The Life & Teaching of Paul

Spiritual Authority (2 Corinthians Part 5)

2 Corinthians 10-13

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction: 

· Roles

· 3 Problems

o The Failure to Assume Proper Biblical Authority 

o The Failure to Exercise Proper Biblical Authority 

o The Failure to Follow Proper Biblical Authority 

II. Spiritual Authority

A. Authority Principals 

1. The Misunderstanding of Spiritual Authority (10:1-2, 7 & 11)

2. The War Against Spiritual Authority (10:3-5)

3. The Source of Spiritual Authority (10:7 -8, 13 & 18)

4. The Goal of Spiritual Authority

o Guidance of others (11:3-4)

o Discerning truth from falsity (11: 12-15)

5. The Proper Attitude of Spiritual Authority 

o Self-sacrificial (11:23-27)

o Shares burdens (11:28-29)

o Leads by graciously coping with life’s circumstances (12:7-9)

o Demonstrating contentment in hard times (12:10)

o Building up others instead of themselves (12:13-16 & 19)

o Demonstrates strength in weakness (13:3-4)

o Welcomes self-inspection (13:5-6)

o Never tears down (13:10)

o Encourages others (13:11-14)

B. The Practice of Spiritual Authority

· Biblical Fact

· Biblical Practice

III. Application

· Spiritual Blessings

· Unanswered Prayers

· The Paradoxes of God: weakness is a ___________ and _____ is in it. 

· ___________ will be given to meet every need. 

The Life & Teaching of Paul

A Proper Perspective on Change (2 Corinthians Part 4)

2 Corinthians 6-8

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction

· The Implications of Our Sin Nature: 

o We Desire to Change _________ not ___________. 

o We Hate Change to ____ ___________. 

· A Proper Perspective on Change

o The Things of Earth Change (4:16-18)

o The Things of Heaven Never Change 

Mal. 3:6  

Hebrews 13:8 

James 1:17)

· A Proper Prospective on Being a Christian

o The Lifelong Growth of the Believer (5:16-17; Philippians 1:6 & 2:13)

o The Older we Get, the Worse we Get

II. A Proper Prospective on Change

A. Change must be driven by Unconditional Love

o Love means self-sacrifice (6:3-13)

ü Sacrifice because of our Circumstances (v.4-10)

ü Sacrifice because of our own Affections (v.12)

o Love means separating from unhealthy things (6:14-7:1)

ü Principals for Partners in Life (6:14-16)

ü Principals for Holiness (6:17-7:1)

o Love means properly dealing with disagreement with those you love (7:2-5)

o Loves means modeling change (v.8-11)

B. Change must be motivated by Expectant Confidence (7:4 & 14) 

C. Change must be modeled by giving (Chap. 8)

o Overview on sharing: Koinonia

o Because of God’s grace (v.1)

o When you’re already over extended (v.2) 

o Voluntarily sacrificial (v.3)

o As an act of Worship (v.4-5)

o Your service is contagious (v.7)

o The rich blessing of sharing (v.9)

III. Application 

  The Life & Times of Paul

Dealing with Death: 2 Corinthians Part 3

2 Corinthians 5:1-17

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction

II. Dealing with Death

A. Our Heavenly Body (v.1)

· “For we know…”

· “earthly tent…”

· “building from God…”

· “not made with hands…”

Heb.9:11

B. Our Earthly Bodies (v.2-4)

C. Purposed and pledged (v.5)

D. Two “Homes” (v. 6-8)

· Our earthly home

· Our heavenly home

· Implications

III. The Judgement Seat of Christ (v.9-10)

A. Our ambition (v.9)

B. Our Ultimate judgement (v.10)

· “we must all appear…”

· “the judgement (‘bema”) seat of Christ…”

Romans 14:10

· “so that each one may be recompensed…”

o Phaulos

o 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

IV. Conclusion (v.17)

· Our opportunities are limited to _____ _______.

· Our perspectives must _________________ this life. 

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

The Life & Teaching of Paul

Title: 2 Corinthians: How Then Shall We Live? 2 Corinthians 3-4 (Part 2)

Comments: Bible Study Houston, Biblical Foundations Bible Study, www.biblestudyhouston.com

Artist: Christopher W Martin

Album: The Life & Teaching of Paul 

Year 2019

#: 2

Genre: The Life & Teaching of Paul

Season 4 Episode 15

The Life Times of Paul

2 Corinthians: Christianity Survival 101

2 Corinthians 1 -2 (Part 1)

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction

II. Comfort Through Suffering (1:1-11)

The Person of Comfort (v.1-4)

The Purpose of Comfort (v.5-7)

The Power of Comfort (v.8-10)

The Prayers of Comfort (v.11)

III. Confidence When Attacked (1:12-2:4)

Transparent (v.12-14)

Loyalty (v.15-16)

Honesty & Reliability (v. 17-20)

Sensitivity (v.1:21-2:1)

Understanding (v.2-3)

Love (v.4)

IV. Christ-like When Hurt (2:5-11)

Perspective (v.5)

Purpose (v.6-8)

Permanence (v.9-11)

Forgiveness is not about _______________; forgiveness is about

____________ _____ ____ ___________ ___.

V. Conclusion: Passing “the smell test.” (v.15-17)

  The Life & Teaching of Paul

1 Corinthians Part 5: Resurrection Reality 1 Corinthians 15

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction to Life After Death

· Observation on Cultural Perspectives

o Uniqueness 

o Speculation 

· Observation on Greek “Dualism” 

o The Sacred

o The Profane

· Greek Influence

o Sadducees

o Early Christian 

· Overview to the Resurrection 

o Real

o Rejoining

o Renewal

o Reversal

II. Resurrection Reality (1 Cor. 15)

· It’s Foundational (v.1-3a) 

· It’s Scriptural (v.3b-4)

· It’s Historical (v. 5-10)

o Peter

o The Disciples 

o The 500

o James, His Brother

o The Apostles

o Paul 

· Theological Consequences of Denial (v.11-15)

o Christ Would Not Be Risen

o Preaching Would Be Meaningless

o Faith Would Be Worthless 

o Witnesses & Preachers Would Be Liars

· Personal Consequences of Denial (v.16-19 & 32)

o We Would Have No Hope of Conquering Sin

o Former Believers Would Be Eternally Perished

o Our Beliefs Would Be Pointless

o Our Lives Would be Meaningless (v.32)

· Resurrection Questions (v.35-49)

o Dissolution

o Difference

o Changed

o Victorious 

III. Application 

 The Life & Teaching of Paul

Spiritual Gifts, part 2

The Truth About Tongues

1 Corinthians 14

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction to Tongues

· First Century: Acts 2

o The Source (2:1-4)

o The Miracle (2:5-11)

o The Purpose (2:14-21)

o The Situation in Corinth

· 20the Century

o Holiness Movement 

o Pentecostal Movement 

o Charismatic Movement

Ø Characteristics 

Ø Concerns

· Why “uniquely American”?

1) _________

2) ____________

3) __________________

4) __________________

5) __________________

II. The Truth About Tongues (1 Corinthians 14) 

· Truth 1:  Tongues are easily abused (v. 2-4)

o Lack of comprehension

o Self-edification 

· Truth 2: Tongues must have a secondary purpose (v. 6-9)

· Truth 3: Tongues must be a known language (v. 10-12)

· Truth 4: Tongues 

· must be interpreted to be understood (v. 13-17 and 28)

· Truth 5: Tongues are to be used with restraint (v. 18-19) 

· Truth 6: Tongues are a sign to unbelievers (v. 20-25)

· Truth 7: Tongues must be ordered (v. 26-33)

III. Application

  The Life & Teaching of Paul

Spiritual Gifts, part 1

1 Corinthians 12-13

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. The Problem in Corinth

· Gifts in the early church

· God’s Blueprint 

o Romans 12:4-6

o Ephesians 4:16

· Non-Use & Abuse 

II. Understanding & Properly Using Your Spiritual Gifts

A. The Source and Purpose of Spiritual Gifts (12:4-7)

· Varieties 

· Source

· Purpose

B. Types of Spiritual Gifts (12:8-11 & other texts)

· From “the 4 lists”

 A note on Timing & Development 

 A note on Giftedness vs. Normalcy 

 Other Candidates for Gifts 

o Hospitality (Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9, 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8)

o Mercy (Matthew 5:7; & 9:35-36; Mark 9:41; Romans 12:8; 1 Thess. 5:14)

o Pastor/Shepherd (John 10:1-18; Eph. 4:11-14; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3)

o Intercessory Prayer (James 1:6 & 5:14-16, Heb. 7:25, Coloss.1:9-12, 4:12-13)

o Celibacy (1 Corinthians 7:7)

C. Unified but Diversified (12:12-19)

D. Interdependence, not Independence (12:20-31)

E. The Necessary Predicate to use your Gifts – Love of Others 

The Preeminence of Love (13:1-3)

The Pattern of Love (13:4-7)

Patient 

Kind

Not jealous

Does not brag

 Not arrogant

Not unbecomingly

Does not seek his/her own

Not provoked

Does not account for a w wrong suffered

Does not rejoice in unrighteousness

Rejoices with truth

 Enduringly and hopefully protective

· The Permanence of Love (13:8-13)

III. Application

· A Warning about Spiritual Gifts Tests

· A Start: https://www.freeshapetest.com/

 Note: my email is [email protected]

  1 Corinthians 5 - 10

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction

· The Situation in Corinth

· Division within the Church 

· Why are we Still Here?

II. Living in Liberty

A. The Huge Question:

10:23:

9:1-6 

B. Application:

· When You’re Wronged (6:1-11) 

· Pursuing Pleasure (6:12-20) 

· Being Married (7:1-40) 

· That Which Causes Others to Stumble (8:1-13) 

· Freedom with a Heart of Servitude (9:19-23)

· Freedom with Discipline (9:24-27)

C. Dealing with Temptation (10::1-13)

D. Living the Blessed Life (10:31-11:1)

III. Application 

 The Life & Teaching of Paul

1 Corinthians (part 1): Dealing with Disagreement & Division

1 Corinthians 1 - 4

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction

· The Implications of a very important question

 The Question:

1) The “Misunderstood Letter” (see 1 Cor. 5:9-11)

2) 1 Corinthians (see 1 Cor. 7:1)

3) The “Sorrowful Letter” (see 2 Cor. 2:1-11 & 7:8)

4) 2 Corinthians (see 2 Cor 6:3-10; 11:23-27; 12:7-10)

The Options:

Option 1: 

Option 2: 

· Corinth and its Church

Economic 

 Cultural 

Christian 

 The Big Problem: 

II. The Danger of Division

· Fully equipped, but failures (Chapter 1) 

 Called to be saints

Gifted by grace

 Protected to the end

 But divided by discord

Worshipers of Men

Worshipers of Miracles 

Worshipers of Wisdom

· God’s Method

III. The Blessing of God’s Wisdom (Chapter 2) 

· Living Transparently (2:1-5)

· Gaining Wisdom from the Holy Spirit (2:6-16)

o The mystery of God’s Wisdom

o Our Teacher

o Our Classroom

IV. The Answer to the Ultimate Question: Why are We Still Here? (Chapters 3 & 4)

· Ministers to Others (3:1-5)

· Seed Sowers (3:6-9)

· Builders in Christ’s Kingdom (3:10-23)

· Servants & Stewards (4:1-2)

· Not Judges of other Men (4:3-5)

· Examples to a Broken People (4:6-16)

V. Application