"For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! 20 In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits you in the face. 21 I say this to our shame: We have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I.
Are they Israelites? So am I.
Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. 24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea.
26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.
28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows I am not lying. 32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, 33 so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands."
Have you ever felt as though no one understands the challenges you go through? Are you experiencing challenges in serving Christ? Do you serve Christ so that all will go well with you here and now? Has it been easy for you serving Christ? Well, ease in Zion was certainly not the Apostle Paul's experience. He faced many challenges, experiencing difficulty after difficulty, but he learned to count the testing of his faith as a joy. How? Because through all he experienced, it provided strengthening, closeness and the comfort of Christ, whom he served.
Good Morning Beloved,
Thank you all for joining us today
Let us pray..
Heavenly Father,
thank You for the insight You have blessed us with today, into this amazing and incredible man, disciple and teacher, the apostle Paul. What an example he is for us. And we feel as though any suffering we face, is so small, as he suffered so much. But he found in it so much joy, because of what you were accomplishing through him. Because he thought nothing of himself, he literally gave himself away, enduring whatever persecutions came, because he cared more about the truth and about Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Father, we just pray, that You would give us that same Spirit of courage, those convictions while we speak the truth to others, in love and compassion. And may we speak it, as Paul did, unequivocally, uncompromisingly, no matter the cost to us. We ask that You would keep us faithful, O' Lord as You grant us great opportunities, also give us some joy, along with the difficulties. As our ultimate reward, is yet to come, when we will rejoice with those who have gone before, worshiping and serving you in glory.
In Christ's name may it be so
Amen
I would like to invite you to open your Bibles, with me, as we begin to study our text in II Corinthians chapter 11. Specifically, we'll be look at verses 19 through 33, of the marvelous epistle, from Paul.
Paul, in his ministry for Christ, no doubt, experienced some days of great joy. Tremendous joy. However, he experienced it amidst his suffering, And Paul suffered. Paul, indeed, suffered.
Paul had many accomplishments under his belt, before coming to Christ, he was educated by the best of the best, he had a blue blood pedigree, Paul has much in which to boast about. However, upon coming to serve Jesus Christ, he count it all as rubbish. Paul found his joy by serving God, sharing in Christ's suffering.
I suppose that I can relate to Paul, better than the other disciples. Because Paul, had such a zeal for serving Christ, he accomplished a great deal, having written a good part of the New Testament, he did it all with great humility, and yet, Paul was human. He got frustrated, he was very passionate, he was faithful, dedicated and convicted about ministry for Christ, even speaking a bit harshly at times, and would later have to apologize for it, as he wanted people to "get it." To understand how serious this is. For as great as an apostle as Paul was, and he was that, Paul was certainly a pursuer, he was also human, therefore he was fallible.
I know, that you probably do not realize this, because I go to great lengths to conceal it, but I can become very passionate at times, while preaching Christ. And I've on occasion, very occasionally, I might add, become frustrated, when people reject His teachings, and the gospel message. If you've never felt that burning desire inside of you, that begins as a flickering flame, then quickly develops into a raging inferno, than you likely cannot understand it. Because sometimes, the message isn't always about salvation, sometimes, its about conviction. Because God is not unbalanced, He's not lop sided, just as He is a God of grace and mercy, He is also a God of condemnation and wrath. Therefore, His judgement is cumulative. God's not always warm and fuzzy.
In II Corinthians 2:14, Paul says, it pretty well, when he says, "But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this? For we are not like the many who market God’s message for profit. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God."
Ah, who are we kidding here, you guys probably know it better than anyone, am I right?
Allow me to just read to you from this marvelously rich text; "For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits you in the face. I say this to our shame: We have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare: Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. Five times I received lashes from Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows I am not lying. In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands."
The apostle Paul writes, in I Corinthians 1:4-9 "I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus, that by Him you were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge. In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Beloved, have you encountered difficulty in serving Christ? Are you facing challenges in ministering for Christ now? If so, I encourage you to count it as proof of your calling, that you are fulfilling your call to Christ. And, if you allow your heart to open, even a little, you will experience the same magnificent love that Paul experienced, poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit and you too will serve Him with joy, despite the difficulties and challenges you may encounter.
God would have us learn that the grace of God is sufficient for our every trial and affliction. Trials are an integral and authenticating aspect of our ministry. Let us journey for a while through the life of Paul as he authenticates to us that he is a true servant of Christ.
Paul begins a list of his many credentials with his ethnicity and religious heritage in verse 22. "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
If one wishes to discuss personal qualifications, Paul will advance his own. He does this comparing of external qualifications because the false apostles thought it to be a matter of great important. His response of "so am I" to each of the proposed credentials that make a "superior apostle" places him right along side them. The three designations used here belong to the chosen people, and were thought of as privileges of their birth right.
From a human perspective Paul’s credentials were impeccable. "Are they Hebrews?" Meaning of Hebrew nationality or language. Are they Israelites? Meaning tracing their lineage through one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Paul traced his lineage through the tribe of Benjamin. Philippians 3:5, "Are they descendants of Abraham?" Meaning of the seed of Abraham and heirs of a special relationship. Paul's response recorded in Philippians 3:4-6, expresses his heritage. As one of Abraham’s descendants he was circumcised on the eighth day. Genesis 17:9-14,
More importantly to Paul is that he was Abraham’s descendant by faith. Romans 4:16, "This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all in God’s sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations. He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist."
Paul was in the main stream of God's age old purposes for the whole of mankind through the chosen people of Israel. Romans 9:4-5, "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises. The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Messiah, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen."
The apostle Paul though did not like to boast that he was of the promised race that had long awaited the Messiah. In Philippians 3:3-7, he writes, "For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh— although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ."
For he now recognized no man according to the flesh. Though he did not renounce his heritage, Paul no longer relied on external associations because he placed no confidence in the flesh. Paul knew that Jesus is the unique seed of Abraham in whom alone the Abrahamic Covenant may be appropriated.
Jesus alone was the heir of the promise, the One in whom all nations should be blessed.
"Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ."
Galatians 3:16
Beginning in verse 23, the apostle Paul starts to detail some of the cost of his commitment to Christ. "Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times."
Paul asks if they are servants or ministers of Christ? He is not conceding their claims are true, as he has already stated that they are of Satan not Christ, 11:13, 15, He is simply accepting their pretense for the sake of argument. He wants to show that they know nothing of the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. These deceivers skin is far to precious to them to experience any suffering for Christ.
They may claim superiority in the matter of lineage but where ministry is concerned his experience is far beyond their awareness. Let's look at what Paul states is his authentication as a minister of Christ.
That this boasting is “insane” indicates that boasting is not part of his usual behavior, but he felt it necessary to remind his readers that ministry for Christ can be substantiated with deeds. Discipleship cannot be purchased at bargain prices, Luke 9:23. The cost exacted of the Apostle Paul is measured by the tabulation which follows. This high cost demonstrates the depth of his commitment by delineating the sufferings and trials he endured because of it.
This recounting, for a third time, his trials and suffering also removes the triumphism or dominion model of gospel ministry and Christian maturity being flaunted by the false apostles. True believers follow the model of the Suffering Servant Jesus for ministry and maturity. God is shown to be strong in our weaknesses and sufferings. These false apostles might have had a hard journey to reach Corinth but they knew nothing of the toils, imprisonments and beatings of Paul.
Paul magnifies for us, the amazing grace of God. The toils or labors Paul speaks of aren't enumerated but we know of no one in the history of the Christian Church who has been more untiring in evangelistic toil and zeal. Paul has also proven his commitment “in far more imprisonments.” Clement of Rome said Paul's was imprisoned seven times for the Gospel. Scripture records five times but only one is recorded at the time of the writing of this epistle. Acts 16:23
He was "beaten beyond measure" both by Gentiles and Jews. Three times scripture records him being beaten by rods, and five times he was given 39 lashes by the Jews, in Acts 16:22; Acts 14:19. In deaths oft is literally "in many deaths." Frequently the possibility of physical death stocked him as he nearly lost his life many times. 1:9-10, 4:11, such as at Damascus, Antioch Piscidia, Iconuim, Lystra, Acts 14:19, Thessalonia, Beroca, Ephesus.
Paul now gives specifics which describe the more general terms just used. Each of these is a real living death through which he passed. The catalogue that follows makes it clear that Luke’s account in Acts is selective. He starts the list of suffering for Christ with scourging, in verse 24. "Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes."
The Jewish scourge consisted of two thongs made of calf or donkey skin, passing through a hole in a handle. 13 blows were inflicted on the breast, 13 on the right and 13 on the left shoulders. The law in Deuteronomy 25:3 permitted 40 blows but only 39 were given to avoid a possible miscount. The possibility for death under the infliction was possible from the provision which exonerates the executioner unless he should exceed the legal number of blows. Deuteronomy 28: 58-59, Deuteronomy 29:9, Psalm 68:38-39; were read during scourging. Receiving this number of lashings served as a public warning that suggested that, "if you do this again, you will die for it next time."
Ironically, the place where the Jews
So inhuman was this particular punishment with rods that it was forbidden that a Roman citizen be so punished. Paul endured it three times even as a Roman citizen. One is recorded in Acts 16:22, 23, 27. While at Philippi many stripes were laid upon Paul and Silas, in Acts l6:22-23, 27. The expression beaten to within an inch of his life may come from this particular punishment.
In Acts 14:5-19, Paul was stoned at Lystra. Paul and Barnabas had made good their escape from Iconium when they learned that their enemies were plotting to stone them only to face it in Lystra Acts 14:5. Stoning was the customary Jewish method of execution. Paul was probably stoned for the charge of blasphemy as was the case with Stephen, recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 6 verse 11.
From specific hardships Paul turns to danger he faced in verse 26. “I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my Countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
The whole life of Paul's Apostleship had been filled with dangerous peril in his arduous journey for God over the untamed land to unregenerate people. Paul itinerant ministry was constantly on the move against all kinds of obstacles. "In dangers" expresses the continuous threats he faced.
Along with the roads the apostle Paul traversed, there were numerous rivers. Seasonally, they often swell with flood waters, becoming torrents. These raging rivers that had to be crossed, were legendary for the perils they pose for those who would brave enough to travel them. The rivers of Asia Minor are still subject to sudden swellings, from the heavy rains and melting snow in the mountains. These were far too wild for white water rafting trips. Travels in the mountains and the wilderness was perilous in spite of the great Roman highways. The tribes inhabiting the mountains and table lands of Asia Minor were notorious for thieving, subjecting travelers to robbery.
The apostle Paul's perils from his Jewish countrymen is illustrated in the book of Acts 9:23, 29; 13:20, 14:5; and in chapters 17:5, 13; 18:12; 23:12; 24:27 and these are just the cities with recorded perils. There were conspirators of the Jews at Damascus, Iconium, Lystra, Thessalonica, Berea.. "Dangers from Gentiles" we know of Philippi, Acts 16:20, and later Ephesus, Acts 19:23.. "Dangers from false brethren," those which he is presently dealing with are mentioned last. There are other dangers threatening life and limb, however, this one, this one threatened to ruin his life’s work for which he had continuously risked himself. They threatened to destroy the churches by teaching a different gospel, a doctrine of legalism and human effort, rather than grace and love.
There seemed to be no place or not under any circumstances when Paul free from perils. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-13, "Blessed are you when men persecute you and speak all manner of evil against you falsely for My name sake for great shall be your reward in Heaven"
Even at this point in his ministry, Paul had been through a great deal of suffering. And I. am myself humbled, when I consider the dear price that Paul paid to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We learn that in addition to living with dangers Paul willingly endured numerous privations in discharging his apostolic ministry, in verse 27 I have been in "labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing."
The apostle Paul, also faced numerous privations in discharging his ministry. "Toils and hardships," are both words used to define Paul's strenuous efforts. They may refer to Paul’s backbreaking labor as a craftsman as well as a his teaching and preaching work. The "sleepless nights," were probably the night watches where he kept prayer vigils seeking heaven's guidance and aid needed in conquering his adversaries. These were nights when the Spirit of the Lord kept him awake, unable to sleep so that he would intercede in prayer, for these saints, according to the will of God.
In fasting and thirst, an involuntary abstinence from food due to lack of food, which Paul turned into occasions for fasting, the forgoing of meals in order that his work for Christ might not be interrupted. While nesteia is ordinarily used of ritualistic fasting, it is unlikely, from the information we have available to us, that such is the case here. Paramount in his life, far more important than food or drink were the motivating word's "man shall not live by bread alone" and "his meat was to do the will of His Father" and "Out of his being flowed rivers of living waters." Paul had food that the world knew not of and he feasted on the Manna that came down out of heaven.
He also encountered "cold and exposure" in his work. What a contradiction of all that the world holds worthwhile. Philippians 3:7-11, "For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh— although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead."
But Paul did not see his life as an unfortunate one, for he saw far beyond the present suffering to the glory which lies ahead. In II Corinthians 4:15-18,"Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory. Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Then, in Roman 8:18-19, he says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed."
This was true all the way to his end where in cold and nakedness, Paul was awaiting martyrdom. He requested Timothy to bring him a cloak. However, this list is not complete for we know he also encountered wild beasts at Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19:9, "But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them and met separately with the disciples, conducting discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus." then, in I Corinthians 15:32, "If I fought wild animals in Ephesus with only human hope, what good did that do me? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
All these hardships and toils prepared Paul for his future of hardships and trials.
In World War 1, the American 308th regiment was surrounded by the enemy forces, they were under severe mortar and machine gun fire. The casualties were heavy and supplies were short. The unbearable situation intensified when American artillery began shelling the sector where the 308th had dug in. The only communication was by way of carrier pigeon. In desperation, a sergeant released the last bird with a pleading note for the Americans to hold their fire.
As soon as the pigeon flew off, a stray bullet grazed the side of his head and tore out his left eye. Then a piece of shrapnel hit his chest, shattering his breastbone. But his homing instinct was strong and he struggled onward. Somewhere in the flight another piece of shrapnel tore off his left leg, leaving the message canister dangling from the torn ligaments. The pigeon, however, made it to his loft, and the order went out immediately to stop shelling. The 308th survived.
The apostle Paul, who was facing incredible, life-threatening obstacles of his own, much like the carrier pigeon, carried the gospel to a lost and dying world. But he was able to continue because he kept the goal of "the upward call of God," of Philippians 3:14, "I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus." was ever before him. He believed that the gains of heaven would more than compensate for the losses of earth.
The trials and troubles we experience for Christ's sake build our character, demonstrate our faith, and prepare us for further service to the Lord.
So, beloved, whatever your battle, don't become discouraged, even in the heat of the battle. Keep your eye on the prize. Just remember, you're on your way Home.
In Closing...
Paul was angry that the false teachers had impressed and deceived the Corinthians. Therefore, he had to reestablish his credibility and authority by listing the trials he had endured in his service for Christ. To establish the authenticity & authority of his own apostleship, he "boasted" not of his own successes but rather of his sufferings. Because Paul wrote this letter during his third missionary journey, as recorded in the book of Acts 18:23; Acts 21:17, however, his trials weren't over. He would experience even further difficulties and humiliations for the cause of Christ as told in Acts 21:30-33; Acts 22:24-31. Paul was sacrificing his life for the gospel, something the false teachers would never do. It was Paul who later penned the words in Romans 8:35-39. Has the lap of luxury and comfort become a stronghold to you? Are you going through any trials and difficulties so that others can come to know Christ?
Beloved, God may not be asking you to cross torrents, mountains or even deserts to tell others about the good news that Jesus saves, but He is asking you to cross the street, to knock on the door of a neighbor, tell a person in the grocery store line, or maybe at the gas pumps, He's depending on you to share your witness. He may not be asking you to give up home and family or job to tell others about Christ but He is asking you to give up an evening or an hour or two of TV, and maybe skip a meal so that some one else may come to know the Bread of Life.
What is your greatest suffering for God? Are there any? What then, is your greatest inconvenience to serve God? Turning the TV set off Sunday morning and coming to church, sitting on uncomfortable pews? Or listening to a sermon that you can't get up and turn off if you don't like it, one that speaking to you, placing you under conviction? When you stand before Jesus Christ, what will authenticate your ministry, your calling, to serve Christ?
Beloved, dare I say that we can never sacrifice too much for the One who sacrificed it all for us.
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
If you're still listening to this message and you haven't accepted Christ's sacrifice and atonement for your sins, the rest of this message is for you. If you haven't yet prayed this prayer, won't you join me in saying it now?
Dear Lord, I confess that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness.
In Your Name.
Amen
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