True Strength: The Vanity of Self-Preservation (2 Corinthians 12:14-18) | Pastor Mike Fabarez

Main message: Christians must resist the culture's pull toward self-preservation and instead practice costly, sacrificial love in ministry — following Paul's example of risking time, reputation, and resources for the good of others.

Key points:

• The world promotes self-love and risk-aversion; if the church copies that, its love will grow cold (we must avoid inward-turning love).
• Paul models costly ministry: he returned to Corinth despite criticism, refused to be a financial burden, and chose to "spend and be spent" for people's souls (2 Corinthians 12).
• True ministry is stewardship, not something you "try" briefly; it requires commitment, endurance, and willingness to suffer for others.
• Love in the New Testament is sacrificial and costly (Christ's love as the standard), so Christians should expect ministry to cost time, energy, sleep, money, and reputation.
• Surround yourself with sacrificial, hard-working companions in ministry and push away the instinct to withdraw when ministry becomes painful.

Scriptures mentioned: Matthew 24:12, 2 Timothy 3 (esp. "lovers of themselves"), John 13, 2 Corinthians 12:14-18, 1 Peter 4, James 4, Mark 3, Philippians 2, Colossians 1:24, Romans 16, 1 Corinthians 12, Matthew 6:22-24, Leviticus 19:18, 1 John