This exposition of 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Bapitst Church on Sunday evening, October 14, 2018.
Intro:
I wouldn’t normally encourage you to listen carefully to what a “fool” has to say. I know, some of you are thinking, “So, you don’t want us to pay attention to you.”
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I wouldn’t normally encourage you to listen to a man who labeled himself a fool but I have to make an exception for the apostle Paul who says he’s acting like a fool or sounding like a “mad man” due to his boasting of his personal life and experience. Paul is dealing with false teachers, faux apostles, disguised as servants of righteousness. These have infiltrated the church at Corinth boasting of great spiritual visions, ecstatic experiences and special anointings. These “super-apostles” have managed to gain standing in the church at Corinth. As the spiritual father of the church who is “jealous” for the church’s well being Paul goes on the offensive. A part of that offensive demands that he do a little boasting of his own. Before he does, he makes it very clear that judging yourself by yourself is of little value. In the end all that matters is that you have God’s approval. But because these super-apostles have gained standing through their made up exploits Paul reminds the folks in Corinth that he is the genuine article and thus has earned the right to be heard.
Our text this evening is part of that boasting section.
It is clear Paul did not like boasting about himself, he would much rather boast of the Lord.
But he does lay out for the church his credentials as an apostle.
Tonight we consider 2 Corinthians 11:16-33.
Text: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
I remind you that you must read 11:16-33 in light of 11:1-15.
Paul is addressing the unrepentant minority in the Corinthian church.
He specifically is deal with those he labeled, “False apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as servants of righteousness.”
Remember he also suggested they were like their father, Satan!
The gloves have officially come off.
As we work our way through this passage I want you to see that…
Thesis: An authentic gospel witness is both counterintuitive and countercultural.
This is a lesson in contrast. Paul is showing that there is a world of difference between they way he operates and the way of the false teachers. Remember these super-apostle claim to be working in the same way Paul does (11:12).
Paul is saying they are false but we are authentic. We are genuine. We genuinely, sincerely follow Christ, His teachings and His ways.
There are three characteristics or qualities reflected in an authentic gospel witness.
- An authentic gospel witness willingly runs the risk of being misunderstood. (11:16-21)
- An authentic gospel witness embraces weakness as validation of a god-honoring ministry. (11:22-30)
- An authentic gospel witness recognizes humility and weakness as its greatest strength. (11:31-33)
Conclusion:
The point is, as believers we must acknowledge and embrace our weakness. This has everything to do with the church and its mission.
Our pride seeks places of power and honor.
Our culture prizes the powerful and the positioned.
Thus an authentic gospel witness that willingly and enthusiastically embraces weakness is both counterintuitive and countercultural.
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