1. Brentwood Park Last weeks Message The Two Dimensions of Authority The Two Dimensions of Authority 1. The Humility of Authority 1. The Humility of Authority a. Begins with the appeal a. Begins with the appeal 2. The Boldness of Authority 2. The Boldness of Authority a. It confronts issues b. It sees conflicts as a spiritual battle c. It utilizes spiritual weapons d. It will come against disobedience

2. Brentwood Park Today’s Message Today’s Message Paul For The Defense Paul For The Defense II Corinthians 10:7-18

3. Brentwood Park Accusations towards Paul by certain ones of Corinth 1. He is crazy 2. He is untrustworthy 3. He is a self appointed Apostle 4. He is a big talking coward 5. He is a false teacher Question How does one answer charges like these? 6. He is a poor speaker

4. Brentwood Park will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Acts 20:29-31 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men

5. Brentwood Park There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Prov. 6:16-19

6. Brentwood Park You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing."

7. Brentwood Park Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. II Cor. 10:7-11 Any Defense Must Be based on the truth You are looking only on the surface of things. 10:7a 1. Truth is not a surface level entity But he that is spiritual judges all things… I Cor. 2:15 1. Truth is not a surface level entity But he that is spiritual judges all things… I Cor. 2:15

8. Brentwood Park a. Don’t believe men without checking out all the facts Fame, charisma, notoriety, eloquent, colorful speech does not commend a person to God 2. Truth will confront what we are in our letters…, we will be in our actions v. 11 2. Truth will confront what we are in our letters…, we will be in our actions v. 11

9. Brentwood Park The Defendant Must Have the Right Credentials The Defendant Must Have the Right Credentials 1. He must be in Christ If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. 7b

10. Brentwood Park 2. He must receive authority from the Lord 2. He must receive authority from the Lord For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it 10:8 a. Authority is biblically genuine a. Authority is biblically genuine Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work I Thess. 5:12

11. Brentwood Park Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. Heb. 13:16-18 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. Heb. 13:16-18

12. Brentwood Park b. The Primary purpose of biblical authority for building you up rather than pulling you down v. 8 1) Not to tell people what to do Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us…Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy I Cor. 1:21,24 2) To encourage, not to tear down

13. Brentwood Park The Defendant’s Ministry Must Have the Marks Authenticity 1. It is not self-commending We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. “There are no great preachers. There is only a great God."

14. Brentwood Park We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Vs. 13-14 2. It must be a God assigned ministry – sent not went Trace the leading: The Macedonian call– Philippi jail- Driven from Thessalonica, riot in Berea, mocked in Athens, then Corinth

15. Brentwood Park 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Vs. 14-16 3. It has a mindset to reach the Lost

16. Brentwood Park For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man's territory. 17 But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. Vs. 17-18 4. It only boasts in the Lord By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. I Cor. 15:10

17. Brentwood Park Any Defense Must Be based on the truth Any Defense Must Be based on the truth The Defendant Must Have the Right Credentials The Defendant Must Have the Right Credentials The Defendant Must Stand in the Authority of Yahweh The Defendant’s Ministry Must Have the Marks Authenticity It is not self-commending It must be a God assigned ministry It has a mindset to reach the Lost It only boasts in the Lord