Our Daily Scripture – 7/2/22

SCRIPTURE:  2 CORINTHIANS 11

BIBLE VERSES:

“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.   I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. ” (2 Corinthians 11:4-6)

“ Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?   I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.  And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.” (2 Corinthians 11:7-9)

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Corinthians  11:14-15)

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:30)

PAUL AND THE FALSE APOSTLES (vs. 1-15)

Some false teachers were trying to seduce the church from devotion to Christ.  Paul waited to protect it by warning them not to receive a different Jesus, a different spirit or a different gospel that he preached.  He also stated his right to receive financial support at Corinth but he laid it aside and sacrificed for them, in love.

PAUL BOASTS ABOUT HIS SUFFERINGS (vs. 16-33)

False teachers bragged about their accomplishment and triumphs but Paul boasted about his trials.

SUFFERINGS ENDURED BY PAUL

  1. He was being imprisoned.
  2. He was being flogged severely.
  3. He was exposed to death.
  4. He received lashes from the Jews.
  5. He was beaten with rods.
  6. He was stoned.
  7. He encountered shipwrecked.
  8. He spent a night and a day in the open sea.
  9. He was in danger from rivets, from bandits, from his own country men, from Gentiles, from fase brothers in the city, in the country, and at sea.
  10. He labored and toiled and often gone without sleep.
  11. He had labored and toiled and had often gone without sleep.
  12. He had known hunger and thirst and had often gone without food.
  13. He had bee ncold and naked.
  14. He faced daily the pressure of his concern for all the churches.
  15. He was almost arrested by King Aretas in the city of Damascenes.

THOUGHTS:

  1.  Paul compared the local church to a bride as the church is called the bride of Christ.  Paul wanted to keep the church pure , free from false doctrine and worldly living.  That was why Paul said: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy”.  It is important that the church stay true to the Word of God.  We cannot serve God and mammon.  Therefore, our devotion to Christ must be pure and simple.  Our love should be for Christ alone.
  2. The false teachers are eloquent speakers with smooth talk and sound messages.  However, they distort the truth about Jesus and preach another Jesus, a different spirit and salvation.  The Bible should be our authoritative guide.  Any preacher who contradicts God’s word is a servant of Satan.
  3. Because  Paul did not ask any fee for his preaching, the Corinthian believers thought that he was amature with little authority or competence.  We must not presumed that preachers who demands a large honorarium is superior at teaching God’s Word.
  4. Paul sacrificed himself by going to any places so that the Gospel could be preached to the lost souls.  Other preachers boast about their strength and converts, but Paul attested his weakness and infirmities.  Likewise, every pastor and church member ought to have the unselfish and generous attitude of Paul towards the church.  We should be willing to sacrifice for church growth and for the glory of God.