Rev. David Holwick R 2 Corinthians sermon series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
May 16, 1999
2 Corinthians 10:1-11
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SERMON SUMMARY: Christians have often been involved in conflict. How
do we fight? What do we fight over? Rather than military or
political actions, we should be fighting to present our faith
before a seeking world.
I. Shoot 'em up!
A. One of best TV shows: "Wings," especially with combat footage.
1) As a kid in Germany, passing under strafed railroad bridges.
2) Kuwait, Kosovo: new way to wage war.
a) Fly high, smart bombs, minimum risk.
B. Christian warfare?
1) Often associated with Crusades, atrocities.
2) Our real war is different. It is spiritual.
3) Our method of fighting should also be different.
II. Paul under attack.
A. Severe letter in these chapters?
1) Abrupt change from praise at end of chapter 9.
a) But theme of opposition runs throughout letter.
b) Perhaps there was a pause in dictation.
2) Paul had real enemies, inside and outside church.
a) His focus here is on inside enemies.
B. Paul's person attacked.
1) Inconsistent - timid/bold, when close/far. cf. 1 Cor 2:3
2) He lives by standards of this world. 10:2
3) His threats are empty.
4) His ties to Jesus aren't that strong. 10:7
5) They challenged his authority over church. 10:8
6) Unimpressive and lousy speaker. 10:10
III. All Christians will be challenged.
A. Sign of genuine faith. 2 Timothy 3:12
1) Has always existed within the church as well.
2) "ad hominum" - attack people, not what they believe.
B. The best offense is a good defense.
1) Know who you are.
2) Know what you believe.
3) Know what you want to accomplish.
IV. How not to fight.
A. We do not wage war like world. 10:3
1) Christians have often forgotten this.
a) Crusades...
b) Christian families - force faith down throat.
2) Even in current politics, Christians get it wrong.
a) C.T. article on how warfare language of religious right
has backfired.
b) When we fight world's way, we lose.
B. We do not use worldly weapons.
1) Use divine power, demolish strongholds.
2) Examples of God's weapons. Ephesians 6:14-18
a) Prayer, reasoning, loving...
C. We do not look on surface of things. 10:7
1) Dig deeper into the motivation of people.
2) Dig deeper into spiritual truth.
V. How we do fight.
A. Take every thought captive to Christ. 10:5
1) Intellectual integrity, sharpness.
a) Be aggressive in challenging world.
1> World has a lot of loopy ideas.
2> (We have some of our own.)
b) Demolish arguments against God. 10:5
1> Apologetics, defending the faith.
2) Most Christians emphasize feelings and emotions.
a) Can you argue your way out of a paper bag?
b) 1 Peter 3:15 -if people ask, can you explain your faith?
1> What is strongest argument for God you can come
up with?
A> Does it convince you?
B> Would it convince someone else?
c) Do you know why you believe what you believe?
1> Specific doctrine as well as general Christian truth.
B. Do you think like a Christian?
1) Most are "compartmentalized."
2) God has a little box, as does everything else.
a) Amazing how people can hold diametrically opposed
ideas.
b) Be free of contradictions.
3) Research great questions of life and faith.
C. Combatting weird theology.
1) Paul was arguing against people who claimed to be Christian.
2) Our whole minds need to be surrendered to Christ.
D. We build up rather than tear down. 10:8
1) Not "win / lose" but "win / win."
2) Goal is not to "win" but lead them to salvation.
E. Back up words with actions. 10:11
1) Paul - he means what he says.
2) Us - be consistent.
a) Christian witness, Christian living.
b) Ralph Filicchia says people are not won to Christ
by persuasive argument and wisdom.
But God uses us to bring about his will.
The apostle Paul used persuasive arguments in his
sermons and debates.
The truth of the gospel must be presented in the
marketplace.
Then you must back it up with the way you live.
#571
VI. Many modern people need a reason to believe.
A. Many are curious and open to persuasion.
1) Early Church had to hold its own against sophisticated
philosophy.
2) People are eager for real arguments and reasoning.
a) "The Bible says so" is not enough.
B. They don't accept it uncritically.
1) They have no family, social pressure to believe.
2) There are plenty of other options out there.
C. We have to give them reasons.
1) Gives us a goal in life.
2) Gives us a moral foundation.
3) Gives us meaning.
4) Changes us from within.
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SOURCE FOR ILLUSTRATION USED IN THIS SERMON:
#571, "Paul, the Polemicist," by Ralph Filicchia, Biblical Evangelist
magazine, ?? 1989, page 1.
This and 4,500 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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