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The Battle Belongs to the Lord | Hallsville Baptist | YouTubeToText
YouTube Transcript: The Battle Belongs to the Lord
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Summary
Core Theme
This content is a church service transcript that focuses on the spiritual battle Christians face and how to approach it with faith, humility, and reliance on God's strength, rather than human efforts. It emphasizes that "the battle belongs to the Lord" and encourages believers to trust in His authority and power.
Heat. Heat. [Music]
Good morning everyone.
>> Well, I got three
>> and good good morning. Oh, it's a
blessed day to be here in the house of
the Lord. Amen. >> Amen.
>> Amen.
>> Amen. Let's all stand as we get ready to
worship our Lord. We bring the sacrifice
We bring the sacrifice of praise
into the house of the Lord.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
into the house of the Lord.
And we offer up to you
the sacrificees
of thanksgiving.
And we offer up to you the sacrificees
of praise.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
into the house of the Lord.
We bring the sacrifice of praise into
the house of the Lord.
And we offer up to you the sacrificees
of thanksgiving.
And we offer up to you the sacrificees
of joy.
And we bring the sacrifice of praise.
coming. Sorry.
Alrighty. Well, good morning everyone.
Glad to see y'all on this amazing fall
morning. I wish it would stop being 80
degrees though, but here we are. But
anyway, good morning. Um, if you're a
guest with us, remember we have those um
guest cards right in front of you. So,
if you've never filled one of those out,
please fill those out so we know some
information about you. But again, I know
it's kind of like a broken record
player, but we have those prayer record
prayer cards. There we go. Um, right in
front of you. And then also that QR
code. Um we really want to know uh what
we can pray um about each week as we
have um weekly prayer meetings on
Tuesday mornings and we gather and and
pray for just the community and pray
also for your all's needs um for prayer
as well whether that's health issues or
or spiritual issues whatever it is um I
do want to make a announcement that
there is no uh kids church today um but
I do want if um your kids get restless
We do have that uh station back there of
of coloring things and some play-doh and
to kind of keep them occupied for you.
Um but again, there's no kids church um
today. Um I wanted to read to you 1
Timothy 6 11-12.
Um talking about fight the good fight of
faith. And Paul says this to Timothy,
"But as for you, oh man of God, flee
these things. Pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, steadfastness,
and gentleness. Fight the good fight of
the faith. Take hold of the eternal life
to which you were called and about which
you made the good confession in the
presence of many witnesses. I want to
share that because as you could see on
our bulletins, the title is that the
battle belongs to the Lord. It belongs
to Christ. The reason why we fight the
good fight of faith is because we put
faith in the one who has control over
our battles. And so I just wanted to
quickly challenge us all to keep the
faith as Paul charges. Keep the faith in
the one who who has all circumstances in
his own hand and and the one on the
cross that defeated all the battles for
us. Um but real quick before we pray, we
have an MMO video to show and then
brother Bob will come pray for us.
[Music]
a difficult thing to do to open your
home to a child or a youth that's not
yours and you're going to fully
incorporate and integrate them into your family.
family.
When you take your first steps into
foster care, you have to count the cost.
And one of those costs are going to be
is if you have children in your home,
it's going to have an impact on your
children. And what you have to ask
yourself is, is it worth it?
>> I was raised by my parents and they
started fostering when I was 6 years
old. I was able to see the need, how
foster care impacts the children that
come into foster care. My family was
licensed through NBC as their agency.
Sometimes some of the children that we
inherit from the state may have more
emotional damage or struggle. TFC, our
treatment family care staff is that
staff that comes into this home to make
sure that that foster family is not
overwhelmed. As well, when we started
foster care, we had three biological
children. We very quickly increased our
family to four through adoption, through
foster care, while with Missouri Baptist
Children's Home. And over years of
fostering, we've had about a hundred
children come through our home.
>> You can't grow up seeing it and being a
part of it and making that impact and
then be like, "Not for me." You're all
in. And when you know Jesus is with you,
like there's no turning away from it.
>> Your older children that are involved in
supporting will understand what you're
trying to do and can get behind it. And
then they can learn to see how you love
well. You can show your own children how
the Lord loves us by how you love the
children and the families that you're
supporting through foster care.
>> We all have that common goal of making
sure everybody knows Christ. When you
give somebody the option to like see a
path in life that they have never had
their eyes open to, it's a beautiful
thing because a lot of our kiddos are
teenagers and like they think they're
limited to this one version of life that
they've seen so far. But when they see
that that's not the only option, that
opens up so many different paths for
them to walk in life and that Christ's
love is true and full and unbroken and everlasting.
allows foster families who are in the
trenches and with the harder kiddos more
support. NBCH has somebody who is pretty
much on the clock 24/7 that is your
specific family's worker. And if you
call and say like, "I need help. I just
need an extra set of hands," they're
there. If you want to understand how the
Lord loves us and grafts us into his
vine, try taking a family that is not
your own and grafting them into your
own. To foster and to be involved in
foster care is to choose to like put
yourself in the trenches for Jesus. And
you'll never feel closer or see more
miracles in our modern day society than
when you're fostering because Jesus is
with you. You are dependent on him in a
completely different way than most
it great to be in God's house this morning?
morning?
Seen a lot of faces, some faces I
haven't seen in a while. That's awesome.
And uh you know, let's just go to the
Lord in prayer because like I said, it's
it's great to be here. It's great to be
in a country where we can be here this
morning. Dearly Father God, we do come
to you, Lord. We just praise you and
thank you again for allowing us to be
here this morning. Lord, it's uh it's
wonderful to be in a country where we
can come freely worship you, Lord,
without any retribution. I just pray,
Father, that you'll be with each and
every one of us this morning,
all the families are represented. I just
pray again just to bless us and keep us.
And we just pray for Jason. And I just
pray, Father, that uh whatever you've
put upon his heart this morning, Lord,
that you will just help him to convey
that to us and open our hearts and our
minds to you what it is you want us to
learn today. Be the ones that can't be
with us today, Lord. Continue healing
their bodies to the ones that are sick.
And I just thank you again, Father, for
u all of us. I just pray again as we go
throughout our week, Lord, that we can
always remember that we can be Jesus to
someone this week. We just thank you,
Father, your name we pray. Amen.
Amen. As we continue to praise our Lord
in song, let's all stand. There's a glad
new song. He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise from Psalms 43. There's
>> There's a glad new song ringing in my
heart. Such as angels would sing above.
And the whole day long it joy in heart
is the song of redeeming love.
Of his love
I shall ever sing. Till above
I behold the king through eternity.
My glad song shall be
of the Savior's redeeming love.
love.
When my soul was lost in a stardust
night where my feet never cease to roam.
At a dreadful cause, Jesus brought me
light. All because of redeeming
love. Of [Music]
[Music]
his love of his love I shall ever sing.
Till above
I behold the king through eternity.
My glad song shall be
of the same redeeing love.
love.
In last I stand with the heavenly choir.
In the light of the throne above
on the golden strand I shall never tire.
Of the song of redeeing love.
love. [Music]
[Music]
Of his love
I shall ever see till above.
I behold the king through eternity.
My glad song shall be
of the redeeing.
redeeing. [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
Psalms 111-4.
Praise the Lord. I will give thanks to
the Lord with all my heart. In the
company of the upright, and in the assembly.
assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord. They
are studied by all who delight in them.
Splendid and majestic is his work, and
in his righteousness endures forever. He
has made his wonders to be remembered.
Amen. Sorry the wrong scripture was up
on the screen, but Amen. Go ahead, Miss
>> We will remember.
We will remember.
We will remember the works of your hands
and we will stop
and give you praise for great is thy faithfulness.
faithfulness.
Sing that again now.
>> We will remember
we will remember
we will remember the works of your hand. [Music]
[Music]
And we will stop
and give you praise for great is thy faithfulness.
>> You're our creator,
our life sustainer, deliverer,
deliverer,
our comfort, our joy.
Throughout the ages,
you've been our shelter, our peace. In
>> With signs and wonders,
you've shown your power.
With precious blood, you've shown us
your grace.
You've been our helper,
our liberator,
We will remember.
We will remember.
We will remember the works of your hands.
hands.
We will stop
and give you praise for great is thy faithfulness.
faithfulness. [Music]
[Music]
When we walk through
life's darkest valleys,
we will look back at all you have done.
And we will shout,
>> "Our God is good and he is the faithful one."
Hallelujah. Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah. Hallelujah
Hallelujah
We will remember.
We will remember.
We will remember the works of your hands.
hands.
And we will stop
and give you praise. For great is thy faithfulness.
faithfulness. [Music]
I still remember
the day you saved me.
The day I heard you call out my name.
You said you love me,
would never leave me. And I've never
We will remember.
We will remember.
We will remember the works of your hands.
hands.
We will stop
and give you praise for great is our faithfulness.
faithfulness.
Sing that one more time.
We will remember.
We will remember.
We will remember the works of your hands.
hands.
And we will stop
and give you praise. For great is thy faithfulness.
faithfulness. [Music]
Dear most gracious heavenly father, I
just pray that we will remember all of
the grace that you've given us, all of
the things that you've done in our
lives. Father, I just thank you so much
and I just pray
for each and every heart in this room today
today
that we will think back to that day when
we made the decision to follow you. What
a glorious day that was. And Father, I
just pray for anyone that's here that
doesn't know you, that doesn't have that
personal relationship with you, that
that today is the day, now is the time
that they take advantage
and praise you
and begin that great relationship with
you. And Father, as we approach this
part of the service, I just pray for
this offering. And Father, I just pray
that as we give this offering,
that the joy of our love for you comes
out. No matter what it is we give, that
we give it with a joyous heart. And
Father, I just thank you again so much
for your love, your grace, your mercy
that you've so easily bestowed on us.
And I just lift all of these things in
the precious name of our Lord and our
Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. [Music]
Thank you. Thank you. What a wonderful
segue into worship in the word as we
remember the God who has given us his
word. He's given us direction. He's
given us purpose, but also he's given us
new life and forgiveness in Christ uh
Jesus. And that is why we gather is
because Christ has won for us the
victory at Calvar's cross. That is why
we can praise and that even the darkest
of days and the lowest of valleys is
that his grace is enough. And so I
invite you as we continue our sermon
series through 2 Corinthians just to uh consider
consider
that as Christians, God does not want us
to be the the mightiest and the
wealthiest and the most influential. He
doesn't care about how many followers we
have on uh Twitter or Tik Tok or
Instagram or whatever. What God cares
most about is uh how close we are to him.
him.
And that's why he sent Jesus to die. Uh
and so today we are going to see a
change in tone in this sermon series
through 2 Corinthians as Paul really
begins to defend not himself but the
calling and the ministry that God has
given him. He defends the Lord really
against these false apostles. So we we
are going to look at 2 Corinthians
chapter 10 all of it verses 1-18.
And as I was reading this uh passage
this week and praying,
I was thinking when and even should
God's people defend themselves when
falsely accused or misrepresented.
That's the question that faces us today.
Uh Paul doesn't defend himself in this
passage or in these last four chapters
of this great book, this letter. He
defends the authority that Christ has
bestowed upon him and he defends the
ministry that God has entrusted to him
with great irony. The ones trying to
take credit for the fruits of Paul's
labor as the spirit is working through
him and used him are the same ones
laying out charges against Paul of being
a coward, weak and intrusive or
disqualified from even speaking. In the
face of these false apostles and false
accusations, Paul shows not only his
pastoral bark,
but also the real possibility of biting
those who would lead God's people astray
and harm the work of God. The false
apostles were saying that Paul in fact
was all bark and no bite. And Paul said, "Challenge
"Challenge accepted.
accepted.
He won't froth at the m mouth for any
little thing. But when it comes to God's
glory, the gospel, and the unity and
mission of the church, that is when he
bears his teeth.
In the end, Paul says what matters most
is who and what the Lord Jesus Christ
establishes and approves versus the
approval of contemporaries and mere
people. So Paul lets the Lord fight his
battles. The battle belongs to the Lord.
In this passage, we observe three
unwarranted charges with three
unmistakable counters. We read in God's
word, if you are able to stand, please
stand as we read these first six verses together.
together.
This is what uh we read in God's word
starting at chapter 10 verse one of 2
Corinthians. This is what Paul says. He
says, "Now I, Paul, myself, urge you by
the meekness and gentleness of Christ."
Look at that appeal. I who am meek when
face to face with you, but bold toward
you when absent. I ask that when I am
present, I need not be bold with the
confidence with which I propose to be
courageous against some who regard us as
if we walked according to the flesh. For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not
war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not
of the flesh, but divinely powerful for
the destruction of fortresses or strongholds.
strongholds.
We are destroying speculations and every
lofty thing raised up against the
knowledge of God. And we are taking
every thought captive to the obedience
of Christ.
And we are ready to punish all
disobedience whenever your obedience is complete.
complete.
Let us pray together. Heavenly Father,
we praise you that we have this passage
in in your word that most battles we
face are in fact in the thought realm.
And Paul when he was attacked, he he
pleaded for these people to consider
your glory and your honor and your
calling and your authority that you give
to your people and ambassadors.
Lord, as he was uh surely human, Paul
was, he struggled with the need to
justify himself amongst
the people of God.
But Lord, he surrendered every thought
to your lordship.
And Lord, when we are faced with the
same, whether we see injustice in this
world, maybe even harm done to us, unjustifiable,
unjustifiable,
Lord, we have the temptation to
justify and defend.
But Lord, when the evil one attacks,
when our flesh it causes us to doubt and
and when there are people who are
opposing your work even in in our lives
and through our lives. Lord, I just pray
that we could take every thought captive
by your grace.
That we would not boast about ourselves
or even commend ourselves or even judge
ourselves by the same standards that
those who judge us. But that we would
judge ourselves according to your standard.
standard.
that were it not for grace, we would not
ever have your approval. So Lord, let us
and remind us today that the
relationship we have with you, the
ministry that we have is not based upon
our intrinsic worth or abilities. It's
not based upon our performance, the
intimacy we have with you, but it is
based upon your grace and your unmarited
favor found in Christ. So Lord, I just
pray that if anything we could let let
you fight the battles that we face in
this life because only you and in you
will the victory be found. We praise you
and it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Now you may be seated as we jump right
in. Uh this is this is a tough tough
chapter because uh as I mentioned we see
this change in tone. Paul had just been
speaking in the last two chapters, eight
and nine, about giving and uh tithing
and generosity. Really giving was an a
tangible outward expression of an inner
condition and that's generosity. And I
was sharing with a mentor of mine that
uh preaching uh generosity and giving is
one of the hardest things to do as a
pastor because of the misconception that
uh what the money that goes in the
coffers goes straight to the pastor's pockets.
pockets.
Um and I would tell you that that is not
the case. Uh it goes towards the
ministries of the church. In his work
entitled John the Baptist, the
theologian and preacher FB Meyer shared
about a pastor who was voted the most
humble pastor in America.
So the congregation, they gave him a
medal that said to the most humble
pastor in America. That seems fitting, right?
right?
Then they took this medal away from him
the next Sunday because he wore it on
his chest.
They gave him a medal that said to the
most humble pastor in America and then
he proudly wore it that week.
Meer comments that the only hope of a
decreasing self, we read in the Gospel
of John, the only hope of a decreasing
self is an increasing Christ. Humility
isn't something that we can just uh work
on. I'm going to work on becoming more
humble and meek and gentle today because
by nature we want to either fight or
flight. That's that's that's part of our
autonomic nervous system.
But this is so very true. For Christ to
get a greater hold of our lives, uh we
we must humble ourselves before him.
It's his power. It's his grace. It's his
favor. It's his forgiveness. We are
undeserving of it all is love.
The purpose for our lives even that
pride, self-commendation,
insecurities that we have, uh spiritual
hostilities that we face, autonomy
meaning self-ruule, wanting to live our
lives apart from God's uh lordship and
and design, his good design. These are
all and just a a a short sample of of a
myriad of mindsets that serve as
obstacles to humility and dependence
upon Christ and his work. Nevertheless,
God's grace is greater,
greater than any foe, any fight, and any
fleshly struggle. So in 2 Corinthians
10:1-18, we observe these three
unwarranted charges with three
unmistakable counters. So as we read
verses 1-6,
there is the first charge. Paul is is
charged by these false apostles, these
phonies, as being a coward,
being weak need,
being impotent,
being one who runs from a fight. When
the going gets tough, Paul is not to be
found. There is what they are accusing
him of. And so we see the counter is one
of true courage, spiritual courage uh
and valor uh for the Lord. So the charge
is in verse one, the charge is this that
Paul was a brave writer but a weak
speaker. Now when we read in verse one,
it says, "Now I Paul myself," he is he
is saying, "Hey, hey, I'm actually going
to defend myself. Now I'm I'm speaking
here as one who is an apostle of Christ
decided, selected, set apart by Christ,
empowered by Christ, authorized by
Christ to plant churches amongst the
Gentiles. And even the Corinthian church
was a church that he planted as we read
in the book of Acts. And he says of
Christ that Christ himself is meek and gentle.
gentle.
And then he gives at the end of verse
one the charge against him. He says that
people are telling you that I am meek
when face to face with you but bold
toward you when absent. So basically
what the false apostles are charging
against Paul is that uh when he's
writing letters he just lets loose but
when he actually shows up he he kind of
is a coward and and doesn't say what
needs to be said. He has no conviction
and he has no courage. He has no grit.
Uh and these false apostles are actually
appealing to his rhetorical style.
Ortorical style. Paul would be the first
to admit that he is not an orator like
Apollos was. He was powerful. He was
thunderous in his presentation. He was
the old-fashioned, very first pound the
pulpit, neck veins protruding type of
preacher. And there's a time and a place
for that to get people's attention. I I
take I generally take a tone of of of
softness when correcting the kids the
first time. But then when they don't
listen, uh they hear but they don't
listen, the tone increases. And it is so crazy.
crazy.
Not so much. But but Tina and I would be
talking in almost a whisper in the
kitchen table. The kids are upstairs and
we would be saying, "Well, I think we
should go to Culver's tomorrow." And all
three kids come thundering down. You
said Culver's. Why not go today? And
it's like, how can you hear us when
we're whispering?
And so, you see, this is exactly what's
going on here. These are, make no
mistake about it, there are uh people
who have come in uh now they are of a
Jewish persuasion, unbelievers. They are
not Christians. and they are trying to
win over uh these Corinthians from under
Paul's authority and leadership. And
make no mistake about it, it's it's not
necessarily Paul, but the God and the
Christ in whom Paul is submitting to and
serving. So, uh in in other words, apply
this to myself as a pastor. Uh I I hate
to to throw the pastor card out there.
Uh but sometimes when it has to do with
the unity and and and the teaching of
and ministry of the word of God,
overseeing as a shepherd, an
undersheperd, sometimes you do have to
to use that weight. But but as we read
throughout all of Paul's letters, he
first takes the voluntary appeal to
reach people uh without throwing the
authority card out there. All the while,
even though he's not ramrodding an an
perceived agenda, all the while he has
the authority, but he appeals out of
love. One of the greatest examples is
the book of Phileiman, the letter of
Phileiman, very short letter, one
chapter long. He says to Phileiman, he
says,"I have the authority to command
you to take Onimus, this slave who has
done you wrong. This servant who was
completely useless to you ran away and
and I met in prison and he was saved in
prison." He says, "I have the authority
to command you to take him back into
your house, but I'm going to appeal to
you as a brother." So Paul doesn't throw
the the pastor card, the apostle card
out there like these false apostles
were. They were saying, "You must listen
to us. We we demand respect from you
because of the people that we know and
the letters and recommendations that we
have. Instead of demanding respect, Paul
is really commanding it with a life that
is well-lived. And the same is true for
us as Christians. We should never ever
demand respect,
but we should let our lives and the
words from our mouths command respect
from those we interact with.
When we go with a great commission, we
don't go sharing the truth of God's word
that saves these sinners from eternal damnation,
damnation,
takes the the blinders off the eyes,
removes the deceit from Satan himself.
When we share the gospel, we don't go in
our own authority. We go with the
authority and the blessing of Jesus Christ.
Christ.
The same is true with Paul. So what was
perceived as cowardice uh was really
courage. The counter to this charge is
meekness. Paul was meek just as Jesus
Christ himself was meek and gentle. And
I like this. It's it's a it's kind of a
short phrase. I don't think it's a
platitude. I think it's truth. It's it's
a promise that meekness is not weakness.
In Matthew chapter 5, the sermon on the
mount, Jesus himself says, "Blessed are
the humble or blessed are the meek, for
they shall inherit
the earth." So meekness is not weakness.
Meekness is simply defined as this. You
have power, but you have it under control.
control.
My daughter is approaching driving age.
She's 13, approaching 16. And she says,
"Dad, for my first car, I want a Lamborghini
Lamborghini
or a truck that would work." And I said,
"I think you've got the wrong parents to
get a Lamborghini, first off, wrong
country." But I said, "Uh, maybe a truck
could happen."
uh 16-year-old
with the Lamborghini is a disaster
Meekness is not weakness. Paul had
restraint and control. He knew when to
speak and he knew when to remain silent.
He knew when to fight. He's not going to
fight on the color of the carpet or the
chairs or having chairs versus pews. Uh
you know, he's not going to fight about
that stuff. He's just going to let let
it go. spot people grace if they want to
focus on that. Paul did not want to make
mountains out of mole hills. Though
those who mow the church yard
definitely know what mole hills are.
And the biggest principle I think here
the opposite of meekness humility is
pride. Now as I was thinking about this
pride is the fuel that Satan uses to
destroy ministries, ministers and people
of God. everyone. He appeals to pride.
Pride, I believe, is the root of every
single sin under the book. Every single
sin at root, pride is the problem. Even
with Satan himself, he wanted as he was
an angel and defender of God's throne.
He was the most crafty and beautiful.
And it was pride that led to his fall.
Christ himself, as we read in Matthew 11:29,
11:29,
he was meek and gentle. He says, "I am
humble and lowly of heart." And we will
see that passage here in a in a minute.
So what Paul was doing was expressing
expressing
the character of Christ in his approach
to these false apostles. He was allowing
the Lord to fight his battles.
Now, in 20 years of ministry, I've been
accused of many things. Um,
being rich and handsome is not one of
And
I am a fighter. My parents would always
tell me, Jason, you need to be a lawyer
because you can fight your way out of anything.
anything.
But that nature in me remains quiet when
these accusations because I learned as I
was mentored, let your character speak
your defense. Let your Christ fight for you.
Paul's spiritual weaponry that he
appeals to is one of prayer,
the word of God,
the spirit of God which in it has power
in in G in the spirit. In him there is
true power. He appealed to love which is
a weapon. Love destroys a lot of
boundaries and and strongholds.
and he appealed to God's calling. You
see, Paul showed incredible restraint
and wisdom in his interactions with this
church in Corinth.
A person who is born again and has
fallen into sin doesn't need to be beat
down, but needs to be pulled up in love
and repentance, confession, restore, restoration.
restoration.
Um, the false apostles were doing just
the opposite. They were using this
church to gain an even greater
reputation for themselves while
undermining the reputation of Paul which
was really unblenmished.
He even admits in verse three in this
section he says look at this for though
we walk in the flesh we do not wage war
according to the flesh.
And so he says look we are walking in
the flesh. I I am a physical person with
physical limitations and and issues just
as you all are. you have your uh uh uh
issues in life. Uh recently getting
glasses for me. It's so awkward trying
to navigate these progressives,
but I was told by the doctor that I
needed them. So,
we have limitations
and we compare ourselves to those we
want to be like or those in our eyes we
feel are successful.
Paul was having none of this. In fact,
he praised his limitations and
weaknesses because he says, "In spite of
all of my weaknesses, my appearance, and
my speech, it might not be like Apollos,
but God's grace is powerful in my life."
And that's what I praise and that's who
I praise is God's working through me
despite my failures. And and so here's
the deal.
We must all recognize that God does not
need us to accomplish his will. He
doesn't need any one of us. He's done it
all through Christ. He invites us to
partner and be demonstrations throughout
all the ages of his grace at work. We
read of that in Ephesians. Throughout
all the ages, the church is going to be
on display for all peoples of all times
uh in redemptive history. The church is
cowardice versus courage. So we turn to
the practical. What's practically
happening with this first charge
encounter? Uh Paul is engaging in
spiritual warfare, but he is doing so
with the right weapons and against the
right foes. And he's doing so at the
right time. Uh there's a time to speak
and there's a time to be silent. There's
a time to uh have that that passion and
and to bear our teeth. And there's a
time to sit still in our prayer closets
and pray and allow God to work. The
charge of cowardice and fear is
countered with this spiritual humble
dependent courage upon the power of
Christ working in and through self.
We see that as the first charge and counter.
counter.
I will tell you this just practically
speaking. When do we defend? When do we
speak? Just as a preview, when the word
of God and when the work of God are
undermined and assaulted, that is when
we speak
as led by the spirit. We don't have to
come up with a prefabricated speech
because we have this promise that when
we are standing before those uh to give
a testimony of the gospel of Jesus
Christ, he will give us the words to say.
say.
In fact, Peter who oftentimes said and
did the wrong things
encourages us to always be ready to give
a reason for the hope that you have. So,
let me equip you with a reason why you
should have hope as a Christian because
Jesus Christ is alive. The world and
Satan has thrown everything against
Christ and he beat them. It's like the A
team has come against Jesus and he beat
them. So, the B and C and the D team,
what can they do to Jesus? Jesus has won
the victory. So, why can we have hope as
Christians? because you could kill my
body, you could take my possessions, but
uh I'm not taking any of those items
with me in the life to come because
there is reward and there is a new body
and you will not be there
but Jesus will be
there's a time to fight.
There's a time to remain silent.
I would say in all battles we must avail
ourselves to the spirit. We read in
verses 7 through 11 our second charge
and its weakness versus witness. This is
what we read in God's word. Starting at
verse 7, he says, "You are looking at
things as they are outwardly. If anyone
is confident in himself that he is
Christs, let him consider this again
within himself that just as he is
Christ, so also are we. For even if I
boast somewhat further about our
authority, which the Lord gave for
building you up, and not for destroying
you, the implication is that these false
ones are, I will not be put to shame.
For I do not wish to seem as if I would
terrify you by my letters. So, he's
using irony there. Uh verse 10, for they
say his letters are weighty and strong,
but his personal presence is
unimpressive and his speech
contemptable. Let such a person consider
this that what we are in word by letters
when absent such persons we are also in
deed when present. So the charge here
the second charge is that Paul really
had no authority practically or
positionally in speech or appearance. It
makes me think of one of the greatest
evangelists of all time. He spoke so powerfully
powerfully
uh and the detractors, the enemies of
God would call him crooked mouth. During
one of the greatest revivals in American
history, he would come and and before
voice amplification with microphones, he
would preach to thousands and be heard
very clearly. His name uh was George
Whitfield. And because of a childhood
illness, I don't know if it was smallox
or some other illness, he was uh a he
Paul is the same way. He had no uh
booming uh physical presence. In fact,
in traditional non-biblical accounts of
Paul, he was a tiny man with a shrill voice.
voice.
So, he wasn't necessarily someone you
would He's not going to go out on a WWF
and and intimidate you, right? You know,
it's all just a show.
They act all macho, but they have a script.
script.
The false apostles were boasting in
outward appearances.
Look at me. No gray hair, no wrinkles. I
use the greatest logic of the day. I
deliver where you could just listen to
me for hours.
I'm popular and well-liked, you know,
but it's all fickle and it's all fading.
Paul is appealing to the the the eternal
the false apostles as he writes they
focused on the outward dynamics of
Paul's ministry
but Paul he pointed their attention to
the inward transformation
that had been affected through his
ministry. The Corinthian church was was
a tangible expression of how God had
worked. He was the one that was there
preaching and teaching and investing 18
months of his life a one year and a half
uh in in forming, instructing, sharing
the gospel, seeing people come to know
Christ and to be saved out of a very
pagan and wicked culture. He saw that.
He saw God's grace powerfully work and
he praised God not because he was the
one doing it, but because God was using
him as a hammer to build something
Yet these false apostles, they were the
ones who would have the the sheets on
all the pillars of themselves with their
glamour shots. What is the counter to this?
this?
He countered with authority that he had
from God. And he used this authority to
build up and not tear down or destroy.
I will tell you this,
most false teachers out there, I would
say all false teachers,
they will have to give an account to
Christ one day and it will be tough for
them. But the followers of false
teachers are usually steeped just like a
teaag that's been in there for days.
They are steeped in legalism
Paul didn't want to control them. He
wanted to equip them so that the spirit
would have control over their lives.
False teachers focus on manipulation
tactics and aggression when they don't
get their way.
But the sincere ones open the door and
get out of the way for Christ to work powerfully.
powerfully.
He's building up something bigger than
himself. Paul recognizes if I were to
get to get taken out somehow some way,
I would rejoice that there are people
who still proclaim and preach the
gospel. It's not about me.
The boast that Paul has in this section
and beyond is in Christ and his work.
And what's interesting is in these last
four chapters, the word boasting or
praising is most prevalent in these four
chapters than all of the New Testament
combined. So boasting is not bad, but we
boast in Jesus Christ.
The boast is in Christ and in Christ's
work. It is as if Paul is crying out
here. He says, "Not to be me be any
glory or credit, but all to God and his
grace, without which, might I add, I
would still be persecuting, terrorizing,
and killing Christians were it not for
the grace of God." So, he is boasting in
that. It's not not me and my ability to
to self-correct my heart, but God's
grace working in me and through me. That
is our boast today as Christians that
God's grace is amazing and it is a sweet
sound to our ears every time we sing of
it. Practically speaking, what Paul is
doing here is he is utilizing spiritual
authority for spiritual activity and
testimony. Now Jesus even warned uh the
the his disciples of how the world uses
authority. The world uses authority to
lord power over people and to get
self-interest and self praise.
Whereas the model that Jesus employs is
one of humble reverent submission. Jesus
is the one who gerted the towel and
washed the disciples feet on the night
that he was betrayed. Taken before a
sham trial, crucified the next day.
Jesus washed his disciples stinky dirty feet.
feet.
He was not above any task. The greatest
of which was dying in the place of sinners.
sinners.
So that is practically what's going on
here. Paul restrained himself.
We must recognize this that this church
deserved a verbal smackdown.
He was carnal. They were backbiting.
There were clicks in the church. If
there was something wrong that this
church could do, they did it.
I mean, they failed more often than they
succeeded. We're not talking two steps
forward and three steps back. We're
talking a half a step forward and five
steps back.
And so, Paul had every right as a man of
God to call this church out, but he
didn't smack them down. He held back
because of wisdom.
We must understand this
that the only obstacle to God's work
happening in our lives,
it's not the preacher's fault.
It's not the Sunday school's teacher.
It is you.
It's not Satan.
It's not this world in which we live
that is opposed to God's economy. The
only obstacle to God's greater work
happening in our lives is us.
Write that down and take it to the bank.
The charge was that Paul was weak. The
counter was that he appealed to God and
God's powerful message. We observe this
third and false um charge which is
intrusion or invasive. Like Paul is
presumptuous enough to to think that
that he is speaking when not asked or
wanted. We read of this in verses 12-18.
Let me read this for us today. This is
what Paul writes. He says, "For we are
not bold to class or compare ourselves
with some of those who commend
themselves. But when they measure
themselves by themselves and compare
themselves with themselves, they are
without understanding." Verse 12 is such
a beautiful one because what Paul is
basically saying is when these people
look at themselves in the mirror, they
say that they are the most beautiful of
all of God's creation by the own
standards they set. And no matter what
people say and do, they're never going to reach their level of perfection.
to reach their level of perfection. And this is what's beautiful. But
And this is what's beautiful. But they're they're measuring by the the
they're they're measuring by the the wrong standards. Verse 13. But we will
wrong standards. Verse 13. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within
not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God
the measure of the sphere which God aortioned to us as a measure to reach
aortioned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you. For we are not
even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves as if we did not
overextending ourselves as if we did not reach to you. For we were the first to
reach to you. For we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of
come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ, not boasting beyond our measure,
Christ, not boasting beyond our measure, that is in other men's labors, but with
that is in other men's labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we
the hope that as your faith grows, we will be within our sphere enlarged even
will be within our sphere enlarged even more by you. so as to preach the gospel
more by you. so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you and not
even to the regions beyond you and not to boast in what has been accomplished
to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But he who
in the sphere of another. But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it
boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is
is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
approved, but he whom the Lord commends. Now this is the key to this whole
Now this is the key to this whole passage. We must weigh heavily what God
passage. We must weigh heavily what God judges and appraises and praises. uh the
judges and appraises and praises. uh the what the world praises is all going to
what the world praises is all going to pass away. So we see this invasive
pass away. So we see this invasive versus uh charge and the counter to it
versus uh charge and the counter to it is uh a persuas persuasion that Paul is
is uh a persuas persuasion that Paul is is winsome. He is wanting uh to and
is winsome. He is wanting uh to and desires the same thing that God desires
desires the same thing that God desires is that the gospel would be advanced.
is that the gospel would be advanced. This charge is that from these false
This charge is that from these false apostles is that Paul imposed himself.
apostles is that Paul imposed himself. He was uninvited and he was unqualified
He was uninvited and he was unqualified to come into Corenth and speak. Whereas
to come into Corenth and speak. Whereas these false teachers were saying, "Look,
these false teachers were saying, "Look, I really am the ones you you need to be
I really am the ones you you need to be listening to what I have to share. I'm
listening to what I have to share. I'm not going to make you feel bad. I'm not
not going to make you feel bad. I'm not going to belittle or tear you down." Uh
going to belittle or tear you down." Uh they are basically uh preaching a
they are basically uh preaching a feel-good uh message.
feel-good uh message. Paul's counter as we just read in this
Paul's counter as we just read in this passage is very beautiful. He says first
passage is very beautiful. He says first of all that he is sent by God. That's
of all that he is sent by God. That's what qualifies him. When we go and see
what qualifies him. When we go and see people uh who are on their very end of
people uh who are on their very end of earthly days, uh sometimes people are
earthly days, uh sometimes people are afraid of this because they don't know
afraid of this because they don't know what to say or what to do.
what to say or what to do. But if you come in the name of the Lord
But if you come in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, he will give you the words
Jesus Christ, he will give you the words to say and the actions to perform.
to say and the actions to perform. At times you might pray. At times you
At times you might pray. At times you hold a hand. Uh you read scripture, you
hold a hand. Uh you read scripture, you praise the Lord through song. Paul
praise the Lord through song. Paul didn't need an invitation because he was
didn't need an invitation because he was sent by God to go into the uttermost
sent by God to go into the uttermost parts of the world and preach the
parts of the world and preach the gospel. This is the same gospel that was
gospel. This is the same gospel that was embraced by this church. Paul's
embraced by this church. Paul's motivations were pure because he sought
motivations were pure because he sought God's glory, not his own. So the counter
God's glory, not his own. So the counter to him being unqualified
to him being unqualified and intrusive is that look I am not
and intrusive is that look I am not doing this for the the names the name of
doing this for the the names the name of Paul of Tarsus.
Paul of Tarsus. I'm doing this for the name of Jesus
I'm doing this for the name of Jesus Christ. And the same should be true with
Christ. And the same should be true with all of us. We aren't sharing the gospel
all of us. We aren't sharing the gospel and living the gospel so that Hallsville
and living the gospel so that Hallsville Baptist Church can can have a good name
Baptist Church can can have a good name and be the biggest place of worship. But
and be the biggest place of worship. But we are uh sharing the message of
we are uh sharing the message of Christ's love and forgiveness so that
Christ's love and forgiveness so that his kingdom may be here as it is on
his kingdom may be here as it is on earth. It is not about us. It is all
earth. It is not about us. It is all about Jesus Christ.
about Jesus Christ. And then lastly, we see that Paul's
And then lastly, we see that Paul's ministry was sh sanctioned by God,
ministry was sh sanctioned by God, blessed by God, commended by God.
blessed by God, commended by God. There's no shame in that.
There's no shame in that. The world will shame you thinking,
The world will shame you thinking, making you think that what you do for
making you think that what you do for the Lord is a an epic waste of time.
the Lord is a an epic waste of time. Do this instead.
Do this instead. But I will tell you that uh the the this
But I will tell you that uh the the this that the world advocates is not
that the world advocates is not edifying. Usually it's not eternal. It's
edifying. Usually it's not eternal. It's usually uh just a a fickle feeling that
usually uh just a a fickle feeling that comes and lasts for a season. But but
comes and lasts for a season. But but what Paul is saying, what matters most
what Paul is saying, what matters most is is what God blesses and commends.
is is what God blesses and commends. I love the irony here that Paul uses.
I love the irony here that Paul uses. He says, "You say that I am intrusive,
He says, "You say that I am intrusive, these false teachers, but in fact, I've
these false teachers, but in fact, I've been invited by God to share the
been invited by God to share the greatest story that's ever been told.
greatest story that's ever been told. These false teachers are commending
These false teachers are commending themselves by their own standards, but
themselves by their own standards, but but when compared to God's standards,
but when compared to God's standards, they fall so very short."
they fall so very short." What Paul is saying here as I was
What Paul is saying here as I was thinking about this is it's like you're
thinking about this is it's like you're playing Monopoly with someone who is a
playing Monopoly with someone who is a known cheater and you always lose
known cheater and you always lose because this person happens to also be
because this person happens to also be the banker for the game.
the banker for the game. And so you play Monopoly and with this
And so you play Monopoly and with this person and who's a cheater and and also
person and who's a cheater and and also the banker and and you wonder why you
the banker and and you wonder why you lose all the time. Because when you pass
lose all the time. Because when you pass go and get your $200, they slip 200 for
go and get your $200, they slip 200 for themselves as well. I'm on to you.
themselves as well. I'm on to you. You see these these there is no wrong or
You see these these there is no wrong or or fault with these false apostles.
or fault with these false apostles. They are very quick to point that out.
They are very quick to point that out. Paul says, "I have my faults, but God's
Paul says, "I have my faults, but God's grace is working despite that."
grace is working despite that." So the practical step here is that when
So the practical step here is that when we measure ministry, it is not by the
we measure ministry, it is not by the reception of man or woman but by the
reception of man or woman but by the approval of God. The measure of a
approval of God. The measure of a ministry is not based on the metrics
ministry is not based on the metrics that this world uses
but rather by the metrics God uses. We think, "Well, I'm not a preacher that
We think, "Well, I'm not a preacher that is on YouTube that has a thousand people
is on YouTube that has a thousand people watching every time you preach, or I'm
watching every time you preach, or I'm not an evangelist that has led thousands
not an evangelist that has led thousands to Christ. I'm no Billy Graham or DL
to Christ. I'm no Billy Graham or DL Moody."
Moody." Well, I I'm not gifted in this way or
Well, I I'm not gifted in this way or that way. And so, what I have to offer
that way. And so, what I have to offer is is really worthless.
is is really worthless. But I will tell you that we see just the
But I will tell you that we see just the opposite in the scriptures. The widow's
opposite in the scriptures. The widow's might. it. She was she gave more than
might. it. She was she gave more than the Pharisees ever gave though they gave
the Pharisees ever gave though they gave more dollars that day. The the costly
more dollars that day. The the costly jar of oil which represented a whole
jar of oil which represented a whole year's wages. It was it was a testimony
year's wages. It was it was a testimony that happens through all the ages. Even
that happens through all the ages. Even now we read about it in the scriptures.
now we read about it in the scriptures. This sacrifice that Mary made, Mary of
This sacrifice that Mary made, Mary of Bethany.
Bethany. And so we see that uh that which we
And so we see that uh that which we think is so useless uh when measured by
think is so useless uh when measured by by the world's standards is is
by the world's standards is is infinitely priceless when measured by
infinitely priceless when measured by God's if it's done in faith. So every
God's if it's done in faith. So every step you take in faith even if it's a
step you take in faith even if it's a half step forward
half step forward it will be praised and remembered by God
it will be praised and remembered by God in the end. That is the measure of a
in the end. That is the measure of a successful ministry.
successful ministry. The battle belongs to the Lord.
The battle belongs to the Lord. When are we to defend ourselves in light
When are we to defend ourselves in light of relentless attacks in both the
of relentless attacks in both the physical and the spiritual realms?
physical and the spiritual realms? That's the question I posed at the
That's the question I posed at the beginning. The answer, as we have seen
beginning. The answer, as we have seen in today's text, Paul, he bears his
in today's text, Paul, he bears his teeth when God's word is misrepresented,
teeth when God's word is misrepresented, undermines, or twisted to deceive those
undermines, or twisted to deceive those who are right on the precipice of a full
who are right on the precipice of a full surrender. That is when we bear our
surrender. That is when we bear our teeth. When God's work is impeded or
teeth. When God's work is impeded or blockaded, it makes me think of of the
blockaded, it makes me think of of the times of Nehemiah when they're on the
times of Nehemiah when they're on the walls and these detractors. Paul
walls and these detractors. Paul Nehemiah says, "Why should we come down
Nehemiah says, "Why should we come down to you? The work is too important for us
to you? The work is too important for us to stop. We will not come down." So,
to stop. We will not come down." So, when God's work is impeded, that's when
when God's work is impeded, that's when we have our sword in one hand and our
we have our sword in one hand and our our tel in the other. As we continue
our tel in the other. As we continue working, when God's witness is
working, when God's witness is suppressed,
suppressed, we proclaim it all the more. Remember
we proclaim it all the more. Remember when John and Peter were preaching right
when John and Peter were preaching right at the start and birth of the church, uh
at the start and birth of the church, uh they were arrested by the Jewish
they were arrested by the Jewish authorities and said, "You will not be
authorities and said, "You will not be speaking anymore in the name of Jesus."
speaking anymore in the name of Jesus." And and they beat him and let them go.
And and they beat him and let them go. And what did they do? They they went and
And what did they do? They they went and they told all the more and they started
they told all the more and they started praising because they can they were
praising because they can they were considered worthy to be persecuted for
considered worthy to be persecuted for the name of Jesus. And so even Teroleian
the name of Jesus. And so even Teroleian one of the church historians early on he
one of the church historians early on he says the the blood of the martyrs serves
says the the blood of the martyrs serves as the the seed of the church.
as the the seed of the church. And so when when the world is saying you
And so when when the world is saying you can't say this that is when we speak all
can't say this that is when we speak all the more because the time is short my
the more because the time is short my friends we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
friends we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Um and so as we close, I wanted to just
Um and so as we close, I wanted to just share some life lessons. Spiritual
share some life lessons. Spiritual attacks come from within and without. We
attacks come from within and without. We must recognize that that we are going to
must recognize that that we are going to face spiritual attack in this battle of
face spiritual attack in this battle of the faith. We need to recognize that
the faith. We need to recognize that sometimes it's it's inside ourselves
sometimes it's it's inside ourselves that the battle is. Sometimes it's
that the battle is. Sometimes it's outside ourselves. Sometimes it's
outside ourselves. Sometimes it's outside the church. Sometimes it's
outside the church. Sometimes it's inside the church. But again, my
inside the church. But again, my friends, God's grace is greater than
friends, God's grace is greater than than all of that. And the weaponry he
than all of that. And the weaponry he gives, prayer, the word of God, the
gives, prayer, the word of God, the spirit, love, those are what are going
spirit, love, those are what are going to win the day and not frothing at the
to win the day and not frothing at the mouth.
mouth. The best counter to misunderstanding is
The best counter to misunderstanding is consistent character.
consistent character. uh you could throw and lay every charge
uh you could throw and lay every charge against a person, but if that person is
against a person, but if that person is following the Lord, if that person is
following the Lord, if that person is both uh thinking and acting in speech
both uh thinking and acting in speech and in conduct uh as as a true child of
and in conduct uh as as a true child of God, those charges will not stick.
God, those charges will not stick. It's like Billy Graham being accused of
It's like Billy Graham being accused of a an adulterous affair. He had the Billy
a an adulterous affair. He had the Billy Graham rule where he would never be
Graham rule where he would never be alone with a single woman, a woman
alone with a single woman, a woman period.
period. That those charges wouldn't stick with
That those charges wouldn't stick with Billy Graham because of the Billy Graham
Billy Graham because of the Billy Graham rule that everybody knew about.
rule that everybody knew about. So when let me just strongly encourage
So when let me just strongly encourage you all Christians
you all Christians as we near the latter latter days,
as we near the latter latter days, people are going to undermine the work
people are going to undermine the work of Christ and the gospel of Christ in
of Christ and the gospel of Christ in every way possible and throw false
every way possible and throw false accusations against you.
accusations against you. It could cost us our jobs. It could cost
It could cost us our jobs. It could cost us some relationships. It could cost us
us some relationships. It could cost us our lives. these false accusations.
our lives. these false accusations. Remember what they did to Christ in the
Remember what they did to Christ in the end? They falsely accused him of
end? They falsely accused him of breaking the Sabbath and being a rioter.
breaking the Sabbath and being a rioter. How much more so against Christ's
How much more so against Christ's people. The last one life lesson, the
people. The last one life lesson, the measure of any and every ministry is is
measure of any and every ministry is is how close we are to Jesus Christ.
how close we are to Jesus Christ. It's not the numbers. It's not the fruit
It's not the numbers. It's not the fruit that we see, but it is abiding in the
that we see, but it is abiding in the true vine and the vitality we have from
true vine and the vitality we have from doing just that.
doing just that. So often we think, well, something big
So often we think, well, something big is happening here and there, but uh
is happening here and there, but uh sadly enough, we see uh over time
sadly enough, we see uh over time toxicity is revealed.
But what will stand the test of time is faithfulness.
faithfulness. faithfulness to Christ.
faithfulness to Christ. Have you ever been misunderstood or
Have you ever been misunderstood or misrepresented because of your faith in
misrepresented because of your faith in Christ?
Christ? Have you ever been accused of being a
Have you ever been accused of being a coward because you didn't get the last
coward because you didn't get the last word in?
Have you been criticized because you're not as gifted as so and so or you're not
not as gifted as so and so or you're not as successful as such and such?
as successful as such and such? A successful business person or church
A successful business person or church may grow according to the world's
may grow according to the world's metrics, but spiritual health are found
metrics, but spiritual health are found only in closeness to Christ. Have you
only in closeness to Christ. Have you ever been told that you're unwanted
ever been told that you're unwanted here? I have actually
here? I have actually presumptuous. Have you been told that
presumptuous. Have you been told that you're judgmental, intolerant, ignorant
you're judgmental, intolerant, ignorant because you are a Christian?
Friends, we don't come with our own authority, but with and in the name of
authority, but with and in the name of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ. And because we come in the name of
And because we come in the name of Jesus, it is the same name that in the
Jesus, it is the same name that in the end every knee shall bow, those in
end every knee shall bow, those in heaven, those on earth, and those in
heaven, those on earth, and those in hell.
hell. All because Jesus is the way, the truth,
All because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
and the life. Jesus was misunderstood. He was accused
Jesus was misunderstood. He was accused of being a coward, weak, intruding upon
of being a coward, weak, intruding upon the lives and the system that God had
the lives and the system that God had put into place.
put into place. But the same Jesus died on the cross for
But the same Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. The ones
our sins and rose again. The ones yelling the loudest were in fact the
yelling the loudest were in fact the ones far, far away from God.
ones far, far away from God. The many voices we hear
The many voices we hear just may not have our best interests in
just may not have our best interests in mind. There is only one voice I invite
mind. There is only one voice I invite you to hear today and it is the voice of
you to hear today and it is the voice of the good shepherd who laid down his life
the good shepherd who laid down his life for you that you might live forever
for you that you might live forever more. He is calling you now. His name is
more. He is calling you now. His name is Jesus. Come to me all who are weary and
Jesus. Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For
you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
my yoke is easy and my burden is light. There are many voices out there,
There are many voices out there, podcasts, newscasts, social media, a lot
podcasts, newscasts, social media, a lot of voices out there, but there is only
of voices out there, but there is only one voice that matters most most and it
one voice that matters most most and it is the voice of Jesus Christ.
is the voice of Jesus Christ. When we breathe our lasts, all of us who
When we breathe our lasts, all of us who follow Christ want to hear those
follow Christ want to hear those cherished words, "Well done, my good and
cherished words, "Well done, my good and faithful servants."
faithful servants." That is what Paul heard when he fought
That is what Paul heard when he fought his fight to the end. These false
his fight to the end. These false teachers,
teachers, they heard, "Depart from me, you workers
they heard, "Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, for I did not know you."
of iniquity, for I did not know you." Friends, when we are commended by God,
Friends, when we are commended by God, that is a good place to be. That is the
that is a good place to be. That is the only place we can be. To be friends with
only place we can be. To be friends with the world is to be enemies with God. So
the world is to be enemies with God. So let us be friends with God. He invites
let us be friends with God. He invites us today. Let us close in prayer.
us today. Let us close in prayer. Heavenly Father, I thank you so much.
Heavenly Father, I thank you so much. What a witness from your word
What a witness from your word that here was a servant who was accused
that here was a servant who was accused of so many things
of so many things unjustifiably.
Paul in the flesh wanted to defend himself and he does here but not
himself and he does here but not himself. He defends you and your grace
himself. He defends you and your grace at work, the authority that you give and
at work, the authority that you give and the ministry that you give gave him.
the ministry that you give gave him. And so Lord, I just uh pray that as we
And so Lord, I just uh pray that as we are facing opposition and
are facing opposition and aggression against uh
aggression against uh the Christian faith, let us recognize
the Christian faith, let us recognize that the personal attacks,
that the personal attacks, misrepresentations aren't against us per
misrepresentations aren't against us per se, but against the Christ in us.
se, but against the Christ in us. Lord, if anything, I pray for wisdom in
Lord, if anything, I pray for wisdom in how to respond when we're in the
how to respond when we're in the workplaces, in the homes. Lord, when
workplaces, in the homes. Lord, when we're in the communities,
we're in the communities, Lord, I just pray for wisdom. Remind us
Lord, I just pray for wisdom. Remind us that the, as James writes, that the the
that the, as James writes, that the the hostility or the anger of man does not
hostility or the anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
accomplish the righteousness of God. Lord, forgive us when we when we are
Lord, forgive us when we when we are when we react react. Lord, we are but
when we react react. Lord, we are but people.
people. Forgive us when we react in a way that
Forgive us when we react in a way that is not conducive or helpful for the
is not conducive or helpful for the gospel.
gospel. Lord, give us the the power found only
Lord, give us the the power found only in the spirit, found only in the Christ
in the spirit, found only in the Christ in us that allows us to speak when we
in us that allows us to speak when we need to and remain silent when you lead
need to and remain silent when you lead us to.
us to. Lord, I do pray for those this morning
Lord, I do pray for those this morning who who may not know you, who have not
who who may not know you, who have not responded to the voice of the good
responded to the voice of the good shepherd. Or maybe they have and they've
shepherd. Or maybe they have and they've they've strayed out of his field, his
they've strayed out of his field, his pasture.
pasture. I pray for that soul this morning that
I pray for that soul this morning that they would come once again and respond
they would come once again and respond so positively to the shepherd Jesus who
so positively to the shepherd Jesus who who laid down his life even for them,
who laid down his life even for them, that sheep that has strayed. Lord, he
that sheep that has strayed. Lord, he will leave the 99 behind to go get that
will leave the 99 behind to go get that one that has strayed. And I pray for
one that has strayed. And I pray for that uh one who may need to rededicate
that uh one who may need to rededicate right here and right now in this moment.
Lord, I do also pray for those who do not know you that you would uh draw them
not know you that you would uh draw them close to you. You are the God who
close to you. You are the God who because of love died in their place,
because of love died in their place, rose again, and because of love, you can
rose again, and because of love, you can transform even the hardest and the
transform even the hardest and the roughest of lives. I pray that they
roughest of lives. I pray that they would embrace love today. True love.
would embrace love today. True love. Be with us now as we go our as we finish
Be with us now as we go our as we finish our worship and go into our various
our worship and go into our various ministries,
ministries, measuring it by your standards, your
measuring it by your standards, your metrics, and not the worlds. It's in
metrics, and not the worlds. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Jesus name we pray. Amen. As we respond now, this is a time of
As we respond now, this is a time of invitation. You could pray where you
invitation. You could pray where you are. You can come and pray with me or
are. You can come and pray with me or you could pray at the altar. But this is
you could pray at the altar. But this is a time we respond to God's voice
a time we respond to God's voice speaking to us. Speak to my heart. Let
speaking to us. Speak to my heart. Let us stand and sing our hymn of
us stand and sing our hymn of invitation.
invitation. [Music]
[Music] Speak to my heart, Lord Jesus.
Speak to my heart, Lord Jesus. [Music]
[Music] Speak that my soul
Speak that my soul may hear.
Speak to my heart, Lord Jesus. [Music]
[Music] Calm every doubt
Calm every doubt and fear.
>> Speak to my heart. Oh, speak to my heart.
Oh, speak to my heart. Speak to my heart,
Speak to my heart, I pray.
[Music] yielded
yielded and still
and still and seeking thy will.
and seeking thy will. Oh, speak to my heart
Oh, speak to my heart today.
today. >> Let us uh close in in prayer. And
>> Let us uh close in in prayer. And heavenly father, I just again we thank
heavenly father, I just again we thank you for this time of worship. Lord, we
you for this time of worship. Lord, we praise you that uh you have given us uh
praise you that uh you have given us uh the all the tools to face a world that
the all the tools to face a world that is opposed to your work and your will.
is opposed to your work and your will. Lord, you've given us the Holy Spirit.
Lord, you've given us the Holy Spirit. You've given us your grace. You've given
You've given us your grace. You've given us a gospel message that counters even
us a gospel message that counters even the worst of assaults. And Lord, you
the worst of assaults. And Lord, you give us the promise in Matthew 16 that
give us the promise in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell itself shall not
the gates of hell itself shall not prevail against your church. So the
prevail against your church. So the battle is real, but it belongs to you.
battle is real, but it belongs to you. So let us uh equip ourselves for this
So let us uh equip ourselves for this battle knowing that love is the the
battle knowing that love is the the juice that the oil that uh that that
juice that the oil that uh that that makes the gears go. And we thank you and
makes the gears go. And we thank you and praise you God for this time this day.
praise you God for this time this day. And it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
And it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. I love to tell the story.
I love to tell the story of unseen things above.
of unseen things above. Of Jesus and his glory
Of Jesus and his glory of Jesus and his love.
of Jesus and his love. I love to tell the story
I love to tell the story because I know it is true.
because I know it is true. It satisfies
It satisfies my longings
my longings as nothing else can do.
as nothing else can do. I love to tell the story
I love to tell the story will be my theme in glory
will be my theme in glory to tell the old story
to tell the old story of Jesus
of Jesus and his love. Amen. God bless and have a
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