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When I am weak, then I am strong. Study on II Corinthians 12 and 13. www.bbccolaba.net. Corinth. Recap. Last of 4 letters he writes to the church in Corinth Written preceding his 3 rd visit to Corinth Intensely personal letter. Chapters 12-13.
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When I am weak, then I am strong Study on II Corinthians 12 and 13
Recap • Last of 4 letters he writes to the church in Corinth • Written preceding his 3rd visit to Corinth • Intensely personal letter
Chapters 12-13 • Begins a defense of himself at chapter 10 and continues into 12 • Anguished cry for acknowledgement against slander by false teachers • Describes his zeal and love for the Gospel and the church • Bares his heart
Chapter 12 • Hurt that he’s having to defend himself instead of being commended • vs. 11: “… you drove me to it …” • Apologizes sarcastically for not being a burden • vs. 13: “… forgive me for not being a burden …” • “Boasts” that he was taken to the 3rd heaven, paradise • vs. 1-4 • Confesses that God has given him a weakness/sickness to keep him humble • vs. 7-10
Chapters 12-13 • Signals his 3rd visit and warns that he does not want to find sin • 12:20-13:3 • Exhorts them to stay true to God’s work in them • vs. 5-9 • Pronounces benediction
1.Examine ourselves • Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? - 2 Cor 13: 5 • Examine: pi-rad-zo – to test objectively, endeavor to know the character of something by testing • In the faith • prayerful introspection, • meditation on God and I (be dog not cat) • where am I in “the faith”?
When we spend time with God • We get a clear view of where we are in God • We understand our strengths and weaknesses • Spending time with God reveals God’s grace for our weakness • Spending time with God produces humility not humiliation—strength not weakness
2. When I am weak, then I am strong 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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Cor 12:9-10 - “delight” = content, take in stride
Boasting about weaknesses • not an excuse to continue in sin or attract sympathy • What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? - Rom 6: 1-2 • Can’t help it? Get help for it! • Just how you are? Become who God wants you to be!
Boasting about weaknesses • to admit that we need God’s grace and each other to grow • God who began the good work in you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished. – Phil 1:6 (LB) • “helping you grow” – epiteleo – make perfect, complete • Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. – James 5: 16a (LB)
3. We are here to strengthen each other • … everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. – 2 Cor 12: 19 • … the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down – 2 Cor 13: 10 • Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus … – Rom 8: 1a
4. Aim for Perfection • … our prayer is for your perfection. – 2 Cor 13: 9 • … Aim for perfection … 2 Cor 13: 11 • Perfection – katartizo – thorough completion To be like Jesus! • For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son – Rom 8:29 (NLT)
Final exhortations • Spend time with God – get accountable! • Be content but also confident in weaknesses • Strengthen one another – encourage somebody today! • Aim to be like Jesus!