In 2007 the congregation read through "The Message" New Testament by Eugene Peterson. This lesson is taken from the assigned reading from May 27-Jun 2.

1. 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 Are they servants of Christ? I can go them one better. (I can't believe I'm saying these things. It's crazy to talk this way! But I started, and I'm going to finish.)

2. I've worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death's door time after time. 24 I've been flogged five times with the Jews' thirty-nine lashes,

3. 25 beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I've been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day.

4. 26 In hard traveling year in and year out, I've had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I've been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers.

5. 27 I've known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather. 28 And that's not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches.

6. 29 When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.

7. 30 If I have to "brag" about myself, I'll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus. 31 The eternal and blessed God and Father of our Master Jesus knows I'm not lying.

8. 32 Remember the time I was in Damascus and the governor of King Aretas posted guards at the city gates to arrest me? 33 I crawled through a window in the wall, was let down in a basket, and had to run for my life.

9. Here we may learn to think less of ourselves; and we should ever strictly keep to truth, as in God's presence; and should refer all to his glory, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore.

10. The apostle gives an account of his labours and sufferings; not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who enabled him to do and suffer so much for the cause of Christ; and shows wherein he excelled the false apostles, who tried to lessen his character and usefulness.

11. It astonishes us to reflect on this account of his dangers, hardships, and sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance, diligence, cheerfulness, and usefulness, in the midst of all these trials. See what little reason we have to love the pomp and plenty of this world, when this blessed apostle felt so much hardship in it.

12. Our utmost diligence and services appear unworthy of notice when compared with his, and our difficulties and trials scarcely can be perceived. It may well lead us to inquire whether or not we really are followers of Christ.

13. Here we may study patience, courage, and firm trust in God. Here we may learn to think less of ourselves; and we should ever strictly keep to truth,

14. as in God's presence; and should refer all to his glory, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore. (Matthew Henry Concise Commentary)

15. 2 Corinthians 13:1-14 MSG Well, this is my third visit coming up. Remember the Scripture that says, "A matter becomes clear after two or three witnesses give evidence"?

16. 2 On my second visit I warned that bunch that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways that when I came back I wouldn't go easy on them. Now, preparing for the third, I'm saying it again from a distance. If you haven't changed your ways by the time I get there, look out.

17. I’m not sure which Scripture he was talking about, but here are two from Deuteronomy: Deu 17:6 But only on the testimony of two or three witnesses may a person be put to death. No one may be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Deu 19:15 You cannot convict anyone of a crime or sin on the word of one witness. You need two or three witnesses to make a case.

18. 3 You who have been demanding proof that Christ speaks through me will get more than you bargained for. You'll get the full force of Christ, don't think you won't.

19. 4 He was sheer weakness and humiliation when he was killed on the Cross, but oh, he's alive now--in the mighty power of God!

20. We weren't much to look at, either, when we were humiliated among you, but when we deal with you this next time, we'll be alive in Christ, strengthened by God.

21. He was sheer weakness and humiliation when he was killed on the Cross, - It is true Christ was crucified, and his crucifixion appeared to be the effect of his weakness; yet even this was not so; he gave up his life, none could take it away from him;

22. and in his last struggle, had he even been deficient in power, he could have had more than twelve legions of angels to support him against the high priest’s mob, Mat 26:53 ; but how then could the Scripture be fulfilled? And had he not died, how could the human race have been saved?

23. he's alive now--in the mighty power of God! - Though he appeared to be crucified through his own weakness, yet he now liveth by the power of God; exerting an almighty energy by which all things are subject to him.

24. we were humiliated among you, Because we are on Christ’s side we appear to you as weak as he did to the Jews; but it is not so, for we live with him - under the same influence, and partaking of the same life;

25. manifesting by our preaching and miracles the power of God towards you. While I do not use the rod, I appear to you weak; I will use it, and then you shall find me to be strong. (Clark)

26. 5 Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.

27. 6 I hope the test won't show that we have failed. 7 But if it comes to that, we'd rather the test showed our failure than yours.

28. 8 We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you. 9 We couldn't possibly do otherwise.

29. We don't just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives.

30. Test yourselves, Let there be self-examination. See whether you are in Christ. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Christ must dwell in them unless they are reprobate. If Christ is in them it will be seen in the power of a Christian life.

31. You need firsthand evidence, Christ is in those who are not reprobates, but the power of Christ ( 2Co 13:3 ), that he will display when he comes, will show that he is not reprobate.

32. We pray hard If they should do evil, Paul's display of power would show that he was not a reprobate ( 2Co 13:6 ), but he prays that their freedom from evil may leave him without that proof. The next verses show that he desires only to promote the truth. (PNT)

33. 10 I’m writing this to you now so that when I come I won't have to say another word on the subject. The authority the Master gave me is for putting people together, not taking them apart. I want to get on with it, and not have to spend time on reprimands.

34. I’m writing this to you now - I only threaten you now, by this epistle, to put you on your guard, and lead you to reformation before I visit you that I may not then have to use sharpness, αποτομια, a cutting off, employing thus my apostolical authority to inflict punishment; a power which God has given me, rather to be employed in your edification than in your destruction.

35. 11 And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.

36. 12 Greet one another with a holy embrace. 13 All the brothers and sisters here say hello. 14 The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

37. And that's about it, friends, This verse contains a parting admonition. amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, This verse contains the apostolic benediction. Observe the three blessings pronounced, grace, love, communion; ( intimate friendship ) and the three sources invoked, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.