2 Corinthians 11:1-4 (KJV)
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Jack Hyles taught that we should never defend ourselves but let God be our defense.
The concept makes sense biblically on two counts that I can think of;
· Jesus did not defend himself. Like a lamb before his shearers He opened not His mouth
· Although David was a man of war, he never defended himself[1]
I have made it a personal practice in very nearly thirty years of ministry, to never defend myself but leave my defense in the hands of God.
I have to say that I have been tempted.
I have had times when I have had, to defend the ministry or to defend someone in our ministry, but to the best of my ability I have left my own defense in the hand of God.
It has held me in good stead, and I am glad I have done it.
Here is a biblical example, on the other hand, of the other.
Paul did defend his apostleship, though he did say that doing so was folly.
And he did ask them to bear with him a in his folly.
He knew his defense could and would be attacked as boastful and foolish, but he begged them to bear with him in this instance.
I want to focus on verse 4 this morning where the Apostle Paul issues a challenge.
Paul dares them to find one who has preached,
· A better Jesus
· A better spirit or
· A better gospel
than the one he had preached.
If any of his accusers or if any of these false apostles had preached a better salvation than he, then they were free to have at it.
*I. A BETTER JESUS
2 Corinthians 11:4 (KJV)
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, …
Another Jesus.
I read in my Daily Visit with God yesterday, John 5:23 (KJV)
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
It got me to thinking about all of the religions that claim to worship the same God as Christians, but they focus on God the Father.
It’s what the Jehovah’s Witnesses do
They claim to believe in both God the Father and God the Son. But they make Jesus to be a lesser god under God the Father.
It’s what the Mormons do
They believe in Jesus. I have even had a Mormon tell me that he has accepted Jesus Christ as his saviour.
But Jesus, to the Mormon, is the brother of Lucifer, a created being.
It’s what the Muslims do
They claim that Jesus was a great prophet. I understand that they will even agree that He is going to return someday.
But to them, Mohammed was a greater prophet than Jesus.
It’s even what the Jews do
They claim to worship God the Father, but they relegate Jesus to a misguided historic figure.
The Bible warns us that, in the last days, there will come many false Christs.
And Jesus said that our relationship with the Heavenly Father is completely wrapped up in our relationship with Jesus.
Christianity also wishes to worship God the Father in spirit and in truth.
We believe that we can only do that through Jesus Christ.
We had better make sure we have the correct Jesus and that our relationship with Him is right.
And then Paul dared them to preach
*II. A BETTER SPIRIT
2 Corinthians 11:4 (KJV)
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, …
You will notice that the word spirit is not capitalized. Take that the same as we do with the word God.
When the word is capitalized, we know it is in reference to the true God. When it is not, we know it refers to a false god.
The teaching then is, have you received a better spirit than the Spirit of God?
There are all sorts of differing doctrines concerning the Holy Spirit.
· Some deny that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity
· Some deny that the Holy Spirit is a Person
· Some deny that the Holy Spirit indwells the believer
· Some believe that he comes and goes upon Christians today like He did in the Old Testament
The Bible says, 1 John 5:7 (KJV)
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Jesus said, John 16:7-14 (KJV)
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
The Holy Ghost is,
· A comforter – with us all of the time
· A convicter-He is the true preacher of the Word of God
· A guide-He illuminates our path and teaches us the Word of God
And He does it all so that Jesus Christ is glorified.
Finally, Paul dared them to preach
*III. A BETTER GOSPEL
2 Corinthians 11:4 (KJV)
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
The gospel means, “good news.”
We know exactly what gospel Paul preached.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (KJV)
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
I’ll add to that, 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Can there be any better news than that Jesus’ death burial and resurrection, paid the whole price for our sin?
Can there be any better news than that, because of Jesus Christ, God has buried our sins in the depths of the sea?
Can there be any better news than that, because Jesus died in our place, God no longer sees our sins, but only the righteousness of Jesus Christ in us?
Conclusion
Paul put himself and his ministry on the line.
· He knew he was God's anointed and he knew his message was truth.
· He was not afraid to lay it on the line and let it be tested.
· He knew God would prevail.
[1] David was quick to take action against anything or anyone who threatened the nation or that dishonored the name of God. He never defended an attack on his own person.
