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Living Dangerously For the Kingdom of God II Corinthians 11-12

Living Dangerously For the Kingdom of God II Corinthians 11-12. Dr. J.L. Williams JL, Patt & Friends www.JLWilliams.org. Introduction.

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Living Dangerously For the Kingdom of God II Corinthians 11-12

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  1. Living Dangerously For the Kingdom of GodII Corinthians 11-12 Dr. J.L. Williams JL, Patt & Friends www.JLWilliams.org

  2. Introduction “It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly. Who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions. Who spends himself in a worthy cause. Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place will never be with those timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” (President Teddy Roosevelt)

  3. Introduction • Most of us as human beings and as Christians tend to live out our lives in a rather predictable pattern of activity. • Just as water poured in a container naturally settles to its lowest level, we humans tend to “settle down” to a level of living far below our God-given potential. • We too often settle for middle-class mediocrity rather than excellence for Christ.

  4. Introduction • We tend to ‘live within our limits’ through the flesh – rather than ‘live without limits’ through the Spirit. • The primary reason we do this is because of the universal “fear of failure.” • Rather than ‘running the risk’ of greatness for God, we hunker down in a life of safe, predictable, comfortable living. • We create a ‘comfort zone’ that we live our lives in – free from risk and danger.

  5. Introduction • However, God calls us to “LIVE DANGEROUSLY FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD!” He calls and enables us to “live beyond our limits” through the power of His Holy Spirit.

  6. Introduction • One of the primary purposes of Christian worship and fellowship is to provoke and stimulate us to dream BIG dreams…step out of the box…run the risk…live beyond our limits for His Kingdom and glory and for the good of others! • “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:23-25).

  7. Introduction Definition of Christian: One who is… Completely fearless Continually cheerful Constantly in trouble!

  8. Introduction Note Paul’s admonition to Timothy: “Mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days…” Or as the NASV translates: “…difficult times will come…” For the Christian, the times between the two Advents of Christ will be dark, difficult and dangerous! As Paul indicated: “…dangerous times will come!” As a result of those dark, difficult & dangerous times, many Christians – and many Christian leaders, will become distracted… discouraged… disillusioned… depressed… defeated!

  9. Introduction Problem: We too often play it safe where we should be “living dangerously”; and we “live dangerously” where we should be playing it safe! As Francis Schaffer said: “We must be the headlights rather than the tail lights of society!” To live that kind of visionary life, we must preach and live prophetically – which will cause us to often “live dangerously” – not foolishly, or presumptuously – but dangerously for the Kingdom of God!

  10. Introduction The problem with the American and Western Church is that she is slumbering and sleeping through the greatest days of spiritual harvest in human history! Therefore, the greatest leadership challenge is to wake up the sleeping, selfish, self-serving, comfortable ecclesiastical giant called the Church! This exhortation of Paul has never been more relevant: • “Wake up O sleeper, Rise from the dead And Christ will shine on you!” (Eph. 5:14)

  11. Introduction We must shake off our “ecclesiastical narcissism” and “comfortable Christianity!” In the Book of Acts we read about the Church at Antioch and how they were led by “Prophets and Teachers” (Acts 13:1)We must have a balance of both: Biblical Balance Prophets Wake you up Shake you up Teachers Build us up Lift us up Grows us up

  12. Introduction Authentic Christianity is: Offensive Not Defensive Proactive Not Reactive Outside the Box Not Inside the Church Cutting Edge Not Dull Edge

  13. Introduction • At his most immature and carnal church in Corinth, Paul faced the problem of false Apostles who came in after him to undermine his life and leadership. They presented themselves as ‘Super Apostles’ who were superior to Paul’s Apostolic ministry. • They boasted in signs while he boasted in sacrifice • They gloried in the spectacular while he gloried in service

  14. Introduction • They were marked by selfish-leadership while Paul modeled servant-leadership • They were self-serving while Paul was self-sacrificing • They lived safely while Paul lived sacrificially.

  15. Introduction So the Book of Acts and Epistles reveal how Paul lived dangerously for the Kingdom of God! Second to Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul was one of themost dangerous people who ever lived!

  16. Introduction • Because of his dangerous living and leading, the people at Thessalonica said this of Paul and Silas: • “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (KJV) • “…upset the world have come here also” (NASV) • “…caused trouble all over the world have now come here” (NIV) [Acts 17:6]

  17. Introduction The greatest tragedy today is that the world largely ignores the church! There was a time when the world…the government…social institutions…educational institutions both respected and feared the church! Today however, the church has largely lost that influence outside her walls. That’s because there is more of the leavenof the world in the Church; than there is the salt of the Church in the world! As a result, most Christians and Churches are little more than ‘chaplains of the status quo.’ They have been tamed…domesticated…controlled…conformed. They are no longer a force to be reckoned with – but a pietistic, irrelevant and impotent group to be ignored!

  18. Introduction • However, if like the Apostle Paul, we will “live dangerously,” the world will have to “live defensively!” If by the Spirit and Word we will “live beyond our limits,” they will have to “live within their limits.” • At the present time, the government and educational institutions are “exceeding their God-ordained limits” and are increasingly encroaching on the God-ordained territory of the spiritual family and physical family.

  19. Introduction • Government is legislating to us rather than us speaking prophetically to them. • The world is on the offense while the church is on the defense. • The church is marked by reaction more than by proaction.

  20. Introduction So the church must again be characterized by Christians who “live dangerously for the Kingdom of God.” We must be “saints who are salty” to the degree that we “live beyond our limits” for His Kingdom and glory! Look then with me at some of the places that the Apostle Paul lived dangerously. 7 areas where he “lived beyond his limits” for the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of God…

  21. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • Paul “lived and led beyond limits” because of his passion for Christ and the church. Note these words of testimony about how he… • “…worked much harder” • “…been in prison more frequently” • “…been flogged more severely” • “…exposed to death again and again” • “…5 times I received from the Jews the 40 lashed minus one”

  22. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • “…3 times I was beaten with rods” • “…Once I was stoned” • “…3 times I was shipwrecked” • “… I spent a night and a day in the open sea” • “… danger from rivers”

  23. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • “…danger from bandits” (terrorists) • “…I have labored and toiled” • “…Often gone without sleep” • “… I have known hunger and thirst” • “… I have often gone without food” • “…I have been cold and naked”

  24. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • We on the other hand too often: • “Protect ourselves” • “Indulge ourselves” • “Pamper ourselves” • “Worship ourselves”

  25. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • Listen to how he expressed his physical stress earlier in this letter: • “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His live may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you…All this is for your benefit…Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (II Cor. 4:8-18).

  26. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • To the church at Colossians he in essence said the same thing: • Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body which is the church” (Col. 1:24).

  27. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • So Paul put it all on the line physically… • He lived beyond his physical limits • He s-t-r-e-c-t-h-e-d himself physically • He did not stay within his “physical comfort zones” • He died to himself daily in order to live for Christ • He made his physical body a “living sacrifice” for Christ and His Kingdom!

  28. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • Immediately after his conversion on the Damascus Road, God revealed to Ananias and to Saul that his life would be marked by suffering • “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My Name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name”(Acts 9:15-16)

  29. 1. Paul lived dangerously PHYSICALLY (vs. 23-27) • In his farewell discourse to the Ephesian elders, Paul reminded them of this cost of discipleship God had graced him with: • “I know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus have given me…the task of testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:23-24)

  30. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • Paul wrote about how he was “…constantly on the move” (vs. 27). • To be “constantly on the move” for the Kingdom of God -- takes money!

  31. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • Travel in any age is not cheap! • Often Paul traveled as a prisoner at the Government’s expense (Acts 27:1). • Often Paul “…worked with his own hands” to cover his own travel expense – as he did on each of his 3 Major Missionary Journeys at one time or another (Acts 18:1-4; I Cor. 4:12; 9:6; I Thess. 4:11; II Thess. 3:6-10). • At other times he accepted the financial help from Christians -- as he did with the saints at Macedonia (II Cor. 8:3; Phil. 4:10-16).

  32. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • Paul was willing to be bi-vocational because God had called him to be a “pioneer church planter.” • “It has always been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (Rom. 15:20). So a pioneer evangelist and church planter must either be bi-vocational and support himself; or have the support of other people. Paul did both as the situation required.

  33. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • He wrote to the Corinthians: • “Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you bypreaching the Gospel of God free of charge? I robbed otherchurches by receiving support from them so as to serve you” (II Cor. 11:7-8).

  34. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • Listen to what he said to the Ephesian elders : • “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my ownneeds and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, Ishowed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak,remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself who said: ‘It ismore blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:33-35)

  35. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • Paul was not an ascetic who could not enjoy life! Nor was he too prideful to receive the financial support of others. However, he did know the subtle dangers of materialism and the seduction of “upward mobility!” So he would not allow himself to become “comfortable in his calling!” He continued to “live beyond his limits” financially and vocationally • That’s why Paul especially warned against the “Prosperity Gospel” that encourages us to use God and the Gospel for personal financial gain. He wrote young Timothy to be on guard against… • “…men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and whothink that godliness is a means to financial gain” (I Tim. 6:5).

  36. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) But then he goes on to give us the Biblical balance through contentment: • “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we broughtnothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if wehave food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolishand harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. Forthe love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eagerfor money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (I Tim. 6: 5-10).

  37. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) And again he wrote the warn Timothy of the prevalence of this in the “last days”: • “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…lovers ofpleasure rather than lovers of God – having the form of godlinessbut denying its power. Have nothing to do with them” (II Tim. 3: 1-5)

  38. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • Therefore, our “Check Book” and “Date Book” reveal our priorities more than anything else! Our spending of our TIME and MONEY reveal our true values because we always invest them together in what we really love. Where we spend or invest our TIME and our MONEY show where our treasure really is. That’s why Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). • Example of AartVanWingerden and his “Business Generators”

  39. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • John Wesley said in 1744: • Earn all you can • Save all you can • Give all you can Wesley then gave this financial summary of his life: “When I die I leave behind me ten pounds…you and all mankind canbear witness against me, that I have lived and died a thief and a robber.” Wesley was as good as his word. When he did die in 1791, the only money mentioned in his will was the miscellaneous coins to be found in his pockets and dresser drawers. Most of the 30,000 pounds he had earned in his lifetime he had given away – which was a lot of money.

  40. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • Today with our emphasis on “saving” and “storing up,” that statement by John Wesley sounds foolish. • But Jim Elliot said: “He is not fool who give up what he cannot kept in orderto gain what he cannot lose!’ • We Western Christians control 80% of the Worlds Christian money! • We have the financial ammunition to win the spiritual war and fulfill the Great Commission in our lifetime! But sadly, most Western Christians are either hoarding God’s resources or are selfishly consuming it on themselves!

  41. 2. Paul lived dangerously FINANCIALLY/VOCATIONALLY (vs. 7-8; 27) • But Paul “lived beyond his financial limits!” He invested it all for God’s glory and the good of others. That’s why he could say with integrity: • “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the Gospel of God to you” (I Thess. 2:8-9). • “I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well” (II Cor. 12:15)

  42. 3. Paul lived dangerously RACIALLY (vs. 24-26) Paul spoke about how he was constantly “…in danger from Jews…my own countrymen…” Faithfulness to the Gospel often brings us into conflict with people of our own race – regardless of what that race is! At those times we will have to remember that we are “…new creatures in Christ Jesus” (II Cor. 5:17) and members of God’s “…chosen race…” (I Pet. 2:9).

  43. 3. Paul lived dangerously RACIALLY (vs. 24-26) • Therefore, to believe that and live out the implications of that will often cause us to “live dangerously racially!” • Principle:“An intentional commitment to racial reconciliation will cause us to ‘live outside the limits’ of our own racial, tribal, ethnic and cultural confines.” • But it did not stop there for Paul. Not only did he come into racial conflict with his fellow Jews -- he also had racial conflict with non-Jews. He said he was “…in danger from Gentiles…”

  44. 3. Paul lived dangerously RACIALLY (vs. 24-26) Paul was often in “…danger from the Jews…” because he challenged and broke tradition; he was in “…danger from the Gentiles…” because he often challengedtheir pagan idolatry and godless philosophy. Today in the West, the church is still largely a “racial church.” As a result, we meet…worship…fellowship…evangelize -- along racial and socio-economic lines.

  45. 3. Paul lived dangerously RACIALLY (vs. 24-26) And the churches in Asia and Africa do the same… In the local and global Body of Christ we still have not dealt redemptively and reconcilationallywith the racial question -- and especially the “Samaritan challenge” of racial mixture…racial half-breeds…mixed races. Caste Asian Churches Tribal African Churches

  46. 3. Paul lived dangerously RACIALLY (vs. 24-26) • We are still living…worshipping…fellowshipping as though Christ has not: • “…made the two one an destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall ofhostility…creating in Himself one new man out of the two, thusmaking peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to Godthrough the cross, by which He put to death their hostility…forthrough Him we both have access to the Father by oneSpirit” (Eph. 2:14-18).

  47. 3. Paul lived dangerously RACIALLY (vs. 24-26) • It was that “one Spirit” issue that gave Peter his racial break-through at the house of Cornelius: • “While Peter was speaking…the Holy Spirit came on all who heardthe message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peterwere astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured outeven on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues andpraising God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people frombeing baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit justas we have’” (Acts 10:44-47)

  48. 3. Paul lived dangerously RACIALLY (vs. 24-26) • Many of us as Christian still struggle with what Paul called a “…worldly point of view” when it comes to race: • “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.Though we once regarded Christ in this way we do so no longer.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” (II Cor. 5:16-17). • To believe that…preach that…act on that…apply that…socialize that…fellowship around that…worship that…will cause you to live dangerously racially!

  49. 4. Paul lived dangerously SOCIALLY(vs. 26) • Paul said I am…”…in danger in the city, in danger in the country…” • That means that Paul was not a parochial Christian! • Paul didn’t just stray in his own known…secure…predictable socio-economic comfort zone! He ministered in city and country…urban and rural…town and bush

  50. 4. Paul lived dangerously SOCIALLY(vs. 26) The Apostle Paul was not a stay-in-one-place-stay-at-home-Christian! He did not socially play it safe! He did not try to run with the “right” social Crowd. Like Jesus, Paul also “…made himself of no reputation…” (Phil. 2:7; KJV)

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