DISTINGUISHING MARKS (17 OF 17)
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21, 2 Corinthians 13:1-6, 2 Corinthians 13:9-14
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Distinguishing Marks (17 of 17)
Series: 2 Corinthians
Robert Dawson
2 Corinthians 12.11-13.14
Growing up there were times I felt like my parents loved my brother more than me. If you grew up with siblings, whether 1 or 10, you know the feeling. Truth is, I'm still not sure that wasn't or isn't the case!! It's Jacob and Esau all over again! My brother was, is, always will be, 7 ½ years older than I am.
That meant when I was old enough to process and thoughts like, he's their favorite or they love him more, he was in the middle of teen years and all the angst that goes with them, puberty, girls, cars, first jobs, college and marriage. It seemed like a never-ending drama, ''As David's World Turns.'' It dominated the dinner conversations which I couldn't wait to be dismissed from and return to my toys, friends or cartoons.
Because his life stage soaked up most of the oxygen in the room, I felt neglected and less loved. (I know. Cue the violin and schedule a therapy session). Despite my immature and selfish feelings, see I've coped, there was a mound of evidence that I was loved and should have never questioned that fact. I'm certain mom and dad must have thought, ''How in the world can this child even think that?''
Paul, in this last letter to the church at Corinth, is having to do the unthinkable, defend his character, ministry, calling and his love for the Christians in Corinth. This has been a distasteful affair for Paul, one that he has called foolish, because he feels that he has had to boast in order to offer a defense. In verse 11 he says, ''I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me.'' I've had to act like a fool...and it's your fault!
He goes on to say that it should not have been necessary to begin with. Rather than defending himself to them, they should have defended him to his accusers and adversaries. Let's read the last part of that verse, ''Actually, I should have been commended by you, since I was in no respect inferior to ...
Series: 2 Corinthians
Robert Dawson
2 Corinthians 12.11-13.14
Growing up there were times I felt like my parents loved my brother more than me. If you grew up with siblings, whether 1 or 10, you know the feeling. Truth is, I'm still not sure that wasn't or isn't the case!! It's Jacob and Esau all over again! My brother was, is, always will be, 7 ½ years older than I am.
That meant when I was old enough to process and thoughts like, he's their favorite or they love him more, he was in the middle of teen years and all the angst that goes with them, puberty, girls, cars, first jobs, college and marriage. It seemed like a never-ending drama, ''As David's World Turns.'' It dominated the dinner conversations which I couldn't wait to be dismissed from and return to my toys, friends or cartoons.
Because his life stage soaked up most of the oxygen in the room, I felt neglected and less loved. (I know. Cue the violin and schedule a therapy session). Despite my immature and selfish feelings, see I've coped, there was a mound of evidence that I was loved and should have never questioned that fact. I'm certain mom and dad must have thought, ''How in the world can this child even think that?''
Paul, in this last letter to the church at Corinth, is having to do the unthinkable, defend his character, ministry, calling and his love for the Christians in Corinth. This has been a distasteful affair for Paul, one that he has called foolish, because he feels that he has had to boast in order to offer a defense. In verse 11 he says, ''I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me.'' I've had to act like a fool...and it's your fault!
He goes on to say that it should not have been necessary to begin with. Rather than defending himself to them, they should have defended him to his accusers and adversaries. Let's read the last part of that verse, ''Actually, I should have been commended by you, since I was in no respect inferior to ...
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