1. 1 Second Corinthians “Paul – A Minister of Christ” Lesson 13 Second Corinthians 11:16-33 Page 14

2. Tonight’s Lesson…. Paul’s defense: Against the tactics of false teachers(11:16-22) By citations of his sufferings for the gospel(11:23-33) 2

3. 16 I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. 17 What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! 20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. 21 To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 3 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 (NKJV)

4. 4 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 Paul’s Defense Against The Tactics Of False Teachers 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 Paul resorted to tactics not employed by Christ when he contrasted his own physical qualifications with those of the false teachers who challenged his apostleship. (vs.6,17) What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.” Notice verse 17, “What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.” –What he was going to “boast” about was his actual life experiences as a gospel preacher, not something the Lord would do or something the Lord would tell him to do.

5. 5 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 Tactics Of False Teachers 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 He sought to expose their tactics by means of his own tactics: Tactics of False teachers Paul’s counter tactics a. Boasting - (v.18) a. Godly boasting - (v.18) b. Using converts to their b. He was too “weak” for that own advantage - (v.20) practice - (v.21) c. Boldness in claims and c. Heavenly-generated behavior - (v.21)boldness - (v.21) d. Appeals to Jewish heritage d. Equal in Jewish credentials and mindset - (v.22) of the flesh - (v.22)

6. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 6 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 (NKJV)

7. 7 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 Citations Of His Sufferings For The Gospel 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 The real issue was -- who really is a minister of Christ? (v.23) The ultimate proof of any ministry is the sacrifices made for it!

8. 8 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Citations Of His Sufferings For The Gospel 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul could recite 23 kinds of things he had suffered for the gospel he preached: (vs.23-28) a. Labors; b. stripes; c. prisons; d. (in danger of) deaths; e. scourging; f. beatings with rods; g. stonings; h. shipwreck; i. journeys; j. perils of waters; k. perils of robbers; l. perils from Jews; m. perils from Gentiles; n. perils in the city; o. perils in the wilderness;

9. 9 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Citations Of His Sufferings For The Gospel 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul could recite 23 kinds of things he had suffered for the gospel he preached: (vs.23-28) p. perils in the sea; q. perils among false brethren; r. weariness and toil; s. sleeplessness often; t. hunger and thirst; u. fastings; v. cold and nakedness; w. deep concern for all the churches.

10. 10 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Citations Of His Sufferings For The Gospel 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul’s implication was: how much have the others sacrificed for their ministry? Little, if any! Paul’s greatest burden was his “deep concern” for all the churches. (v.28) – –Elders care for one flock -- Paul cared for many! He bore a very great mental and emotional load as a part of his apostleship.

11. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. 11 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 (NKJV)

12. 12 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 Citations Of His Sufferings For The Gospel 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 His suffering had begun immediately following his conversion to Christ and had continued over the years until that present time. (vs.32,33)