Andy Hazelet – November 24, 2019
What does it mean biblically to be teachable? In Paul and the Corinthians we see both a teachable teacher and teachable students. Their example gives us a framework for church discipline and restoration.
“Teach these new disciples to obey everything I have commanded you.” (NLT)
One-Word Sermon: Teachable
Big Question: What does it mean biblically to be teachable?
Main Scripture: 2 Cor. 7:8-11
“I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.
Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.” (NLT)
- Paul, the Teachable teacher
Vs. 8 – “I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.” (NLT)
“It is often painful to be compelled to use the language of reproof. Paul deeply regretted the necessity of doing it in the case of the Corinthians and expressed the deepest anxiety in regard to it. No man, no minister, parent, or friend can use it but with deep regret that it is necessary. But the painfulness of it should not prevent our doing it. It should be done tenderly but faithfully. If done with the deep feeling, with the tender affection of Paul, it will be done right; and when so done, it will produce the desired effect, and do good. No man should use the language of reproof with a hard heart, or with severity of feeling. If he is, like Paul, ready to weep when he does it, it will do good. If he does it because he delights in it, it will do evil.” (Albert Barnes.)
Matthew 7:3-5: “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (NLT)
Philippians 2:3-7: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (NLT)
- Paul was fully surrendered to Christ.
- Paul had a relationship with the Corinthians.
- Paul shows genuine concern for them.
- Paul rejoices in their faith.
“Restorers must approach brothers or sisters in a spirit of meekness, vividly remembering that they too have feet of clay. They must avoid gossip and keep their talking and advice to a minimum. Restoring is not lecture-giving. They are not looking for an opportunity to give harsh heavy-handed condemnation or to illustrate their own spiritual superiority. They are not accusatory or have holier-than-thou attitudes. They are sympathetic and tactful, carefully selecting their words.
Most of all, restorers are humble. Restoration is not the world for those with a spiritual superiority complex. Godly restorers come, not as ones stooping down to raise up another to their level. Rather, they come alongside as friends to help brothers and sisters back to their feet. Restorers are meek people—a blend of strength and tenderness—strong enough to set the broken bone, yet gentle enough to avoid hurting the patient more than necessary as they do it.” (Dr. Keith Drury, Soul Shaper)
- The Corinthians: Teachable Students.
Vs. 9: “Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.” (NLT)
Vs. 10: “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” (NLT)
Vs. 11: “Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.” (NLT)
- They were believers.
- They received a hard message from Paul.
- They quickly got over their offense.
- They had a “zeal” to repent and turn from sin.
- Their faith and repentance encouraged Paul and Titus to continue the ministry
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