Gospel-Credibility and the Glory of God

What is the author doing with all of these? What is serving what? Overarching purpose?

Credibility

Loss

Prolonged breaking process

Why we don’t faint

Introduction:

One of the things that is lacking in today’s news broadcasting is credibility. Even when something is reported as credible, there seem to be factors that leave me, as a listener, skeptical about the sources.

Earlier this year, the Governor of Ohio tweeted that he had tested positive for Covid-19. Mind you, there is a lot of skepticism surrounding the whole testing process; and the fact that within less than a day Governor Dewine had to retract his publicized diagnosis. His retraction included the fact that the rapid test he’d taken was wrong.

This kind of an individual test along with the CDC’s, highly publicized report, which indicated that 94% of COVID deaths had prior conditions, leaves many hearers to be skeptical.

You can imagine how the Greek culture, with their pantheon of gods, their philosophical emphasis, and their material affluence led to many voices, who were exploiting the masses, and a twisted understanding of credibility. You see glimpses of this kind of influence in their identity politics which is exposed in I Corinthians 1.

Credibility does not look much different from today. If you have a voice, money, and a following then you may be considered as a credible individual. I mean, typically no one is asked to give advice who has a track record like the Apostle Paul — at least not in the public setting.

So, at the first word that discredited the Apostle Paul, it was highly persuasive to people who were within that culture.

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

2 Corinthians 3:1 KJV 1900

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

2 Corinthians 11:4 KJV 1900

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2 Corinthians 11:22 KJV 1900

Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

It would have been like an opiate to a recovering drug addict. Instead though, the drug they were recovering from was a drug that conflated true gospel-credibility with false cultural-credibility.

Gospel credibility looks completely opposite of worldly credibility. Credibility of those who are of the kingdom of God comes by persecution and difficulty. Even though we know this, it really is difficult to swallow. How often do you hear people boldly proclaim:

The Lord led you to deep suffering

Questions:

What must be true for your service to be gospel-credible?

++What is acceptable loss in gospel-credible ministry?

++Why does gospel-credible ministry involve a prolonged breaking process?

++Is God's glory really worth gospel-credible ministry?

++How do I not lose heart within gospel-credible ministry?

A consideration like this then should cause us to ask…:

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

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

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 preaching glory of Christ to the spiritually blinded (v. 3-5a)

(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 couplet verses give parameters to the key thought I will give you in a moment. They are like guard rails.

Guard rails for what? They are like guard rails as he explains what true gospel-credibility is like — involving the breaking of earthly houses - II Corinthians 4:7.

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

This is where gospel-credibility and worldly-credibility seem to conflict. Success in gospel is not the avoidance of persecution but the ongoing embracing of persecution. There is a little background to this perspective change that he is calling them to...

As part of Paul’s letter he confirms that the new covenant is more glorious than the old (II Corinthians 3:10-11). Accordingly, it is this hope that emboldens - II Corinthians 3:12. This has done a couple of things: (a) we have been set free through the Spirit (b) and we are being gloriously transformed by the Spirit.

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

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. In other words, we see the Spirit as the One who is there in the event that we go through trouble; but we are reticent to the idea that the Spirit may actually lead us into a path of sanctification that necessarily includes breaking.

Thought:

Gospel-ministry credibility is found as ministers embrace oppression. (II Corinthians 4:7-8) - hard-pressed but not cornered [NICOT] - “troubled”

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 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 credible?

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

Transition: With oppression comes the thought of loss, but is there acceptable loss in gospel ministry?

What is acceptable loss in gospel-credible ministry?

There are times when loss is unacceptable. For example, if the success of a project is at stake if someone or something is lost, then that may be considered an unacceptable loss.

According to the Standard - A Progressive Journal

An Acceptable loss is a military euphemism for casualties or destruction inflicted by the enemy that is considered minor or tolerable. It’s a mathematical calculation used to determine the risk of failure against the reward of victory. It is, by nature, an intellectual exercise, and not one for the faint of heart, better suited to a computer algorithm than to anyone with the flicker of a soul. It is a risk assessment concerned with achieving an objective based on the capricious cost of human life. [accessed, August 12, 2020]

In order to define what is an acceptable and unacceptable loss, there has to be a standard which is set. The standard may be general, but then there are parameters which are set to answer questions of tolerance. For example, “How much loss is acceptable?”

Paul answers the question of loss within the gospel ministry. There is a kind of loss that is part of gospel-credibility.

(*) II Corinthians 4:8 Notice that Paul does not deny loss - perplexed

2 Corinthians 4:8 KJV 1900

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

The term means: be at a loss, doubt, uncertain about resources

Here are a couple of alternative phrases that may help us understand what he is saying:

“we are at a loss, but not totally lost” [perplexed]

“we are stressed, but not stressed out”

“we are confused, but not at our wit’s end”

Paul does not deny the reality of the hardship as an apostle, and neither should we. Though there is a unique fulfillment with the Apostle Paul, this is tremendously instructive for us. Paul is showing how loss is actually a sign of ministry credibility.

Suffering loss, within the parameters we looked at (II Corinthians 4:1-6), is not complete but rather it actually serves the gospel ministry.

Loss, when we have handled the word of God with integrity

Loss, when we have preached the glory of Christ to the spiritually blinded

Loss, when we’ve preached the glorious lordship of Jesus Christ.

Goal:

Be encouraged that as a Christian all losses in gospel ministry are not complete losses. All is not lost.

His glory is worth my temporary loss.

His glory means that my loss is never really a complete loss.

Conclusion:

Illustration: Jim and Elizabeth Elliot - NT Times Article: Elisabeth Elliot, Tenacious Missionary in Face of Tragedy, Dies at 88

Acceptable loss in gospel ministry is that which our Lord deems necessary for us to lose so that others may live to His glory.

So, as you consider your current lot as a gospel minister within any sphere, consider that this means loss, but not complete loss.

This means that there is a loss to the accolades of other men/women, for the sake of gospel advancement.

This means that there may be a loss of physical health.

This means that there may be a loss of the outward man.

This means that there may be the loss of being remembered.

It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that is the standard for acceptable loss.

Transition: Gospel credibility necessarily involves oppression and acceptable loss, but why drag it out?

Why does gospel-credible ministry involve a prolonged breaking process?

It is absolutely true that we live in a time when waiting is not typically considered a virtue. In spite of this cultural and human reality, it is especially true when what is being dragged out is some kind of suffering or trouble.

Illustration:

You all understand the “let’s get it over with” mindset. You go to get a flu shot. Let’s get it over with. You require life-saving surgery because of cancer. Let’s get it over with. Something as simple as removing tape from covered lips. You can peel it slowly and painfully, or you can pull the tape fast. “Let’s get it over with” is more than just a phrase. It is a way of life.

When suffering is prolonged or when trouble is dragged out, we often wonder, why? We are not asking “Why the trouble?” always; but we are asking, “Why so long?”

(*) II Corinthians 4:9 Notice that Paul recognizes the reality of this incomplete destruction

With the word “persecuted” Paul is saying that he is being put to flight like a hunted animal. Contrasted with this is the fact that he is not forsaken. One of the beautiful things about this phrase is put by another (NIGTC) as,

“we are persecuted by men, but never abandoned by God”

This is tremendously good news.

With the phrase “cast down” he means that he is knocked down. This is contrasted with “but not destroyed”. He is knocked down, but he is not knocked out. The honest truth is that there are times when it seems that it would be easier to be knocked out or to be destroyed. So, why the delay?

Illustration:

The biblical narrative is full of stories where we could ask a similar question.

Why make Abraham wait until he is 100?

Why make Joseph wait at least 13 years through prison?

Why make Israel wait 430 years?

Why such delays?

All four of the participles that are used by Paul in II Corinthians 4:8-9 still do not answer the question which I have posited, and honestly, they may be perceived as negative, if they are prolonging suffering.

Why is is necessary that the breaking process be prolonged?

As one man put it because, “through the cracks divine light shines to enlighten others.” (NAC)

Consider that the process is part of God’s plan.

Consider that gospel credibility comes through the prolonged breaking process.

Illustration: This is the scandal of Jesus Christ, right? It was not a warring King who rode into Jerusalem upon a White Horse to topple Roman occupation. It was the suffering Servant who rode in upon a donkey, and it is through his suffering and brokenness that life is ultimately brought about.

Conclusion:

You see, for Paul the crucified Christ was not merely a message to be preached but a model to be emulated.

There is a glory which the Lord has placed within his people:

II Corinthians 3:7-11 - it is an exceeding glory which is within us

II Corinthians 3:18 - it is a sanctifying glory which is within us

II Corinthians 4:3, 5-6 - it is the glory of God in the good news (Jesus Christ)

II Corinthians 4:7 - The prolonged breaking process is so that we can continue to a have physical life, through which eternal life is manifested to others. II Corinthians 4:12

Why?

II Corinthians 4:15 - Because of His glory.

As our body is spent, we learn to deal with trouble in a way that is empowered by God’s Spirit to persevere. This persistence in gospel ministry provides glimpses of the glorious gospel of the glorious God.

So at the end, you are left with one final question of introspection:

Is God’s glory really worth gospel-credible ministry?

Is the glory of God worth the the physical wear?

Is the glory of God worth the acceptable losses?

Is the glory of God worth the fearful encounters?

Is the glory of God worth feeling abandoned?

Is the glory of God worth the emotional ups/downs?

Is the glory of God worth the verbal berating from parents?

Is the glory of God worth the difficult encounters with coworkers?

Is the glory of God worth juggling a busy schedule?

Is the glory of God worth the meager pay for such a life?

Gospel-credibility necessarily means oppression, which involves acceptable loss, which is prolonged for the advancement of the glory of God.

Is the glory of God really worth this kind of credibility?

Final Point:

How do I not lose heart within gospel-credible ministry? II Corinthians 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Illustration:

In the television show “Survivor” they put individuals in a remote location with limited sustenance for 39 days. During this experience, they occasionally have these auctions where they will give each contestant hundreds of dollars. The game show host reveals what they are auctioning and then begins to accept bids. Some of the contestants bid $500.00 on a sub sandwich! Whatever is being auctioned off is typically shown first before bids are taken, but On occasion, the game show host will keep whatever he is auctioning off covered and begin taking bids. The contestants have to bid “sight unseen.”

This is NOT what it means to live a gospel-credible life. The LORD is not saying that if you persevere through difficulty, I have a surprise waiting for you — may be good or may be bad. Notice that Paul says...

(1) We don’t lose heart because we have cause to believe (v. 13 - faith) in the eternal result (v. 16 connected with 14-15) - II Corinthians 4:13-16

2 Corinthians 4:13–16 KJV 1900

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

(2) The eternal aspiration (v. 14-15) strengthens the inner man day by day (v. 16). - II Corinthians 4:14-16

2 Corinthians 4:14–16 KJV 1900

14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Illustration:

Back to the game of survivor — the contestants are playing for 1 million dollars. This hunger for this kind of money motivates people to lie, cheat, steal, and verbally abuse one another. It is this end result that they see as worth the process.

We know that 1 million dollars not a lofty goal in light of eternity. 1 million dollars and the love of money cannot be compared to the eternal glory of the eternal God. Yet, though we know this to be true, many of us set our eyes quite low for the sake of making it through the day, through the week, through the month, and through the year.

For some, our goal is simply to make it through the day so that we can get relief. May I ask you, what are you comparing the relief at the end of your day to? Is the relief at the end of the day a strong enough motivator for effective gospel-suffering ministry during the day?

For some, our goal is to make it through the end of the week, so that we can get the relief of the weekend. May I ask you, what are you comparing the relief at the end of your week to? Is the relief at the end of the week a strong enough motivator for effective gospel-suffering ministry during your week?

For some, our goal is to make through to vacation, so that we can get the relief of the vacation. May I ask you, what are you comparing the relief on your vacation to? Is the relief of your vacation a strong enough motivator for effective gospel-suffering ministry during your year?

We try to find strength by maintaining our perspective too low.

(3) [How is the inward man renewed day by day?] We fix our eyes on the surpassing eternal glory that far outweighs momentary troubles. (v. 17-18a) - II Corinthians 4:17-18

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 KJV 1900

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(4) [Why would we fix our eyes on what far outweighs momentary troubles?] Objective Truth: “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - Based on what? Christ, the image of God. (v. 4) II Corinthians 4:18, 4

2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV 1900

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

This statement could be speaking of many things, if we did not have some kind of tether. The opening of the chapter is a tether. II Corinthians 4:4

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 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.

Summary: We don’t lose heart because Jesus Christ, the very image of God, has confirmed that what is not seen is eternally real and is far more glorious than what is seen.

Illustration:

Back to the show of Survivor. They have blind auctions to challenge the mental status and decision-making of those who are weakened through the events of the show. The blind auction is a kind of mental and emotional challenge. How much would you pay, sight unseen.

For the Christian, this is not a blind auction. Jesus Christ has left an undeniable imprint in creation, conscience, history, in your life. We are sure the the end result of God’s eternal glory is worth the present investment.

Gospel-credibility does not look so credible in light of this moment, but gospel-credibility is worth this moment of affliction in view of the glory of eternity. Keep the eternal glory of God perspective.