"Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 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; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?"
Good Morning Beloved,
Welcome to worship!
We're so glad to have you here with us today.
Have you encountered difficulty in serving Christ?
Do you serve Christ in hopes that all will go well with you here and now?
Today we come to a very poignant, incredibly rich portion of the Scripture, containing a valuable lesson in humility.
Generally speaking, humility and boasting, are mutually incompatible. It is therefore, a difficult task, quite a tremendous challenge to boast and remain humble, yet here in our text today, the apostle Paul, is being forced to do just that, of which, I believe, he does a marvelous job of boasting of his superiority while maintaining humility. If you have never been placed in this position, let me tell you, it's quite a difficult accomplishment, maintaining that delicate balance of boasting and humility. As boasting on ones self, most often comes across proud, and prideful. It's not a desirable position to be put in, however, there are times, when it does become necessary.
Apart from our Lord, Jesus Christ, I believe this is most likely the greatest example of humility to be found anywhere in the New Testament. This is obviously something Paul didn't want to do, however, in order to defend himself against the accusations of these false apostles, these agents of Satan, masquerading as ministers of light. I don't need to remind you, this is a familiar tactic of the enemy, the scheme of the adversary, to infiltrate the church and attack it from within, impersonating the messenger of God, a minister of light.
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
Father, we thank You for the wonderful opportunity to worship You today. Thank you for those You have gathered together with us to receive this rich portion of Your Word, for this incredibly powerful lesson in humble boasting.
We pray that You will keep us faithful, humble, while granting us the courage, the boldness to always speak the truth, with compassion and love, to speak it unequivocally, uncompromisingly, regardless of the cost. We pray that in it, we might find some joy, a heart for rejoicing. May it all be for Your glory.
In Christ's precious name
Amen
Today's Message: What's On Your Résumé?
In our ongoing study of the II book of Corinthians chapter eleven, we come to a portion of Scripture where Paul must show himself to be superior to these false apostles, who were making false accusations against him. As we have seen throughout Scripture, since his conversion, Paul is more comfortable talking about himself as the chief of sinners; he does not
like to talk about his superiority, though it is true. He doesn't say more than is true, and he made that point abundantly clear in chapter 10 verses 13 through 15. And although Paul is speaking truthfully, about his superiority, he finds it to be uncomfortable, and difficult to swallow.
He derives no pleasure from it, he refuses to overstate his case, stating this is foolish, he wants us to understand how distasteful it is for him to boast, comparing himself to these false apostles, it was being forced upon him, it had become necessary for him to do so, for the good of the Corinthian church, to defend himself against these accusations, these unfounded claims being made against him. They were assassinating his character, in every way possible.
God would have us learn today, that His grace is sufficient for our
every trial and affliction. Trials are an integral and authenticating
aspect of our ministry.
Open your Bibles with me to the book of Corinthians, chapter II. We'll pick up our text today with the 22nd verse. I invite you to follow along with me as I read to you this rich portion of the Word of God.
"Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three
times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was
shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 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; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?"
Experience after experience, Paul encountered difficulty, however, he learned to count the testing of his faith as a joy. How?
Because through it all, he experienced the strengthening closeness and
the comfort of the Master that he served. If you are facing such difficulties in serving the Lord, I'd like to encourage
you to open your heart, so that you might experience the same love Paul
experienced poured out in your heart by the Holy Spirit and you will
serve Him despite all the difficulties you encounter and anguishes you may face.
Looking back to I Corinthians 1:4-8, Paul said "I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Paul begins his comparison in verse 22, with the questions, "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I."
If these false apostles wish 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 importance. 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 stand point, Paul’s credentials were impeccable. "Are they
Hebrews?" Meaning of Hebrew nationality, who spoke the language of Hebrew. Are they
Israelites? Meaning tracing their lineage through one of the 12 tribes
of Israel. Paul though of Tarsus, traced his lineage through the tribe of Benjamin, which we see in 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, more importantly to Paul
is that he was Abraham’s descendant by faith. Paul was in
the main stream of God's age old purposes for the whole of mankind
through His chosen people of Israel.
Paul did not like to boast that he was of the promised raced
that had long awaited the Messiah. For he now recognized no man
according to the flesh. Though he did not renounce his heritage, Paul no
longer relied on those external associations, because he no longer placed 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.
In verse 23 Paul begins to detail some of the cost of his commitment
to Christ. "Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death."Paul asks if they are servants
or ministers of Christ? He is not conceding that their claims are true, for he
has already stated that they are of Satan not Christ. 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 too precious to them to experience any
suffering for Christ. They may claim superiority in the matter of
lineage but where ministry is concerned, however, Paul's experience is far beyond
their awareness. Let's take a 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. 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, of his trials and
suffering, also removes the triumphism or dominion model of gospel
ministry and Christian maturity being flaunted by these 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 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 was imprisoned seven times for the Gospel.
Scripture records five times, however, only one is recorded at the time of the
writing of this epistle.
He was "beaten beyond measure" by both Gentiles and Jews. Three times
scripture records him being beaten by rods, and five times he was given
39 lashes by the Jews, read Acts 16:22;
14:19. In deaths oft is literally "in many deaths." Frequently the
possibility of physical death stalked him as he nearly lost his life
many times, such as at Damascus, Antioch Piscidia,
Iconuim, Lystra, 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 scourgings 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 typically 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, Psalms 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!"
The place where the Jews administered these lashing was in the
synagogues. In Matthew chapter 10
Christ had warned His disciples that they must expect to be
scourged by the Jews in the synagogues. And just as Christ held up under His more severe beatings, so does the apostle
Paul.
In verse 25, Paul continues the cost of his discipleship, "Three times I
was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked,
a night and a day I have spent in the deep."This
particular punishment with rods, was so inhuman, 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. The
expression "beaten within an inch of his life," may well have come from this
particular punishment.
Paul was stoned at Lystra, as recorded in Acts 14:5-19. If you have ever been hit hard by a rock, even a small
one, then you can possibly imagine what it felt like for Paul. 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. Stoning was the customary Jewish method of execution.
Paul was probably stoned for the charge of blasphemy, ironically, as was the case
with Stephen, which Paul had orchestrated and observed prior to his conversion.
There was only one ship wreck, which is recorded in Acts 27:27–44, however, it took place
after his writing this epistle, which indicates that he may have been shipwrecked
four times. The deep refers to the bottom or depth indicting it was a
long way down. The memory of the events survives like a nightmare. A day
and a night tossed to and fro, up and down clinging to life, in immanent
peril of drowning. All but two of these 13 instances are unrecorded.
What a biography the life of Paul would have made. Perhaps God will have
it on DVD in the Library of Heaven?
From the specific hardships he faced, Paul
then turns to the dangers 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 has been filled with peril in his
arduous journey for God over the untamed land to unregenerated people.
Paul itinerant ministry was constantly on the move against all kinds of
obstacles. The term "in dangers," expresses the continuous threats Paul faced.
Along the roads traversed by Paul there were numerous rivers. Seasonally,
they swell with flood waters and become torrents. These raging rivers
that had to be crossed and were legendary for the perils they pose for
the traveler. The rivers of Asia Minor are still subject to sudden
swellings from heavy rains and snow melting in the mountains.
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 robbery.
Paul's perils from his Jewish countrymen can be illustrated from Acts 9:23, 29;
13:20, 14:5; 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, etc. "Dangers from
Gentiles" we know of Philippi were recorded in Acts 16:20 and later Ephesus in Acts 19:23. "Dangers from false brethren" which he is presently dealing with, are
mentioned last. Other dangers threaten life and limb but this one
threatened to ruin his life’s work, for which Paul had risked himself.
They threatened to destroy the churches by teaching a different
gospel, one of legalism and human effort, rather than of grace and love.
It seems that in no place and under no circumstances was Paul free
from perils. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-13, "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."
Even at this point
in his ministry, Paul had been through so much suffering. I am humbled,
indeed, when I consider the price our brother Paul paid to be a minister
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Its like he said in Philippians 4, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I
know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in
prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of
being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
In verse 27, we learn that in addition to living with dangers Paul
willingly endured numerous privations in discharging his apostolic
ministry. "I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure."
Paul also faced numerous privations in discharging his ministry. "Toils and hardships" are both words for strenuous work. They may refer
to Paul’s arduous labor as a craftsman as well as a his teaching and
preaching work.
"Sleepless nights" wasn’t because he was worried and full of anxiety and couldn’t sleep;
it wasn’t because he had insomnia. The reason he stayed up all night is
because he had to work and were probably the night watches
where he kept prayer vigils seeking heaven's aid in conquering his
foes. Some of his sleepless nights were because he was
feeding hungry, hungry, hungry sheep. Some of them were because he was
working with his hands. There are nights when the Spirit of the Lord either kept him awake
or where he was unable to sleep, so that he might intercede for the
saints according to the will of God.
In fastings and thirst, an
involuntary abstinence from food which Paul turned into occasions for
fasting or the forgoing of meals in order that his work for Christ
might not be interrupted. While nesteia is ordinarily used of
ritualistic fastings,
it is unlikely that such is the sense here. Paramount in his life, far
more than food or drink were the motivating word's of Deuteronomy 8:3, "man shall not live
by bread alone" and John 4:34 "his food was to do the will of His Father" and John 7:38, "Out
of his being flowed rivers of living waters." He had food that the
world knew not of and he feasted on the Manna that came down out of
heaven.
He encountered "cold and exposure" in his work. What a negation of
all that the world counts worthwhile.. But
Paul did not see his life as unfortunate for he saw beyond the present
suffering to the glory ahead. This was true
all the way to his end, where in coldness and nakedness awaiting
martyrdom he requested Timothy to bring him a cloak. This list is not complete as we know he also encountered wild beasts at Ephesus. However, all these hardships and toils, did prepared Paul for his future hardships and trials.
In verse 28, he says "Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches." The translation is, in NASB, such external things; literally, such
other things. In the original Greek, its the word "tōn parektos," which can mean
the things not mentioned. I believe that is the most accurate. Which, is to say, "Apart from the other things I have not mentioned, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches."
Verse 29 answers the question, “Who is weak without my being weak?”
That’s real sympathy. Sympathy means to suffer with. Empathy, to get in
somebody else’s skin. Paul is saying, "I care so much that when you’re
weak, I too am weak; when you hurt, I hurt also." As in I Corinthians 12:26, "When one member of the body suffers, the whole body suffers."
Though he faced many incredible, life-threatening obstacles, the apostle Paul carried
the gospel to a dying world. But he was able to continue because he kept
the goal of "the upward call of God," ever before him. He
believed that the gains of heaven would more than compensate for the
losses of earth. So don't get discouraged in the heat of the battle.
Remember, you're on your way Home.
In Closing...
I never cease to be amazed what goes on
this world today, we know it is because of the subtleties of Satan’s
deception. Satan is manipulative, wily, and cunning, and crafty, and
subtle. If you ever find yourself in the position of having to try to
defend yourself against an accusation made against you, that if it were measured
against
the years of ministry and life that is visible for everybody, are nothing
but insanity. Those preachers who live in completely comfort, with ease, wealth and prosperity,
are not the preachers of righteousness; the suffering preachers are. The true and pure servants of God are not the fat cats.
The trials and sufferings that we experience for Christ's sake build our
character, demonstrate our faith, and prepare us for further service to
the Lord.
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 and authority of his own apostleship, he "boasted" not of his
successes but of his sufferings.
Because Paul wrote this letter during his third missionary journey, his trials weren't over. He would experience further difficulties and humiliations for the cause of Christ. 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?
God may not be asking you to cross torrents, or mountains or deserts
to tell the good news that Jesus saves to others, but He is asking you
to cross streets, to knock on doors to share your witness. He may not be
asking you to give up home and family and job to tell others about
Christ but He is asking you to give up an evening or two of TV, or
maybe an hour or so of social media time per day, or a meal or two so that some one else may come to know the Bread of
Life.
What is your greatest suffering for Christ? Do you have any?
What then is your greatest inconvenience to serve God? Is it merely turning the TV
set off on Sunday, coming and sitting on an uncomfortable church pew? Or
listening to a sermon, that you can't hit the remote and turn off or change the channel if
you don't like it. When you stand before God what will authenticate your
ministry, your calling, to serve Jesus Christ? Beloved, we can never sacrifice too
much for the One who gave His all for us.
As for most Christians today, when it comes to making painful sacrifices for Christ, we either don’t know about it or else we want nothing to do it. We live in a culture that emphasizes self over everything else. When we stand before Christ, we will not be measured by our looks, by our dress or by our material possessions. We will be measured by our lives. God wants His people to be a light in this world of darkness. We must allow Him shine in us and through us.
May it be so..
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 hearing this message, and you do not yet have a personal relationship with Christ; I would like to invite you to do so today.
Copyright © 2019-2020 All Rights Reserved
