Song 1 – This is Amazing Grace

Psalm 18:1–3

1 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
   my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
   and I am saved from my enemies.

Song 2 – A Mighty Fortress

Song 3 – Turn Your Eyes

Song 4 – Good and Gracious King

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

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If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes! 

Our Scripture reading today is 2 Corinthians 10:1–18. Hear the Word of God:

10:1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 9 I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

This is the Word of the Lord.

What True Strength Looks Like
(2 Corinthians 10:1–18)

Paul defends his ministry by showing that true spiritual authority is rooted in Christ, aims to build others up, and boasts only in the Lord.

I. True authority is rooted in Christ, not appearance (vv 1–6)
II. Spiritual leadership builds up, not tears down (vv 7–11)
III. The only safe measure of success is boasting in the Lord (vv 12–18)

Song 5 – Build My Life

Song 6 – We Will Feast in the House of Zion

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Introduction
1. What kind of people do you tend to admire as strong or influential? Why?
2. Have you ever felt pressure to prove yourself through comparison, either in church or life? What was the effect?

Into the Text
3. Read 2 Corinthians 10:1–6. Why does Paul begin his defense by appealing to the meekness and gentleness of Christ?
4. How does Paul define true spiritual warfare in verses 3–5? What kinds of “strongholds” and “arguments” is he referring to?
5. In verse 8, Paul says the Lord gave him authority “for building you up and not for destroying you.” What does that say about the purpose of spiritual leadership?
6. Paul writes in verse 12 that comparing ourselves with others shows a lack of understanding. How can comparison damage our spiritual lives or ministry?

Apply the Text
7. In the sermon it was said, “Real spiritual authority doesn’t come from personality or polish…it comes from being united with Christ.” Where are you tempted to rely on appearance or ability instead of Gospel character?
8. Paul ends with, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” How can we cultivate this mindset practically in our speech, ministry, and sense of identity?