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.