2 Corinthians 5:11-21- Motivations for ministry

Why do we do ministry? Why do we try to serve God? Why do we try to reach people? Why do we give?

It’s hard

Expensive

Dull

Feels Unrewarding

How do we continue?

After being treated poorly

Something fails

Seems like it is just unfruitful.

Whats our reason and our resolve to keep that reason?

Why do we do what we do?

It is in 2 Corinthians 5 that apostle Paul reminds of why and what we do!

God has commited to us a wonderful thing and it should transform our life!

GOD’S LOVE SHOULD CAUSE A COMPLETE CHANGE IN OUR LIFE!

It’s what motivated Paul and it should motivate us!

2 Cor 5:14 “14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”

Constrains= control, to poses hold of

-Does Gods love have a hold on our life and it if does what should that look like?

The extent of this constraint in Paul’s Ministry (2 Cor 5:11-14) - It is worth suffering for

-Paul has endured so much for Jesus as he seeks to persuade men .

(12) Paul is not bragging here either he is telling of his weakness, his trials, and his struggles, Paul wanted to give the Corinthians the chance to be proud of him (glory on our behalf).

Look at what he has endured.

2 Cor 11:23-27 “23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

Paul has suffered and worked tremendously!

He had worked and his work availed the opportunity for the Corinthians to glory in him.

2 Cor 5:12 “12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf,

Not to brag but to give God praise.

He was not reliant on their praise.

Live by their claps you’ll die by their criticism

God’s strength is made perfect in weakness!

He even reasons for his authenticity in ministry by his affliction in ministry.

2 Cor 5:12 that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.”

The Christians there had assumed that his willingness to suffer meant unwillingness to serve.

They had an issue of lifting up those who had attractiveness but not authenticity .

So much that people assumed he must be crazy.

Reference verse 13