These are my notes from this last session.
Paul's most personal letter is 2 Corinthians. The Corinthians were the "problem child" that Paul loved. They were not his easiest church or the most obedient. Kelly highlights some relational nuggets for us in session 8.
2 Corinthians 12:14-15
"Look, I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for you."
Paul is not after the Corinthians possessions but after them.
Sometimes in our own relationships, we are after what they can do for us. What would relationships look like if we wanted just them? No mixed motives. Paul didn't care to seek what belonged to them.
We want to desire people, not what they have or what they can do for us.
In verse 15, he said he will "gladly spend" and second "be spent" - give what he has and give who he is.
Sometimes it's easier to give what we have than to give who we are. How would this change our relationships to be expended for others?
Key phrase in verses 19-21 is "everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening." How often are we actually looking to strengthen other people in our life?
Kelly mentiones three fears that Paul had about visiting Corinth:
- He was concerned that he and the Corinthians would be a disappointment to each other
- He would find them in divisive relationships
- They wouldn't be repentant
Paul came into this with great humility but also with great strength which is found in 2 Corinthians 13:1-2:
"This is the third time I am coming to you. Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest; if I come again, I will not be lenient."
Paul says here he is going to establish everything in the presence of two or three witnesses (from OT practice). Meaning: he's not going to assume or jump to any conclusions in this confrontation.
- It's important to not jump to conclusions
- Inviting other people into the process protects us from rash judgments
The third point about Paul's confrontation seems a bit harsh. Look at 2 Corinthians 1:13:
"I call on God as a witness, on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth."
- If he comes again, he will not spare them, if the disobedience is still going on
- Timing is important when it comes to confrontation.
- As a leader, Paul was taking action when he needed to take action
- A wise person doesn't act too hastily but will act when needed
2 Corinthians 13:7-10
"But we pray to God that you do nothing wrong - not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail. For we can't do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature. This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down."
Basically, Paul is saying he wants them to pass the test, to shine in their obedience to Christ even if it looks like somehow Paul has failed.
Paul cares more about the Corinthians than he does his own reputation. Huge! What would ministry look like if we did this?
Paul rejoiced when he was weak and they were strong.
Spiritual authority is always given by God for others - to build up and not tear down.
2 Corinthians 13:5
"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless you fail the test."
Paul asked "are you really in Jesus Christ?" What does it mean to test? - to determine the nature of something; to examine something to determine its genuiness.
Paul is asking them to sincerely look at their life and make sure they are in Jesus. Make sure they are His.
Why would Paul need to ask this question?
Maybe because of so much sin in Corinth. So much devisive motives and disobedience. A few things to ask ourselves:
- Do you care about the things of the Lord?
- Do you want to please Him?
- Does sin bother you?
- Do you feel the Holy Spirit's tug in certain situations?
- Am I trusting solely in Jesus Christ as my Savior?
- Do I live for my own passions and desires?
- Do I have a desire for the things of God?
2 Corinthians 6:1-2
"Working together with him, we also appeal to you, "don't receive the grace of God in vain." For he says: at the acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation?"
- Now is the day of salvation
- Now is the time of God's favor
2 Corinthians 3:16
"But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed."
The end of my notes for sessions 1-8
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