The Standard That Paul Set

 

I have been reading 2 Cor 12 & 13 today. There is a lot of correction for the Corinthian believers in the chapter. They had some serious issues at the church there and Paul had just spent several letters correcting them. In 12 and 13, he talks about the genuine test of faith - I have no idea what that is. However, he consistently says that the Corinthians should test themselves, and he talks about proof that He comes from God time and again. He talks for a long time on the struggles he has been through, the visions he has seen... He essentially sets a bar for the Corinthians and give them proof that they should be listening to him.

 

I negatively react to this type of preaching. If you start talking like this in a sermon, I automatically turn off, thinking you are insecure. But apparently there is a place for it in the Bible. And if there was a place for it in Paul's preaching, then there is a place for it in the preaching of today. What would that look like today?

 

Imagine if your church was planted by a humble average Joe pastor, but he left to plant another church and a younger, flashier pastor comes in and starts preaching and showing signs and wonders. Then the congregation begins thinking that the younger pastor is 1,000 times better than the founding pastor. Things are moving, ministries are starting all over the place... But there is a lot of sin in the church that isn't being dealt with. The older pastor returns for a visit and is grieved. He left a strong, small congregation. And while the congregation is larger than it was before, there are major issues with its foundations and sin abounds.

 

The congregation is surprised because they thought the older pastor would have been happy for the growth. At this point the older pastor starts reorganizing things and demonstrates that, he too, can do miracles and bring many people into the congregation; that keeping the congregation small wasn't out of weakness but out of choice for a holy and pure church.

 

This is where we would find Paul - the Corinthians thought he would be dazzled by the speaking in tongues and the many other miracles that were happening in their midst. But Paul was grieved because of the backbiting and bitterness, and lack of holiness that the church showed. He said that when he came, he would demonstrate the power of God, probably referring to miracles or speaking in tongues. And he said that he was grieved because many had lost their way.