2 Corinthians 12:12-15 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.… Paul is conspicuous among men for his self-sacrifice. I. THE APOSTLE'S AIM — the souls of men. 1. Certainly to be kept steadily in view by preachers. 2. But not by ministers alone, for we all influence for better or for worse the soul life of each other. 3. To injure it is an offence in God's eyes (Matthew 18:6). II. THIS AIM REQUIRES NOT ONLY THAT WE "SPEND," BUT THAT WE "BE SPENT," for the higher the life we seek to develop, the deeper is the sacrifice we must make. If a father wishes only physical life in his child the cost is little — food, soap, and clothing. If he wishes the mental life of his child to grow strong and full, then the cost is greater, not only in money, but in his own patience, etc. But if he wishes the highest life of all — the moral life — the life of the lad's soul to flourish and bear fruit — the sacrifice is deeper still. III. THIS IS PRECISELY THE KIND OF SACRIFICE WE ARE LEAST WILLING TO GIVE. 1. In almsgiving — works of charity. We give money, the cheapest sacrifice we can give. 2. In church life. Again we give money or a speech to escape the deeper sacrifices. 3. In social life. How few will forego the utterance of a bitter word or a doubtful deed lest they hurt the soul-life of those around us. IV. COMPARE THIS RELUCTANCE WITH THE ALACRITY OF PAUL. He said, "I will very gladly spend," etc. Better still compare it with the spirit of Christ (John 10:15, 18). 1. The loveliness of Christian sacrifice is its voluntariness. "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). 2. The blessed life either on earth or in heaven is not one exempt from sacrifice, but where its joy overwhelms its pain (2 Chronicles 29:28). (J. Telford, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. |
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