When You Don’t Look Like Your Picture

Paul’s Character

Picture of Courage!

Acts 20:23-24
23 save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that 

I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

A Picture of Conviction! (no duplicity)

Galatians 2:11
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Picture of Contentment! (Always Content)

Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

A Picture of Carefulness

1 Corinthians 1:12
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity,  not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Paul is Concerned

  • His Credibility is Questioned

2 Corinthians 7:2
Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13a
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit,

  • His Companion is Missing

2Coritnhians 2:13
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:13
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

  • This Church

1 Corinthians 5:9
 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

2 Corinthians 7:8
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

  1. Paul is Conflicted 

Corinthians 1:8-9a
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:  but we had the sentence of death in ourselves,

  1. Paul’s Confidence 

2 Corinthians 1:8-10]
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that WE SHOULD NOT TRUST IN OURSELVES, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: 

in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

2 Corinthians 2:14
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

16 to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

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