The Right Stuff Pt2
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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In considering the “Right Stuff” for ministry, we began with some foundational truths:
1. MINISTRY IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD! - (v.1a)
1. MINISTRY IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD! - (v.1a)
2. MINISTRY IS BASED ON GRACE! - (v.1b-2)
2. MINISTRY IS BASED ON GRACE! - (v.1b-2)
Q: With those two truths as our FOUNDATION (Partnership with God and the Grace of God), then what does it take to build a successful, effective ministry (from God’s perspective)?
A: Three words – COMMITMENT (x2), RELIANCE, and ACCEPTANCE!
I. A Commitment to Remaining Above Reproach! – (6:3)
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”
9 But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak.
32 Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God,
Why? – “…so that the ministry will not be blamed.”
19 An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
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)
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”
1. “…by great endurance”
From ύπομονή (hupomonē) – ‘a remaining under’
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”
2. “…by afflictions”
Lit. ‘to crush or squeeze’
3. “…by hardships”
3. “…by hardships”
The ‘demands or necessities of human existence; the outward pressures from powers and circumstances’.
4. “…by difficulties [distresses]”
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”
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!
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)”
6. “…by labors (κόποις)”
7. “…by sleepless nights, by times of hunger.”
7. “…by sleepless nights, by times of hunger.”
III. A Reliance on the Power of God– (6:6-7)
III. A Reliance on the Power of God– (6:6-7)
1. “…by (in) purity”
1. “…by (in) purity”
2. “…by knowledge (understanding)”
2. “…by knowledge (understanding)”
3. “…by longsuffering (patience)”
3. “…by longsuffering (patience)”
From μακροθυμία (two words, macros –‘long’ and thumos – ‘heart, mind’).
4. “…by kindness”
4. “…by kindness”
5. “…by the Holy Spirit”
5. “…by the Holy Spirit”
Wait a minute! I thought we already have the Holy Spirit! You do. But do you walk by Him?
16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
There’s a choice involved!
6. “…by sincere love”
6. “…by sincere love”
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
7. “…by the word of truth” (NIV) - “…truthful speech”
7. “…by the word of truth” (NIV) - “…truthful speech”
8. “…by the POWER of God”
8. “…by the POWER of God”
The power of God is manifest, “…through weapons of righteousness!”
4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments
5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
IV. An Acceptance of the Paradoxes Experienced by Those in Ministry – (6:8-10)
IV. An Acceptance of the Paradoxes Experienced by Those in Ministry – (6:8-10)
You will be loved and hated at the same time!
15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
16 To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things?
Conclusion: Commitment, Reliance, and Acceptance.
Conclusion: Commitment, Reliance, and Acceptance.
That’s what it takes to be effective in service to the Lord: COMMITMENT, RELIANCE, and ACCEPTANCE!
The amazing thing is that by ourselves we could do NONE of these things, yet with the Holy Spirit, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
May God’s Holy Spirit fill us to this end. Amen!
