ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XI| Enduring Dishonor | 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

March 21, 2021 Speaker: Christopher Rich Series: ENDURE: Courage in Weakness | 2 Corinthians

Topic: New Testament Passage: 2 Chronicles 6:1–13

Christopher Rich – March 21, 2021

ENDURE | Courage in Weakness 

PART XI| Enduring Dishonor | 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

 

Introduction | Let’s talk about Shame, Suffering, and Separation.  

Good Morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we are continuing our series ENDURE: Courage in Weakness

 

Let’s talk about shame, suffering, and separation. We know shame. We know suffering. We know separation. These are part of the consequences of living in our imperfect world, but we don’t like talking about them. We would rather pretend they don’t impact us or they are only things others endure. The fact remains each have implication for how we see ourselves and others and affect how we relate to God.

 

Shame- I know what I’ve done (or has been done to me). We realize we are not perfect. When we fail in anyway, we experience guilt (and maybe we are guilty). Others have harmed or abused us impacting our self-worth staining our psyche. We wear a scarlet letter This is shame.  I am concerned it now defines me. 

Suffering- I know what I’ve dealt with (or am dealing with). There is pain and difficulty in the world often because of circumstances often beyond our control. Yet at times it can even be consequences of our own choices or results of our responsibilities. Craving flourishing, we face failure. I am concerned it will defeat me. 

Separation- I know who is distant (and maybe I even know why). People you were close with or thought were friends turn out to be foes. We try to move on, but grief needs to be processed. We carry brokenness into new relationships with bitterness from the past and fear of the future.  I am concerned it disconnects me. 

 

These categories all need to be included in our concept and understanding of the impact of what the Bible calls “Sin”. Individually, Sin is missing the mark, it’s breaking God’s law, and how we are bent out of shape in this world. Corporately, it is the systems, structures, and societal norms of injustice oppression opposed to God’s rule and true human flourishing. In Creation, sin manifest itself in world hostile to enduing eternal life including disease and destruction. For most of our lives we have thought about sin in the court room context of “guilt/innocence” and that is not wrong. It is that, AND the Bible was written in and to a cultural context of “honor/shame”. When we endure shame, suffering, separation in can manifest itself dishonor. We cannot bear the dishonor of sin we’ve caused, or endured from, others. We need a salvation outside our ourselves effective to cover our shame, clean our souls, and change our relationships if we are Enduring Dishonor. 

 

PART I | Identity of Honor | 2 Cor 6:1-2

2 Cor 6:1-2 |1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

 

Identity of Honor- The Gospel Answer for the Dishonor of shame is a new identity of honor we embody. The Gospel of Jesus has been given to us (treasure in jars of clay) and He is making His appeal of the mission and message of reconciliation (between God and humanity) through us so we are not dishonored enemies but honored envoys of grace. This does not drive us to pride, but to pursue humility as urgent ambassadors partnering with Christ to call sinners to salvation. Ambassadors of the Kingdom feels a bit distant and disconnected but we are not ambassadors alone. We are not an abandoned embassy under siege, because our King is present. Jesus says, “Behold I am with you always”, so we get to work together closely with Jesus. 

Vain is empty, we are full of Grace – Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about Cheap Grace being simply hoping for the promise of eternal life God later without experiencing or embodying new life with God in the here and now. We believe we have the grace of God (more thinking of about the mercy of God NOT getting the consequences we deserve for sin) God is RICH in mercy AND He graciously give us new life. Grace has been given, but you act like you haven’t received it, don’t need, or worse don’t want it. So we keep living like we’re “old” and not “new” 2 Cor 5:17 What you’ve done hasn’t changed, what has been done to you hasn’t changed but who you are in Christ has changed. You’ve been made new, the old has passed away. You’ve been made clean as your sin has been taken by Jesus and His righteousness has been given to you. Shame leaves us empty; the Grace of God give us fullness. You don’t need to worry about being stained or your sin and shame defining you because it is your new identity of being “in Christ’ that you dwell in. Yes, there is a future hope, the grace of God covers our eternity, but it is an essential identity for now as we feel exiled.

Hope in Exile – These verses are a direct quote from Isaiah 49:8 smack dab in the middle of God promising salvation for His people and finally bringing release for those who have found themselves in exile in Babylon and have wondered if there is any hope for them. What is dishonor and sin if not an experience of exile? What does exile imply? Shame – You are no longer considered a favored nation.  Suffering- You are under the control of a hostile foreign power. Separated – You are far from home. In Israel’s case this was all a result of their own sin and rejection of God in their individual and communal lives. In this sense they are experiencing an earned exile. Their faithlessness and shameful actions and attitudes led to the consequences of dishonor, distress, and even disconnection from God. While they endured suffering for an extended multi-generational season God did not turn His back on them or forget/forsake them. He hears and responds. 

Time of Favor – God listens to us in our sin and shame when it leads us to cry out to Him. He doesn’t turn a deaf ear until we’ve earned honor. We have all earned exile because of sin, but we all can receive His unearned favor. He hears us and accepts us. His grace does more than remove our shame it gives us a new identity of honor. Grace is not simply a gift given but a status received. His grace is the answer for our dishonor.

Delivered from Dishonor- Now is the day of salvation. If sin means we are experiencing the shame of exile than we need to be delivered from dishonor now. God answers with “timely help.” If you are in Christ now you are living in a day of salvation now where you are heard, answered, and loved by God. While there is urgency “today is your day!” there is also a look ahead to our forever salvation. Don’t live shamelessly in dishonor but know our shame is covered by Jesus work on the cross giving us a new Identity of Honor. 

 

PART II |Content in Conflict | 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

2 Cor 6:3-10 |We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Content in Conflict– The Gospel answer for the Dishonor of Suffering is endurance, empowerment, and encouragement. Being set free from shame does not mean free from all suffering. Our new identity does not prevent us from experiencing difficulty now. External calamity and internal challenges have the potential to derail us on our journey can even unsettle our identity. Conflict is going to be part of our earthly experience. How are we going to navigate these conflicts which serve as obstacles and stumbling blocks to our faith?  

Endurance in Suffering (External) – In the face of suffering and challenging circumstances Paul is both extremely realistic and it’s exceedingly hopeful.  This is big range of emotions and responses to suffering, he’s been in despair at times sustained and is showing he is not disqualified. At times he can seem like a Superhero and other times but Super lame. He is as complex person like most of us navigating the life before him which includes significant suffering. He’s not commending himself alone but the sincerity of his ministry and mission to share the message of the gospel. Here are 9 types of suffering in 3 groups: 

Afflictions, hardships, calamities (general)- This is anything that makes endurance difficult, brings us a sense of being overwhelmed in our circumstances or hopeless for a path forward. This recognizes that the world we are in is not always hospitable to our flourishing and can be overtly hostile to our joy. 

Beatings, riots, imprisonments (specific) – Paul really suffered, these are thinks he endured even as a faithful Christian and champion of the Gospel. Yes, there is general suffering in the big story for everyone, but there can be suffering that is specific to our life, time, place, and season in our individual stories.  

Labor, sleepless nights and hunger (Intentional) Not all suffering because of our world or our individual circumstances or sometimes it is a natural result of responsibility. “Pressure is a Privilege” but that doesn’t mean it is not still difficult. Hard work is hard, when the weight of responsibility for self, family, others, can cause anxieties or sleepless nights. We might not always be satisfied and have a hunger for more. It should be an encouragement that the list that includes great earth-shattering calamities also includes being robbed of rest as marks of suffering so we can know however we are experiencing suffering is significant requiring endurance. Our souls cannot rely exclusively own power if we are going endure the dishonor of suffering. 

 

“Any one of these things is intolerable, but taken together, think what kind of soul is needed to endure them” – Chrysostom (Early Church Father)

 

Empowered by the Holy Spirit - Endurance through these conflicts can come from the Holy Spirit granting us patience, love, and purity. Purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, love, and truthful speech are all ours to use, enjoy, and experience. Most of these are fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5. They are not just bonus power up, without the Spirit these things are not going to happen on our own. So much of suffering is beyond our limit to handle, so we don’t tell each other just be more patient or be kinder. We remind each other how God has equipped us. By the Holy Spirit, God equips us so we are prepared for adversity of all kinds, from all places, at all times. It doesn’t mean this is what we will always face but that God has power for us whatever we may face. With our new identity In Christ, we are clothed in righteousness. With the Holy Spirit working in us we are equipped with “weapons or righteousness”. This is a military metaphor recognizing the threat of the hostile world we are in. Right and left hands mean you prepared both offensively and defensively. Ephesians talks about the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit (as the WORD of GOD) So you can endure in adversity from the world and engage on mission to the world when you’re relying on the gifting and power of the Spirit. How are you trying to endure apart from communion with Jesus, enjoying His presence, and consuming His word? If you’re feeling powerless or impatient let me encourage you to access the knowledge of God’s person through His Word and through prayer. God’s power causes us to endure so we know who we are in even when it seems like we are being defined by others.  

 

Encouraged in Shame - We will always have others who do not know us or our story the way we do or having known who we are have decided rightly or wrongly to passively reject us or actively oppose us. People might even have good reason for why they see you this way, but it can be in stark contrast to how you are seen by God, in Christ. Remembering who the judge is and where find acceptance is essential if we are to determine if we need to repent of sin or reject lies about who we are. As imperfect people it is likely both. 

World’s point of view – Dishonored (no favor), slander (speaking lies), imposters (fake), unknown (rejected, dying (hopeless), punished leads to believing all these things are a death etc This is accusation from an enemy. When the world sees us suffering, they assume it means failure and respond with condemnation.

God’s Point of View - Honor (Favored), praise (triumphant), true (authentic), known (accepted) living (hope for the future), enduring (faithfulness) is what is true helps us remember how much we are affirmed and accepted. When God see us suffering, He sees an opportunity for faithfulness and responds with compassion. 

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing - Having nothing yet possessing everything! By outward appearances and worldly standards Paul is not an impressive success. We will have season in life of scorn and suffering. We do not have to, no should we attempt, to minimize the pain grief or depth of despair we might be feeling. To ignore pain is to reject reality and pretend we do not hurt. Whether in honor or dishonor we have contentment in conflict and suffering as we possess everything we truly need in Christ. He is more than enough!

 

PART III |Courage to Reconcile | 2 Cor 6:11-13

2 Cor 6:11-13 |11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

Courage to Reconcile– Conflict and dishonor cause separation in our relationships. The Gospel answer for the dishonor of separation is forgiveness and reconciliation. There is freedom in Forgiveness - Forgiveness takes the courage of one party to forgive another regardless of if it is reciprocated. Our God has forgiven us and reconciled us to Himself, in part, so that we might pursue reconciliation with others.

Clarity is Kindness – Spoken Freely = Calling it like it is (plainly and bluntly) Paul has been the one wronged, yet he has come to a place of forgiveness with these people. He is being clear about where his heart is at, it is “wide open”. He is being clear on where their heart is it is “restricted”. Simply put to the Corinthians “The ball is in your court. Ya’ll are the limiting factor in reconciliation.” This isn’t blame shifting to excuse Paul from dealing with a difficult situation, it’s clarity for the purpose of removing obstacles for reconciliation. He is calling them to a “fair exchange” (in return) of opening their hearts as an opportunity for reconciliation. Reconciliation takes both parties being courageous enough to humbly own their contribution to the conflict and boldly walk-in forgiveness. This requires movements of “mutuality”. God has secured our vertical reconciliation through Jesus closing the gap we cannot ever hope to bridge on our own. But for reconciliation in our horizontal relationship to be possible it requires mutuality. What are some obstacles to reconciliation in relationships? Our Pride - We don’t want to admit how we have contributed to the conflict so we are stuck.  Our protection – Because others are either not aware of or able to answer for how they have harmed you or others it is not safe to return to or normalize the relationship. We want things fixed, or back to normal, when maybe they cannot be put together by us. We cannot fix others and when we exhaust ourselves trying to own situations we did not cause. We are called to forgive as we have been forgiven in Christ. Let Jesus and the Holy Spirit be the ones who work on others. If you are tempted either to pursue others hoping they’ll see the error of their ways or are being embittered by affection lost or abuse experienced, pray for those who have hurt you and pray for your heart to be healed. It might be time to forgive but not yet reconcile. 

Let me speak freely with the hope your heart open wide to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and experience sin, leading to shame suffering, and separation in this life. If not dealt with now it will lead to the dishonor shame, excruciating suffering, and eternal separation from God in exile forever. There is only one answer for sin that can lead to life, endurance, glory and honor now and forever and that is faith in Jesus Christ. Receive the grace of God, who saw you in your sin and endured comprehensive dishonor so you could have the honor of being a son/daughter, citizen-saint in His kingdom today and forever when you Trust Jesus!

Shame- Jesus was spit upon, reviled, treated shamefully  

Suffering – Excruciating pain on the cross at the hands of “sinful men”. Yet is was also an intentional act of suffering for our sake as He took on the responsibility for our sin so that we might have forgiveness and flourishing life.   

Separation – Rejected by humanity but also he endured being forsaken by God  

Praise the God who listens to us in our need for salvation and provides it in Christ. Appeal to the Holy Spirit to empower us with love, patience, and kindness to endure the challenges of our lives. Thank Jesus for experiencing great dishonor on the cross so we can share a new identity of honor with Him.