13 and our text today will be verses 1 through 3. I'll have you turn there at this time and once

you do if you're able, I'll ask you to stand. You can follow along as I read. If not, that's all right.

The Apostle Paul is writing and by the Holy Spirit says verse 1, this will be my third visit to you.

Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time.

I now repeat it while absent.

On my return, I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.

He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you."

I wish we could just close in prayer.

I'll leave it at that, but let's ask God's blessing on our understanding, if you would, join with me in prayer.

Oh, Lord, the intensity with which Paul writes this to the Corinthian Church is such that we need for

your Holy Spirit to enable us to understand why it was deemed necessary to record in scriptures for us at this time as a church, as your people.

Lord, obviously, there's something here that you want to minister to us and show to us so we need for you to do that at this time.

Will you, Lord? We're asking you in Jesus' name. Amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

Today's teaching is going to be part one of a series I've titled what true love is and does

as we just read in the first three verses of this last chapter here in second

Corinthians and as we're about to see thele Paul is writing about what will now be his

third visit to the Corinthian Church. Paul's first visit took place when he originally

planted the church and stayed there in Corinth for what would end up being about a year and a half.

We know this because of Acts chapter 18, verse 9, where it says,

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision.

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