Gospel Ministry Creds

Introduction:

At the end of this year , what must be true for you to count your service to be successful?

Context of II Corinthians 3:1, 11:4, 22,

(1) Gospel ministry is a gift to be handled with integrity (v. 1-2)

What does II Corinthians 6:1-7, 14 mean?

Transparently handling the word of God, at a minimum means that we will preach/teach the gospel faithfully, and we will teach/preach the gospel implications contextually.

(2) Gospel ministry is the necessary revelation of the image of God to the spiritually blinded (v. 3-4)

(3) Gospel ministry is about the power/glory of God through the Lordship of Jesus (v. 5-6)

Gospel ministry is a gift from God, a manifestation of the image of God, and by the power of the Creator God. These three couplets give parameters to the key thought I will give you in a moment. They are like guard rails.

While we may see trouble/suffering as intrinsic to the gospel itself, we may not see the connection between suffering and the power of the Spirit of God in our lives.

How does the power of the Spirit of God help us to see and respond to suffering in Christian ministry?

What is the relationship between suffering and the power of the Spirit in Paul’s writing? (II Corinthians 3:1-3, 4:16-17)

The Spirit of God enables boldness towards gospel suffering. Suffering is a mark of credibility in gospel ministry.

Thought:

Gospel-ministry credibility is found as ministers embrace oppression. (II Corinthians 4:8)

Illustration:

Press in basketball. 2-2-1. As a team, we initially did not like to be pressed because we knew what the intention of the other team was. But, our coach taught us how to break a press, and if you know how to effectively break a press, it is easy points because the other team cannot defend their basket as easily. Thus, in basketball, we learned to embrace the press, break through the press, and score more points.

In like manner, we as Christian ministers who are not apostles should see embrace oppression, knowing that God’s gospel work is more readily manifested through oppression.

At the end of this year , what must be true for you to count your service to be successful?

If we embrace oppression as a means for credible gospel ministry.