Persecution Within the Community

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending November 30, 2008

Scripture Text: II Corinthians 11:17, 21b-30 (NRSV)

Background Text: II Corinthians 11:16-12:10 (NRSV)

II Corinthians 11:17
(17)What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the Lord’s authority, but as a fool;

II Corinthians 11:21b-30
(21b)But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that(22) Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.(23)Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death.(24)Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.(25)Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea;(26) on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters;(27) in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked.(28)And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. (29)Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant? (30)If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

II Corinthians 12:9-10
(9) but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.(10)Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

I think we need to start this study with verse 1 of the 11th Chapter where Paul says “I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!” This is probably a good way to start this commentary, and maybe a good way to start any conversation where we are going to share our self analysis of our good qualities and our shortcomings.

Paul seemed to have a tendency to boast, even when he said, “I am the chief of sinners,” he certainly had not met me or some of my best friends. To understand Paul's thinking, we have to know the circumstances and his relationship with the church at Corinth.

The congregation at Corinth was not the vital spiritually growing church that Paul envisioned when he established the church originally. He had spent a lot of time and resources trying to fix some of the problems this congregation presented. He had already sent them a letter, (I Corinthians) and personal visits by two of his best disciples, Timothy and Titus, and Paul had also personally visited them. Still the problem persisted, and the problem also had become very personal for Paul, and his credentials,(11:5) as well as his work ethic,(11:7-9) along with being two faced,(12:12-18) and a poor preacher (11:6). At this point most of us would have shaken the dust, and moved on, but not Paul, he was going to give them another chance, and he was going answer his critics, in the same way they had attacked him. This had become personal, and Paul felt he needed to set the record straight. The great St. Louis Cardinal pitcher of the 30's, Dizzy Dean, used to say, “It ain't braggin' if you can do it”.

We don't know if these troublemakers were Gnostics, Judaizers, or Jewish Christians from Palestine that knew Jesus, and also knew of Paul's work in persecuting the early Christians, the latter seems likely, and they may have formed an alliance with the Gnostics. In any case, Paul was not very confident in the leadership of the church at Corinth. Paul pointed out his own weaknesses so reasonable people could see that it was God working through Paul that enabled Paul to accomplish whatever it was that he accomplished in his ministry. His own litany of ship wrecks, stoning, beatings and other perils were second to none, and his pedigree was equal to any Jew. Paul was comfortable with his own credentials. More importantly he realized his shortcomings when compared to Christ.

In verses 9 and 10 of chapter 12 Paul gives us the answer to many of life's difficulties, “My Grace is sufficient.” If we are able to overcome our adversities on our own, then how is Christ lifted up and glorified? Sometimes we need to accept our fate and circumstance and also accept God's grace and His sufficiency in our life. Paul had been taken to a place where no other man had been. In the third heaven, things were revealed to him and he had an assurance that sustained him through all of the trials and tribulations, likewise we should be able to have that same assurance as we face life's trials and tribulations. I think of the Serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference”.

Witness of the Community

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending November 23, 2008

Scripture Text: 2nd Timothy 2:1-3 & 4:1-5 (NRSV)

2nd Timothy 2:1-3
(1) You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; (2) and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. (3) Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2nd Timothy 4:1-5
(1) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:(2) proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. (3) For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, (4) and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. (5) As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

Paul is telling us, by way of this letter to Timothy, to accept God's calling to be faithful by enduring hardships, proclaiming the message, and performing our ministry.
Bible scholars do not all agree on the authorship or time of this writing; but since the letter tells us Paul wrote it and tradition says that Paul was imprisoned for a second time in Rome just prior to his death at the hands of Nero, I can accept that. I cannot explain the church structure, which appears to be that of a later time, but it is possible the church hierarchy had evolved in the twenty years since Paul's letter to the Galatians and there were Bishops in the new church. I can accept that the Book of Acts, written by Luke, may not have covered Paul's second imprisonment.
As I read and studied both 1st and 2nd Timothy, I was amazed at what appears apparent to me does not seem apparent to all of the commentary authors I read.

In reading these letters, I see Paul trying to tell Timothy something that all of us today seem to have a problem grasping. Paul was a witness to the risen Christ on the road to Damascus some thirty years prior. What Paul knew by sight was what he was trying to get Timothy to understand and accept by faith.

Paul had first met Timothy on his first missionary journey to Lystra. While on that mission, he did not follow his present belief that circumcision was not necessary and so he had Timothy circumcised (because of pressure from the Jewish population). Timothy's father was a Greek and his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were Jews converted to the new Christianity taught by Paul.

Paul knew Timothy had all of the right teaching, and Paul knew he was facing earthly death, (“my departure is at hand”) (4:6). Therefore, he was preparing Timothy to take over his ministry. “Remember what you have heard me say, and entrust this to faithful people who will be able to teach others” (my paraphrase).

If this new leadership position brings persecution, and suffering, Paul wants Timothy to know what he knows, that ‘Christ is risen’ and whatever trials and tribulations come there is certain knowledge that Christ has a plan and a reward for those that seek Him diligently. Paul said “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him that Day”. (1:12) “Share in suffering like a good soldier of Jesus Christ”.

In chapter 4, Paul continues his challenge to Timothy, and urges Timothy to persistently proclaim the message. He warns of a time coming when sound doctrine will be rejected, and people will have ‘itching ears’ and not want to a hear the true gospel that Paul and others had been preaching. They will follow those that preach an easier message and believe in myths.

The picture Paul paints for Timothy would scare off most men: to endure inflictions, but always be evangelist.

He also shares another picture in verses 7 & 8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that Day, and not me only but also to all that have loved His appearing”.

The resurrected Christ had appeared to Paul. He knew the resurrection power and now he wanted that message carried on by Timothy to everyone. Timothy had been a witness to many of Paul's miracles and he had been taught by Paul. But, the question is, did he have the vision that Paul had? Since that time the message has gone around the world. We must assume Timothy did his part, now the mantle has been passed to this generation. Will our generation continue to preach with the heart of an evangelist or will we look to satisfy ‘itching ears’ and look for a simpler message… one that is not so hard and one that does not require enduring inflictions or persecution?

Can we envision the Risen Christ?
A special thanks to Carolyn Thomas for editing my commentary.

Communion With God in the Midst of Struggle

International Sunday School Lesson
Week Ending November 16,2008

Scripture Text: Phiippians 3:17-21; 4:1-9 (NRSV)

Background: Philippians 3:3-4:9

Phiippians 3:17-21
(17) Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. (18)For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. (19)Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. (20)But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. (21)He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

Phiippians 4:1-9
(1)Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.(2) I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.(3)Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.(4) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (5)Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. (6)Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7)And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (9)Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

Today as I opened the newspaper, the headlines read “Turmoil at local Church”. Churches today are struggling, just as the church struggled in Paul's day. How this congregation responds and how they handle this struggle will speak volumes to our community. Paul certainly was willing to help the church at Philippi in their time of struggle. I know God will help this local congregation in its time of struggle too.

They must be willing to follow Paul's lead and “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice”. And I trust they will fast and pray until they have the answer that the Holy Spirit will give them through their prayers and supplications.

While you are thinking about the above, let me share some interesting facts about today's scripture text. The letter to the church at Philippi was written by Paul while he was a prisoner in Rome. It has been called by some a letter of joy, and by others a letter of rejoicing. The church at Philippi was the first church established in Europe, by Paul, on his second missionary journey. They had on two occasions been very generous to Paul and this letter is in response to their latest offering to him.

Philippi was located near the sight of a great battle that took place in 42 B.C. Where the armies of Brutus and Cassius were defeated by the armies of Anthony and Octavian (later Caesar Augustus) and the Roman Empire replaced the Roman Republic. Philippi became a military outpost and was made a Roman colony, which gave it special privileges.

Knowing all of the above Paul writes, they need to be careful in who they choose to emulate. In addition to the Judaizers, they were also being influenced by what we would call today antinomianism, (“against the law”). This belief was popular because it required no responsibility to obey any of God's laws even the “Moral Law of God” that we call the Ten Commandments. This is the same problem addressed by Moses in Deuteronomy 30:11-14. Basically Moses said it is not to hard nor is it too far away that you can not obey God's moral law. Some were teaching in Phillipi that faith precluded any responsibility to live a moral life, one could do and live anyway they liked as long as they believed that Christ redeemed them from any form of punishment. This belief is still a threat to Christianity today. Martin Luther addressed it by the Formula of Concord in 1577, which recognized a threefold use of the law: (1) to reveal sin, (2) to establish general decency in society at large, and (3) to provide a rule of life for those who have been regenerated through faith in Christ.

The other belief of Libertine ( Libertine means one devoid of any restraints, especially one who ignores or even spurns religious norms, accepted morals, and forms of behavior sanctioned by the larger society) was also popular.

Paul describes these beliefs; their appetites or their circumcision are their gods, and their minds are only concerned about earthly things. Paul calls for the people at Philippi to aim higher, think about higher things (see verse 4:8).

Evidently there were a couple of prominent women within the church that disagreed about some things, and Paul gives his advise, but notice he does not take sides. His answer is “Rejoice in the Lord”. (This passage starts with another “Rejoice in the Lord” in verse 3:1). When Paul says “let your gentleness be known to everyone” he is giving all of us a tutorial on handling disagreements. Then he says “ The Lord is near”. Paul could mean his return is near or his presence is near as in Emmanuel (God with us). Either way, “don't worry about anything”.

We are reminded to pray about everything and give thanks for everything. We are probably lax in both areas. The benediction that Paul uses in verse 7 is similar to Psalms 145:18-20 (18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19He fulfils the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them. 20The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy).

In verse 8 of our text Paul gives an attitude adjustment outline; “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, If there is is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”.

Paul closes by telling them to “keep on doing the things you have learned”. There are times in our Christian walk when it is important for us “to keep on doing”. What we do, may not be glamorous or even noteworthy, but out thoughts should always be on the “Higher Plain”. Remember the “The Lord is near” and our “citizenship is in heaven”.

Just the thoughts of a layman,

Here is another sight that you might enjoy that covers the lesson from a different slant, by Standard Publishing and The Christian Church. http://www.christianstandard.com/sundayschool.asp