This Glorious Ministry

Intro:

One of the great things about our church is how missions-minded it is

Sometimes though, we do not realize how amazing it is that we get to have a part in this ministry

2 Corinthians 4:1–6 KJV 1900

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We have been given a ministry (vs. 1-2)

What is this ministry?

Who also hath made us able mministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Moses, the Bible says, had a ministry of condemnation

Why was that? He was given the law

Think back to the story of Moses and the ten commandments - it is a glorious story

This is a glorious story

Moses tells the people not to even touch Mount Sinai

A thick cloud comes on the mountain, there is thunder and lightning, the sound of a trumpet - it’s terrifying!

Then Moses goes up the mountain

He is up there for 40 days

Then he comes down, and he is literally glowing

But what Moses got when he came down was not good news

He had been given the law - the law condemns

Moses had a ministry of death

We have been given grace: we give life and righteousness

All Christians have been given this ministry Christians are saved to serve (cf. ). Christianity is not a “what’s in it for me” focus as much as “what can I do for others because of what Christ has done for me” focus. Paul served and called to service This isn’t optional (; )

We all are to be involved in this

In the area we live

And around the world This ministry has been given to us in mercy God in His kindness has entrusted us to do thisWe don’t always realize the privilege we get in thisHe could have given it to angels, but they do not understand grace and mercy His mercy causes us to not give up in preaching the Gospel So we do not give up in doing this work, because it is God who kindly gave it to usUnderstanding His mercy helps us to be ministers of mercy, it helps us be ministers of the Spirit and of righteousnessIf God can be merciful to me, he can be merciful to anyone! His mercy tells us to do ministry in the right way (vs. 2) We will not be dishonest – Prosperity Gospel is in ChinaWe won’t be deceptive We won’t water down the BibleWe openly, plainly and boldly preach so that God as our witness, we will only speak the truth so others will be sure we can be trusted The lost are in a horrible condition (vs. 3-4) We have preached the Gospel in such a way, if they are lost, it is because they have hardened their hearts -16The Law and Prophets speak of Christ but the Jews can’t see it!Their heart is hardened – Li Yue not believing Not only are their hearts veiled but Satan has blinded their minds Satan’s goal is to destroy those who bear God’s imageHe blinds their mind so they won’t believeSatan only has so many lies – All that matters is this life, work to get a better

And around the world

This ministry has been given to us in mercy

God in His kindness has entrusted us to do this

We don’t always realize the privilege we get in this

He could have given it to angels, but they do not understand grace and mercy

His mercy causes us to not give up in preaching the Gospel

So we do not give up in doing this work, because it is God who kindly gave it to us

Understanding His mercy helps us to be ministers of mercy, it helps us be ministers of the Spirit and of righteousness

If God can be merciful to me, he can be merciful to anyone! His mercy tells us to do ministry in the right way (vs. 2)

We will not be dishonest – Prosperity Gospel is in China

We won’t be deceptive We won’t water down the Bible

We openly, plainly and boldly preach so that God as our witness, we will only speak the truth so others will be sure we can be trusted

The lost are in a horrible condition (vs. 3-4)

We have preached the Gospel in such a way, if they are lost, it is because they have hardened their hearts -16

The Law and Prophets speak of Christ but the Jews can’t see it!

Their heart is hardened – Li Yue not believing

Not only are their hearts veiled but Satan has blinded their minds

Satan’s goal is to destroy those who bear God’s image

He blinds their mind so they won’t believe

Satan only has so many lies – All that matters is this life, work to get a better after life

afterlife

We Preach Christ (vs. 5-6)

Preaching Jesus Still Saves! (vs. 5-6)

First we see what we don't preach: ourselves

We have nothing that can save anyone I know I can't save China, America, Crystal, Evie, Maddox, myself I needed Jesus

Without Jesus, we have nothing

If Jesus did not die on the cross then our faith is in vain

If Jesus did not die on the cross then our faith is in vain We have no reason to meet No reason to sing No reason to go We are yet in our sins and offer nothing of any true eternal value

We have no reason to meet No reason to sing

No reason to go

We are yet in our sins and offer nothing that can save a soul

But we do know that he came to this earth

He came and lived a perfect life He died on the cross not for anything he had done but for my sins

He came and lived a perfect life

He died on the cross not for anything he had done but for my sins

When he died it was not just for my sins but for all men's sins

When he said, "it is finished" he meant it

He was the propitiation not just for my sins but the sins of the world He died as much for me as he did anyone else

He was the propitiation not just for my sins but the sins of the world

He died as much for me as he did anyone else

So you can find someone here and tell them Christ loved them while they were sinners and died for them

And you can come to China and tell them: 为了你的罪耶稣基督死了，因为祂爱你，所以祂替你惩罚

E. There is no greater message than this!

There is no greater message than this!

1. We have a message that no religion in the world can match

We have a message that no religion in the world can match

a) Only two religions in this world: I’ve been to many places: so

Only two religions in this world: I’ve been to many places: so many people working to get to heaven

many people working to get to heaven

No political message can save souls

b) No political message can save souls

No financial plan can save a soul

c) No financial plan can save a soul

No self-help book can save a soul

d) No self-help book can save a soul

We have hope because we know God can save

Imagine this: there was nothing

In this nothing, God made everything

This is where we start with the Chinese in our Bible studies

That is power we can't understand because we cannot do it

That power to make light shine out of darkness is the same power to make the gospel shine in the hearts of men

It doesn't matter how blind, delusional, hard hearted someone may be, God can save them We do look at people and think God can't save them

They are too religious

They are too religious Too worldly I've talked to them and they want nothing Like Ryan, too smart, an atheist, doesn't want it

Too worldly I've talked to them and they want nothing

They’re Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Atheists

It says we know this in the verse If God can save me then he save anyone!

I was just as lost

I was just as lost Just as in need of a Savior Yet God saved me so he can save anyone I am no more deserving

Just as in need of a Savior

Yet God saved me so he can save anyone

I am no more deserving

I know God can save not just because of me but I’ve seen him do it

Have you lost hope?

Is there someone lost you know that you know and it seems they will never get saved?

Have you lost hope? Don't! God can save them - if he can save you then he can save them

If there's one thing you can do, you can pray

They might not listen to you anymore but they can't get anyway from God

If there is one great example, it is memaw Who can you pray for?

Maybe this morning, someone is praying for you

Christ died for all men and God can save any man