Page de couverture de 2 Corinthians 12:14-21 - Love that Longs For Repentance (Rev. Erik Veerman)

2 Corinthians 12:14-21 - Love that Longs For Repentance (Rev. Erik Veerman)

2 Corinthians 12:14-21 - Love that Longs For Repentance (Rev. Erik Veerman)

Écouter gratuitement

Voir les détails du balado

À propos de cet audio

 2 Corinthians 12:14-21 Love that Longs for Repentance Our sermon text this morning is 2 Corinthians 12:14-21. That is on page 1152 in the provided Bibles. The apostle Paul is wrapping up his defense of his apostleship. And in these verses, he lets the Corinthians know that he will be visiting them again, soon. This will be his third visit. Paul’s first visit was when he established the church in Corinth. He was there for 18 months. Paul’s second visit was the painful visit he made a few months prior to writing this letter. And this third trip would be to check in on them and if necessary, deal firmly with their ongoing sin. As you will hear, Paul hopes they will repent, but fears they won’t. Reading of 2 Corinthians 12:14-21 Prayer In 1962, Dick and Judy Hoyt gave birth to a son, Rick. Rick was born with a severe case of Cerebral Palsey. He was unable to move his legs, had limited use of his arms, and he was unable to speak. The Hoyts loved their son. They worked with him, and he learned to communicate through gestures and a rudimentary keyboard and screen. When Rick was 15, he communicated to his dad he wanted to race in a 5 mile road race. It was to raise money for a high schooler who had become paralyzed in an accident. So, they did it! Rick’s dad pushed Rick in his wheelchair for 5 miles, and Rick loved it. It made him feel like he could walk and run. Dick Hoyt would end up not only pushing his son in road races, but he made a special seat to carry him on a bicycle. He would also row a boat and tow Rick behind him, as if he were swimming. They competed in over 1,100 races including triathlons and marathons. In fact, both Rick and his dad are in the Ironman hall of fame. They have inspired many many others. Rick’s dad would do anything for his son. In the same way, the apostle Paul would do anything for the church in Corinth. He considered himself their spiritual father. Not their Heavenly Father, but their spiritual father on earth. And it’s true. Paul brought the Gospel to Corinth. He labored for months and months to teach them about Jesus and God’s promises fulfilled in him. Paul discipled them in their daily walk with Christ. He organized the church in Corinth. He brought the new believers together and taught them how to worship the Lord well. He modelled for them how to witness. He, in a sense, carried them. He loved them like a father would love a child. And that is why he wrote multiple letters. It’s why he visited them twice up to this point. And it’s why he sent Titus and Timothy, to minister on his behalf when he couldn’t be there. Paul loved them. Let me ask, what would a loving father do in such a situation? Some of his spiritual children were not living the life that he taught them. Some of them had been believing in false doctrine – worldly philosophy. Others were even questioning his motives. What would a loving father do? Even if you never knew your father, or even if your father was abusive or overbearing or didn’t seem to care or was mostly absent, even if one of those things, I think you can still probably imagine what a loving father would do. Maybe you saw it in someone else. Here’s what I think. A loving father would #1 express his unconditional love to them in no uncertain terms. #2 a loving father would need to correct them. If people had been accusing him of things that were not true (like what was happening in Corinth) a loving father would make it clear what was true and why. If they believed in something that was not true, he would seek to instruct them in what is right. So, love and correction. Then 3rd. A loving father would be firm. A loving father disciplines his children. That discipline may include warnings of consequences if their behavior persists. And lastly, and not least, #4 a loving father would grieve. All these things would weigh heavily on him. These verses display all of those things. Paul was acting as a loving father for his spiritual children in Corinth. There are three progressions in his fatherly communication. You’ll see them in the outline. 1. Seeking and sacrificing (12:14-15) – Paul displays a fatherly love that pursues no matter the cost 2. Dispelling deceit (12:16-19) – He speaks the truth in love to build them up 3. Fearing the fallout (12:20-21) – Paul warns them and grieves the devastation of unrepentant sin. 1. Seeking and sacrificing So, let’s work through those. Number 1, seeking and sacrificing. That’s what the apostle was doing. He was pursuing them no matter the cost. We see that right there in verse 14. He was saying to them, I’m ready to come to you a third time and there’s nothing about my visit that will materially burden you. You don’t need to financially support me. No, rather, I’m coming soon to help you. And then, he makes this beautiful declaration to them. “I seek not what is yours, but you.” I want you. I love you. I care about you. Isn’t that what we all want to hear...
Pas encore de commentaire