Preschool
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Mighty through God
Memory Verses
Primary
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Junior
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10
Lesson Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1–13
Introduction
It is a mystery of mysteries that the Creator of the universe, the almighty God, chooses to effect His power through weak, fallen man. That God chooses to use an earthen vessel and a broken urn to carry His promises is difficult to comprehend. As we become less, He becomes more, and we can only be fully effective when we are fully lost in Him. May we discover the power that comes from a full surrender to His will. May we give ourselves to a greater understanding of this mystery.
Key Verse
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Cor. 4:7).
Lesson Scripture
2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Studying the Lesson
Second Corinthians 10 is a gold mine of truth, a treasure trove of heavenly pearls difficult to exhaust. This chapter gives the Christian insight into the inscrutable heart of God. It begins with the concept of meekness and humility and their roles in accessing the incredible power of God. It continues as it reveals the holy conduit through which God’s power flows. We are then introduced to the very nature of the spiritual warfare and how it is waged. We are fleshly beings who live in a sensual and carnal world, and everything that comes natural to us—our inclinations and instincts—will be useless in the battle for the soul. Our lesson today closes with the wise directive to avoid comparing ourselves with each other. There are deep truths hidden here, but with study and contemplation, we can discover spiritual wealth and understanding to ensure our spiritual success.
Paul traveled from Athens, the seat of intellectualism and philosophy, to the city of Corinth where sensuality, fueled by affluence, reigned supreme. It could be enlightening to peek into that world, to observe how the Christians of Corinth were comporting themselves amidst their surroundings. Whatever the case, it is obvious that these early Christians faced challenges and had criticized Paul for dubious reasons. As he attempted to address their problems, he pointed them to a meek and humble Jesus.
Our lesson scripture outlines Paul’s concerns and reveals his vision of what it means to be spiritually minded. It is difficult to know the exact catalyst for this chapter, but the feeling we get is that some in the Corinthian church saw Paul as being somewhat weak. Perhaps he did not stand up to their expectations, to their affluent standards, or their impression of how a powerful Christian leader should act. This led Paul to explain the differences between meekness and weakness. Meekness is clearly not weakness but rather an essential attribute of any true disciple of Christ.
Paul’s teaching is straightforward. Our Christin warfare cannot employ the tangible weapons of this world. Rather, this warfare is waged in our hearts and minds, and battles are won through God with a meek and quiet spirit.
Practical Truths for Today
Throughout the Bible, the irrational, the impossible, the illogical, and the senseless often proved God’s immutability and might. Who would guess that the sound of pitchers smashing to shards would win a crucial battle (Judg. 7:20)? Who would have imagined a sea parting to allow several million people to cross? Who would have foreseen that a simple walk, seven times around a fortress city, would reduce its walls to rubble? God’s ways are effective, and His plan is sound, even when beyond our comprehension.
We live in a time that is comparable to the early Corinthian church. Sensuality abounds, and affluence in North America has become an easy cloak to wear, like a crisply ironed suit. Daily we are exposed to the world around us; many times we are tempted to align ourselves with the technology, ambitions, and pursuits of society. Some Christians question church guidelines and, in some cases, ignore them. Some have become embroiled and captured in worldliness. Outward appearance takes precedence over the true state of their heart, and the culture of society, like that of Corinth, promotes this. We can mistake well-groomed, well-managed, and well-spoken as attributes of spirituality when they may be adjectives describing pride. Pride is a barrier to the true joy and power that comes from losing our identity and finding the heart of God.
We must admit and accept our inherent weakness, inability, and helplessness to access the power of God. The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Those who are meek and humble do not fear vulnerability; they are open to scrutiny and censure. When we are transparent, we have nothing to defend and nothing to hide. To unmask our true self is difficult but necessary to experience the power of Christ. In our unworthiness, we become worthy through the blood of Christ.
The word meekness in our lesson refers to the meekness of Christ. A key attribute of meekness is humility. Another indication of meekness is a teachable spirit. Yet another is patience as well as forbearance. These attributes define meekness. It is no wonder that meekness is one of the keys to God’s power; it is no wonder that Moses could lead a multitude of people through a dry and desolate wilderness. His meekness provided the conduit through which God’s power flowed.
The leaders of the church of God today, like Moses, must labor in this same spirit and attitude. Because of a lack of meekness, a leader’s work becomes counterproductive and ineffective. The emotionally wounded and spiritually ill can only be reached by those who are inspired by and who work in the meek and gentle spirit of Jesus. The children in Christ are nurtured by forbearance and patience.
On the other hand, our unwillingness to relinquish control or our fear of what God may ask of us hinders our work for God. Then His streams of mercy and wellspring of grace remain untapped because of unbelief and pride.
The search to find answers to the difficult questions of today can seem like mountains to face. Overwhelming temptations, the lusts of the flesh, and the allure of the world can become strongholds of evil. Fleshly tendencies may seem insurmountable, and some lose hope. The demons of darkness threaten to destroy, and the odds seem stacked against us.
But we must take heart. As our lesson text says, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” God’s power has not diminished since the day He spoke the universe into being and created man. His power is the same today as it was when Jesus healed the sick, made the blind to see, and caused the lame to walk. He gives direction to seeking souls and opens the eyes that have been spiritually blind. He softens hardened hearts so they can change. Doors swing open that we feared were forever locked. He is truly mighty to pull down strongholds. May we find His strength in our weakness and find the power that comes through a humble spirit.
Questions
- What are ways to tell if what we are doing is through God’s power or our own?
- How transparent do we need to be regarding our temptations, struggles, and failures?
- Unsubscribe
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).