USAC CONVOCATION BIBLE STUDY LESSON

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

2 Corinthians 5:11-16

2. (5:12) Minister-Testimony: the testimony of a genuine heart compels the minister. Paul was under

heavy attack; a barrage of charges were being launched against him by some in the church. Paul, just as

every minster, had given his credentials and commended himself when he first began to minister at the

church.

Note two points:

1. Just about everything Paul has said to the Corinthians up to this point has concerned the ministry, in

particular his own personal ministry. By talking about himself, there was a possibility that some would

again jump on his case and charge him with boasting in himself. True, he had been sharing his part in

the ministry, but this purpose was not to commend himself.

As stated, he trusted his credentials were well known by now. His purpose had been to give the faithful

believers more ammunition to confront and take the offensive in answering his critics. They needed to

get the matter settled, for the church needed to get back to the ministry of reaching and growing people

for Christ.

2. Those who opposed Paul (the minister) were those who gloried in their appearance and not in heart.

They took pride in such things as…

—Their novel ideas

—Their interpretation of Scripture

—Their gifts and abilities

—Their positions of leadership

—Their spiritual zeal and commitment

—Their recognition and esteem

—Their godly roots and traditions

—Their church loyalty

—Their possessions

But note: Their hearts were not upon Christ. Their hearts were upon themselves. They were not glorying in

Christ and what he had done for them, but in self and what they were doing. They felt as though they were

above others: more privileged, more gifted, more acceptable, more intelligent, more blessed, more spiritual.

Their profession was false, for it was not of heart.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed

appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity”

(Matthew 23:27-28).

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written,

this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark.7:6).

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement” (John 7:24).

Questions:

1. Have you or do you ever get outside of your comfort zone for the ministry of God?

2. Does the need of Christ in the lives of people inspire you to minister?

3. What steps have you taken to further the gospel for the glory of God and to meet the needs of the people?

4. On daily basis, do you think to meet the needs of others before yourself?

5. In your endeavor to be extreme for God, do you allow outside influences to deter you?

If so, what are they and how can you begin to conquer them in order to fulfill the will of God?

6. Does your life glorify God or does it edify you and your accomplishments?