This is an exposition of 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 18, 2018.
Intro:
How do you respond to criticism? Is it something you find easy to deal with? What about when people say mean, hurtful and spiteful things about you?
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As children we said, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” We know that is a lie. Broken bones heal in a matter of weeks but words can wound for a lifetime. As a believer how am I to respond to criticism? Abraham Lincoln sent an important message to Edwin Stanton, his Secretary of War, at a crucial moment during the Civil War. The messenger returned and was obviously embarrassed. “Did you deliver my message” asked the president? “Yes, sir, I did.” “Well, what did Mr. Stanton say” required an impatient Lincoln. The messenger stared at the floor and final spoke with a timid voice, “Mr. Stanton tore up your message and said that you were a fool.” Lincoln paused, then replied, “Well, Mr. Stanton is usually right. If he called me a fool, I’d better look into the matter.”
The apostle Paul faced his share of criticism in his day. In our text, found in 2 Corinthians chapter 1 beginning at verse 12, he comes to deal with some of the accusations leveled against him by his Corinthian detractors. These critics have called into question the apostle’s integrity, they have questioned his motives and accused him of duplicity and deception. They say, “He’s no apostle and that he is only interested in lining his own pockets.” There are two common responses to criticism. One is to simply ignore it. You can treat it by saying, “I’ll not dignify that with a response.” The other response is aggression. You can lash out at your accusers with a few accusations of your own. Paul cannot afford to leave such questions unanswered for by attacking his integrity and motives they are discrediting his message. He cannot lash out - that would only seems to validate some of the accusations. Instead he must respond in a way that is firm, measured and seasoned with grace.
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Remember Paul’s history with this church.
- He founded the church while on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 18).
- He spent 18 months with them establishing the church.
- After leaving he received word about immorality within the church.
- He wrote a letter addressing the issues (a letter lost to the church) mentioned in 1 Cor. 5:9.
- While in Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey he wrote another letter responding to reports and addressing concerns - that second letter is our 1 Corinthians.
- Word reached Paul again about troubles in the church and he made a “painful visit” (2 Cor. 2:1).
- Trouble persisted and he wrote for a 3rd time.
- This was the “sorrowful letter” also lost to the church (2 Cor. 2:4).
- Finally Titus came with good news and he wrote a 4th letter - 2 Corinthians.
Churches likes families are messy. We don’t always get along and sometimes we fight and fuss.
It is clear from the 2 letters we do have, there was a great deal of love and affection between the apostle and the people of Corinth. At the same time there were real difficulties and struggles. We often have the mistaken idea that the early church was this pristine environment that became corrupt over time. No, there were problems from the beginning. The reason is simple. The church then, as now, was made up of people! People are rotten. We are in the process of being made holy we are not there yet. Heaven’s going to be great but it is a rocky road down here. As long as we are going to live together there will be problems.
The visible church, the church on earth is a mixed bag. There are true believers and there are false converts. The wheat and tares grow together. There are false teachers in the church today and there were false teachers in Paul’s day. There are legitimate disciplinary things in the church that must be addressed and there are false accusations driven by selfish motives and impure desires.
As we work our way through this text Paul provides us an example of how to respond to criticism. He reminds us that…
Thesis: Responding to criticism within the church demands firmness and truth tempered by love and grace.
Because the church is a covenanted community and because the church represents Christ and because the church is built upon the gospel we cannot just ignore accusations. As a church we must not entertain accusations without substantiation. There must be corroborating testimony or evidence. If it is discovered that accusations are true the offender(s) must be dealt with according to Scriptural standards. That would include how the accusations are handled, and how the matter is resolved. The goal, always within the church, is restoration. If an accusation is proven to be false those who brought the accusation must be dealt with and again the goal is the same, restoration.
In this text the focus is on how the accused it to respond.
There are three things to note.
- When responding to criticism it is imperative that believers be able to point to a clear conscience and genuine integrity. (1:12-14)
- When accused of inconsistency and conflicting messages believers must be able to demonstrate a consistent motivation and an unquestioned commitment to truth. (1:15-22)
- When accused of indifference and hostility believers must be able to articulate genuine love and concern for their accusers. (1:23-2:4)
Conclusion:
We live in a fallen world and we go to church with folks who are, as Luther put it, as the same time just and sinners. They are declared righteous in the sight of God by the inputed righteousness of Christ but are in the process of being made holy through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
So, things will be said. Accusations will be made - some of them innocently through misunderstanding, others purposefully with wicked intent. How are we to respond? We are to respond with firmness and truth tempered by love and grace.
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