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Today’s Message. Body Slammed And Torpedoed. II Cor. 11:21-12:12. Paul’s Body Slam of the False Apostles . Paul’s Background and Credentials.
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Today’s Message Body Slammed And Torpedoed II Cor. 11:21-12:12
Paul’s Body Slam of the False Apostles Paul’s Background and Credentials What anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. II Cor. 11:21-22
Can’t Touch This If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Phil. 3:4-6
Trained By a Super Star Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council can testify Acts 22:3 Gamaliel , a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people Acts 5:34
Paul’s Devotion to Christ Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. II Cor. 11:23-24
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, v. 25
Paul’s Missionary Journeys I have been constantly on the move. 12:26a
Paul Faced Constant Danger I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. V. 26
Paul’s Depravations and Pressures I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Vs. 27-28
Paul’s Vulnerability Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness v. 29
Paul’s Incredible Spiritual Experience His Torpedo that Sinks the False Apostles Revelations From Jesus Himself I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. II Cor. 12:1
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- 4 was caught up to paradise 12:2-4
He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 12: 4b-5
No Brag Just Fact Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. 12:6
The Thorn of Balance Divine Deflation To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 12:7
Paul’s Pleading Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 12:8-9
The Places of Paul’s Boasting That is why, for Christ's sake, I boast in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 12:10
I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance. 12:11-12