Weak, Strong in Jesus Christ

November 18-24, 2008

Pastor: Edith Cruz

Study: #567 TOPIC: “Weak, Strong in Jesus Christ” Titus 3:10, 11

When a believer sins, it is as if a part of the body to which it belongs had been torn out. It is very bad to sin because whoever sins corrupts the unity of the saints and we are the holy church, the people of God. When one is not united to the body, which is the church, the secrets of God and his feelings are unknown. That is when each person works for themselves. When the unity of the church is shattered there is much evil, pain and deceit. An example of division in the church is when an individual believes he or she is more important than anyone else, or better than anyone else, and this happens because the person forgets who God is. These persons take a big risk for themselves and cause many problems for the church, to the members of the church. We cannot allow ourselves to cause any division in the church, but to see that we become spiritual men and women, powerful in God. Paul advised Titus to cast out anyone who caused division after being warned more than once. Titus 3:10 A perverted person is one who dares to touch the pure, what is holy in the church. Sometimes we want to work with people like this, who are destructive and come to harm. We must be careful. Such person has become a serious problem for the congregation. People like this expect to be called to become pastors. But, someone who is truly called to become a pastor has to have an ear that will not be affected. We have to be able to see and know where the danger is and not pretend we don’t see it. Paul judges those who only seek for themselves, betraying the church, as a pervert. That perverted individual sins by condemning himself. His conduct is a perversion in the Christian version. By sinning in this way he becomes a sect in the same church. He condemns himself because he becomes attached to his evilness after being warned by the siblings. Sometimes we store ambitions in our heart which are not worthy and we produce a perverted heart. Everything that causes division in the church is like a fractured arm or hand that is no longer useful to do God’s work. We cannot allow anything like this to happen in the Lord’s church. 2 Corinthians 13:1-10 we, the believers in Christ, are a revolution in this world. Paul allows us to clearly see that Jesus was crucified in weakness, but lives in power. We cannot forget about the power that is in Jesus Christ and remember always that there are defying people who come to church seeking their own interest, and if they cannot achieve what they want, then they will come in revenge. What may seem as a weakness in us can afflict us in our problems and situations, but we know that we have resuscitated in power. As the church, we must prepare ourselves and respect the power of God that is in us. We must discard what Jehovah discards. Paul makes clear his conduct, his behavior, when he goes against the obstinate sinners. 2 Corinthians 13:10 When there is an obstinate tendency in a person who wants to sin, it should be clear to that person that if they sin where God is there is a great danger for his life. Paul says that he would be severe with those who sinned. He left a clear and precise warning that there would be a confrontation even if there was a loss. There are situations that become chronic; that is why situations must be worked before it’s too late. We are a church who gets prepared throughout the message. There are occasions in which we have to face unpleasant situations as soon as possible. Sometimes we don’t like to face difficult situations. Our victories will come at the end; we can’t expect to have them all now. Paul wanted to make it clear to the church that Christ died in weakness, but resuscitated with great power. The apostle wanted to show the Corinthians that the power that he enjoyed was the union with a resuscitated

Christ. There are bad things that bring a lot of harm that we as the church should be against and not accept. For example, there were people who discredited Paul. They measured him as an apostle. They wanted to test him and expected him to give proof of being a minister of God. Paul appeared to be a weak man, but he was powerful in God for having known the Savior. The point is that we serve the Almighty, the one who seemed weak on one occasion because He took all our sins and condemnation. We are in Him and we serve Him. Paul served God and not men, for that reason no one could persuade him to do anything else. When we are submitted to trials to see if Christ is in our life or not, the best thing to do is to examine our faith. If they have already believed in the same faith, why did they give motive to the perverse to bring division? Anyone who has faith cannot destroy God’s people. Paul never was defeated, or censured, and much less suspended from this Gospel. Paul prayed for them and advised them to not do anything wrong. Paul while exercising his ministry always leaned on the truth. All his effort was for all those believers, those who are called servants of God would be pleasant before the eyes of God and to be faithful. Paul’s intention was for the siblings to progress in spiritual maturity and to achieve perfection. Spiritual maturity is not achieved sitting in a rocker but with the truth. In order for us to become mature people there are many things that we have to face and reprehend. When God called us we began with this path which is holy and glorious to the end. The best thing for us is perfection. Paul only wished to use the power that God had given him to construct and not destroy. Paul had authority and wanted the brothers of Corinthians to rise as a powerful church. Amen