Life-Long Service

Intro:

2 Corinthians 6:1–3 NKJV

1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.

Tonight as we continue our series on 2 Corinthians, entitled, [Matters of the Heart], I want to speak on the subject of [Life-Long Service].

In a survey conducted with people over the age of 95, the question was asked, “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” The top answers fell into three categories.

They said they would, 1) reflect more, 2) risk more, and 3) do more things that would live on after death.

I have always been intrigued and interested in longevity. When I was seven or eight years old, we visited my great-great aunt Roxie. She was 98 at the time and lived to be 102. She was born on Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state.

I was enthralled with her stories about our family. Living nearly a century, she had life-long wisdom to give us concerning many aspects of life.

But what I love even more than long life, is when I meet someone who have lived for Jesus the majority of their lives. It is one thing to have long life, it is another thing to live for and serve Jesus throughout our lives.

As a young minister and now as a pastor, God has blessed me with people in my life who have been faithful to the Lord for decades. I love to get around retired pastors who weathered many storms, yet learned how to stand strong.

One pivotal event took place when I was twenty-one. I am sure I have shared this story before, but it bears repeating. I was at Harvest Christian Center in Park Hills for a Fellowship Meeting.

Instead of a service, Pastor Dwight Jones had a panel of three long-term pastors. He wanted them to share about their life and ministry.

The three men were Brother Dean Heady, Brother Gary Petty, and Brother Cuneio. All three shared about some of the highs and lows of life in ministry.

At the end, Pastor Jones asked if anyone had a question. Would you believe that I was the first to raise my hand?

At twenty-one years old, I asked, how did you make it and not quit? I know many people my age who have started really strong, but did not finish. I have seen people so far in my life start in ministry and quit as soon as it gets hard.

Before the three men could answer, another retired pastor, Brother Hugh Cerutti from Farmington First, spoke up, his words never left me.

He explained, “I am not on this panel, but I have an answer. I have been through really good times and really bad times, but I never quit or wavered because I knew I was called. I knew that because God called me He would never fail me and never leave me. If you know you are called, then you will always be able to make it no matter what you face.”

Those words have never left me. I left that meeting with a determination to give God life-long service!

When one gets saved and begins to serve the Lord, there is a euphoric feeling that everything will ALWAYS be great and that problems will never come.

Sure we know they happen, but if you are like me, I am normally blindsided when it happens to me. But we have hope in the words of Paul to the church in Corinth.

After informing the reader that we are ambassadors for Christ, sent on assignment for Him, he tells us as workers how we are to live.

We must NEVER take God’s grace in vain. We have sang the song many times,

“Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

God has been so good to us in extending His grace for us, NOW is the acceptable time to live a life that pleases God. Because we are saved, we should commit to God, I want life-long service.

I want to stay with you in the good and the bad times. What are the attributes of life-long servants? What does God look for in life-long servants? [Servants that are Sincere] and [Servants that are Set Apart].

Let’s begin

1. Servants that are Sincere

2 Corinthians 6:3–10 NKJV

3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

2 Corinthians 6:3–10 NKJV

3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

I am thankful the

Have you ever been around a person that is fake? Someone that is insincere? They say all the right things, but do not live what they speak?

There is nothing more damaging to our Christian testimony and our service to the Lord that insincerity. Christians who say one thing and act another way are taking God’s grace in vain.

Remember part of the problem in Corinth. There were false teachers who spread lies about Paul and his ministry. They questioned in credentials, his motives, and his integrity.

Paul let them know, we have given no reason for people to question our sincerity. We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us!

That is not to say that Paul’s life was perfect and without problems. In the passage we read, he described a few types of struggles that he faced.

He faced internal struggles. The pressures of ministry caused him to become stressed and emotionally drained.

He faced external struggles.

He faced external struggles. He was beat, imprisoned, and faced intense violence for his leadership in the church.

He faced sleepless nights, hard labor, and hunger because of having little.

Nevertheless, he maintained sincere service to the Lord. He understood that his worst day as a follower of Jesus was better than his best day as a sinner!

So he maintained sincerity in his words and conduct. He chose to live a life of purity, patience, kindness, and understanding.

He made sure he practiced what he preached, by the power of Holy Spirit always clothing himself with the armor of God. The NLT says he kept the weapons of righteousness for attack in his right hand and for defense in his left hand.

He characterized his ministry in a series of ups and downs:

by dishonor and by glory

by evil reports and by good reports

by deceivers yet he was tru

as unknown yet well known

as dying yet behold we live

as punished yet not put to death

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing

as poor yet making may rich

as having nothing yet possessing all things through Christ

How could Paul, who experienced both extremes of living for Jesus stay faithful and serve God? He was sincere in his faith and he knew that the Lord would never fail.

Because he was a threat to the enemy, he understood that attacks were inevitable, but he would not allow the attacks to define him. He was defined by the grace of God, which he refused to take in vain.

How can we become life-long servants? God is looking for servants that are sincere!

2. Servants that are Set Apart

2 Corinthians 6:11–13 NKJV

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

Notice the emphasis of the words, O CORINTHIANS! Paul loved this church, but many had been influenced by false teachers who spewed lies and deceit.

They were not sincere in their devotion to the Lord, instead, it was all about what was good for them. Many of them had closed their hearts and minds to the truth.

Paul begged them, I am being more open and vulnerable in this letter than ever before, so please open your hearts and minds to what the Lord wants to speak to you.

What was one of their problems? As they had closed themselves off from Paul they were forsaking good and Godly relationships with bad partnerships!

2 Corinthians 6:14–16 NKJV

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

They chose to be reserved in their relationship with Paul as they entered personal relationships with unbelievers. The idea of being unequally yoked dates back to the days of Moses in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 22:10 NKJV

10 “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.

Oxen and donkeys pull differently, so plowing a straight line was nearly impossible. Likewise, when Christians partner and get into close relationship with unbelievers they align themselves with people who have:

Deuteronomy

different goals

different worldviews,

different methods,

and different beleifs

Why is this a problem? Light and darkness cannot coexist. God and Satan are not compatible. Therefore, can a believer and an unbeliever partner?

1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Look at the biblical track record:

Adam/Even listened to the serpent and sin entered the world

Abel showed his sacrifice to Cain, who became jealous and he was murdered

Samson got close Delilah and he lost his supernatural power

David invited Bathsheba and murder, lies, and conspiracy followed

Solomon married hundreds of foreign wives and the kingdom of Israel split in two

King Jehoshaphat aligned with evil King Ahab and he almost lost his life

As servants of God we have to live a sanctified life. To be sanctified means to be set apart! I have watched many people in my life get close to the wrong people and before too long, they laid out of church, fell into sin, and now are far from God.

Psalm 1:1 NKJV

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

Psalm 1:1–6 NKJV

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Paul confirms this as he continues his explanation on the important of being set apart.

2 Corinthians 6:16–18 NKJV

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Corinthians 6:16–18 NKJV

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Paul urges believers to avoid close, personal, and intimate relationships with unbelievers, especially in matters of marriage or business.

Notice, Paul is not discussing casual acquaintances or areas where we are attempting to witness and lead someone to the Lord, that is our responsibility.

However, Paul does not want us entangled with those who could compromise our walk with Jesus. We must remember we are temples of the Holy Spirit and God promises:

I will dwell with them

I will walk among them

I will be their God

They shall be my people

I will welcome you

and I will be a Father to you!

When we compare what we have with Jesus versus what we risk without Him, I want to do what God called: COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE!

That is not a position of arrogance, rather it is our identity as followers of Christ!

It grieves my heart when I watch Christians try to see what they can get away with and still go to heaven. We are not proponents of legalism, a list of manmade rules and regulations.

However, we also realize we should not try to live like they world and still expect heaven on earth. Life-long servants of God realize what they have gained with Jesus, so they choose not to partner with the sins of this world!

Close:

One of the best decision we could ever make is to follow Jesus. However, we must always remember, following Jesus is a lifelong commitment!

As followers of Christ, we have agreed to become servants in His Kingdom! We are indentured to Him as long as we live. Therefore, we must serve Him with sincerity and as people who are set apart.

I want to conclude with something that I believe is very important, especially as Pentecostal people. God wants us to live a set apart life!

However, being set apart or sanctified does not mean that we have a list of manmade rules and regulations.

We are not legalistic, instead all that we do flows from our love and relationship with the Lord.

In the early days of the Pentecostal movement in the United States, men couldn’t wear shorts, women couldn’t wear pants, make up, or cut hair.

As time went on, Pentecostals were not supposed to have tv and they could not go to basketball or sporting events! Based on these lists we would all be in trouble!

While the people were sincere in their time period, we know that as followers of Jesus who are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we live our lives out of the goodness of what God has done for us!

We do not do what we do out of obligation, but out of our sincere love for the Lord!

We come to church not because we have to, but because we get to

We pray, not because we have to but because we get to

We read the word

We praise and worship

and we serve God as set apart people with sincerity

Therefore, let us never get discouraged or doubt God’s love for us, but always remember:

Galatians 6:9 NKJV

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Colossians 3:23–24 NKJV

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

We stay faithful, we stay consistent, we stay hungry, and we stay committed to the Lord and His plan for our lives!

If we do, we will be lifelong servants and one day God will honor us for living set apart and serving Him with sincerity!