2 Corinthians 10:13-17

                                                                 2 Corinthians 10:13-17

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.  For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.  We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence.  “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

 

God is always on mission to bring the lost to Himself.  He gives those whom He calls the privilege of being a part of that mission.  This is what God is doing in the world.  Paul wants the church in Corinth to understand the work that has been accomplished in their lives, but he wants that to respond correctly to that reality.

 

WE MUST REALIZE GOD WORKS THROUGH US: Paul seems to be using sarcasm in his statements about boasting.  Certainly, boasting in not something that he would encourage especially when it comes to the advancement of the Gospel.  His “boasting” is about that the Lord had accomplished through him in reaching the people in Corinth.  Paul wants the people in the church to recognize this fact and to remember that they were the first to take the Gospel to this difficult place in the world.  Others would come after then and serve in other rolls, some of which were helpful but others that went so far as to be critical and self-promoting.  Paul seems to be seeking to emphasize this and call for a change in attitude from those in Corinth who were following that lead.  God does use us to advance His work, but the glory for that work belongs to Him.  We should be grateful to those who were available to be instruments in His hands.  However, no matter how much anyone was used of God, there is no room for self-promotion.

 

WE MUST REPRODUCE GOD’S WORK AROUND US: Paul’s desire in calling out the church in Corinth is for them to become instruments in advancing the work of God in other places.  As they realize that Paul was fundamental to the Gospel arriving in Corinth, Paul wants them to be a part of his support team so the Gospel can be taken to other unreached communities.  When we become members of the family of God, He calls us to part of His mission to advance His kingdom.  We are a result of His mission in the world, so He calls us to join Him in that mission.

 

WE MUST RECOGNIZE GOD’S WORK IN US: At the end of this section Paul makes it very clear that all boasting must be “in the Lord.”  He is the one who has truly accomplished any work and it is all by His grace.  It is an honor to be a part of what He is doing, but we must always remember that the ministry is of His doing and not our own.  There is no room for personal pride or for boasting about what we have accomplished.  All glory belongs to the Lord and He must have our gratitude for working in and through our lives.

 

APPLICATION: Be thankful for those who brought the Gospel to us and for those who continue to advance the Gospel.  Become and active participant in the mission of God to make disciples in all nations.  Give all glory to God for anything we are used by Him to accomplish for the kingdom.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than any of the other people of his
Read more

1 Timothy 2:11-15

Let a woman learn quietly   with all submissiveness.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.    For Adam was formed first,   then Eve;   and Adam was not deceived, but   the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.    Yet she will be saved through   childbearing—if they continue in   faith and love and holiness, with self-control. There is certainly controversy and confusion about this passage in many churches today.  The idea of a distinction between men and women and their roles in the family and church certainly goes against the flow of many cultures around the world.  Some would argue that the literal and plain teaching of this passage is no longer applicable to today’s culture.  However, it is always dangerous to discard biblical teaching or try to interpret Scripture based on the cultures in which we live.  Certainly, the Spirit who inspired this text was aware of the many changes that would occur in future cul
Read more

1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and   dignified in every way.    This is good, and   it is pleasing in the sight of   God our Savior,   who desires   all people to be saved and   to come to   the knowledge of the truth.    For   there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is   the testimony given   at the proper time.    For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying),   a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.   Prayer is one of the greatest privileges believers have and it should be one of our greatest priorities.  Too often our lives are more often marked by complaining about our circumstances and our political leaders than by prayers for them.  The government in Paul’s day
Read more