The David Spoon Experience 11-30-23 part 1
A) In Second Corinthians chapter 11. Verse 7. Paul asks if it was wrong for him or a sin for him to humble himself while exalting the people at Corinth. He wants to know if it was wrong to preach the gospel free of charge to the Church. He wants to know if he did wrong by robbing other churches to support his service to those believers, even though he still had needs that the Church of Corinth could’ve helped with.
B) One of Paul’s great claims to fame in the proclamation of the gospel is that he was not a burden to anyone. He was a Two-Trick Pony. He had his job of making tents, and they had his ministry of preaching the gospel. To be sure, this was his calling card. Some people believe that having a dual occupation is the only way to go. Then, of course, there are others who believe that being fully devoted and committed to the kingdom is the only way to go. Guess what where we are goanna end up in this discussion? Right in the middle! It is okay to be fully devoted or have a dual occupation. Whatever the Lord calls you to.
C) Remember we discussed that sometimes certain characteristics can have a sense of holiness or righteousness to them. In this particular realm, Paul says he boasts and will not be silent regarding his willingness to serve the church of Corinth. Then he asks the church: “Why do you think I’m doing this? Why do you think I’m boasting about this? Because I don’t love you, or because I do?” It’s obvious that Paul, being willing to serve with no kind of compensation, demonstrates how much he does love them.
D) And now Paul pulls out the daggers. And one can almost appreciate his restraint in doing so until this point. He says in verse 13 that people that try to undercut him because he’s willing to sacrifice himself by charging nothing for the gospel (and not trying to make money from it) are actually false apostles. They’re deceitful workers They’re masquerading as apostles of Christ. The number of people who claim to be apostles, one sent forth in the name of Christ, is staggering. What’s even more staggering is how many of them are truly nothing but deceitful workers and liars.
