No sacrifice, no true ministry

Introduction:

Paul discusses about the necessity of sacrifice in christian community then he gave his ministry as an example of sacrifice. Here we get to see a glimpse of what he sacrificed and why he sacrificed it. Paul went beyond regular sacrifice, we did everything that needed to be done so that people may be helped.

I. The marks of sacrificial ministry

1) give up legitimate rights - right to be supported

2) give up your human dignity (I have become a slave, I have become weak [difficult people])

a) example

Jesus’s cross - Jesus’s cross (Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.  Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. Php 2:5–8.

3) give your personal convictions (non-essential convictions, cultural expectations)

a) examples

Timothy’s circumcision in Acts 16

Jesus’s conversation with the Samaritean women (John 4)

4) personal discipline

5) personal integrity

II. The motives of sacrificial ministry

For a reward

a) example Moses Hebrews 11:24-26

Hebrews 11:24–26 (CSB)

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.

Hebrews 11:32–38 (CSB)

And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

2. For the sake of eternal life

a) example

Timothy and Paul

1 Timothy 4:8-10 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

1 Peter 1:3–6 (CSB)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials

3. For the sake of your calling - Jonah