness and sincerity – they can learn to trust
Our lives must match what we say

Looking at 2 Cor 5:11-6

Paul was a man of absolute integrity

People were trying to undermine his integrity

Paul is seeking to present himself before the Corinthians

Well known to God and their conscience
Not boasting in appearance

Defending his integrity for the sake of the gospel

2 Cor 4:2 – not hidden, not crafty, not deceitful; but speaking the truth
2 Cor 10:10-11 – Paul may not be eloquent but preaches in the power of the Holy Spirit

Paul was facing a lot of personal criticism

2 Cor 1:12-13 – he had a good conscience (informed by the word of God)

Paul’s motivation – the fear of living God

v9-10

There will be a judgment
Knowing the "terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (v11)

Often translated as "fear" as there was only one word in Greek for fear

We often talk about fear that arises from sin
Do we fear God?

Persuading men

His role was to share the gospel
He was seeking to persuade men that he was true and of integrity

How does the fear of God persuade us?

Paul’s integrity – before God and men

Paul has a good conscience before others

What about our consciences?
Paul was well known to God and to others

Paul wants us to be open books

Paul’s appeal – for their loyality and support

v12 – their hope was the Corinthians would stand with them

Speak a word for them

We can be hurt the most when fellow Christians do not stand up for us
When pastors are maligned and friends/colleagues do not stand up

We do need to be open to criticism and examine ourselves

We need to learn to love people who criticise us

We need to stand up for those who are unjustly criticised

Apologise if not

Paul was robust 1 Cor 4:3-5 [starting at v4]

What great maturity
We often take things to heart and can become bitter
Quote from Spurgeon – one blind eye and one deaf ear

Paul needs the Corinthians support and loyality

Paul’s conduct – a time to be radical and sober-minded

v13 – at times Paul seems to be out of his mind, too radical

Example of the Prophet Agabus

The disciples tried to dissuade Paul from going to Jerusalem
Yet he went – he might have seemed to be out of his mind – but it was God’s will

Example of Pauline Hamiliton
Mark 3:20-21 – people said Jesus was out of His mind

Being of sound mind

Wise, rational, discrete
Not going off doing crazy things

Paul conducts himself for God and the Corinthians

We should do things for God and others
We must not do things for ourselves
Example of Josh Wallis

Paul’s motivation – the love of Christ

v14-15

Our motivation in living for others – the love of Christ
The Lord Jesus has died for us

This love fills our heart
This love constrains us to pray and love others
The love of Jesus should enable us to help others, please God and share the gospel

May it be the love of Christ motivating us
Example of Henry Martin

Paul’s perspective – seeing as God sees

v16

We are new creations
We have a new perspective

We no longer treat people according to the flesh – examples
We love as Christ does
We remember that ‘without the grace of God go I’

We no longer see Christ in His humanity but as resurrected King

So we see others differently
We see Christ in each other
We put off the old man/nature and put on Christ

Closing Remarks/Recap

Paul’s motivation (the fear of God)
Paul’s integrity
Paul’s appeal
Paul’s conduct
Paul’s motivation (the love of Christ)
Paul’s new perspective
Lord, help us to be people of integrity