Scripture
Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-10
“1Therefore,
since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 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. 3 And
even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 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.
5 For what we preach is
not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for
Jesus’ sake. 6 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.
8 We are hard pressed on
every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 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.
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.
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. 5 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,
- Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.
- Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
- Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.
- Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.
- 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
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.
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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