INTRODUCTION - THE THIRD PART OF II COR IS PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIS APOSTLESHIP, AND HIS HEART'S DESIRE

• There were those who tried to remove his authority from the work the Lord had given him
• There were those within the church who were with itching ears, and not stable-
• In this portion he opens his heart to defend the work to which the Lord had called him

I. CAN A CHRISTIAN BOAST?

Throughout Paul's writings he took the stand to defend God's call in his life-

A.  PAUL PLED WITH THEM TO ACCEPT HIS MINISTRY IN THE SPIRIT, ELSE THEY WOULD FEEL THE AUTHORITY

1. Though he was meek & Gentle and appeared base to them- he had great weapons -powerful
2. But they were spiritual- 1. destroying strongholds, 2. casting down imaginations, 3. Bringing every thought captive to Christ, 4. avenging all disobedience - so beware

B.  THEY HAD LOOKED ON HIS OUTWARD APPEARANCE, V.7 SO PAUL DECLARED HIMSELF AS OF THE LORD v.8 1

1. Paul would not enter the rat race -v. 12 of the false boasters- comparing ministries
2. Instead, he refused to leave his own measure (Olympic race course) - v13-16 - Gods call for him
3. He kept his boasting in what the Lord had done- and that He had been faithful-1 Cor 4:2,3

C.  BUT THERE IS A GREAT GLORY IN THE LORD'S WORK THAT NONE CAN TAKE AWAY, AND PAUL EXPRESSED IT

1. He gloried in the Lord- II Cor 10:17, and claimed the Lord's commendation- Blessing
2. He gloried in the experiences with the Lord- 11:16-ff. and he had his share of thrills
3. You will never know real thrills until you decide to go all the way with the Lord-

We must not compare churches, or pastors- but yours has had his thrills & chills-

II.  THERE IS A GODLY JEALOUSY

Paul declares the heart God gave him for his people, maybe you can understand better-

A.  DEFINITIONS OF JEALOUSY VARY ONLY SLIGHTLY IN THE WORD OF GOD AND IN THE DICTIONARY

1. Greek (Zelos) means zealot zeal, to burn with desire toward some goal or person
2. It is translated- "Envy" (desire to deprive), and Jealousy to have what other has).
3. English- To desire exclusive devotion of, and also- disposed to suspicion of the other.

B.  HOW IT IS USED IN THE BIBLE TO DESCRIBE MAN'S ACTION - look out- this is a DANGER

1. The word- Envy- I Cor 3:3 is often in the NT as something very carnal & evil
2. 5 times in the NT this is used- Rom 13:13, Gal 5:21, Jas 3:14.16, I Cor 3:3 Jealousy-SIN
3. Men are corrupt, their jealousy is petty, cruel, selfish, mean, greedy, & deeply sinful

C.  BUT IT IS ALSO USED IN THE BIBLE TO DESCRIBE GOD'S ACTIONS LOOK OUT, THIS IS DANGEROUS TOO

1. Exo 20:5 "For I the Lord thy God am a Jealous God" look in 10 Commandments- Important
2. Zech 1:14 "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great Jealousy"- He will fight too
3. We are warned not to provoke the Lord to Jealousy- 1 Cor 10:22-doing lawful-not expedient

The jealousy Paul mentions in II Cor 11:2 is "Godly Jealousy" for our own good

III. WHAT IS GODLY JEALOUSY?

The person that would walk with the Lord must search the mind and heart of God- & be it!

A.  PAUL SAID THAT I MAY PRESENT YOU AS A CHASTE VIRGIN TO CHRIST v. 2c

1. This is a spiritual message, and not everyone is spiritual enough to receive it- careful!
2. When a person receives Christ as savior- they become a part of the bride of Christ-engaged
3. Paul wanted them to be preserved- blameless- and as a friend of the Bridegroom he tried!

B.  PAUL FEARED " AS THE SERPENT BEGUILED EVE THROUGH HIS SUBTILTY - S0 THESE BE TRICKED - v.3

1. Satan showed Eve the forbidden fruit- Gen 3:6- good for food, pleasant to eyes - desired- to make one wise.
2. To the Corinthians the same temptations- Idol's meat, Women's fashions, & Tongues Spirit
3. II Cor 11:14 Satan as an angel of light was leading them into spiritual adultery- deep sin

C.  PAUL DID NOT WANT THEM TO BE CORRUPTED FROM SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST - v. 3b

1. Mankind makes up all kinds of hard, complex ways to get saved- God's way is simple
2. Mankind makes up all complex ceremonies, to worship & serve God- God's way is simple
3. There are complex ways to rationalize new modern gospel, new morality, new evangel-death
4. Godly jealousy is a strong zealous desire that people have God's blessings not Satan's

Have you surrendered your love the the Lord-? His jealousy is for your wellbeing-

CONCLUSION - ARE YOU PROVOKING THE LORD TO JEALOUSY OR IS HE PROUD OF YOUR LIFE FOR HIS GLORY?

• Become a part of the Beloved- receive Christ as your Savior- receive eternal life-
• Then carry yourself as one that belongs with His bride- not flirting with the world
• God will give you sweet peace and wonderful love if you will try to please Him-