Wayside Bible Chapel Paul Wallace

Paul tells the Corinthians that the founding of the church included signs and wonders. We do not have a report of what those miracles consisted of. The sermon examines the reasons for signs and wonders, when they are first mentioned in Scripture, and the reason we rarely have them in western culture today.

Our passage for this week sums up Paul's message throughout the letter and redefines for us what real strength is. "When I am weak, then I am strong!" That is because God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Recognizing we are weak causes us to depend on the strength of the Almighty!

While on vacation, I had a very vivid dream. A man looked into my eyes and said in a manner that was matter of fact, "You need to be strong, courageous, and endure." This sermon is a look into Scripture to see that same message and instruction as to how that can be possible in our lives.

Paul continues his defense by sharing how much he has suffered for the cause of Christ. He lists many things he had endured including being beaten with rods, scourged five times and even stoned. Many things on his list are not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. The heart of a true pastor is to do the will of God to advance the gospel no matter the cost. May God give us that kind of heart.

Paul mocks the false teachers by calling them super-apostles. They deem themselves to be so special that they treat the Corinthian believers harshly and make demands on them. Paul contrasts his sacrificial behavior and generosity with their greed and egos. This message warns us how to spot these false-teachers in sheep's clothing and what to do about them. It also promises us we will be rewarded for what we do, and they will be paid back for their greed and deception.

The providence of God is revealed in the Book of Exodus. We serve a God who hears. We serve a God who remembers. We serve a God who sees. We serve a God who knows.