This Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not

Misunderstood “words”

Baptism

Fellowship

Minister

Minister = Servant

The Call of Ministry

Not always a voice from heaven, or a burning bush

Paul’s Ministry

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6. who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20. We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.

The Work of Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry…

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake

1 Corinthians 1:23 “we preach Christ crucified”

We Preach Not Ourselves

1 Corinthians 9:16-17 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. 17. For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.

We have...

• 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;

• Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Colossians 1:25-29 whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God, 26. even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints, 27. to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28. whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; 29. whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

2 Corinthians 4:6 Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ

A Light in the

Darkness

Pressed On Every Side

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9. pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10. always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body

WE FAINT NOT

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 17. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;

Paul did not lose heart • He did not shrink back

– Hebrews 10:38-39

• 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

HOW WILL YOU RECEIVE THE WORD?

• Will you resist obeying the gospel?

• Will you turn off the message?

• Will you argue against the truth?

Attitude Toward Preachers

• Suspicious?• Ignore them?• Pick at them?• Ridicule them?

Or do I Listen?

• Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thesslonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

Colossians 1:24-27 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church; 25. whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God, 26. even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints, 27. to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: