2Cor11:18-30 Boast of My Weakness

# Boast of My Weakness
## 2 Corinthians 11:18-30

>>>
29 May 2016, ECBC English and Bridge

---

# Q: What are you <br/> most **proud** of?
# Why?

>>>
In life, where you are right now <br/>
Treasure, most prized, boast

---
## Threat of the Charlatans
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">ch10:</span>
  The Spiritual **Battleground**
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">ch11a:</span>
  Lost Your **First Love**
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">ch11b:</span>
  Paul's Boast: **Weakness** in Ministry
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">ch12a:</span>
  Paul's Boast: Spiritual Weakness:
  + My **Grace** Is Sufficient
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">ch12b:</span>
  As **Parents** for Their Own Children

>>>
ch10-12, the last major threat to the church
in 2Cor: **boastful false apostles**.

---

## The Spiritual Battleground (2Cor10)
* Pastor Arthur,
  "<span style="color:#1b91ff">Corinth and Beyond</span>"
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">1-6:</span>
  We **fight** not according to flesh
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">7-11:</span>
  Apostolic **authority** for building up
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">12-18:</span>
  **Measured** by God's canon

>>>
+ missions focus, armor of God
+ letters weighty
  + in person unimpressive

---

## Lost Your First Love (2Cor11a)
* Pastor Phil,
  "<span style="color:#1b91ff">What Impresses You?</span>"
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">1-6</span> (You):
  corrupted away from **simple devotion**
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">7-11:</span> (We):
  kept ourselves **unburdensome**
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">12-15:</span> (They):
  **masquerading** as apostles

>>>
Not: personality cults / celebrities <br/>
Back to: simple devotion to Christ

---

## My Grace Is Sufficient (2Cor12)
* Brother Sunday (next week)
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">1-4:</span>
  **Pride** in God's revelation
  + Visions of heaven
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">5-8:</span>
  **Humbled** by God's hand
  + Thorn in the flesh
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">9-10:</span>
  Power perfected in **weakness**
* <span style="color:#1b91ff">11-21:</span>
  As **parents** for their own children

>>>
When we become puffed up, <br/>
God humbles us to <br/>
Teach us to rely on His grace

---

## Boast of My Weakness (2Cor11b)
1. **Charlatans**
  <span style="color:#1b91ff">(v18-21a)</span>
2. **Credentials**
  <span style="color:#1b91ff">(v21b-22)</span>
3. **Crises**
  <span style="color:#1b91ff">(v23-27)</span>
4. **Concern**
  <span style="color:#1b91ff">(v28-30)</span>

>>>
Outline for today
1. Threat is boastful false apostles
  + And Corinthians' complacency
2. Paul meets their credentials, to deflate them
  + Show Corinthians not to be impressed by credentials
3. Paul exceeds them, not in strength but weakness
  + Normal Christian life is full of hardship and suffering
4. Burden not only physical, also spiritual + emotional
  + Paul's concern as a father to his children

---
## 2 Corinthians 11:18-21a (NIV)

<span class="fragment highlight-green" data-fragment-index="3">
Since many are **boasting** in the way the world does, <br/>
**I too** will boast.
</span>

<span class="fragment highlight-blue" data-fragment-index="2">
You gladly **put up** with fools since you are so **wise**! <br/>
</span>
<span class="fragment" style="color:#1b91ff" data-fragment-index="2">
[You: Corinthians]
</span>

<span class="fragment highlight-blue" data-fragment-index="2">
In fact, you even put up with anyone
</span>
<span class="fragment highlight-red" data-fragment-index="1">
who **enslaves** you <br/>
or **exploits** you or **takes advantage** of you <br/>
or puts on **airs** or **slaps** you in the face. <br/>
</span>
<span class="fragment" style="color:#ff2c2d" data-fragment-index="1">
[They: Charlatans]
</span>

<span class="fragment highlight-green" data-fragment-index="3">
To my shame I admit that we were too **weak** for that! <br/>
</span>
<span class="fragment" style="color:#17ff2e" data-fragment-index="3">
[We: Christ's servants]
</span>

>>>
They, You, We

---
## 1a. They: Charlatans (20)

* "**Enslaves**"
  + e.g., to legalism,
  [Gal4:9](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal4.9)
* "**Exploits**" *(eat, swallow)*
  + c.f.
  [Mk12:40](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk12.40)
* "**Takes advantage**" *(take)*
  + c.f.
  [2Cor12:16](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor12.16)
* "**Puts on airs**" *(raise up)*
  + c.f.
  [2Cor10:5](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor10.5)
* "**Slaps in face**" *(strike)*

</div>
<div>
![Madrazo, Jesus in House of Annas](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/Madrazo-Jesus_in_Annas_House.jpg)
<br/><small>[José de Madrazo, Jesus in the House of Annas, 1803](https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/jesus-in-the-house-of-annas/)</small>
</div>
</div>

>>>
1. to legalism, human authority
2. consume resources/money (cf widows)
3. capture in net, trick
4. elevates self
5. deride, insult, humiliate

---
## 1b. You: Corinthians (19)
<div class="imgbox">
<div>
* "You are so **wise**!"
  + pride in own judgment
* "**Put up** with fools"
  + failure to restrain
* "**Gladly**": with pleasure, delight
</div>
<div>
![Gandhara Buddha, Tokyo National Museum](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/Gandhara_Buddha.jpg)
<br/><small>[Standing Buddha, Tokyo National Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_Buddha)</small>
</div>
</div>

>>>
1. Proud of own judgment
2. Endure, accept: inaction
  + Jam4:16-17, boast in arrogance; not do right
3. Delight
  + Doctrinal liberality as virtue
  + Everyone has a voice
* (img: Buddha, 1st c. AD, Tokyo National Museum)

---
## 1c. We: Christ's servants (18, 21a)

<div class="imgbox">
<div>
* "To my **shame**" (irony!)
* "We were too **weak**"
  + c.f. v23-28
* "Boasting [as] the **world**"
  + according to **flesh**
* "**I too** will boast"
  + but not in the same way
  + boasts of **weakness**!

</div><div>
![Rembrandt, Apostle Paul](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/Rembrandt-Apostle_Paul.jpg)
<br/><small>[Rembrandt, Apostle Paul, 1657](http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.1198.html)</small>
</div></div>

>>>
1. Dishonour: Corinthians ashamed of Paul
2. Content of boast
3. Corinthians were **impressed** by the boasting
* Not **stooping** to their level, but
  + **Deflating** their claims
  + Bring Corinthians back to **simple devotion**

---
## 1. Charlatans (18-21a)

<span style="color:#17ff2e">
Since many are **boasting** in the way the world does, <br/>
**I too** will boast.
</span>

<span style="color:#1b91ff">
You gladly **put up** with fools since you are so **wise**! <br/>
[You: Corinthians]
</span>

<span style="color:#1b91ff">
In fact, you even put up with anyone
</span>
<span style="color:#ff2c2d">
who **enslaves** you <br/>
or **exploits** you or **takes advantage** of you <br/>
or puts on **airs** or **slaps** you in the face. <br/>
[They: Charlatans]
</span>

<span style="color:#17ff2e">
To my shame I admit that we were too **weak** for that! <br/>
[We: Christ's servants]
</span>

>>>
Review pt1:
+ They proudly **abuse** you
+ You **endure** it and even delight in your liberality
+ We **deflate** the illusion
  + boast in our **weakness**
+ personality cult: drawn to powerful people
  + Jobs
  + 1Cor1:12-13 Paul, Apollo
  + mom+son follow me
  + JMS

---
## Providence (JMS)

<div class="imgbox">
<div>
For further reading:
* [Apologetics Index](http://www.apologeticsindex.org/416-jung-myung-seok)
* [A Study of Denominations](http://www.astudyofdenominations.com/denominations/providence/)
* [JMSCult](http://jmscult.com/)
</div>
<div>![JMS, from their own website](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/jungmyungseok.png)</div>
</div>

>>>
Jung Myung Seok (Joshua)
+ splinter from Unification church ("Moonies")
+ numerology: Messiah
+ "always smile": life is good, hardship is only mental
+ Love Principle: Eve fell due to sex; women redeemed via sex w/JMS
  + in jail in Korea since 2009, 3 counts rape (100s of accusations)
  + "religious injustice", "persecuted Christians"

---

# Q: Are you **passive** <br/> when you hear <br/> **false teachers**?

>>>
**Pride** in own achievements should be a red flag

---

## Boast of My Weakness (2Cor11b)

1. *Charlatans* (v18-21a)
2. **Credentials**
  <span style="color:#1b91ff">(v21b-22)</span>
3. *Crises* (v23-27)
4. *Concern* (v28-30)

>>>
Paul starts his "undertaking of boasting" (17)
by **matching**, and hence **deflating**, their credentials

---
## 2 Corinthians 11:21b-22 (NIV)

Whatever anyone else **dares** to boast about -- <br/>
I am speaking as a **fool** -- <br/>
**I also** dare to boast about.

Are they **Hebrews**? So am I. <br/>
Are they **Israelites**? So am I. <br/>
Are they **Abraham’s descendants**? So am I.

>>>
*dare*: bold, brash, unashamed <br/>
Paul knows boasting is foolishness
+ 12:1 no profit
+ 11:16 deem him not a fool

---

## 2. Credentials

* Paul **matches** the charlatans' credentials:
* "<span style="color:#17ff2e">Hebrews</span>": **nationality**
  + Preserve language / culture
* "<span style="color:#17ff2e">Israelites</span>": **theocracy**
  + Preserve covenant with God
* "<span style="color:#17ff2e">Abraham's descendants</span>": **Messianic right**
  + Preserve hope of eternal inheritance

>>>
+ Deflate prestige of charlatans
  + 12:11 no less, but also nothing
+ (Jam1:9-10 poor/rich boast in high/low)

---

## Philippians 3:4b-5 (NIV)

If someone else thinks they have reasons <br/>
to put **confidence** in the flesh, I have **more**:

**circumcised** on the eighth day, of the people of **Israel**, <br/>
of the **tribe** of Benjamin, a **Hebrew** of Hebrews; <br/>
in regard to the **law**, a Pharisee; ...

---

## Philippians 3:6-7 (NIV)

... as for **zeal**, persecuting the church; <br/>
as for **righteousness** based on the law, faultless.

But whatever were **gains** to me <br/>
I now consider **loss** for the sake of Christ.

>>>
v8: count as rubbish (skubalon): horse poop!

---
## Dr. John Sung

<div class="imgbox">
<div>![John Sung](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/john_sung.jpg)</div>
<div>![Bethel Evangelistic Band](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/john_sung-Bethel_Evangelistic_Band.jpg)</div>
</div>

>>>
+ b. China, Methodist family
+ Ohio for undergrad + Ph.D. chemistry, in 5yrs
+ personal revival at seminary
  + confined to asylum for half year
  + where he read Bible 40x
+ returning to China, threw diplomas overboard
  + except Ph.D., for dad's sake
+ cofounded Little Flock (Local Church) with Watchman Nee
  + with now has its own controversy

---

# Q: Do you trust <br/> teachers because of <br/> their **credentials**?

>>>
Referrals, seminary, mentor

Hard work != righteousness
Ph.D.only means persistence

---

## Boast of My Weakness (2Cor11b)

1. *Charlatans* (v18-21a)
2. *Credentials* (v21b-22)
3. **Crises**
  <span style="color:#1b91ff">(v23-27)</span>
4. *Concern* (v28-30)

>>>
The bulk of Paul's boast is of sufferings
experienced in serving Christ.

Not his strength to overcome,
but God's power when he was overwhelmed

---
## Crises 11:23 (NIV)

Are they **servants** of Christ? <br/>
(I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am **more**.

<span class="fragment highlight-blue" data-fragment-index="3">
I have **worked** much harder,
</span>
<span class="fragment" style="color:#1b91ff" data-fragment-index="3">
[Toil, v27]
</span>

<span class="fragment highlight-red" data-fragment-index="1">
been in **prison** more frequently, <br/>
been **flogged** more severely,
</span>
<span class="fragment" style="color:#ff2c2d" data-fragment-index="1">
[Beatings, v24-25]
</span>

<span class="fragment highlight-green" data-fragment-index="2">
and been exposed to **death** again and again.
</span>
<span class="fragment" style="color:#17ff2e" data-fragment-index="2">
<br/>[Danger of Death, v26]</span>

>>>
+ **Exceeds** the charlatans
  + **not** servants of Christ, but of Satan (11:15)
  + not about **degrees** of being a servant
+ Outline of following:
  + 24-25 Beatings
  + 26 Danger of death
  + 27 Toil

---

## Beatings 11:24-25 (NIV)

**Five** times I received from the Jews <br/>
the forty **lashes** minus one. <br/>
**Three** times I was **beaten** with rods, <br/>
**once** I was pelted with **stones**,

**three** times I was **shipwrecked**, <br/>
I spent a night and a day in the open **sea**,

I have been constantly on the **move**.

>>>
+ Beatings and floggings
+ "Not what Paul has **done**, but what he has **bourne** (Robertson)

---

## Danger of Death 11:26 (NIV)

I have been in danger from **rivers**, in danger from **bandits**, <br/>
in danger from my fellow **Jews**, in danger from **Gentiles**;

in danger in the **city**, in danger in the **country**, <br/>
in danger at **sea**; and in danger from **false believers**.

>>>
+ Not for **guilt-trip**, thanks, or admiration
  + Approval comes from **God** (10:18), not man
  + **Normal** Christian life

---

## Toil 11:27 (NIV)

I have **labored** and **toiled** <br/>
and have often gone without **sleep**; <br/>
I have known **hunger** and **thirst** <br/>
and have often gone without **food**; <br/>
I have been **cold** and **naked**.

>>>
+ Not typical Chinese **whining**:
  + Not sufferings overcome by **own** strength
+ But own **frailty**, inability to overcome
  + Glory goes to **God**, not self

---
## I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

<div class="imgbox">
<div>![map of Assam](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/assam.png)
<br/><small>Assam region of India</small></div>
<div>![Sadhu Sundar Singh](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/sadhu_sundar_singh.jpg)
<br/><small>[Sadhu Sundar Singh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhu_Sundar_Singh)</small></div>
</div>

>>>
+ story passed through **oral** tradition, details lost
+ **Garo** tribe, Assam region, NE India (E of Bangladesh)
  + formerly **head-hunters**
+ Welsh or English **missionaries**, at great personal cost
  + first family in village to come to Christ
+ two sons + wife slain before him, then he was killed
+ put to music by **Singh**, travelling evangelist in India
  + gospel of Christ, **culture** of India
  + Yellow robe of the **sadhu** (ascetic holy man)

---

## 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (NIV)
God chose the **foolish** things of the world <br/>
to shame the **wise**;

God chose the **weak** things of the world <br/>
to shame the strong.

---

## 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 (NIV)
God chose the **lowly** things of this world <br/>
and the **despised** things -- <br/>
and the things that are **not** -- <br/>
to nullify the things that **are**,

that **no one** may boast before him.

---

## 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NIV)
It is because of him that you are in **Christ Jesus**, <br/>
who has become for us **wisdom** from God -- <br/>
that is, our **righteousness**, **holiness** and **redemption**.

Therefore, as it is written: <br/>
“Let the one who boasts **boast in the Lord**.”

>>>
+ if we are strong, there's no **room** left
  for God's work

---

# Q: Do you draw others <br/> to Christ through <br/> your **success**, <br/> or your **frailty**?

---

## Boast of My Weakness (2Cor11b)

1. *Charlatans* (v18-21a)
2. *Credentials* (v21b-22)
3. *Crises* (v23-27)
4. **Concern**
  <span style="color:#1b91ff">(v28-30)</span>

---
## 2 Corinthians 11:28-30 (NIV)

<span class="fragment highlight-green" data-fragment-index="1">
Besides everything else, <br/>
I face daily the pressure of my **concern** for all the churches.
</span>

<span class="fragment highlight-green" data-fragment-index="1">
Who is **weak**, and I do not feel **weak**? <br/>
Who is led into **sin**, and I do not inwardly **burn**?
</span>

<span class="fragment highlight-blue" data-fragment-index="2">
If I must boast, <br/>
I will boast of the things that show my **weakness**.
</span>

>>>
+ weak: 1Cor12:25-26 parts of body

---

Who is led into **sin**, <br/>
and I do not inwardly **burn**?

>>>
+ sin (stumble, offense):
  + Mk14:27, Ro9:32-33 offense at Christ
+ burn: consumed w/emotion
  + (1Cor7:9 w/passion)
+ kid throwing tantrums, deliberate destruction
+ can force him to be disciplined
  + but can't force him to repent
+ feel powerless, indignant
  + most of all, hurt for him

---

## 1 Corinthians 2:2-3 (NIV)
For I resolved to know **nothing** while I was with you <br/>
except **Jesus Christ** and him **crucified**.

I came to you in **weakness** with great **fear** and trembling.

>>>
Beginning of our series on 1+2 Cor:
+ focus not on the preacher but on Jesus

---

## 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)
My message and my preaching were <br/>
not with wise and **persuasive words**, <br/>
but with a demonstration of the **Spirit’s power**,

so that your faith might not rest on **human wisdom**, <br/>
but on **God’s power**.

>>>
+ pressure to have it all, do it all
  + career, family, volunteer, church
  + when people ask, "always smile!"
+ not about revelling in sin
  + but ack we are not strong enough to fight it
+ not drawing people to ourselves but Christ

---

# Q: What are you <br/> most **proud** of?
# Why?

>>>
Kids? Mentorship? Church ministry? "Having it all"?
+ Are you proud because of **God's** power,
  + or your **own**?
+ Paul boasted in his own **weakness**
  + what about **you**?

---

## 2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
For [Christ] was **crucified** in weakness, <br/>
yet he **lives** by God’s power.

Likewise, we are **weak** in him, <br/>
yet by **God’s power** we will live with him

>>>
Even Jesus was weak!
+ But raised by God's power

---

>>>
+ boasting in Corinthians not foolish
  + 12:6 speak truth
  + 10:14 reach Corinthians
  + 10:8 build up not tear down
+ boast of Christ's work
  + Rom15:17-19 Christ's work
  + 1Th2:19-20 you, our crown
  + 2Co1:12-14 you are our boast
+ 2:2-5 boast only in cross: weakness
  + Gal6:14 only in cross