16 I repeat: Let no one consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool so that I can also boast a little. 17 What I am saying in this matter of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast. 19 For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! 2 Cor. 11:16-19 (CSB)
1. Your maturity is revealed in the choices you are willing to make.
20 In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant toward you, if someone slaps you in the face.
2 Cor. 11:20 (CSB)
21 I say this to our shame: We have been too weak for that! But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare: 2 Cor. 11:21 (CSB)
2. Your maturity is revealed in the sacrifices you are willing to make.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham? So am I.
2 Cor. 11:22 (CSB)
23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death. 24 Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea.
2 Cor. 11:23-25 (CSB)
26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing.
2 Cor. 11:26-27 (CSB)
3. Your maturity is revealed in your love for the local church.
28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches.
2 Cor. 11:28 (CSB)
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35 (CSB)
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
1 Cor. 12:27 (CSB)
16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16 (CSB)
26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
I Cor. 12:26 (CSB)
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying.
2 Cor. 11:29-31 (CSB)
32 In Damascus, a ruler under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me. 33 So I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped from his hands.
2 Cor. 11:32-33 (CSB)