Examine Yourself

Examine Test

 

 

Sunday 06/10/18 

Series: For Edification

Message – Examine Yourself

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Examine Yourself

Our last Sunday teaching was on our stewardship of edification. During which time we learned about building up ourselves and others. This week we are learning about proving the strength, integrity and faithfulness of what has been built.

As you may remember, one of our points was just how far we are from that completed state of being built up into Christ’s image. “For where there are strife and jealousy and an inability to control what flies out your mouth – are you not carnal and behave as though you’d never even met Christ?” ( 1Cor. 3 & James 1)

So today’s teaching is – Examine Yourselves

2 Cor. 12:14-13:

(14) Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (15) And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. (16) But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! (17) Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? (18) I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? (19) Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. (20) For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; (21) lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.”

2Cor. 12:14&19, “…3rd time I am coming” & …for your edification.”

vs. 20 – How did he wish to find them and be found by them?

He wanted to find them repentant and glad to see him desiring further teaching and growth.

12:20-21, [Godly Discipline]

…which they have practiced” (Not godly perfection, but less sin and more repentance)

NOTICE the list is predominantly those sins many Christians treat as petty… and which are largely tolerated.

PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE HE GOES WITH THIS!!!! (Chapter 13)

“(1) This will be the third time I am coming to you. “BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY WORD SHALL BE ESTABLISHED.” (2) I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare– (3) since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, Who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. (4) For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. (5) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you are disqualified. (6) But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. (7) Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. (8) For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. (9) For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. (10) Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. (11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (12) Greet one another with a holy kiss. (13) All the saints greet you. (14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

…the THIRD TIME” This was only over the course of 2 years.

Example Job 33:13-30,

(13) Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words. (14) For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. (15) In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, (16) Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction. (17) In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man, (18) He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. (19) “Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with strong pain in many of his bones, (20) So that his life abhors bread, And his soul succulent food. (21) His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones stick out which once were not seen. (22) Yes, his soul draws near the Pit, And his life to the executioners. (23) “If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness, (24) Then He is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom’; (25) His flesh shall be young like a child’s, He shall return to the days of his youth. (26) He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness. (27) Then he looks at men and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right, And it did not profit me.’ (28) He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, And his life shall see the light. (29) “Behold, God works all these things, Twice, in fact, three times with a man, (30) To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.”

13:2-3,

I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare– (3) since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.”

You can see here that Paul had been invested with corrective authority over those churches he helped to establish.

Again, in our last lesson I told you that ALL our judgments as Christians will include how we edified our brothers within the sphere of authority God had given us in this life. Each one’s sphere is different. One may have 10 talents, another 5 and another only 1…but God on simply looking for diligence and faithfulness. This is true for all Christians but ALL THE MORE for ministers who teach the Word. Consider the following verses…

1Cor. 4:1-4, “(1) Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (2) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (3) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. (4) For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.”

1Cor. 9:16-17, “(16) For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (17) For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.”

James 3:1, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

So, understand that Paul is here ONLY working faithfully within his given stewardship over those God had given to him but he was correcting them for the sake of edification.

Consider Vs. 3  – I will not spare–

Was this just apostolic authority? No

Acts 20:28, “(28) Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29  For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30  Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31  Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

  • (someone look up) Heb. 13:17 – obey and submit
    • to resist no longer, but to give way, yield (of combatants)
    • metaphorically to yield to authority and admonition, to submit
  • 2 Tim. 4:1-5,

1  I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

2  Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

4  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

5  But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

2Tim. 2:2 – commit to faithful men

Back in 2 Cor. 13:3

Who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. (4) For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.

1Jn. 4:4, “4  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

VS 5. EXAMINE YOURSELVES – Same word as test, trial or temp

  • Satan tempts you away from trust – inducing you to fail James 1:13,14
  • God tests your trust – drawing our and revealing true faith out of your heart – Heb. 11:17

Prove yourselves…

Dokimázō, to prove to bring forth the good in us or to make us good, is at times contrasted with peirázō, to tempt to make us fall.

Dokimázō could not be used of Satan since he never wants us to experience God’s approval. He always tempts (peirázei) us with the intent to draw us away from faith and relationship…from trust and intimacy.

IN THE FAITH – Either the Christian faith or standing solid in active trust in Christ (Syriac). (very little difference).

Then Paul asks the REAL question – the question which if known and held in the conscious mind would dissuade sin so often

Do you not know yourselves…that Christ IS in you!” (reference back to verse 3)

except ye be reprobates — The Greek softens the expression, “somewhat reprobates,” that is, not abiding the “proof” (alluding to the same word in the context); failing when tested. Image from metals.

Vs. 10for edification NOT destruction

Vs. 12-14 Paul encourages actions and awareness of koinonia both horizontally and vertically!

 

This service had content that is NOT written out here, so I would encourage you to listen to it WHILE you read…Blessings! 

 

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. If you do not know Him, please use our ‘Contact Us‘ page and reach out so we may have the privilege of introducing you to the Lord. Neither money nor attendance at our church will be mentioned.

If you have been spiritually fed by this ministry and wish to give, we truly appreciate that and you may do so here, but all outreaches of this ministry are FREE for you and anyone to enjoy at no cost.

Blessings!

 

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!