Power Power of Authority

Power 

Power of Authority

 

Someday the Lord will come with the final test

He will judge with power and authority

This is why we should do “Pre-Testing”

To examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith

Power of Authority

I never liked “tests”.

In grade school my attendance record would

show I was sick and stayed home on test day.

Tests are an assessment to measure.

They tell us about our self.

One good way to see if you are going

to pass a test is to do some pre-testing.

Pre-testing helps us see where we should

focus in order to do well on the final test.

The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians was

writing to the church in strong words.

He was telling them that when

he comes, there will be a test.

He was warning them and encouraging

them to do some pre-testing before he

gets there and gives them the final test.

The test was to examine themselves

to see if they are in the faith.

 The conduct of the people in the

church gave real question to their faith.

Paul said to them…

Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you

— unless, of course, you fail the test?

Paul addressed those who might fail the test.

He said he prays they

will not do anything wrong.

Paul wanted them to know the importance of

the test was not so people can see the results…

The purpose was that if they failed

the test they will do what is right.

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong.

Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you

will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.

Paul knew the test will reveal weakness.

Some of the people in the church

looked at Paul’s authority as weak.

Paul pointed out that Christ died in weakness.

The crucifixion was the test of Christ.

Although He died for the sins of the world…

 “He lives by God's power.”

Paul said…

“We are weak in him, yet by God's power

we will live with him to serve you.”

Paul was establishing his authority.

 He said…

 “I will not spare those who sinned”

The power of God and the authority Paul has in

Christ was not to see people fail the test and be harsh.

Paul realized his authority in the Lord was to…

Building you up, not for tearing you down.

It might be a good idea if all of us would…

Examine yourselves to see whether

 you are in the faith; test yourselves.

Because some day the Lord

Himself will come in power.

He will test our works.

That will be the final test.

No retakes will be given.

By His authority and power

He will judge by truth.

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 13:1-10 NIV

13:1 This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."   2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority — the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.