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BIG IDEA:

SPIRITUAL LEADERS EXERCISE THEIR GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOVING EDIFICATION (INCLUDING DISCIPLINE WHEN NECESSARY)

(Preparations for Paul’s Third Visit to the Corinthian Believers)

INTRODUCTION:

Deffinbaugh: “Paul’s closing argument”

I. (12:14-18) SPIRITUAL LEADERS EXERCISE THEIR GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY FROM PURE MOTIVES

MOTIVE OF LOVE VS. EXPLOITATION

A. (:14-15) Demonstrated Commitment of Love

1. Commitment to Visit Them Personally and Repeatedly

“Here for this third time I am ready to come to you”

2. Commitment to Not Sponge off Them

“and I will not be a burden to you”

3. Commitment to Seek Intimacy with Them

“for I do not seek what is yours, but you”

4. Commitment to Provide for Them

“for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls.”

5. Continued Sarcasm to Press Home His Commitment of Love

“If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less?”

B. (:16-17) No Possible Charge of Exploitation

“But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?”

C. (:18) Consistency of Motive and Conduct Among Paul’s Fellow Workers

“I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk I the same steps?”

II. (12:19-21) SPIRITUAL LEADERS EXERCISE THEIR GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY FOR PASTORAL PURPOSES

PURPOSE OF EDIFICATION AND CORRECTION NOT PROMOTING SELF

A. (:19) Purpose of Edification Not Promoting Self

“All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.”

B. (:20-21) Anticipation of Need for Further Correction / Repentance

“For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.”

III. (13:1-10) SPIRITUAL LEADERS EXERCISE THEIR GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY THROUGH SEVERE DISCIPLINE WHEN NECESSARY

A. (:1) Context = Anticipation of Third Visit

“This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Reference to Deut. 19:15

B. (:2-4) Loaded for Bear

1. (:2) Last Chance to Repent

“I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone.”

2. (:3-4) Power of God on Tap Through Union with Christ

“since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.”

C. (:5-6) Self Examination

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you – unless indeed you fail the test?”

Deffinbaugh: It is assumed that some members who profess to be born again believers are not. It is apparent that some in the Corinthian church are actually regarded as having apostolic authority, and yet Paul’s words describe them in such a way that we must wonder if they are even saved (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). Elsewhere, the apostles make it even clearer that there are those in the church who profess salvation but do not possess it (see 2 Timothy 3:1-9; James 1:19–2:26; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 2:18-19; 2 John 6-11; Jude 17-19). As far as outward appearances are concerned, the difference between a disobedient Christian and a professing unbeliever may be very slight.

D. (:7-9) Concern for Their Spiritual Maturity

“Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we should appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.”

Gromacki: In the long run, truth will win. Paul spoke the truth. He lived “for the truth.” He wanted the church to recognize truth and to stand for it regardless of the opinions of others. He knew that God would vindicate the spiritually minded believers and himself.

D. (:10) Summary

“For this reason I am writing these things while absent, in order that when present I may not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me, for building up and not for tearing down.”

(13:11-14) FINAL CHARGE / GREETING / BENEDICTION

A. (:11) Final Charge

1. Finality of the Charge

“Finally, brethren”

2. Five Imperatives for Spiritual Maturity

a. “rejoice”

b. “be made complete”

c. “be comforted”

d. “be like-minded”

e. “live in peace”

3. Faithful Blessing

“and the God of love and peace shall be with you”

B. (:12-13) Final Greeting

1. Directed to the Corinthians

“Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

2. Delivered to the Corinthians

“All the saints greet you.”

C. (:14) Final Benediction

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”

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PREACHING CHRIST:

1) Do ministers of the gospel today have Christ speaking through them in the same sense that Paul refers to Christ speaking through him?

2) What does it mean that “Jesus Christ is in” all genuine believers? What type of test is there to see if we are in the faith?

3) How does Christ make Himself mighty and powerful in your life?

4) Do we seek the ultimate blessing of “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” upon all our brothers and sisters in Christ?