2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4 | The Cynical Church

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Slides:

Criticism #1: Paul took his word to the Corinthians lightly.

Answer #1: Judge the messenger by the message and the one who sent it (and him).

Does this mean that it’s wrong to question spiritual authority at all?

Acts 17:10-11

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so.

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but [wanting] to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

From “A Time to Invest” – Nov. 27, 2022: How do we think the Lord wants us to send?

- School of ministry (2025)

Assist in…

- Sending short and long-term missionaries (10 more by 2027)

- Autonomous church plants (2 by 2027)

- PreK (2024)

Criticism #2: Paul assumed inappropriate authority over the Corinthian church.

Answer #2: Judge me by my love toward the church.

Luke 22:25-26

And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' 26 "But [it is] not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.

Conflicts among cynical churches and cynical people:

- Be as direct and plain spoken as possible. Don’t sweep things under the rug.

- But sometimes a little space is ok. Don’t rush into every battle.

- Don’t make every issue Defcon 1.

- Be careful when judging motives.

- A letter is often better.

- Consider your own emotions and needs as well as others.

- When you detect your cynicism, go back to the cross.