The Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:1–6 NIV84

1 Therefore, 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 every man’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 of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach 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 the glory of God in the face of Christ.

1Por esto, ya que por la misericordia de Dios tenemos este ministerio, no nos desanimamos.

2Más bien, hemos renunciado a todo lo vergonzoso que se hace a escondidas; no actuamos con engaño ni torcemos la palabra de Dios. Al contrario, mediante la clara exposición de la verdad, nos recomendamos a toda conciencia humana en la presencia de Dios.

3Pero si nuestro evangelio está encubierto, lo está para los que se pierden.

4El dios de este mundo ha cegado la mente de estos incrédulos, para que no vean la luz del glorioso evangelio de Cristo, el cual es la imagen de Dios.

5No nos predicamos a nosotros mismos, sino a Jesucristo como Señor; nosotros no somos más que servidores de ustedes por causa de Jesús.

6Porque Dios, que dijo: «¡Que la luz resplandezca en las tinieblas!», hizo brillar su luz en nuestro corazón para que conociéramos la gloria de Dios que resplandece en el rostro de Jesucristo.

1. The Essence of Ministry (La Esencia del Ministerio)

A. The Mercy Received in Ministry (la misericordia recibida en el ministerio)

2 Corinthians 4:1

"Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." Ministry is not about our qualifications but about the mercy we received from God.

B. The Honesty Required in Ministry (La honestidad requerida en el ministerio)

2 Corinthians 4:2

"We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God." Honesty and integrity are fundamental requirements in ministry.

C. The Glory Revealed in Ministry (a gloria revelada en el ministerio

2 Corinthians 4:6

"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." Ministry reveals the glory of God.

2. The Challenges of Ministry (Los desafios del ministerio)

Acts 20:24–28 “24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

24Sin embargo, considero que mi vida carece de valor para mí mismo, con tal de que termine mi carrera y lleve a cabo el servicio que me ha encomendado el Señor Jesús, que es el de dar testimonio del evangelio de la gracia de Dios.

25»Escuchen, yo sé que ninguno de ustedes, entre quienes he andado predicando el reino de Dios, volverá a verme.

26Por tanto, hoy declaro que soy inocente de la sangre de todos,

27porque sin vacilar les he proclamado todo el propósito de Dios.

28Tengan cuidado de sí mismos y de todo el rebaño sobre el cual el Espíritu Santo los ha puesto como obispos para pastorear la iglesia de Dios, que él adquirió con su propia sangre.

A. The Selflessness of Ministry (el altruismo del ministerio)

Acts 20:24

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Ministry requires selflessness and dedication to the task given by the Lord.

B. The Watchfulness in Ministry (la vigilancia del ministerio)

Acts 20:28

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." Ministers must be watchful and protective over the flock God entrusted to them.

C. The Adversities in Ministry (las adversidades en el ministerio)

Acts 20:28

"Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." Ministry will face adversities, but we should remember the price that God paid for the church.

3. The Rewards of Ministry (Las Recompensas del Ministerio)

Colossians 1:24–29 “24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

24Ahora me alegro en medio de mis sufrimientos por ustedes y voy completando en mí mismo lo que falta de las aflicciones de Cristo, en favor de su cuerpo, que es la iglesia.

25De esta llegué a ser servidor según el plan que Dios me encomendó para ustedes: el dar cumplimiento a la palabra de Dios,

26anunciando el misterio que se ha mantenido oculto por siglos y generaciones, pero que ahora se ha manifestado a su pueblo santo.

27A estos Dios se propuso dar a conocer cuál es la gloriosa riqueza de este misterio entre las naciones, que es Cristo en ustedes, la esperanza de gloria.

28A este Cristo proclamamos, aconsejando y enseñando con toda sabiduría a todas las personas, para presentarlas completamente maduras en su unión con Cristo.

29Con este fin trabajo y lucho fortalecido por el poder de Cristo que obra en mí.

A. The Joy of Suffering for the Church (La alegría del sufrimiento por la Iglesia)

Colossians 1:24

"Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." Ministry involves suffering for the sake of the church, but it brings joy.

B. The Mystery Revealed in Ministry (El misterio revelado en el ministerio)

Colossians 1:26-27

"The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Ministry reveals the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory.

C. The Goal of Ministry (La meta del ministerio)

Colossians 1:28-29

"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ." The ultimate goal of ministry is to present everyone mature in Christ.

Matthew 28:19 “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

The Expectation for Service (James 1:22-25)

A. Being Doers of the Word (James 1:22)

James instructs us not to merely listen to the Word, but to do what it says. This active engagement with Scripture is a fundamental expectation for those who serve.

B. The Mirror of the Word (James 1:23-24)

The Word of God is described as a mirror. It reflects who we truly are and challenges us to live in light of this truth. It is expected that those who serve will live according to the Word.

C. The Blessings of Perseverance (James 1:25)

Perseverance in doing what the Word says brings blessings. Those who serve should persist in their dedication to the Word, despite challenges and difficulties.