A Pastor's Heart (2 Corinthians 12:11-21)
Rev. William L. Barron, March 7, 2021Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Paul is pointing out his pastor's heart for other people in contrast to his "super apostle" critics, who are really false teachers. Paul boasts about what God has done through him, that the gospel may go forth. Paul is filling the role of a parent to the Corinthian church. The people should have stood up for Paul, recognizing Paul's signs and wonders pointing to Christ, and should have rejected the false teachers. What is the witness of our own salvation? The fruits of grace in salvation that we show to a watching world. Daniel is another model to us; no fault could be attributed to him. The false teachers were attempting to spite Paul, to take his place. We don't rely on signs and miracles themselves. We lean on the means of grace. We are not to grow drowsy in the sunshine. Difficulties enable God to work with us. When did the church grow? When it was devoted to the word of God. The word of God with the Holy Spirit cause us to care sincerely for one another. Do we want to really care? We should get to know each other, working diligently at it.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « God's 'No' Is Always Positive | None | The Magisterial Grace Of Election » |
2 Corinthians 12:11–21 (Listen)
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
(ESV)