“HUMILITY, PART ONE”
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Series: “Parental Guidance: A Study of 2 Cor 10-13”
Pastor Rusty Russell
New Day Christian Church, SW Florida
May 24-25, 2025
INTRODUCTION
There are thousands of parenting books, podcasts, and training videos. Almost all of them make one fatal flaw: They’re all about parenting technique and not about personal character. All the parenting books in the world won’t fix a low-character parent. A high character person will be a good parent with very little training. A great parent strongly leads without lording it over their kids. The secret is a character trait we call humility. Today’s passage contrasts Paul’s humility with the pride of the “super apostles.”
SCRIPTURE OUTLINE
I. Introduction: Please be patient with my foolish but necessary boasting
A. I feel foolish to be “boasting” like the world.
B. You put up with foolish and abusive people so put up with me.
II. Body: I’ll prove I am a greater minister
III. Conclusion: I’ll boast in my weaknesses to the glory of God
I. BE PATIENT WITH MY FOOLISH BOASTING
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise!
20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.
21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
II. I’LL PROVE I AM A GREATER MINISTER
A. VERSES 22-27: I’VE PHYSICALLY SUFFERED FOR CHRIST
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more.
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
B. V. 28-29: I’VE SUFFERED CONCERN FOR THE CHURCHES
28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
III. I’LL BOAST IN WEAKNESSES TO GOD’S GLORY
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.
APPLICATION: THREE STEPS TO BEING A HUMBLE PARENT
A. REFUSE TO ABUSE
Don’t be like the super apostles who were slapping people in the face. Be humble like Paul.
[Mat 18:6 NIV] 6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
B. DIE DAILY
Paul was constantly facing death. In another passage he says he faces death daily. He sacrificed himself for the cause of Christ every day.
To be a humble parent, daily sacrifice your will to God.
C. PLAY FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE
God knows the truth! Praise him and focus on honoring him.
CONCLUSION
Illustration: Bart and Arthur Millard, “I Can Only Imagine.”
INVITATION
Don’t ever say, “It’s too late for me.” The time to humble yourself before God is now. There is no sin so great that God can’t forgive it. There is no past so heinous that God can’t redeem it.
Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death on a cross out of love for you. Humble yourself and receive him today.
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