UNDERSTAND FACTIONS IN THE CHURCH

FACTIONS IN THE CHURCH
The second epistle to the Corinthians has been deemed “the most difficult to translate.” The reason being that there was much that was said between Paul, Titus, Timothy and the Corinthians, that is not revealed to us but understood by them.
However, when you read this epistle you find it the most personal and the most passionate of Paul’s letters.
He was dealing with two different groups within the church at Corinth. The majority at Corinth were on Paul’s side, seeking to do right. We will call them the majority party.
There was also a vocal, aggressive and dangerous minority which didn’t hesitate to condemn and gossip, criticize and slander. We will call them the minority party.
Paul had dealt with problems for fifteen chapters in First Corinthians.
1) They had Divisions in the Church (1:10-4:21). They were worshipping preachers when they should have been worshipping God.
2) They had Discipline issues in the Church (5-6). Paul told them they needed to discipline the outward sin of fornication.
3) There were Difficulties problems in the Church (7-14). They had many problems that stemmed from their carnal life.
4) They had Disbelief in the Church (15). Some in the church was teaching that Christ did not rise from the dead.
Paul addresses all of these issues, praying and hoping that those in the Corinthians church would make the right changes.
But news came to Paul, through Titus and Timothy, that the minority party (Judaizers) were still stirring up trouble.
Paul’s first letter had not accomplished its purpose. He knew that a bad testimony at church would lead to a bad testimony in the community, so Paul writes another letter… out of much affliction and anguish of heart… with many tears. He wants them to know that his reason for writing was not to bring them grief… but that… they …might know the love which Paul had …more abundantly for them.
We see Paul’s heart in Second Corinthians 2:1-4:
2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
Outline:
I – PAUL REVEALS HIS COMMISSIONS 1-5
II – PAUL REVEALS HIS CONVERTS 6-9
III – PAUL REVEALS HIS CRITICS 10-13
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I – PAUL REVEALS HIS COMMISSIONS 1-5
Keep in mind that Paul’s heart is broken over the condition of the Corinthian church. His concern is not for “one group or another.” Paul’s concern is for 1) what is right; 2) what is Godly; 3) what is doctrinal.
A – We see Paul’s Motives (chapter 1-2)
1 - Paul’s Comfort: In verse one Paul lets the Corinthians know that he is an Apostle. The carnal folks at Corinth questioned Paul’s calling and apostleship (v 1-2). The application today is the same: Many carnal folks in churches today question the pastor’s authority.
Not only was Paul troubled by the trouble makers, but the majority party at Corinth was troubled. That is why Paul gives them a number of verses of comfort in this first chapter.
1: 3 …and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Paul gives the majority party encouragement and comfort. He tells them that he has felt the same pain and concern that they feel from those who are causing problems. The minority party cares more about their self, then unity and glory being brought to God.
But, let it be known that we go through what we go through so we might be able to comfort others that will experience the same trials.
2 – Paul’s Condition: Because of the constant trouble and backbiting Paul became severely depressed.
1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
Have you ever known preachers to quit? Have you ever been in a situation where it seemed everything was OK, and then the preacher announces his resignation? So, often it is a minority party in the church that gossips, criticizes and lives to satisfy self, rather than the Lord and yet they believe they are right. So Christian, pray for unity all the time!

B – We see Paul’s Message (chapter 3-5)
With great concern and compassion, Paul gives some notable points in the spiritual message to the Corinthian. He addresses many of the fleshly problems with his message. Look at a few points:
A – He reminds them “People read you like a book every day.”
3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
B – He says, “Don’t trust in your ability.” 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
C – “Understand the spirit of love is greater than the spirit of the law.” 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. The Judaizers were trying to put the church back under the law.
D – “We that walk in the spirit don’t go behind other people’s back to speak evil of them or to hurt them.” 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
E – “The lost can’t see the spiritual truths we preach.” 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
F – Paul stresses the resurrection which many in the minority party opposed 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
G – Paul, who had been beaten with rods three time and scourged five times says, 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
H – Paul then reveals what should be the desire of a believer’s heart. He should be clothed with heavenly garments (5:1-3).
I - Finally, Paul reveals that one day we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ where are motives will be exposed and rewards and losses will be revealed.
5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
II – PAUL REVEALS HIS CONVERTS 6-9
A – Paul speaks of their Faithful partnership (chapter 6-7)
1 -- Paul Praises the majority party for their faithfulness.
Paul acknowledges that this group within the church was blameless…. II Cor 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
Every church has the majority party and the minority party. You have those that want to stand for doctrine and truth and those who want to lift up the Lord and worship and bring glory to the Lord.
And you have those who seek their own interest.
Join the Majority Party who bases their beliefs on the Scriptures!
2 – Paul Presents their good testimony. He recognizes their many trials and reveals that they have been faithful servants through it all.
II Corinthians 6: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
You will find in the majority party that God’s children often go through much conflict but stay faithful and you hear very little complaining.
And you find that the minority party complains over silly issues that are opinions and has nothing to do with doctrine. They know they can’t argue with doctrine so they nit-pick over the pastor’s decisions.
3 - Then Paul pushes them to Perfection. II Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
God’s Spirit always encourages His children to shoot for the best. God’s Spirit never says be mediocre. He says, “Be the best.”
4 – Paul Pricks their hearts with truth:
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
His letter caused the majority party to search their hearts and repent for they were sorry for their sins.
Paul reveals a very interesting truth here: There are people who weep and cry and howl over trials and difficulties and Paul says their weeping and repentance is worthless because it is worldly sorrow. Some folks weep because their focus is on self.
The true repentance is called godly sorrow. It is when a person is broken and weeps because they know their actions have dishonored God. This is true and real repentance. Judas repented and wept but to no avail. Esau repented also but to no avail. Their repentance was worldly repentance.
B – Paul speaks of their Financial partnership (chapter 8-9)
Paul reveals the financial support of the churches on Macedonia. He then acknowledges many good attributes of the Corinthian Church and then admonishes them to give financial support. Again, you see that fleshly party did not want to support missionaries. They wanted to hold onto their money and Paul now encourages them to give to God’s work.
Paul gives two principles:
1 – Don’t live to be rich in this life. Live to be rich in the next.
He first says look at our LORD’S example: II Corinthians 8: 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Paul reminds them of the Lord’s riches and encourages them to give out of their much (v 14-15).
Many people give this way. They give because they recognize that God has given to them. They could have more of this world’s good but choose to have less so they might give to help the needy and the lost to hear the gospel of Christ.
2 – You gain by giving away, you lose by keeping what you have.
II Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
What a great truth. Paul tells the Corinthians if you give little you will receive little. If you give much, you will receive much. A man can’t out give God. We receive as we give.

III – PAUL REVEALS HIS CRITICS 10-13
When we enter chapters 10-13, it seems that something has happened to stir Paul up. Titus may have come back with a bad report of the minority party causing trouble and so Paul writes to his critics.
It seems that Titus told Paul, “They say you are pretty bold in what you write it in a letter. They say when you show up you won’t speak with so much authority for they know physically you are not much.
Paul responds:
1 - Paul’s Appearance:10: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Paul tells the Corinthians that their battle is spiritual, not physical. It should never come to verbal arguments or physical activity. We win and lose our battles in the spirit world.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: They continued to question Paul’s authority. Paul reaffirms that God had called him to preach to them for edification whether they like the sermons or not.
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. Godly Paul says, “When I come to you I will preach to your face, what I write in these letters.”

Next Paul reveals one of the great sins of the minority party.
10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
They compared their lives by the lives of each other and they thought themselves to be pretty good, whereas there is only one measuring stick and that is the life of Jesus Christ of which we all fall very short.

His Apostleship: Paul shows not just his heart but God’s heart in chapter 11. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
God desire is for His Church to be virtuous and like a chaste virgin, God desires that we live for one person and that is Him.
Paul knew the strength of Satan and warns the Corinthians. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
He knew that the Judaizers were preaching another Jesus so he warns them (v 4).
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Paul knew there were false teachers in Corinth and he addresses that. There were people within the church that look like, talked liked and acted like Christ but taught false doctrines. To that Paul warns (13-15).
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
In hoping to encourage the Corinthians Paul reveals his trials and thorns:
1 – Trials (11:21-27)
Paul reminds them of his heritage because it was his people, the Judaizers causing trouble. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
He then reveals his sufferings for Christ, of which the judaizers had suffered little. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

2 – Thorn (12:7-10)
Paul reveals another principle or prayer and trust.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
God sometimes says “No” to our prayers so we might give greater glory to Him as we walk in our infirmities. Our trails and thorns are placed in our life to bring glory to the Lord. Pray for grace and for God’s will to be done.