Ministry, Truth, Gospel, Treasure

It was 1848 when Andrew Murray was ordained into the Dutch Reformed Church. With a remarkable 60-year ministry, he was one of the first Dutch Reformed pastors in South Africa following France’s colonial exit. He pastored four churches, wrote over 250 books, and established what is now today the largest mission agency in Africa -Serving In Mission. Through decades of war and peace, feast and famine, Gospel seed planting and harvest, he experienced all the emotional highs and lows you could imagine. Reflecting on his experiences, and why he didn’t just give up he wrote,

“Feeling always seeks something in itself; but faith keeps itself occupied with what Jesus is.… When feeling says, In myself, I am sinful; I am dark; I am weak; I am poor; I am sad, let faith say, In Christ, I am holy; I am light; I am strong; I am rich; I am joyful.”

Over 125 years later, those words still speak to us today. Faith has a way of binding us to Christ in a way that emotions do not. Emotions do tend to be driven by what we see with our own eyes running cold and hot and all levels in between as our circumstances change. At the same time, we don’t want to go back to the decades when Reformed folk were nicknamed the frozen chosen who showed little emotion. Faith should not be absent of feeling as the Psalmist reveals through many a varied Psalm. Faith at least is not a fleeting emotion that comes and goes. We can have a faith as firm as can be regardless of whether we are happy or sad, grateful or grieving or whatever emotion we experience…

In our text, we do not find a happy go lucky Paul but he is full of faith nonetheless. His ministry to the Corinthians in jeopardy - Competitors and critics have come on stage in Corinth. Among them were the Judaizers who pushed back against the Gospel. Corinth was also a city of philosophers and debaters who built their own reputations by character attacks. His critics thought it a weakness that Paul was not enriching himself off the people he ministered too. Paul also spoke to impossible things like resurrection, miracles and more highlighting a crucified criminal Jesus with no trace of him to be found. Clearly Paul is not happy about these issues – How could things get so off track? He is disappointed, hurt, and perhaps even a bit angry—and justifiably so.

Today we have similar concerns for the church at times. We grow anxious for loved ones who once did but no longer appear to have a relationship with Jesus. Others still cite their faith but in growing numbers feel they can no longer be part of a church congregation. We lament that the youngest of our generations alive right now see little relevance or importance for faith or worship. How could faith formation get so off track? Though we see God’s hand of blessing frequently in our midst, and we feel the love of God in this place and among each other -- other times we are concerned, hurt and worried – sort of a helpless feeling as to what our response should be. But thankfully faith still binds us to Christ and to each other in a way that emotions alone do not.

The answer is not to go Stoic – to keep a straight face as if nothing is bothering us so as not to show emotions or pain. In faith, we can be sincere about our concerns and cares for our families and our neighbors and our church. If anything – this congregation has modeled on more than one occasion the stronghold that it is – where it is safe to be transparent - bound in the confidence God will see to it faith will prevail.

That’s what Paul through the inspiration of the Spirit demonstrates so marvelously in this text highlighting the importance of remaining Christ-Centered by tying together Ministry, Truth, Gospel and Treasure.

Paul at this point had every reason to lose heart and give on the Corinthian ministry just as it seems at times we are ready to throw in the towel unable to keep up with life’s challenges. From the get-go, verse one is the anchor we need to ground us as Christians and as congregations in this world today. Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. Oppositions, disappointments, Paul had plenty of reason to lose heart and give up. But it is God’s ministry. It is God’s mercy and not a check list of result driven boxes that drives Paul to persevere. That’s true for us as well. God continues to advance the already here Kingdom of Christ. His church is the agent with a two fold ministry – journeying alongside existing believers to full maturity and also adding to that number by relaying the Gospel. Both parts of the ministry are important.