Sermons

We have seen criticism of Paul by so-called "super apostles," who were, in truth, false teachers. Paul had great assurance of his true apostleship. Paul called upon these false teachers to examine themselves in the assurance of their own salvation, after the measure of 1 John. Second, he exhorted them to test if they displayed the righteousness of life. Third, they should pass the test of love of the brethren. Regarding these fruits of saving grace, we depend wholly on God, realizing that He will demand change in our lives. Paul asks of these teachers, "Where did your faith come from?" His answer is that it came through Paul's ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of the criticism against Paul was for his perceived weakness. Paul countered that Jesus seemed to be weak, cursed, shameful, executed in a way reserved for the worst offenders. Yet, He was resurrected to show the power of God. From this comes a warning to us: do not become like the world. We must not receive truth based on a personality, or we will fall away. Worship is not showtime; it must be focused on God. Worship is not about us. So, what should the church look like? It must be built on the truth, the Word of God, and the rock of faith in Jesus Christ. It must display true fellowship, rejoicing, comforting and humble. It must live in peace, with unity of spirit and rejecting false teaching. It must be marked by greeting--stated four times as aa mark of familial care within a broader family.