PAUL'S CREDENTIALS (1)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) One of Paul's biggest problem with the church in Corinth was his concern that they viewed him as no more than a blustering preacher; thus, they were not taking seriously his advice in his letters and on his visits. Paul addressed this attitude in the letter of 2 Corinthians, pointing out his credentials as an apostle of Christ and why the Corinthians should take his advice.
b) Let's look at Paul's credentials below.
1. Commissioned by God.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:1, 21; 4:1
i) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia. (2 Corinthians 1:1 NKJV)
ii) 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God. (2 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV)
iii) Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV)
2. Spoke truthfully.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:18; 4:2
i) 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. (2 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV)
ii) 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. (2 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV)
3. Acted in simplicity, godly sincerity, and dependence on God alone in his dealings with them.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:12
i) 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 Corinthians 1:12 NKJV)
4. Was straightforward and sincere in his letters.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:13-14
i) 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:13-14 NKJV)
5. Had God's Holy Spirit.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:22
i) 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:22 NKJV)
6. Loved the Corinthian believers.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 2:4; 6:11; 11:11
i) 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. (2 Corinthians 2:4 NKJV)
ii) 11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. (2 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV)
iii) 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! (2 Corinthians 11:11 NKJV)
7. Spoke with sincerity and Christ's power.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 2:17
i) 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17 NKJV)
The End ...
0. Introductiona) One of Paul's biggest problem with the church in Corinth was his concern that they viewed him as no more than a blustering preacher; thus, they were not taking seriously his advice in his letters and on his visits. Paul addressed this attitude in the letter of 2 Corinthians, pointing out his credentials as an apostle of Christ and why the Corinthians should take his advice.
b) Let's look at Paul's credentials below.
1. Commissioned by God.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:1, 21; 4:1
i) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia. (2 Corinthians 1:1 NKJV)
ii) 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God. (2 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV)
iii) Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV)
2. Spoke truthfully.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:18; 4:2
i) 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. (2 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV)
ii) 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. (2 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV)
3. Acted in simplicity, godly sincerity, and dependence on God alone in his dealings with them.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:12
i) 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 Corinthians 1:12 NKJV)
4. Was straightforward and sincere in his letters.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:13-14
i) 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:13-14 NKJV)
5. Had God's Holy Spirit.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 1:22
i) 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:22 NKJV)
6. Loved the Corinthian believers.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 2:4; 6:11; 11:11
i) 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. (2 Corinthians 2:4 NKJV)
ii) 11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. (2 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV)
iii) 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! (2 Corinthians 11:11 NKJV)
7. Spoke with sincerity and Christ's power.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 2:17
i) 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17 NKJV)
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