BETHEL SUNDAY SCHOOL 15 AUG 2021
Text: 2 Corinthians 10:7 – 11

BATTLING FALSE TEACHING

1. There were false teachers influencing the Corinthian Church members

2. The Apostle Paul wrote to correct that which was false and wrong

WHAT THE FALSE TEACHERS DID IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH

1. Detract

a. They would subtly detract from the way of the Lord

b. They detract from the word of the Lord

c. Their approach was carnal and not spiritual at all

2. Distract

a. They distracted people with their outward appearances

b. The Corinthians became distracted from that which really matters!

i. Their spiritual state

ii. The condition of their faith in Christ

3. Disrupt

a. They disrupted the relationship between the Apostle Paul and the Corinthian Church

b. They went around speaking ill of the Apostle Paul and his team

COMBATTING FALSE TEACHERS COURAGEOUSLY

1. Paul would not let this go without a fight

a. His love for the Corinthian Church

b. He would not let the work of God be disrupted

2. Paul writes to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 10:7a)

a. Paul raises up the question
“Do you look at things according to outward appearances?”

b. To prompt the Corinthian to think about whether this is right?

i. Have they been distracted?

ii. Have they been caught up looking at outward appearances?

3. Paul defends himself and his team

a. That they belong to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:7b)

b. That his authority is given by the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:8a)

i. For edification

ii. Not for destroying people

c. Paul was not ashamed for using his Apostolic authority (2 Corinthians 10:8b)

i. He had to write firmly to those who would not repent of their sins

ii. He had to warn unruly behaviors in the Church

4. Paul answers his critics (2 Corinthians 10:10 – 11)

a. What his critics say about him

i. That his letters are “Weighty and powerful”

ii. But his bodily presence is weak

iii. And his speech contemptible

b. He calls his critics to consider this

i. That what they are in word by letters when they were absent

ii. They will be also in their deed when they are present!

APPLICATION

1. To be vigilant to watch and pray over the Church of God

2. To not drop our guard from false teaching

3. To be challenged to grow deeper and wiser in our knowledge of God!