Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 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. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 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; 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; 2 Corinthians 11:22-26

This idea of your “Best Life Now” portrayed by the prosperity preachers is not only not Biblical, but its not reality. Let’s take a look at the Apostle Paul’s “Best Life Now”, he was beaten with rods, he was stoned, he was imprisoned, he was shipwrecked, the only reason Paul survived any of this was by the grace of God. We need to remember God is in control, and if God has a calling upon your life, he will allow you to complete it

Why would Paul want to take this life? Remember the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee (Philippians 3) Paul probably had a decent life as a religious leader, however on the Road to Damascus , the Lord put a calling upon Paul’s life (Acts 9) To the world this calling seems “foolish” again because the world can’t understand the things of God. However anyone who has been called by Christ, knows its the greatest blessing to suffer for Christ and His Kingdom

So when we become a Christian, or when we answer the calling by God on our lives. Don’t expect this is going to be an easy walk. Don’t expect all your troubles are going to fade away, in fact your troubles are just beginning. As Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciples, deny yourself, carry your cross and follow Christ” (Matthew 16:24) The first step is deny yourself, don’t expect a prosperous or luxurious life, expect to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:27-28

Notice Paul’s attitude here, even though he is suffering, hungry, in pain, Paul is continually concerned about the Churches. Paul is not sitting around dwelling on himself “Woe is me” No Paul is busy serving Christ and serving The Church. Paul is concerned about all the Christians that have been put under his care.

Paul has a servants attitude, the same which we all should have. How do we get there? By the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, we can’t expect to fulfill our calling by our own flesh we need the Holy Spirit every moment.

This is not your Best life now, in fact the good news is this is your worst life now. Our best life is coming into Gods eternal Kingdom when we are raised up by our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 2 Corinthians 11:16-21

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, let them deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow Christ” (Matthew 16:24) Humbling ourselves is part of our sanctification with the Holy Spirit. The idea that we are going to exalt ourselves and win arguments with people is carnally minded and not led by the Holy Spirit. We are to humble ourselves to the point where we become fools for Christ

So what does it mean to be a fool for Christ? Let me give you an example, several years ago Ray Comfort released a video stating that the design of a banana demonstrates intelligent design of a creator. Atheists had a field day with this, labeling Ray Comfort as the “Banana Man” While Ray became the butt of all their jokes, God used this to launch his ministry into what it is today. So by Ray looking foolish for Christ, it actually was giving God glory and helping expand the Kingdom.

We can learn from this, don’t be afraid to be a “fool for Christ” , when you talk to an Atheist tell them “In the beginning God created the Heavens and Earth” To the world this seems like nonsense, but by speaking Gods word we are planting a super natural seed of truth. The Atheist knows in their heart that nothing can’t create anything, therefor logically there has to be a Creator, don’t be afraid to be a fool for Christ

The Apostle Paul says “Let no man think of me a fool, but if you do, listen to me as a fool” Paul is saying “Hey I’m telling you the truth, however if your going to reject me as a fool, at least listen to what I have to say, as you would other foolish people” of course that’s a paraphrase, Remember what Paul said “The Message of the cross is foolishness to them that are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

When we talk about spiritual things to a carnal world, the world will reject it as foolishness. However let them think your a fool and still share the gospel with them anyway! We are fools for Christ! Don’t worry about winning arguments , just worry about doing your job as a servant of Christ, to preach the gospel to everyone! Amen!

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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.  2 Corinthians 11:13-15

One of the reasons many people are easily deceived is because they don’t know the BIble, they listen to the “wisdom of this world” The world will tell you Satan looks like a monster, with a pitch fork, with horns. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the Apostle Paul teaches us “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” 

The fact is , if you met Satan face to face, you would probably be mesmerized by his physical beauty, as Angels are beautiful creatures. Remember the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, the wicked people wanted to rape the angels because of their appearance. (Genesis 19) Think about all the women who fell for the fallen angels and mated with them, why? Probably because of their great beauty (Genesis 6)

So going back to this, Satan is extremely deceptive because he appears as an “angel of light” not a demon of darkness. So the world easily falls for his deception, because as humans we love physical beauty, we love things that appear to be light , yet the hidden agenda is darkness.

The Apostle Paul was warning the Church of false apostles who are children of Satan “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” This is why so many people are tricked by false religion and false prophets, because they are very deceptive, they appear to be for the light, many will even use the name of Jesus, however they are children of the darkness and their father is the devil 

Many of these slick talkers on your local cable channel are these false apostles, they tell everyone what they want to hear except for the true gospel. Their motives are all driven by their carnality. They use the name of Jesus with no fear and trick people into believing their false doctrine

How can we be so fooled? That guy can’t be that bad? You are deceived by the Father of lies (John 8:44) Satan knows the best way to deceive you is to pretend to be good, to feed your flesh, to give you exactly what your looking for! And because you don’t know your Bible, you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you follow the wolves that lead you into the pit

Paul says “Its not great thing if his (Satan) ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness” Notice Paul says Satan has his own group of ministers, he groomed a whole army of wolves who sold their souls to deceive the masses , Be alert because Satan is a roaring lion looking to devour! Amen! (1 Peter 5:8)

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 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. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 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. 2 Corinthians 11:1-4

If you go around and ask people, do you believe in Jesus? Most people will say Yes, however the real question is “Do you know the real Jesus? Depending on who you ask , you will  get several different answers. The Jehovah Witness will say “Jesus is Michael the ArchAngel”, the Mormon will say “Jesus is Satan’s brother”, the Muslim will say “Jesus is just another prophet”

The reality is if you are wrong about Jesus, it doesn’t matter what you are right about! That’s not an original quote, I heard that from Harold Hunter, but he’s right. Our faith all centers around Jesus Christ. The sign of most false religions is they use the name of Jesus, remove His deity and sprinkle in their own teachings. However the problem is their religions can’t save you! As Jesus said “I am the way, the truth , and the life, nobody comes to the Father , except through Me (John 14:6)

So Paul has more problems in the Church, he has a bunch of false converts preaching a false Jesus to people. As Paul says here “As the serpent deceived Even in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from your simplicity in Christ” These people were deceived by Satan, thinking they can use God to make money or power. Just as Satan told Eve you can become your own god, you will never die, these people fall for the same traps of Satan

However as the Apostle James warned “A teacher will receive greater judgment” (James 3:2) These false teachers are storing up wrath on themselves. They believe they are getting away preaching a false Jesus , however God will not be mocked! And as we know God is sovereign, and will allow these false teachers and use them to lead his sheep to Christ, God is in complete control

This is why it’s important you study your Bible, can you discern if someone is preaching a false Jesus? Can you discern if someone is preaching a false gospel? Can you discern if someone is preaching a false Spirit? As Paul says “Anyone who preaches a different gospel , let them be accursed” (Galatians 1:8) Amen!

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. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 2 Corinthians 10:12-14

One of the dangers about entering into ministry or serving The Lord, is when we have success, our flesh likes to take the credit. Our carnal side likes to puff ourselves up and likes to brag about all the things we have accomplished. I have visited Churches where the Pastor or someone lists off all “their accomplishments” like its a resume. 

But the reality is, we didn’t accomplish anything. Even if we toil or labor for The Lord, we still accomplish anything, God is the one who accomplishes it. We as servants of Christ, should just be thankful to be allowed to partake in this divine calling. If anyone becomes saved, its because of Christ, if the Church grows its because of The Holy Spirit, If anyone is called to serve, its because of our Heavenly Father, we are nothing without God

The Apostle Paul talks about this “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” We see this all the time, One Church will compare themselves to another Church, we are better than them! We do A, B, C, and D, they don’t do this and that. The error in your logic is the standard you measure yourself with. You believe you are great, because you compare yourself to others.

It’s like when you ask people “Are You a Good Person” typically everyone says “Yes” why? Because the standard they measure themselves is not Gods standard. They will say well I never killed anyone, my neighbor does X,Y, and Z, I’m a better person. But Gods standard, The Ten Commandments, says we are all sinners, we have all fallen short of the glory of God, as Jesus said “Nobody is good but God alone” (Mark 10:18)

Going back to patting yourself on the back, how well is your service by Gods standards? Paul goes on to say “But we will not boast of things without measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God distributed to us” Comparing your calling and Churches is pointless, because we all have different callings, we all have different circumstances. One Churches success might look like a fail to you, but its a Victory for Christ

In order to have the right servant perspective , we need to listed to the words of our Lord “If anyone wants to be my disciple, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24) Amen!