Athens

Corinth

2 Corinthians 10:88For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up

rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

Legit spiritual authority

2 Corinthians 10:1717“Let the one who boasts,

boast in the Lord.”

A Quick Re-cap

Accepting Other JesusesA Quick Re-cap

“…betrothed to one husband…”

A Quick Re-cap

Last week’s message:

I Yam what I Yam!

2 Corinthians 11:5-155 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6Even if I am

unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to

you in all things.

A Quick Re-cap

2 Corinthians 11:5-157Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so

that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? 8I robbed

other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for

the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain

from burdening you in any way.

A Quick Re-cap

2 Corinthians 11:5-1210As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of

mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11And why? Because I do not love you?

God knows I do!12And what I am doing I will continue to do, in

order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission

they work on the same terms as we do.

A Quick Re-cap

2 Corinthians 11:12-1512And what I am doing I will continue to do, in

order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission

they work on the same terms as we do. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful

workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan

disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise

themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

This Week

2 Corinthians 11:12-1512And what I am doing I will continue to do, in

order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission

they work on the same terms as we do. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful

workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan

disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise

themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Paul’s Good News message

1 Corinthians 2:1-5And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come

proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know

nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Proclamation vs. Persuasion

2 Corinthians 4:5For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but

Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

2 Corinthians 11:12-1512And what I am doing I will continue to do, in

order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission

they work on the same terms as we do. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful

workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan

disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise

themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 11:12-1512And what I am doing I will continue to do, in

order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission

they work on the same terms as we do. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful

workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan

disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise

themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

14And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise

if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light

Super-Apostles disguised as apostles of Christ in order to deceive

False Message appealing because it offers health, prosperity, success disguised to lead them away from the true gospel of Christ’s love and suffering for them

2 Corinthians 11:12-1512And what I am doing I will continue to do, in

order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission

they work on the same terms as we do. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful

workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan

disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise

themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Warning!

Warning!

Warning!

Warning!

Warning!

Paul’s Good News message

2 Corinthians 5:18-21All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled

us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was

reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we

are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of

Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in

him we might become the righteousness of God.

Paul vs. “Super-Apostles”

Paul• Boasts in his lack of $ need, and his suffering• True apostle serving Jesus• Gospel proclamation in plain words• Plainly shows who he is and what he does (I Yam what I Yam)

Taking off the mask:

Paul vs. “Super-Apostles”

Super-Apostles• Denigrate Paul for not charging $ and for suffering• False apostles serving Satan• Fancy speech and rhetoric to persuade• Are deceitful, disguised

Paul• Boasts in his lack of $ need, and his suffering• True apostle serving Jesus• Gospel proclamation in plain words• Plainly shows who he is and what he does (I Yam what I Yam)

Taking off the mask:

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus

Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your

servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let

light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in

the face of Jesus Christ.

Taking off the mask:

Christianity vs. False Teaching

Christianity• Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ• Offers Gospel: End corresponding to Jesus deeds

Christianity vs. False Teaching

False Teaching• Not the true Light• Offers false righteousness and an end that corresponds to your deeds

Taking off the mask:

Christianity• Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ• Offers Gospel: End corresponding to Jesus deeds

Taking off the mask:The Spiritual Battle

• Don’t pretend Satan doesn’t exist• Don’t focus on him in an unbalanced way• Don’t give him credit he doesn’t deserve• Don’t believe his message and be deceived

• Do repent and put your trust in Jesus• Do pray to the sovereign God who has authority over all things • Do stand in the strength of the Lord and wear the full armor of God (Eph 6:10-20)• Do have community with other believers(Hebrews 3:12-13)

Ephesians 6:10-20Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your

Ephesians 6:10-20feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Hebrews 3:12-13Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Question for personal reflection

1.Who are you giving spiritual authority to in your life?

Gospel Application

Are you believing that Jesus is your righteousness and your end will correspond

to His deeds?

Gospel Application

Are you believing that Jesus is your righteousness and your end will correspond

to His deeds?

Are you prepared for battle, wearing the full armor of God AND in gospel community

with others?