THE POWERFUL CHRISTIAN

March 3, 2020 (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

Reading to the hearer: 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Apostolic Authority not Fleshly but Spiritual

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

Paul’s Personal Presence not Imposing

2     But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

The Apostles’ Spiritual Weapons

3     For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4     (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5     Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

6     And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

7     Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

8     For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

The Attempt to Belittle the Apostle

9     That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

10     For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

11     Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

Human Measurements Faulty

12     For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13     But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

Paul’s Missionary Zeal

14     For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

15     Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

16     To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.

17     But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

18     For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”

Apostolic Authority not Fleshly but Spiritual

1. THE POWER—vv. 1–6
2. Plea—v. 1. Paul pleas with the people in love and kindness to live according to God’s Word.

Paul’s Personal Presence not Imposing

2. Problems—v. 2. Some thought Paul’s preaching was his own opinions and ideas. No doubt they didn’t want to keep it, so they reject it!

The Apostles’ Spiritual Weapons

3. Preaching—v. 3. Preaching in demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Power—vv. 4–6. Paul used these weapons of the Spirit to destroy the power of Satan and sin.
5. THE PERSON—vv. 7–12
6. Power—v. 7. People looked on Paul’s outward appearance. It was God in him, which helped him to be a success in God’s work.

The Attempt to Belittle the Apostle

2. Plea—vv. 8–9. Paul tells the people he is not angry, but wants to help the people.
3. Problem—v. 10. Some people didn’t like Paul’s way of giving God’s Word, so they oppose him.
4. Personal—v. 11. Paul’s presence would be just as hard as his written words.

Human Measurements Faulty

5. Personality—v. 12. Paul would not speak of himself. The results would speak for themselves.

III.   THE PLAN—vv. 13–18

1. Plan—v. 13. It was God’s plan that Paul would be there with the people.

Paul’s Missionary Zeal

2. Power—v. 14. Paul’s authority came from God.
3. Purpose—v. 15. Paul wanted to help people, and see them grow in the Lord.
4. Preaching—v. 16. Later, Paul would preach in other cities the gospel of Christ.
5. Praise—vv. 17–18. Boast in what Christ has done.

    IV.   Three Amen from Romans chapter 16:

16:20 – Paul predicts victory for believers when the God of peace soon will crush Satan.

16:24 – Paul makes a prayerful pronouncement.  He summons “the grace of our Lord Jesus to be with you.

16:27 – Glory in God’s ability.