PAUL'S CREDENTIALS (2)
(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. Worked among them and changed their lives.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
i) 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NKJV)
2. Lived as an example to the believers.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 3:4; 12:6
i) 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. (2 Corinthians 3:4 NKJV)
ii) 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. (2 Corinthians 12:6 NKJV)
3. Did not lose heart.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:1, 16
i) Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV)
ii) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV)
4. Taught the Bible with integrity.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:2
i) 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)
5. Had Christ as the center of his message.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:5
i) 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV)
6. Endured persecution as he taught the Good News.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; 6:4-5, 9-10
i) 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12 NKJV)
ii) 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings. (2 Corinthians 6:4-5 NKJV)
iii) 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV)
7. Was Christ's ambassador, called to tell the Good News.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
i) 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 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. Worked among them and changed their lives.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
i) 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NKJV)
2. Lived as an example to the believers.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 3:4; 12:6
i) 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. (2 Corinthians 3:4 NKJV)
ii) 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. (2 Corinthians 12:6 NKJV)
3. Did not lose heart.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:1, 16
i) Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV)
ii) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV)
4. Taught the Bible with integrity.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:2
i) 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)
5. Had Christ as the center of his message.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:5
i) 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV)
6. Endured persecution as he taught the Good News.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; 6:4-5, 9-10
i) 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12 NKJV)
ii) 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings. (2 Corinthians 6:4-5 NKJV)
iii) 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV)
7. Was Christ's ambassador, called to tell the Good News.
a) Text references: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
i) 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NKJV)
The End ...
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