“The Right Stuff!”

Introduction:

When we consider the “Right Stuff” for ministry, we must begin with some foundational truths:

1. MINISTRY IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD! - (v.1a)

“…workers together with Him” “…God’s fellow workers” (NIV)

NOTE: This phrase (which comes from one Greek word) is also a VERB…the emphasis in on doing the work!

The root word, “συνεργέω” is the origin of the english, ‘synergy.’

John 15:5 NASB95

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

2. MINISTRY IS BASED ON GRACE! - (v.1b-2)

What does Paul mean by, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain”?

Since it’s always best to interpret Scripture with Scripture, turn to (1 Cor 15:10)!

1 Corinthians 15:10 CSB

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

All that we are in Christ is because of Christ—because of His GRACE!

No matter how much effort you expend (Paul worked, “harder than any of them”), it is still by GRACE!

So, when we are commanded not to take the grace of God in vain, it means we do not empty grace by making it of works (lit. ‘not in empty the favor of the God’)!

In addition, in the CONTEXT of his teaching concerning reconciliation—of God’s offer of forgiveness (with us as ambassadors, having both the ministry and message of reconciliation), perhaps the meaning is not to make vain the OFFER of forgiveness and restoration!

To PROVE his point, Paul quotes Scripture! - (v.2a)!

Isaiah 49:8–13 CSB

8 This is what the Lord says: I will answer you in a time of favor, and I will help you in the day of salvation. I will keep you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to make them possess the desolate inheritances, 9 saying to the prisoners, “Come out,” and to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.” They will feed along the pathways, and their pastures will be on all the barren heights. 10 They will not hunger or thirst, the scorching heat or sun will not strike them; for their compassionate one will guide them, and lead them to springs. 11 I will make all my mountains into a road, and my highways will be raised up. 12 See, these will come from far away, from the north and from the west, and from the land of Sinim. 13 Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains break into joyful shouts! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

So when Paul speaks of an “acceptable time” (v.2), he is talking about God’s day of salvation, he’s talking about much more that simply being saved!

He’s speaking about the time when everything is MADE RIGHT!

It’s not just a statement concerning the URGENCY for salvation, “…now is the day of salvation,” but rather it’s the promise of God answering our prayers (“…I listened to you”), and working together with us to bring the message of reconciliation to our world! (“…I helped you”)!

It’s a PROMISE that in fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation God will answer our prayers and help us as we share the message of reconciliation!

It’s the FULFILLMENT of the promise of Jesus at the end of the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:20 (CSB)

20 …And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Q: What does it take to be success in ministry (from God’s perspective)?

A: One word – COMMITMENT!

I. A Commitment to Remaining Above Reproach! – (6:3)

The NEED of the lost DEMANDS that “We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense…”

“Offense” is from προσκοπήν – “make a misstep”

1 Corinthians 8:9 CSB

9 But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 10:32 CSB

32 Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God,

Why? – “…so that the ministry will not be blamed.”

Proverbs 18:19 CSB

19 An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

1 John 2:10 CSB

10 The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

II. A Commitment to Servanthood! – (6:4a-5)

What does a minister (διάκονοι) of God look like? What are the distinguishing characteristics of his or her ministry?

According to Paul, the following should be expected:

1. “…by great endurance”

From ύπομονή (hupomonē) – ‘a remaining under’

James 1:3–4 CSB

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

In other words, you don’t always get what you want when you want it!

2. “…by afflictions”

Lit. ‘to crush or squeeze’

3. “…by hardships”

The ‘demands or necessities of human existence; the outward pressures from powers and circumstances’.

4. “…by difficulties [distresses]”

From στενοχωρίαις (stenochōreias), used metaphorically as, “to be anxious.” Lit. – “a lack of space, absence of room, a limited time (remaining).”

5. “…by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots”

(2 Corinthians 11:22ff)

Do you realize that Paul ticked off every culture he encountered!

This seems to go against the command to give no offense…But remember, the “offense” spoken of in (v.3) is referring to a stumbling block.

You are to offend people with the truth of the gospel!

Galatians 5:11 CSB

11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

6. “…by labors (κόποις)”

7. “…by sleepless nights, by times of hunger.”

NEXT WEEK…

In PART TWO of this message we will look at two additional requirements to be successful in ministry: RELIANCE and ACCEPTANCE!