Good morning, everyone. It would be great if you had a Bible in front of you, and so stick your hand up if you need one of those.
We've also got some service outlines so that you can follow along where we're heading, and it'd be great if you could take some notes.
It's a fairly lengthy text, and so it'd be good to make it easy for you to follow along if you had some notes in front of you,
and at least have the Bible passage open in front of you to see where it's coming from, what we're talking about.
The greatest danger to the church is not from without, but from within.
It's been repeatedly demonstrated in church history.
Probably one dramatic example is that of the German Protestant church in the last century.
The Bible was so undermined that very few pastors saw it as the infallible Word of God,
and they had lost as a church the centrality of the gospel.
There were remarkable exceptions, like the courageous pastor Martin Nehomola.
In 1933, he preached on the occasion of Martin Luther's 450th birthday about how tragic it would be
if the devil filled German minds with the delusion that what they needed was not the grace of God,
but the courage of Martin Luther.
The very next evening, in an eerie fulfillment of his own preaching,
20,000 Christians under the umbrella of the German Evangelical Church,
led by bishops and church officials in full regalia,
gathered in the newly completed Berlin Sports Palace.
And after singing,
Now we thank thee all,
we thank,
now thank we all our God,
a German pastor,
Joachim Hossenfelder,
announced that he was implementing the infamous Aryan paragraph in his diocese
that dismissed all Christian Jews from church office effective immediately,
aligning the German Evangelical Church with the Nazi Party.
During the evening,
it was also announced,
among other things,
that Nehomola was suspended,
that the Bible was from now to be examined
for all its non-German elements,
that is,
cut out all Judaism,
and that a proud,
heroic Jesus
was to replace the model of the suffering servant
who died on the cross for the sins of humanity.
The speech
was interrupted
again and again
with the applause
and the cheers of 20,000 people.
Not a single bishop,
not a single church leader
stood to disagree.
The state church had imploded from within
and people's salvation was at stake.
This is very similar to the picture that's happening here in
the book of Corinth that we're looking at at the moment.
Paul had started this church of Corinth,
the gospel was preached,
people became Christians,
deep friendships were made,
the bonds of Christian love were formed,
and when Paul moved on,
opponents moved in
with a different gospel.
They started to drive a wedge between Paul and the church.
They started to criticize Paul's life
and Paul's message.
And it got so bad
that the church he founded
started to believe that Paul
was the false guy.
He was worldly,
insincere,
he was a coward,
he was weak,
he was a theological deviant
who preached a false gospel.
Paul,
the founder,
was now treated
as the imposter,
a false apostle,
corrupt,
and only in the religious business
in order to exploit people.
He was seen as the fake one,
someone who talked tough in letters
but was a wimp face to face.
And the Corinthian church
in this letter
is in danger of walking away from Paul,
walking away from the authentic good news
of Jesus Christ.
They can't see that.
They think they're just being progressive
but that's what Paul's fighting for here.
Their very eternal life.
And the major thrust of this letter
is a call for them to trust him
because he's the authentic apostle
with the authentic gospel.
Paul's defense of his gospel
and his ministry
and his character in 2 Corinthians
takes us right to the very heart
of what it means to be a Christian leader
but also what it means
to be a Christ-like follower
of the Lord Jesus.
Paul is making it explicitly clear
what it means to be part of God's family,
the family that God has called together
through the gospel of the Lord Jesus.
So the section that we're dealing with today
in chapter 6 verse 11
through to 7.16
and especially closing off
at verse 1 and 2 of chapter 7
is the climax of Paul's defense
of his ministry
that he started in chapter 2 verse 14.
And this section begins
with a plea from the heart
to return the love that he has shown them.
Have a look at chapter 6 verse 11.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians
and open wide our hearts to you.
We are not withholding our affection from you
but you are withholding yours from us.
As a fair exchange,
I speak as to my children.
Open wide your hearts also.
All that Paul has written
and know this,
what he is about to write
comes from a heart of love.
These pages are wet with Paul's tears
as he sees and he hears from this church
walking away from the gospel
and away from salvation in Jesus.
So there are three things I want to see
and if you've got your sermon outline
in front of you there,
you'll see this on your page.
Three things I want to see
from this passage today.
Firstly, authentic love is tough love.
Secondly, how authentic love leads to salvation.
And thirdly, an exhortation for us
here at this church
to practice authentic love.
So firstly, authentic love is tough love.
In closing off this section of the letter,
Paul opens his heart.
He pleads with this church
to return to him in the authentic gospel.
He says the same thing in chapter 7,
verses 2 to 4.
Make room for us in your hearts.
We have wronged no one.
We have corrupted no one.
We have exploited no one.
I do not say this to condemn you.
I have said before
that you have such a place in our hearts
that we would live
or we would die with you.
I have spoken to you
with great frankness.
I take great pride in you.
I am greatly encouraged
in all of our troubles.
My joy knows no bounds.
So these are not the words
of a man looking for revenge
against the church
that has caused him grief upon grief.
This is him calling them back
to love him as he has loved them.
But the second thing he does
is he calls this church
to abandon the false teachers
and their false gospel.
And Paul's words here
are very strong.
They are tough.
They are black and white,
but they come from a heart of love.
See, the key is in verse 14.
Do not be yoked together
with unbelievers.
Now this verse
is commonly thought of
as a warning
against marrying unbelievers
or entering into
contractual relationships
with non-Christians.
It's not.
That's not what this verse is about.
It is a command
not to be yoked together
with those in the church
who oppose the truth.
Unbelieving religious people
in the church.
This whole letter
to the church of Corinth
helps us to see
that the unbelievers here
that has been referred to
are his opponents
within the church.
Paul's gospel message
is incompatible
with their false gospel.
You can't meld the two together.
They're opposed to one another.
And Paul's gospel,
the authentic Christian gospel,
as I said two weeks ago,
is the good news
that God sent his son
into the world
to live a perfect life,
to die as a substitute
for sinners,
to absorb the anger of God,
to turn it away from us,
to take away our guilt
and our shame,
provide the gift
of right standing before God,
and to give eternal joy
through faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ,
alone,
apart from any works
of obedience,
on our behalf.
So what Paul is saying here
is the stakes
are very high.
Those Corinthians
who persist
in siding
with Paul's opponents
will in effect
renounce
their own salvation.
That's what they're doing.
Now this is,
let me just say,
this is not a call
from the Apostle Paul here
to split theological hairs.
seeing those
who disagree with you
in the church
as unbelievers.
Church history
is tragically full
of theological
hair splitting.
Neither is this
a command
to bar
unbelievers
from the church.
I mean,
church is the best place
for unbelievers
because they get
to hear the word
and be loved
by the followers
of Jesus.
Jesus.
This is a fight
for eternal life.
We are to disassociate
ourselves
from complicity
with those
who would attempt
to spread
a false gospel
within the church.
it means
to disassociate
with those
who insinuate,
even insinuate,
that reconciliation
is not all of God
and that you can make peace
with God yourself.
Also,
with those
who suggest
that the substitutionary
death of Jesus
on the cross
in which God
made him
to be sin
who knew no sin
so that in him
we might become
the righteous
of God
for even those
who would declare
that that's not enough
to withdraw
from people like that.
It means
to reject
liberal,
moralizing
theories
of Jesus'
work of salvation.
It means
to reject
the kind
of Christianity
that wants
to read the Bible
with a pair
of scissors
and cut out
anything
that's too hard
or offensive.
It means
to reject
a salvation
by works
sentimentality
that if you
do your best
you will make it
and that good people
will find their way
in the end.
It means
to reject
the modern
abomination
on the church
that is doing
untold damage
to the poor
and the vulnerable
around this world.
The thing
called
the prosperity
gospel.
gospel
and one
of the major
opponents
of it
over the
number
of past
decades
has been
a guy
named
Benny Hinn.
You will
see him
on TV.
In the past
few weeks
he has
indicated
that he is
now rejecting
the prosperity
theology
and I can
only hope
that his
repentance
is genuine.
Paul's
love
for this
church
at Corinth
is not
weak.
it
doesn't
turn
a blind
eye
to
error
and
sin.
His
love
for them
means
he
confronts
it.
It is
an
authentic
robust
tough
love
that is
willing
to call
out
error.
Now
none of
us
like to
be the
recipient
of it
even
when we
know
it is
for our
own
good.
Maybe
you
remember
a parent
saying
to you
this is
going to
hurt me
more than
it hurts
you.
I have
got to
say
I never
understood
it as
a kid.
When
you are
holding down
a child
so they
can get
a vital
injection
that you
know
that they
need
but your
heart is
breaking
as they are
kicking
and screaming.
Paul's
authentic
tough
love
is also
expressed
in a
letter that
he wrote
to them
that we
don't
now have
but he
refers to
here in
2 Corinthians
4
in our
it was
actually
4 Corinthians
the letter
sorry
3 Corinthians
the letter
which doesn't
exist
which we
now call
2 Corinthians
which is
actually
4 Corinthians
fourth letter
to this
church.
And it's
expressed
in this
letter
he called
the
stern
letter
he writes
a stern
letter
to them
to try
and point
out
the wrong
and to
stir up
their
allegiance
to the
true
gospel.
Let me
remind you
what Paul
says
about that
letter
in chapter
2 verses
3 and
4
I wrote
as I
did
so that
when I
came
I would
not be
distressed
by those
who would
have made
me rejoice
I had
confidence
in all
of you
that you
would share
my joy
for I
wrote out
of great
distress
and anguish
of heart
and with
many tears
not to
grieve
you but
to let
you know
the depths
of my
love for
you.
In our
modern
context
we want
to define
love as
leniency
and freedom
and Paul's
words to the
Corinthians
church here
seems harsh
uncompromising
and unloving
but all
of his
suffering
on behalf
of this
church
is in
reality
a reflection
of a
deep
love
for them.
So what
does it
lead to?
What does
his tough
authentic
love lead
to?
This is
my second
point.
From what
we understand
Paul probably
sends this
letter
with Titus
from somewhere
to the
Corinthian
church
from somewhere
in Asia.
He then
sinks into
a deep
depression
that this
letter
his harsh
letter
might turn
against
Paul
might cause
them in
fact the
church to
turn even
more against
him
because of
the harshness
of his
letter and
his ministry
with them
would therefore
be ruined
forever.
That's his
concern.
And according
to chapter 2
verse 13
he had hoped
to meet
Titus
with news
of the
response
from the
church of
Corinth
in Troas.
But Titus
didn't show
up
and Paul
descends
into a
depression.
Then we
skip to
chapter 7
verse 5
and we
read that
Paul crossed
over on
over into
Macedonia
struggling all
the way
with external
conflicts
and internal
fears.
This
harsh
letter
has
got him
really
worked
up.
Finally
Titus
arrives
comes
with the
news
from
Corinth
in
verses
6
and
7
the
letter
worked
Paul
it
worked
and
Paul
writes
these
rich
words
in
verses
8
and
10
of
chapter
7
even
if I
cause
you
sorrow
by
my
letter
I
do
not
regret
it
though
I
did
regret
it
I
see
that
my
letter
hurt
you
but
only
for
a
little
while
yet
now
I
am
happy
not
because
you
were
made
sorry
but
because
your
sorrow
led
to
repentance
for
you
became
sorrowful
as
God
intended
and
so
were
not
harmed
in
any
way
by
us
godly
sorrow
brings
repentance
that leads
to
salvation
and
leaves
no
regret
but
worldly
sorrow
brings
death
so
the
Corinthians
this
church
experienced
the
godly
sorrow
and
as
verse
10
says
that
it
was
over
the
way
they
had
fallen
for
Paul's
opponents
and
the
way
that
they
had
mistreated
Paul
they
repented
of
believing
a
false
gospel
it's
the
grief
of
regret
over
a
past
sin
and
it's
called
godly
sorrow
notice
in
verse
10
that
the
opposite
of
godly
sorrow
is
not
feeling
no
sorrow
at
all
but
feeling
worldly
sorrow
this
is
crucial
this
is
a
really
important
point
you
can
feel
sorry
for
something
in a
worldly
way
which
leads
to
death
so
what
we
need
to
do
is
we
need
to
distinguish
godly
sorrow
from
worldly
sorrow
what's
the
difference
between
those
two
worldly
sorrow
is
when
you
feel
sorry
for
something
you
did
because
it
starts
to
backfire
on
you
leads
to
humiliation
or
it
leads
to
punishment
worldly
sorrow
is
a
reflex
of
a
proud
and
fearful
ego
pride
will
always
regret
making
a fool
of
itself
it's
the
one
thing
pride
doesn't
want
to
do
it
doesn't
want
to
make
a
fool
of
itself
and
fear
will
always
regret
acts
that
jeopardize
comfort
and
safety
feeling
sorry
for
something
that
we've
done
simply
apologizing
is
in
itself
no
sign
of
a
virtue
at
all
apologizing
for
a
mistake
is
not
in
and
of
itself
a
sign
of
a
good
thing
it's
not
virtuous
in
and
of
itself
godly
sorrow
is
the
reflex
of
a
conscience
that
has
wounded
god's
ego
godly
sorrow
grieves
that god's
name
has come
into
disrepute
the focus
of godly
sorrow
is god
godly
sorrow
is
owing
to god's
word
putting
a
finger
on
sin
in
our
lives
worldly
sorrow
is
owing
to the
attitudes
of
people
whose
praise
we don't
want
to
lose
we can
feel
extremely
sorry
for
something
we've
done
if
we
detect
that
the
people
around
us
think
it's
stupid
or
silly
or
reprehensible
the
word
of
people
not
god
become
the
criteria
of
guilt
and
shame
in
worldly
sorrow
Paul
said
at the
end
of
verse
7
at the
beginning
of
verse
9
that
he
rejoiced
over
what
the
Corinthians
had
experienced
he's
saying
here
that
godly
sorrow
is
a
good
thing
but
it's
like
saying
pain
is
a
good
thing
we
don't
really
mean
that
pain
all
by
itself
is
a
good
thing
we
mean
that
in
a
world
where
you
can
bleed
to
death
it's
good
to
feel
pain
when
you
cut
as
I
experienced
a
couple
of
weeks
ago
it's
good
to
feel
pain
when
you
cut
it's
good
to
feel
pain
before
the
tumor
becomes
inoperable
it's
good
to
feel
pain
before
the
infection
leads
to
gangrene
godly
sorrow
is
to
sin
what
pain
is
to
a
disease
of
course
there
are
guilt
and
shame
feelings
that
are
unhealthy
just
like
there
is
pain
that
is
psychosomatic
it
does
not
signal
any
real
disease
there
is
such
a
thing
as
false
guilt
and
false
shame
but
real
guilt
and
real
sorrow
is
good
and
it
should
not
be
avoided
instead
of
running
from
them
we
should
face
them
head
on
admit
the
disease
and
seek
a
deeper
cure
in
Christ
rather
than
just
the
fridge
or
revenge
why
is
godly
sorrow
good
because
it
produces
repentance
verse 9
says
that
Paul's
joy
was
not
based
merely
on
the
guilt
that
the
Corinthians
had
felt
but
on
the
repentance
it
produced
yet
now
I
am
happy
not
because
you
were
made
sorry
but
because
your
sorrow
led
you
to
repentance
and
then
in
verse
10
it
states
the
general
truth
godly
sorrow
brings
repentance
that
leads
to
salvation
the
first
thing
to
notice
is
that
repentance
is
not
identical
with
grief
and
sorrow
over
sin
they're
not
the
same
thing
repentance
is
a result
of grief
and sorrow
over
sin
to
feel
sorry
to
feel
grief
or
guilt
or
regret
over
a
past
sin
is
not
the
same
as
repenting
repentance
is
the
change
of
attitude
or
behavior
that
comes
when
you
feel
remorse
over
a
sin
I
think
it would
be wise
to say
that
godly
sorrow
is
the
first
step
of
repentance
follows
and
completes
the
change
of
heart
the
test
of
whether
our
sorrow
is
of
God
or
is
of
the
world
is
whether
it
actually
produces
change
that's
the
test
between
worldly
sorrow
and
godly
sorrow
repentance
is
turning
away
from
and
renouncing
one
way
and
pursuing
another
repentance
is
literally
a
180
degree
turn
I
used
to
do
this
I
have
been
confronted
by
my
sin
and
now
I
am
going
to
do
this
my
attitude
and
my
behavior
heads
this
direction
in
verses
7
and
11
Paul
describes
the
change
he
heard
about
in
the
Corinthians
CA
writes
it
their
indifference
to
his
presence
had
turned
to
longing
their
rejection
of
his
authority
had
turned
to
zeal
and
he
lists
a
whole
range
of
other
things
does
not
immobilize
you
into
the
pits
of
depression
it
is
temporary
and
it
brings
change
it's
temporary
and
it
brings
change
notice
that
last
phrase
in
verse
8
I
see
that
my
letter
hurt
you
but
only
for
a
little
while
it's
temporary
you
see
if
the
feeling
of
sorrow
and
guilt
over
past
sin
hold
you
in
its
grip
so
long
after
the
sin
is
past
so
long
after
you've
had
an
attitude
or
an
action
then
it's
not
the
grief
of
God
it's
the
grief
of
the
world
if
you
cannot
forgive
yourself
from
a
past
sin
that
is
worldly
sorrow
not
godly
sorrow
if
satan
cannot
keep
you
from
regretting
your
sin
then
he
will
do
his
best
to
keep
you
from
enjoying
your
forgiveness
if
he
fails
in
his
attempt
to
keep
you
from
grieving
over
sin
he
will
do
his
best
to
turn
your
godly
grief
into
an
ongoing
bondage
of
unwarranted
guilt
and
shame
godly
sorrow
throws
us
to
the
foot
of
the
cross
for
mercy
to
the
foot
of
the
cross
and
the
victory
of
Christ
won
for
us
over
all
guilt
and
shame
which
leads
me
to
the
salvation
that
godly
sorrow
produces
what
is
the
evidence
that
their
faith
in
the
lord
jesus
is
genuine
the
answer
of
chapter
7
verse
10
would
be
there
is a
path
that
leads
to
salvation
and
there
is
a
path
that
leads
to
death
the
way
to
test
your
faith
is
to
test
which
path
you
are
on
the
path
that
leads
to
salvation
is
not
the
path
of
sinless
perfection
it
is
the
path
of
godly
sorrow
and
genuine
repentance
an
all
of
life
ongoing
activity
godly
sorrow
genuine
repentance
verse
10
godly
sorrow
brings
repentance
that leads
to salvation
and leaves
no
regret
godly
sorrow
is
good
godly
sorrow
produces
repentance
and
therefore
godly
sorrow
leads
to
salvation
so
can
you
identify
a
sin
that
god's
particularly
pointing
at you
in your
life
right now
through
his
word
is
there
a
particular
sin
that
he
is
causing
you
to
grieve
over
right
now
or
is it
just
more
comfortable
to
say
a
confession
a
general
one
and
just
rattle
off
the
tongue
and go
there
you
go
confession
is
done
with
for
this
week
could
could you
even
think
when you
said
that
general
confession
a
specific
sin
that
god's
working
on
in your
life
right
now
that's
causing
you
grief
love
so
this
is
crucial
for
us
the
third
point
an
exhortation
to
practice
authentic
tough
love
every
single
one
of
us
have
core
values
that
drive
the
way
we
behave
our
attitudes
most
of
them
we
don't
even
know
what
they
are
they're
not
stated
but
they've
been
inherited
the
things
that
from
our
past
and
heritages
that
we
got
and
one
of
the
core
values
that
shapes
our
behavior
at
St. Paul's
we
kind of
want to
make
them
explicit
because
it
drives
everything
that
we
do
culturally
the
way
that
we
operate
and
they're
on
the
walls
behind
this
wall
just
here
out
there
in
the
atrium
one
of
our
core
values
that
shapes
our
behavior
is
called
treasuring
Jesus
together
the word
together
there
is
very
important
we
value
watching
over
our
lives
in
love
so
that
none
of
us
miss
out
on
such
a
great
salvation
by
pulling
away
from
Jesus
so
with
treasuring
Jesus
together
in
mind
as
a
core
value
there
are
at
least
two
ways
that
this
applies
to
be
willing
to
cause
godly
sorrow
and
secondly
be
willing
to
accept
godly
sorrow
both
of
these
are
not
easy
and
that's
why
for
the
most
part
we're
happy
to
participate
in a
level
of
community
that
doesn't
get
too
deep
after
church
rush
off
as
soon
as
we
possibly
can
come
to
community
group
spasmodically
make
general
prayer
points
like
I
need
help
for
an
exam
this
week
very
rarely
confess
error
and
sin
we
need
to
this
passage
is
driving
us
deeper
and
deeper
and
deeper
into
relationship
with
one
another
in
the
Lord
Jesus
we
are
seeking
to
go
to
do
life
together
quite
differently
than
our
surrounding
society
for
some
of us
our
cultural
heritage
means
we
ignore
hard
but
important
conversations
because
what we
prefer
is the
appearance
of
harmony
rather
than
actual
harmony
with
God
and
with
each
other
for
others
of us
our
cultural
heritage
means
that we
think the
world
revolves
around
us
as
individuals
and so
no one
can tell
me to
do
and
anyone
saying
anything
against
my
life
at
all
is a
total
affront
to
my
personhood
on top
of that
all of
us
exist
in a
western
society
if you're
living here
in
Sydney
you're
existing
in a
western
society
and
resilience
relational
resilience
and emotional
resilience
is an
almost
non
existent
we
break
easily
like
emotionally
fragile
quitters
that we
are
someone
speaks
a
home
truth
to
us
and
we
run
a
mile
and
therefore
we
never
grow
sometimes
someone
speaks
a
home
truth
to
us
and
it's
like
we've
got to
take
a
week
off
work
and
go
and
see
the
GP
because
you
can't
cope
with
it
so
these
applications
are
really
important
number
one
be
willing
to
cause
godly
sorrow
when
I
say
cause
godly
sorrow
I
don't
mean
cause
your
brother
or
sister
to
sin
I'm
not
saying
that
I'm
not
saying
push
them
into
sin
and
I
want
to
clarify
this
and
say
it
is
causing
godly
sorrow
is
coming
from
a
heart
of
love
not
a
heart
of
revenge
what
I
mean
by
causing
godly
sorrow
is
to
help
them
recognise
their
sin
to
have
that
awkward
conversation
it's
never
easy
we
can
take
heart
that
Paul
did
not
find
it
easy
his
heart
was
troubled
we
need
to
risk
being
rejected
and
criticised
when
we
care
about
someone
enough
to
in
humility
put a
finger
on
sin
to
put a
finger
on
unbelief
and a
false
gospel
but
we
should
do
it
anyway
it
could
be
that
their
salvation
is
at
stake
and
you
are
God's
way
of
bringing
them
back
to
the
path
of
repentance
that
leads
to
life
secondly
be
willing
to
accept
godly
regret
it's
always
embarrassing
you
may have
had
this
experience
yourself
it's
always
embarrassing
when
someone
points
out
that
you
got
food
and
they're
trying
to
subtly
do
it
and
what
you
do
in
that
moment
is
you
replay
every
conversation
that
you've
had
ever
since
your
last
eight
and
you
go
oh
my
goodness
every
time
I
smile
has
that
thing
been
there
it's
so
embarrassing
but
it
is
so
crucial
for
us
once
you
get
over
the
initial
embarrassment
I
realize
how
grateful
I
am
that
someone
has
taken
the
courage
to
point
out
to
me
the
thing
that
I
can't
see
myself
you
see
pride
is
not
only
our
greatest
enemy
but
it's
also
a
deceptive
enemy
the
deceptive
power
of
pride
often
blinds
us
to
the
flaws
that
other
people
can
see
clearly
this
is
one
of the
reasons
we
need
each
other
sin
is
subtle
blinding
and
deceitful
and we
need
feedback
from
others
to
understand
our
heart
and if
I'm
going to
see
myself
clearly
I
need
others
to
hold
the
mirror
of
God's
word
up to
me
to
help
me
this
is the
encouragement
from
Hebrews
chapter
3
verses
12
to
13
see
to
it
brothers
that
none
of
you
has
a
sinful
unbelieving
heart
that
turns
away
from
the
living
God
but
encourage
one
another
daily
as
long
as
is
called
today
so
that
none
of
you
may
be
hardened
by
sin's
deceitfulness
we
should
be
willing
to
accept
godly
sorrow
it
is
crucial
that
we
surround
ourselves
with
Christian
friends
brothers
who
don't
agree
with
us
but
Christian
brothers
and
sisters
who
love
us
and
care
for
us
enough
and
who
aren't
afraid
of
us
to
highlight
the
sin
that
we
ourselves
can't
see
have
you
experienced
it
I've
experienced
it
on
so
many
occasions
so
many
occasions
I
remember
a good
Christian
brother
one day
driving
along
with
him
and
he
just
spent
a couple
of
days
he
and
his
wife
spent
a couple
of
days
with
Nat
and
I
and
he
said
to me
we'll
drive
along
and
he
said
Steve
I
just
want to
have a
quick
word
with
you
about
something
he
said
I
sort
of
go
out
on a
limb
here
he
said
you
and
Nat
you
have
this
great
relationship
with
he
said
but
since
I
last
saw
you
I
just
noticing
that
the
bantering
has
got a
little
bit
more
of a
barb
to it
from
you
how
are you
going
how
are you
going
because
I
don't
think
you're
treating
that
well
right
now
I'm
like
wow
man
we're
going to
Bunnings
to get
a
coffee
that's
what
you
do
when
you
go
to
Bunnings
and
you
throw
this
one
on
me
half
an
hour
later
having
reflected
on
had a
quick
conversation
I
said
brother
I'm
so
grateful
that
you
did
that
any
other
you
know
can
you
help
me
can
you
pray
with
me
on
this
one
can
you
keep
me
accountable
if
you
see
it
happening
in
the
next
couple
of
days
can
you
pull
me
aside
and
go
that's
what
I'm
talking
about
right
there
you
cannot
effectively
watch
yourself
by
yourself
you
need
the
discerning
eyes
of
others
and
I
just
want
to
say
just
being
together
isn't
good
enough
it
is
vital
for
us
to
be
meeting
together
for
biblical
fellowship
for
prayer
and
accountability
but
it's
not
enough
in
itself
if
church
and
small
groups
are
going
to
be
a
means
of
grace
and
growth
in
our
lives
then
two
things
are
required
humbly
recognizing
a need
for
others
and
active
participation
for the
sake
of
others
my
first
draft
said
aggressive
participation
I love
that word
but might
have had
the wrong
connotations
for you
we must
pursue
humble
and
proactive
participation
with each
other
never
forgetting
that
others
see
what
we
don't
where
I
am
blind
to
sin
other
people
have
got
20-20
vision
by
God's
grace
they
can
impart
clarity
and
they
can
help
protect
me
from
the
deceiving
and
the
hardening
effects
of sin
in my
life
those
dear
brothers
and
sisters
in
Christ
who
love
me
enough
to
speak
a
word
of
correction
are
a
gift
from
God
in
and
it's
true
that
their
perception
may
not
be
100%
accurate
so
I
do
not
need
to
be
put
off
by
that
humility
does
not
require
mathematical
precision
it
postures
itself
to
receive
God's
grace
from
every
avenue
including
the
harsh
word
of
an
enemy
where
2%
is
right
is
enough
to
bring
around
change
in
your
life
I
read
this
quote
from
a
book
called
Resident
Aliens
Life
in the
Christian
Colony
how
is
falsehood
confronted
except
in a
manner
that
always
seems
severe
to
the
one
tangled
in
deceit
the
cost
of
not
confronting
our
deceit
is
high
also
nothing
less
than
the
death
of
our
life
together
in
the
church
the
church
was
called
to be
a
colony
an
alternative
family
a
different
community
a
sign
a
signal
to
the
world
that
Jesus
Christ
has
made
a
way
possible
for
life
together
unlike
anything
the
world
has
seen
or
will
ever
see
not
to
confront
lies
and
deceit
greed
and
self
service
sin
and
error
and
false
gospels
is
the
death
of the
church
we
seek
to
treasure
Jesus
and
his
gospel
together
for
God's
glory
and
the
joy
of
all
peoples
here
in
this
church
of
St.
Paul's
and
this
requires
us
to
watch
over
our
life
and
our
doctrine
together