Introduction:
Review: Three prerogatives of Christ’s leader:
1. Prerogative to discipline
2. Prerogative to speak for Christ
3. Prerogative to call for testing
2 Corinthians 13:5-10 (NASB)
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Theme: Three core commitments of Christians and their leaders so you will be approved in the faith
Commitment #1 Priority of the test vv. 5-6
A. Christians must take the test and pass vs. 5
B. Christian leaders must also take the test and pass vs. 6
Commitment #2 Practice of the truth vv. 7-8
A. Christians must do right according to the truth vs. 7
B. Christian leaders must do all for the sake of the truth vs. 8
Commitment #3 Purpose of the task vv. 9-10
A. Christians must be made complete in Christ vs. 9
B. Christian leaders must use their authority to make Christians complete in Christ vs. 10
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