Paul writes about his true purpose in ministry and what it cost him personally. Can you identify with him.
2 Corinthians 11: Paul and the False Apostles
1 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!
2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?
8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.
9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Paul's Sufferings as an Apostle
16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not with the Lord's authority but as a fool.
18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.
19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!
20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.
21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of---I am speaking as a fool---I also dare to boast of that.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one---I am talking like a madman---with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;
27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me,
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
Things to think about…
1. Money and its use within the church has always been a point of contention. Paul explains in 2Cor 11:1-15 that he preached to the Corinthians free of charge. Not for free however, the Macedonian churches supplied his need, vs 9. Some had tried to undermine Paul’s authority and message, vs 12. The church had been deceived by false preachers and wicked men who had fleeced the sheep. Paul says they, like Satan, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, vs 15. They are also a blight in the modern church. Christians should support ministries that have an open system of accountability. If ministers are not open with you they not open before the Lord with themselves. Paul tells his readers to imitate him as he follows Christ.
2. Paul says to the Corinthians that they were tolerating fools, 2Cor 11:19. He gives them a back handed retort by saying “being wise yourselves!: - this is Pauline sarcasm. Paul says if it is about boasting then he asks them to compare brag sheets, vss 22-20. True Christianity will bear the resemblance of Christ. If you have not suffered for your faith by unbelievers then your witness is clearly not apparent enough to warrant it.
3. Paul lists out his pedigree as an Israelite and an Apostle in 2Cor 11:22-33. His list clearly shows a life and a testimony of Christian service and sacrifice. What does our list look like and what will it look like at the end of our days here on earth? May it be from this day forward we honour Christ with all our heart, mind, soul and strength
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups on break.
Prayer Points
1. Planning for this year’s preaching topics and roster.
2. Those returning from holidays.
3. Victorian parliament discussing gay conversion therapy, antichristian bill next month.
3. America. Pray for truth, grace and peace. Especially the next 2 weeks.
4. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
5. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
6. The 2 positions:- Youth and Young Adults Coordinator and Children’s Coordinator we are recruiting for in 2021.
Praise Points.
1. Able to stream with the lockdown. Thanks Rin
2. First Café roof drawings have been completed.
3. All those who served in 2020 – Especially Dan Anderson, Helen and Steve Hawkins , Angelo, Rod and muso’s, Murray Aitchison, Yuki and many, many others. Thankyou. The elders and their families have been a great support to me this last year.
4. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
5. Visitors over the holiday period.
Announcements
1. Must wear a mask to church and during church service this Sunday morning.
2. Please consider signing the petition to continue prayer in Qld parliament so that we stem the tide of influences that are currently overtaking the Victorian Parliament. Petition link here - https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/.../petition-details...
3. Seeking Youth and Young Adults Coordinator – 2 days per week as well as a Children’s ministry Coordinator – 1 day per week.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
