BETHEL SUNDAY SCHOOL 14 MAR 2021
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:12 - 15

STANDING UP FOR THE TRUTH

1. Paul would stand up and defend the truth

a. The truth of the gospel

b. The truth of his ministry

2. Allegations against Paul

a. These allegations came from his detractors

b. They attacked his ministry

c. They attacked him personally too

3. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to stand up and defend that which is truth!
(2 Corinthians 5:12)

a. The Corinthian Church was under attack by false teachers

b. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to stand up and defend

i. Paul does not have to commend himself again

ii. Paul had already taught them much

iii. They know the truths that Paul and his team stood for

iv. This was an opportunity for the Corinthians to give an answer to the detractors

c. Seeing through the hypocrisy of the detractors

i. They give an appearance of how great their ministry is

ii. But deep down in their heart they are not sincere

STAYING FOCUS ON LIVING FOR THE LORD

1. Paul would not allow his detractors to distract him from living for the Lord
(2 Corinthians 5:13a)

a. If they say that he has become mad “Beside himself”

b. Then his answer is “It is for God”

c. He will not be distracted and end up losing his focus on God

2. Not serving self (2 Corinthians 5:12 – 13)

a. There are those who knew Paul and defend him to be of a sound mind

b. They knew he did not serve himself but the flock of God!

3. The love of Christ compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14)

a. The love that comes from man can change quickly

b. They once loved Paul but were influenced by detractors and now had doubts about him

c. Some even attacked him personally

d. Paul did not lose heart because of the love of Christ

e. The love of Christ motivated Paul and his team deeply to press on caring for the Church despite people attacking them!

4. Living for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15)

a. Christ died for all

b. He died and rose again

c. Appropriate responses to this truth

i. To be fully identified with Christ!

ii. To die with Christ

iii. To live no longer for ourselves

iv. To live for the Lord!

CHALLENGES

1. To stand up for the truth

2. To defend that which is good and righteous

3. To focus on the Lord and to live for Him