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Daily Devotions
A systematic reading of the Scriptures, portioned to complement your daily time spent with God.Pastoral Letters
- Meditation
A weekly pastoral column that complements the pulpit messages and bimonthly theme. - Grace Works
A weekly pastoral letter to minister to young adults, inspired by the grace of God. - Youth Walk
A weekly pastoral letter written to encourage young people in their daily walk with God. - Parenting by the Book
A series from the Book of Proverbs that teaches us how to bring up children and build good Christian homes. Study Notes
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Message notes from every Sunday’s Morning Worship with a common bimonthly theme. - Evening-Bilingual Worship Messages
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Message notes from Combined Sunday School focusing on the Life and Teachings of Christ Jesus - Young Adults’ Group Messages
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Message notes from our weekly Young People’s Group meetings. - Family Camp Messages
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Message notes from our biannual Spiritual & YAG Retreats that serve to instruct, correct and regenerate. - Youth Conference Messages
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Message notes from the Intermediate Sunday School
Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"That you may have an answer..."
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:12
PAUL AS AN APOLOGIST
An “apologist” is one who defends the faith. Paul was a great apologist for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. He defended the faith
a) Against the Judaizers (Galatians).
b) Against false teachings (Colossians; Paul wrote against what is often called “incipient Gnosticism”).
i) Gnosticism was a cult that became prominent in the second century.
ii) In the first century the incipient of Gnosticism had already begun to appear.
c) What were some of the doctrines they promoted?
i) It attacked the Deity of Christ.
ii) It attacked the Humanity of Christ.
iii) It promoted the idea of secret knowledge given only to those initiated into their cult.
2. He urged the Corinthians to stand up and defend him (Paul)
A special set of circumstances had arisen. Paul was attacked.
a) His doctrines were called into question.
b) His character was also challenged.
Paul wrote this very intriguing word to the Corinthians!
“For we do not commend ourselves again to you,
but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf,
that you may have an answer for those
who boast in appearance and not in heart.”
2 Corinthians 5:12
3. “For we do not commend ourselves again to you”
a) Paul’s life and ministry were well-known to the people in Corinth.
b) There was surely no need to “commend themselves” to the church.
4. “But give you opportunity to boast on our behalf”
a) Paul saw the attacks on him as an opportunity.
b) If they had truly known and appreciated him they could do the following things:
i) They would not stay silent while Paul was attacked.
ii) They could stand up and “boast” about the servant of God that Paul had proven himself to be.
5. “That you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart”
Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to stand up for the truth! The attacks on Paul’s doctrines and life were uncalled for! The Corinthians had benefited so much from his pastoral teaching ministry. They should be able to give answers to mischievous detractors!