Text: 2 Corinthians 2:17
Those Who Peddle the Word
- They corrupt the word — changing the things in it (Galatians 1:6-9) and leaving things out of it (Acts 20:27)
- They adulterate the word — mixing in the commands, traditions, and opinions of men (Colossians 2:20-23; Matthew 15:6-9; Romans 14:1)
- There are “many” who do this
We Speak from Sincerity
- No ulterior motives
- Plain speaking (2 Corinthians 3:12)
We Speak from God
- As an apostle, Paul received the divine message directly from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10; John 16:13) — this is no longer done today (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
- We can still speak “as from God” (1 Peter 4:11) — How? … preach from the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We Speak in Christ
- Any message from God today will be in Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2) — there is no other message (John 14:6)
- Any message that claims to be from God is false if it doesn’t acknowledge Christ (John 18:37; 10:30) or if it contradicts with the writings of inspired men (1 Corinthians 14:37)
We Speak in the Sight of God
- Nothing is hidden from the eyes of God (Hebrews 4:13)
- The teacher will be held accountable (James 3:1)
- Those in attendance will be held accountable as well (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
