Ministry
Introduction
Serving Jesus is tough
You can face rejection
There are disappointments
Satan opposes the Christian
Serving Jesus is a great privilege
2 Corinthians – a sense of difficulty/hardship but …
We do not work alone
We have Christ is in us
We have the energising power of the Holy Spirit
We have the love of God
We have the love, prayer and fellowship of God’s people
We see God’s work prospering throughout the world
Paul was significantly persecuted
He had the threat of death upon him
He knew what it was to be abandoned
Example of Spurgeon
He faced pain
He founded the church of Corinth – but there was much here to cause heartache
Yet he thanked God for the Corinthian church
To date:
Chapter 1 – Paul’s comfort in suffering
He could boast with a clear conscience – 1 Cor 1:12
He was certain in the promises of God
Chapter 2 – He exhorted the church
To bring the disciplined repentant back into fellowship
Tonight:
Lessons we learn in ministry
Serving is about following the leading of God (v12-13)
A quick reading suggests Paul is abandoning his post
Let us think this through
He must have tested the door
How would he know a door was opened unless he had been preaching and seen God’s response
He says that God opened the door
We can be thankful that we have doors opened to us
He had no rest in his spirit
Because he could not find Titus
Did he feel alone in Troas as a preacher?
Was he concerned for Titus?
Paul had sent a letter with Titus to the Corinthians
Perhaps he so loved the Corinthians?
Is it right to listen to our feelings?
We should not be controlled by our feelings – examples
When we are not right/troubled in spirit
We are not told the reason – but he had been to Troas before
Remember the man in the vision
A church had been found in Troas – Acts 20
We are to be fruitful where we are, but if God moves us on, we are to move on
It is wise to consult with others
Ultimately, we must follow God’s leading
Example of Jonah
Serving is about being the fragrance of Christ (v14-16)
This is our chief calling
To be the fragrance of Christ – by diffusing His knowledge in every place
Even if we make mistakes, God can overrule
If God is for us, who can be against us
Example of a triumphal procession
Perhaps Paul has this picture in mind
We must not have a defeatist spirit
Yes, there are some that reject the gospel
This does not diminish our salvation
We are to be a fragrance first to God
Paul always lived before God
What about us?
Our sufficiency is from God (v16)
Many will reject
The gospel divides – some believe, some reject
Example of Josh Wallis – may this help us to spread the gospel
Serving is about being sincere (v17)
Motive matters more than action
Sincere love for God and souls?
Some were "peddling" the gospel" – wanting influence, power and money
We live before God – our one motive is to please Him
People knew Paul and his companion’s character
What about us?
Do we serve before God?
Let us be sincere at all time
Serving is evidenced by changed live (3:1-3)
Paul does not need commendation
God’s work in Corinth was clear
Their sincere ministry has had an impact on people’s lives
Our ministry needs to have impact/effect upon others
Personal example
As human beings we often see change over months and years
Christian growth is like this
The evidence of the Corinthians changes lives – is proof of their ministry
1 Thess 1:8
May our Christian service results in impact upon others
Serving is about dependance on the Lord (v4-6)
Paul had such trust in Christ
Not a proud spirit
This faith has come from God
Through the trials
They had genuine faith
They had learnt to trust God more and more
God had enabled them
The trusted in the Holy Spirit
2 Cor 9:8
Do you feel limited in resources?
There is an abundance of grace in God
"We can do all things through Him who strengthens me" – Phil 4:13
Closing Remarks