Paul's Advices for a Minister of God



Scripture Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-10

1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Paul in Romans expressed his desire for all believers’ three important things. Rom 15:14, “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” All believers have the right to know the word of the Lord – it is their birthright.

·         Full of Goodness (the nature of God)
·         Full of knowledge (the spiritual maturity)
·         Able to teach others (Be expert in Word)

However in 2 Corinthians Paul concentrated on the ministers of God, it is not exclusively to the Pastors and Leaders. Every believer must be ministers of God. The primary duty of a servant of God is “Ministering to the presence of God” then “Ministering for God.” Most of the leaders and pastors reverse the priority and spend their entire time in ministry forgetting to minister the presence of God. As I said it is not restricted to the pastors, it includes all the believers.

The passage talks about FOUR personal and corporate responsibility of a servant of God. 

1. LIVE IN GOD’S GRACE: (V.1)

2 Cor. 4: 1 says, “1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart

75% of pastors in the United States leave their ministries in first 5 years of their ministry which is called as “Burnt Out.” They lose their vision, enthusiasm and passion for ministry due to the frustration / displeasure in the ministry. This is a sad statistics – In India many pastors grow their children not with the ministry intention but to work and earn money. In recent days many pastors send their children to foreign countries for work, in their last stage they sell the church and leave the ministry due to no successors to carry on the ministry. In both cases the strength of pastor is emphasized the grace of God is missing. Obviously the church loses its strength rapidly.

Paul in verses 8-9 says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.We face troubles but stand firm because we live in God’s grace – in other versions speak of God’s Mercy.

Luke 9:62 says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
 
The call of God has great emphasis on the “Grace of God.” Because the one who called us is faithful (1 Thes. 5:24) he chose us, not we ourselves for the ministry (John 15:16). Christian ministry is Faith and Grace based, there is nothing that we can do with our energy and strength. That’s why Apostle Paul says to “Live in God’s Grace”

Living is also reminds us of – continuous action. One cannot live without air so also without God’s grace no one can sustain in the ministry.

2. PREACH CHRIST ALONE (V. 2 / V.5)

v. 2, “we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Paul declares that he made no deception, distraction of God’s word – just delivered the plain truth. (v.2) and not even preached about himself (v.5). Martin Luther in his reformation statements made the following clear,

  1. Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.
  2. Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
  3. Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.
  4. Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.
  5. Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”): We live for the glory of God alone.
The first among the list was “Scripture alone” most of the preaching today stress on the following,

·         Jesus + Something else (Baptism)
·         Gospel + Something else (remove ornaments)
·         Bible + Something else (devotion sermons)
·         Grace + Something else (striving holy life)

This is danger to Christianity, Jesus said you can do nothing without me (John 15:5) – It includes the leaders and pastors. Many today pose themselves as great in their congregation, without me (pastor) you can do nothing. Just Bible / Gospel / Christ alone can do greater things. We do not need anything to it to flavor the Christian life.

Peter in his second epistle says (1:16-21), “16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Preach CHRIST, The Lord – Nothing else

3. UNDERSTAND THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE (vv. 3-4)

We have an unseen battle for everyone who wants to live for the Lord. The battle is not against flesh and blood but against the god of this age – Satan (Eph 6:12)

This passage clarifies it as the gospel is unveiled to unbelievers – it is by the god of this age, the Satan. He is also named as “ruler of the world” (John 14:30). This struggles we think of very hard but have been already overcame by the Lord. Every time we initiate something for the Lord there will be opposition or struggles to accomplish it because there is an unseen battle going on between God’s people and Satan.

Ephesians 6:10-19 lists about the spiritual weapons that enable the believers to overcome the plans of Satan. First the people of God must overcome the schemes of the evil one so that we can conquer the Satan. It doesn’t mean that we must underestimate the warfare but be prepared to overcome it. 

Above all the leaders must “Be on guard – Stand firm – Be courageous – Be strong in the Lord” (1 Cor. 16:13) not giving up by the “seems to be defeat” situations.

4. HAVE AN ENLIGHTENED HEART ( V.6)

Paul says, “God made His light shine in our hearts.” Enlightenment comes when we are open to the Lord and seek the guidance of the Lord. Many of times pastors and leaders restrain to open their hearts and minds to the leading of the Holy Spirit. the spirit of God is refreshing the minds of people when we are obedient listeners.

It is good to be traditional bondage pastors – who hold on to what their pastors or pastor’s pastors said and taught. God enlightens the heart of His people every day to new ways.
“Everything starts within me.” Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to be.”
Jim Elliott, a missionary to South American tribal groups said, “You cannot give something you do not have.”

The following questions are to be answered from heart,

·         Do I have the touch of God?
·         Do I know and see His power?
·         Do I have the empowerment of the Holy Spirit?

1 John 1:1, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” Something that the apostle heard, saw, touched and proclaim it to others.

Only enlightened heart can enlighten others just like a burning candle lights other candles, a tuned guitar can tune other guitars.

Conclusion:

·         Do I live in God’s Grace
·         Do I preach Christ alone?
·         Do I prepare myself for the spiritual warfare?
·         Do I have an enlightened heart?

May God bless you all.

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