PASS THE TEST (23 OF 23)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:14-21, 2 Corinthians 13:1-14
This content is part of a series.
Title: Pass the Test (23 of 23)
Series: Suffer with Purpose
Author: Keith Krell
Text: 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14
Why do we like summer so much? We appreciate the sunny weather. We often take vacations. Students like being out of school because they don't have tests. Yet, tests are a normal part of life. We have our annual physical exams. We have vision tests, hearing tests, and blood tests. In our jobs, we have skill, knowledge, and certification tests. You likely remember the most difficult test you've ever taken. That's because testing is an essential part of life.
Today, we're going to take a test. I know it's summer, so that's a bummer. Yet, we have to stay sharp, right? The test question is: How can we have a healthy church despite all the problems that can and will occur? The apostle Paul answers this question in 2 Cor 12:14-13:14 when he exhorts us to pass a trio of tests.
1. Pass the test of accountability (12:14-21). We must learn to hold people accountable in loving and edifying ways. We must also invite others to hold us accountable. In 12:14a, Paul writes: "Here ["pay attention!"] for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you." Paul planted the church on his first visit to Corinth. His second trip was called "the sorrowful visit" because he wasn't kindly received. Yet, Paul refuses to give up and is now willing to visit a third time. He brings up the topic of money once again and says he won't be a burden to the Corinthians. Paul is committed to serving voluntarily.
Why is Paul willing to visit the Corinthians? Verse 14b explains: ". . . for I do not seek what is yours[your money], but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children." Paul's metaphor is simple: It would seem foolish for young children to put away money for their parents. The role of parents is to support and take care of their children. We don't take our kids to McDonalds or Chick-f ...
Series: Suffer with Purpose
Author: Keith Krell
Text: 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14
Why do we like summer so much? We appreciate the sunny weather. We often take vacations. Students like being out of school because they don't have tests. Yet, tests are a normal part of life. We have our annual physical exams. We have vision tests, hearing tests, and blood tests. In our jobs, we have skill, knowledge, and certification tests. You likely remember the most difficult test you've ever taken. That's because testing is an essential part of life.
Today, we're going to take a test. I know it's summer, so that's a bummer. Yet, we have to stay sharp, right? The test question is: How can we have a healthy church despite all the problems that can and will occur? The apostle Paul answers this question in 2 Cor 12:14-13:14 when he exhorts us to pass a trio of tests.
1. Pass the test of accountability (12:14-21). We must learn to hold people accountable in loving and edifying ways. We must also invite others to hold us accountable. In 12:14a, Paul writes: "Here ["pay attention!"] for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you." Paul planted the church on his first visit to Corinth. His second trip was called "the sorrowful visit" because he wasn't kindly received. Yet, Paul refuses to give up and is now willing to visit a third time. He brings up the topic of money once again and says he won't be a burden to the Corinthians. Paul is committed to serving voluntarily.
Why is Paul willing to visit the Corinthians? Verse 14b explains: ". . . for I do not seek what is yours[your money], but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children." Paul's metaphor is simple: It would seem foolish for young children to put away money for their parents. The role of parents is to support and take care of their children. We don't take our kids to McDonalds or Chick-f ...
There are 23190 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
