WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.860 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.978 --> 00:00:03.838 Day 26. 00:00:04.432 --> 00:00:10.282 now, I want you to know dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has 00:00:10.282 --> 00:00:12.322 done through the churches in Macedonia. 00:00:13.612 --> 00:00:18.442 They are being tested by many troubles and they are very poor, but they are 00:00:18.442 --> 00:00:22.972 also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 00:00:23.932 --> 00:00:28.882 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. 00:00:29.857 --> 00:00:31.567 They did it of their own free will. 00:00:32.467 --> 00:00:36.187 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the 00:00:36.187 --> 00:00:38.407 gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 00:00:39.157 --> 00:00:41.527 They even did more than we had hoped for. 00:00:41.527 --> 00:00:45.097 Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us 00:00:45.397 --> 00:00:46.957 just as God wanted them to do. 00:00:48.667 --> 00:00:53.227 So we have urged Titus who encouraged your giving in the first place to 00:00:53.227 --> 00:00:56.767 return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 00:00:57.697 --> 00:01:02.497 Since you excel in so many ways in your faith, your gifted speakers, 00:01:02.557 --> 00:01:08.107 your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us, I want you to excel 00:01:08.112 --> 00:01:10.267 also in this gracious act of giving. 00:01:11.587 --> 00:01:15.787 I am not commanding you to do this, but I am testing how genuine your 00:01:15.787 --> 00:01:19.027 love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 00:01:20.467 --> 00:01:23.587 You know, the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:24.502 --> 00:01:29.632 Though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, so that by 00:01:29.637 --> 00:01:32.032 his poverty, he could make you rich. 00:01:33.592 --> 00:01:34.762 Here is my advice. 00:01:35.872 --> 00:01:39.112 It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. 00:01:40.252 --> 00:01:43.402 Last year, you were the first who wanted to give, and you were 00:01:43.407 --> 00:01:44.902 the first to begin doing it. 00:01:45.682 --> 00:01:47.392 Now you should finish what you started. 00:01:48.382 --> 00:01:52.252 Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched Now by your giving. 00:01:53.167 --> 00:01:55.357 Give in proportion to what you have. 00:01:55.777 --> 00:02:00.757 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly and give according to 00:02:00.762 --> 00:02:03.097 what you have, not what you don't have. 00:02:03.847 --> 00:02:07.357 Of course, I don't mean your giving should make life easy for 00:02:07.357 --> 00:02:09.127 others and hard for yourselves. 00:02:09.787 --> 00:02:13.177 I only mean that there should be some equality right now. 00:02:13.237 --> 00:02:16.867 You have plenty and can help those who are in need later. 00:02:16.867 --> 00:02:19.717 They will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. 00:02:20.422 --> 00:02:22.552 In this way, things will be equal. 00:02:23.992 --> 00:02:25.342 As the scriptures say. 00:02:26.092 --> 00:02:30.142 Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over and those who 00:02:30.147 --> 00:02:32.422 gathered only a little had enough. 00:02:33.892 --> 00:02:39.412 But thank God he has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 00:02:40.072 --> 00:02:42.682 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. 00:02:43.102 --> 00:02:46.522 In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 00:02:47.332 --> 00:02:49.642 We are also sending another brother with Titus. 00:02:50.302 --> 00:02:53.032 All the churches praise him as a preacher of the good news. 00:02:53.452 --> 00:02:56.902 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to 00:02:56.902 --> 00:03:02.062 Jerusalem, a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help. 00:03:03.622 --> 00:03:07.132 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way 00:03:07.132 --> 00:03:09.142 we are handling this generous gift. 00:03:09.772 --> 00:03:14.302 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone 00:03:14.302 --> 00:03:16.042 else to see that we are honorable. 00:03:17.092 --> 00:03:20.692 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven 00:03:20.692 --> 00:03:25.342 himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. 00:03:26.422 --> 00:03:30.532 He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 00:03:31.552 --> 00:03:35.872 If anyone asks about Titus say that he is my partner who works with me 00:03:35.872 --> 00:03:39.742 to help you, and the brothers with him have been sent by the churches 00:03:40.012 --> 00:03:41.662 and they bring honor to Christ. 00:03:42.532 --> 00:03:46.432 So show them your love and prove to all the churches that are 00:03:46.432 --> 00:03:48.412 boasting about you is justified. 00:03:50.002 --> 00:03:53.722 I really don't need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers 00:03:53.727 --> 00:03:58.972 in Jerusalem, for I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the 00:03:58.977 --> 00:04:04.072 churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. 00:04:04.552 --> 00:04:07.852 In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the 00:04:07.852 --> 00:04:10.312 Macedonian believers to begin giving. 00:04:11.977 --> 00:04:15.157 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, 00:04:15.487 --> 00:04:18.937 as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. 00:04:19.837 --> 00:04:22.027 I don't want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 00:04:22.417 --> 00:04:25.897 We would be embarrassed not to mention your own embarrassment if 00:04:25.902 --> 00:04:29.827 some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren't ready. 00:04:29.832 --> 00:04:31.147 After all I had told them. 00:04:32.107 --> 00:04:35.137 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure 00:04:35.137 --> 00:04:38.887 the gift you promised is ready, but I want it to be a willing gift. 00:04:39.412 --> 00:04:40.792 Not one given grudgingly. 00:04:41.752 --> 00:04:42.592 Remember this. 00:04:43.852 --> 00:04:49.162 A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop, but the one who plants 00:04:49.162 --> 00:04:51.052 generously will get a generous crop. 00:04:52.042 --> 00:04:56.122 You must each decide in your heart how much to give and don't give 00:04:56.122 --> 00:04:58.522 reluctantly or in response to pressure. 00:04:59.332 --> 00:05:03.592 For God loves a person who gives cheerfully and God will 00:05:03.592 --> 00:05:05.422 generously provide all you need. 00:05:06.262 --> 00:05:09.502 Then you will always have everything you need and plenty 00:05:09.502 --> 00:05:11.092 leftover to share with others. 00:05:11.992 --> 00:05:18.292 As the scriptures say, they share freely and give generously to the poor, their 00:05:18.297 --> 00:05:20.722 good deeds will be remembered forever. 00:05:22.162 --> 00:05:25.732 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then 00:05:25.732 --> 00:05:28.522 bread to eat in the same way. 00:05:28.762 --> 00:05:33.232 He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great 00:05:33.232 --> 00:05:35.062 harvest of generosity in you. 00:05:36.037 --> 00:05:41.287 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. 00:05:42.157 --> 00:05:46.117 And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 00:05:46.957 --> 00:05:49.747 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving. 00:05:50.407 --> 00:05:54.307 The needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met and they will 00:05:54.307 --> 00:05:59.497 joyfully express their thanks to God as a result of your ministry. 00:05:59.947 --> 00:06:01.597 They will give glory to God. 00:06:03.052 --> 00:06:07.042 For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you 00:06:07.042 --> 00:06:11.782 are obedient to the good news of Christ and they will pray for you 00:06:11.782 --> 00:06:16.282 with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 00:06:17.272 --> 00:06:20.872 Thank God for this gift to wonderful for words. 00:06:23.002 --> 00:06:28.372 Now I Paul appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ. 00:06:29.032 --> 00:06:32.422 Though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only 00:06:32.422 --> 00:06:33.862 when I write from far away. 00:06:34.492 --> 00:06:39.082 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come, I won't have to be bold with those 00:06:39.082 --> 00:06:41.062 who think we act from human motives. 00:06:41.872 --> 00:06:45.592 We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. 00:06:46.372 --> 00:06:50.872 We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down 00:06:50.872 --> 00:06:54.922 the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 00:06:55.807 --> 00:06:59.857 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. 00:07:00.727 --> 00:07:04.837 We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 00:07:05.587 --> 00:07:08.827 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish 00:07:08.827 --> 00:07:10.537 everyone who remains disobedient. 00:07:12.037 --> 00:07:13.477 Look at the obvious facts. 00:07:14.417 --> 00:07:18.457 Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong 00:07:18.457 --> 00:07:19.777 to Christ as much as they do. 00:07:21.067 --> 00:07:24.487 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the 00:07:24.487 --> 00:07:27.457 Lord, but our authority builds you up. 00:07:27.727 --> 00:07:32.047 It doesn't tear you down, so I will not be ashamed of using my authority. 00:07:33.367 --> 00:07:35.737 I'm not trying to frighten you by my letters. 00:07:36.487 --> 00:07:41.227 For some say, Paul's letters are demanding and forceful, but in person, he is 00:07:41.227 --> 00:07:43.087 weak and his speeches are worthless. 00:07:44.437 --> 00:07:47.827 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person 00:07:48.097 --> 00:07:51.697 will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away. 00:07:53.107 --> 00:07:54.307 Oh, don't worry. 00:07:55.087 --> 00:07:56.407 We wouldn't dare say that. 00:07:56.407 --> 00:07:59.887 We are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are, 00:08:00.607 --> 00:08:04.237 but they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves 00:08:04.327 --> 00:08:05.887 as the standard of measurement. 00:08:06.517 --> 00:08:12.367 How ignorant we will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. 00:08:13.252 --> 00:08:16.612 We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of 00:08:16.612 --> 00:08:20.512 the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 00:08:21.502 --> 00:08:24.952 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over 00:08:24.952 --> 00:08:30.082 you as if we had never visited you for we were the first to travel all the 00:08:30.082 --> 00:08:35.542 way to Corinth with the good news of Christ, nor do we boast and claim credit 00:08:35.542 --> 00:08:37.162 for the work someone else has done. 00:08:38.182 --> 00:08:42.292 Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of 00:08:42.292 --> 00:08:44.362 our work among you will be extended. 00:08:45.292 --> 00:08:48.772 Then we will be able to go and preach the good news in other places far 00:08:48.772 --> 00:08:51.292 beyond you where no one else is working. 00:08:52.582 --> 00:08:55.252 Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done 00:08:55.252 --> 00:08:56.872 in someone else's territory. 00:08:57.622 --> 00:09:01.852 As the scriptures say, if you want to boast, boast only about 00:09:01.852 --> 00:09:06.922 the Lord, when people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. 00:09:07.597 --> 00:09:10.177 The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. 00:09:11.947 --> 00:09:14.887 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. 00:09:15.067 --> 00:09:20.437 Please bear with me for I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. 00:09:21.037 --> 00:09:26.947 I promised you as a pure bride to one husband Christ, but I fear that somehow 00:09:26.947 --> 00:09:32.557 your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted just as Eve was deceived 00:09:32.557 --> 00:09:34.057 by the cunning ways of the serpent. 00:09:35.182 --> 00:09:38.962 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a 00:09:38.962 --> 00:09:43.042 different Jesus than the one we preach or a different kind of spirit than the 00:09:43.042 --> 00:09:47.512 one you received or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 00:09:49.312 --> 00:09:53.242 But I don't consider myself inferior in any way to these super 00:09:53.247 --> 00:09:55.402 apostles who teach such things. 00:09:56.272 --> 00:10:00.142 I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I'm not lacking in knowledge. 00:10:00.862 --> 00:10:03.532 We have made this clear to you in every possible way. 00:10:04.927 --> 00:10:08.017 Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching 00:10:08.017 --> 00:10:11.197 God's good news to you without expecting anything in return? 00:10:12.427 --> 00:10:15.637 I robbed other churches by accepting their contributions 00:10:15.847 --> 00:10:17.827 so I could serve you at no cost. 00:10:18.937 --> 00:10:23.047 And when I was with you and didn't have enough to live on, I did not 00:10:23.047 --> 00:10:25.057 become a financial burden to anyone. 00:10:26.077 --> 00:10:29.317 For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. 00:10:30.577 --> 00:10:32.377 I have never been a burden to you. 00:10:33.322 --> 00:10:37.642 I never will be as surely as the truth of Christ is in me. 00:10:37.972 --> 00:10:41.962 No one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 00:10:42.262 --> 00:10:42.832 Why? 00:10:43.432 --> 00:10:44.482 Because I don't love you. 00:10:45.202 --> 00:10:50.542 God knows that I do, but I will continue doing what I have always done. 00:10:51.382 --> 00:10:54.562 This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast 00:10:54.562 --> 00:10:56.392 that their work is just like ours. 00:10:57.382 --> 00:10:59.002 These people are false apostles. 00:11:00.022 --> 00:11:03.712 They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, 00:11:04.072 --> 00:11:08.782 but I am not surprised, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 00:11:09.502 --> 00:11:12.862 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves 00:11:12.862 --> 00:11:14.422 as servants of righteousness. 00:11:15.352 --> 00:11:18.892 In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. 00:11:20.752 --> 00:11:26.632 Again, I say don't think that I am a fool to talk like this, but even if you do, 00:11:27.112 --> 00:11:33.022 Listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little such. 00:11:33.027 --> 00:11:36.622 Boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 00:11:36.922 --> 00:11:40.282 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will too. 00:11:41.362 --> 00:11:45.802 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools. 00:11:46.042 --> 00:11:47.032 You put up with it. 00:11:47.032 --> 00:11:51.292 When someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage 00:11:51.292 --> 00:11:54.582 of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 00:11:55.387 --> 00:12:00.187 I'm ashamed to say that we've been too weak to do that, but 00:12:00.187 --> 00:12:03.487 whatever they dare to boast about, I'm talking like a fool again. 00:12:03.877 --> 00:12:05.527 I dare to boast about it too. 00:12:06.487 --> 00:12:07.447 Are they Hebrews? 00:12:08.047 --> 00:12:08.677 So am I. 00:12:09.667 --> 00:12:10.777 Are they Israelites? 00:12:11.257 --> 00:12:12.007 So am I. 00:12:12.437 --> 00:12:14.737 Are they descendants of Abraham? 00:12:15.007 --> 00:12:16.027 So am I. 00:12:16.297 --> 00:12:17.707 Are they servants of Christ? 00:12:17.917 --> 00:12:21.397 I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more. 00:12:22.117 --> 00:12:23.047 I have worked harder. 00:12:23.617 --> 00:12:27.307 Been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, 00:12:27.517 --> 00:12:29.347 and faced death again and again. 00:12:30.187 --> 00:12:31.177 Five different times. 00:12:31.177 --> 00:12:33.307 The Jewish leaders gave me 39 lashes. 00:12:33.517 --> 00:12:34.237 Three times. 00:12:34.242 --> 00:12:35.437 I was beaten with rods. 00:12:35.677 --> 00:12:39.907 Once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked once. 00:12:39.912 --> 00:12:42.577 I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 00:12:43.357 --> 00:12:45.487 I have traveled on many long journeys. 00:12:45.877 --> 00:12:48.847 I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. 00:12:49.597 --> 00:12:54.547 I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. 00:12:55.597 --> 00:13:00.847 I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts and on the seas, and 00:13:00.847 --> 00:13:04.927 I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 00:13:05.417 --> 00:13:09.817 I have worked hard and long endur, many sleepless nights. 00:13:10.087 --> 00:13:13.927 I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. 00:13:14.677 --> 00:13:18.307 I have shivered in the cold without enough clothing to keep me warm. 00:13:19.732 --> 00:13:25.552 Then besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches 00:13:26.602 --> 00:13:31.882 who is weak without my feeling that weakness, who is led astray, and I do 00:13:31.882 --> 00:13:35.812 not burn with anger if I must boast. 00:13:36.262 --> 00:13:41.662 I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am God, the father 00:13:41.662 --> 00:13:46.672 of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 00:13:47.527 --> 00:13:51.697 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Titas kept guards 00:13:51.697 --> 00:13:53.257 at the city gates to catch me. 00:13:54.157 --> 00:13:56.737 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the 00:13:56.737 --> 00:13:58.477 city wall to escape from him. 00:14:00.037 --> 00:14:02.827 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. 00:14:03.637 --> 00:14:07.057 I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 00:14:08.617 --> 00:14:13.147 I was caught up to the third heaven 14 years ago, whether I was in my 00:14:13.147 --> 00:14:15.247 body or out of my body, I don't know. 00:14:15.637 --> 00:14:16.657 Only God knows. 00:14:17.407 --> 00:14:22.897 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body, but I do 00:14:22.897 --> 00:14:27.487 know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that 00:14:27.487 --> 00:14:31.777 they cannot be expressed in words things no human is allowed to tell. 00:14:32.947 --> 00:14:36.697 That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. 00:14:37.657 --> 00:14:39.787 I will boast only about my weaknesses. 00:14:40.237 --> 00:14:44.107 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so because I would be 00:14:44.112 --> 00:14:46.417 telling the truth, but I won't do it. 00:14:47.107 --> 00:14:50.437 Because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see 00:14:50.437 --> 00:14:55.087 in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such 00:14:55.087 --> 00:14:57.007 wonderful revelations from God. 00:14:58.327 --> 00:15:03.457 So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger 00:15:03.457 --> 00:15:09.727 from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud three different times. 00:15:09.727 --> 00:15:12.817 I begged the Lord to take it away each time. 00:15:12.817 --> 00:15:15.427 He said, my grace is all you need. 00:15:16.657 --> 00:15:21.847 My power works best in weakness, so now I am glad to boast about 00:15:21.847 --> 00:15:25.717 my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 00:15:26.677 --> 00:15:30.667 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, 00:15:30.697 --> 00:15:34.447 hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. 00:15:34.777 --> 00:15:37.747 For when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:15:39.097 --> 00:15:40.747 You have made me act like a fool. 00:15:41.557 --> 00:15:44.857 You ought to be writing commendations for me for I am not at all 00:15:44.857 --> 00:15:48.877 inferior to these super apostles, even though I am nothing at all. 00:15:49.897 --> 00:15:53.857 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle 00:15:54.577 --> 00:15:58.447 for I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 00:15:59.587 --> 00:16:04.027 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to 00:16:04.027 --> 00:16:05.857 become a financial burden to you. 00:16:06.157 --> 00:16:07.807 Please forgive me for this wrong. 00:16:09.202 --> 00:16:13.492 Now, I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. 00:16:14.482 --> 00:16:15.832 I don't want what you have. 00:16:16.492 --> 00:16:22.192 I want you, after all, children don't provide for their parents, rather 00:16:22.462 --> 00:16:24.322 parents provide for their children. 00:16:24.762 --> 00:16:31.192 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the 00:16:31.192 --> 00:16:33.832 more I love you, the less you love me. 00:16:34.882 --> 00:16:37.192 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. 00:16:37.897 --> 00:16:41.347 But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery, 00:16:42.397 --> 00:16:46.717 but how did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 00:16:47.797 --> 00:16:51.457 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, 00:16:51.847 --> 00:16:53.587 did Titus take advantage of you? 00:16:54.427 --> 00:16:55.057 No. 00:16:55.777 --> 00:16:59.167 For we have the same spirit and walk in each other's steps 00:16:59.227 --> 00:17:00.637 doing things the same way. 00:17:01.717 --> 00:17:05.947 Perhaps you think we are saying these things just to defend ourselves. 00:17:06.742 --> 00:17:11.782 No, we tell you this as Christ's servants and with God as our witness. 00:17:12.772 --> 00:17:18.502 Everything we do dear friends, is to strengthen you for I am afraid that 00:17:18.502 --> 00:17:22.732 when I come, I won't like what I find and you won't like my response. 00:17:23.902 --> 00:17:27.682 I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, 00:17:27.712 --> 00:17:32.452 selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 00:17:34.252 --> 00:17:38.752 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence 00:17:38.992 --> 00:17:43.042 and I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. 00:17:43.972 --> 00:17:48.082 You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and 00:17:48.082 --> 00:17:49.852 eagerness for lustful pleasure. 00:17:50.132 --> 00:17:56.632 This is the third time I am coming to visit you, and as the scriptures say, the 00:17:56.632 --> 00:18:01.312 facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 00:18:02.827 --> 00:18:05.437 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I 00:18:05.437 --> 00:18:06.697 was there on my second visit. 00:18:07.327 --> 00:18:11.527 Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before that 00:18:11.532 --> 00:18:13.147 next time, I will not spare them. 00:18:14.227 --> 00:18:17.317 I will give you all the proof you want, that Christ speaks through me. 00:18:18.157 --> 00:18:20.107 Christ is not weak when he deals with you. 00:18:20.347 --> 00:18:21.757 He is powerful among you. 00:18:22.687 --> 00:18:26.917 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. 00:18:27.757 --> 00:18:30.247 We too are weak just as Christ was. 00:18:31.087 --> 00:18:35.527 But when we deal with you, we will be alive with him and we'll have God's power. 00:18:37.177 --> 00:18:40.627 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. 00:18:41.467 --> 00:18:42.577 Test yourselves. 00:18:43.537 --> 00:18:46.297 Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you. 00:18:46.777 --> 00:18:52.237 If not, you have failed the test of genuine faith as you test yourselves. 00:18:52.687 --> 00:18:57.127 I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority. 00:18:58.882 --> 00:19:01.972 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong. 00:19:01.972 --> 00:19:05.962 By refusing our correction, I hope we won't need to demonstrate 00:19:05.962 --> 00:19:07.252 our authority when we arrive. 00:19:08.152 --> 00:19:10.132 Do the right thing before we come. 00:19:10.372 --> 00:19:13.822 Even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority 00:19:14.932 --> 00:19:19.162 for we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 00:19:19.972 --> 00:19:21.592 We are glad to seem weak. 00:19:21.592 --> 00:19:25.402 If it helps show that you are actually strong, we pray 00:19:25.407 --> 00:19:26.932 that you will become mature. 00:19:28.177 --> 00:19:33.037 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won't need to deal severely 00:19:33.042 --> 00:19:37.957 with you when I do come for, I want to use the authority the Lord has given me 00:19:37.957 --> 00:19:40.747 to strengthen you, not to tear you down. 00:19:43.237 --> 00:19:47.047 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words. 00:19:48.397 --> 00:19:56.287 Be joyful, grow to maturity, encourage each other, live in harmony and peace. 00:19:56.962 --> 00:19:59.872 Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 00:20:00.892 --> 00:20:02.692 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. 00:20:03.502 --> 00:20:06.232 All of God's people here send you their greetings. 00:20:07.372 --> 00:20:12.352 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship 00:20:12.357 --> 00:20:14.452 of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 00:20:16.762 --> 00:20:19.362 This concludes today's reading experience. 00:20:19.692 --> 00:20:20.992 Thank you for joining us.