‘The Significance Of A New Creation’--XIV—2Corinthians 5:9--6:10...
14. The PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY-B—2Corinthians 6:3-10...
Part B of point 14 in the series.
Attention:
Sunday morning Worship at FBC of Carrabelle(or anywhere for that matter) is very much more than may meet the eye. It requires a great deal of work on the part of many so that many more may enjoy the experience of worship!
No matter how we worship together corporately, much more is required to bring about the actuality than may be considered/grasped by the receivers of such.
A true Christian receives a new nature.
Need:
*The key to our verses is 2Cor. 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Paul clarified the significance of being a new creation in Christ to the Corinthian church.
There is great significance to being a new creation in Christ.
14 significations/signifiers of being a new creation in Christ.
Previously we have found that A new creation is significant in its New...
1. PLEASUREs(5:9)
2. RECEPTION(5:10)
3. PERSUASION(5:11)
4. OPPORTUNITY(5:12)
5. SOUND INSANITY(5:13)Risk
6. LOVE(5:14-15)
7. CONSIDERATIONS(5:16)
8. NEWNESS/Creativeness(5:17)
9. RELATIONSHIP--Reconciliation(5:18-19)
10. INSTRUMENTATION/Mediation(5:20)
11. RIGHTEOUSNESS(5:21)
12. VIEW Of VANITY(6:1)
13. URGENCY(6:2)
14. PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY(6:3-10)
A. OFFENSE & BLAME(6:3)
B. MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS(6:4ff.)
i. Patience(6:4)
And as part of the Significance of this New Creation, Today we will see that Paul Commended his apostolic ministry & Timothy’s ministry to the Corinthian church thru a concise list of Practical Realities within which he operated.
The significance of being a new creation in Christ is played out in the Practical Realities of Ministry.
We are going to examine the significance of these Practical Realities one-by-one.
& So far we have seen that...
the PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY(6:3-10) are manifested in...
B. MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS(6:4ff.)
i. Patience(6:4)
**Last Sunday, it was pointed out to me that I had seemingly associated a legitimate question, “Well, what do you think about this...” as a springboard to gossip.
I never intended that it was wrong to question anything. Cults do that! Closed minds require that! It is the motive/attitude behind the question that can covertly draw an unsuspecting & ‘innocent’ person(in relation to the issue at hand) into a potentially slanted/‘gossip’ situation.
God’s people are to judge/determine/weigh situations, but we are to always do so effectively & efficiently according to God’s bases of right, wrong, & heart’s motivation(righteous judgment—Jn. 7:24).
Jn. 7:23-24—“If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
*And making such judgments requires much “Patience” on the part of the minister who would have their ministry commendable before God & man.
The whole reason we do what we do as a church is to cause you to consider/think on Jesus as the ultimate answer to all your questions!
14—A new creation is significant in the...
PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY-B(6:3-10)
B. MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS(6:4ff.)(CONT...)
A 2nd Commendation as ministers of God...
“in tribulations”
Comes by means of “tribulations.” i.e. A Commendable Ministry is delivered in the package of “tribulations.”
‘Pressures’(plural) & troubles are manifold & continual for the one serious about their “ministry.”
“Tribulations” can cause us to doubt & question our belief system. They can also cause us to be paranoid about our brothers & sisters in Christ. But such spiritual ‘conspiracy theory’ is wholly sinful...Because it assumes, & is built on the premise, that life is to be easy & pleasant(Health & Wealth preaching) & that base (fleshly)worldly endeavors such as money, power, control, etc., are the central controllers of decision-making by God’s holy called-out people(the Church), locally & otherwise! Such ‘assumes’ for any particular minister, that God’s will is of ‘secondary importance’ to fleshly/worldly satisfaction! What an insult that is for a true minister operating in the Holy Spirit!
*All who minister in any way, must be aware of the constant ‘pressure’ to compromise personally, inwardly & outwardly with the world.
It is certain that there are people who are NOT called of God to their specific ministry, & that, as a result, worldly pressures are given more credence & can indeed drive one’s determinations! We can get away with this on an ‘event-type’ of level, but it is seen in all its ingloriousness when employed at a sustained level!...
*For that reason, those brothers & sisters in the church who involve themselves in a multitude of tasks should be some of the foremost ones in the church’s prayers!...Along with those who are standoffish regarding any involvement!
“Tribulation”(Pressure) is Real...& presents Real struggles for the minister of God! Meeting “tribulations” by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus is a commendation of ministry.
2Cor. 1:3-7—“Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies & God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation & salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation & salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.”
2Cor. 12:1-10—“It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions & revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise & heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
?Do your/my TRIBULATIONS commend your/my ministry...
OR do they negate it?
“Tribulations/Afflictions/Troubles”—yliqiv—Noun Fem.—1) A pressing, pressing together, pressure; 2) metaph.--Oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits. Ylipsiv according to its derivation means pressure. In its figurative sense it is that which presses upon the spirit, affliction. Strong—Pressure(literally or figuratively).
A 3rd Commendation as ministers of God...
“in needs”
Comes by means of “needs/necessities.” i.e., A Commendable Ministry is delivered in the package of “needs.”
These are personal & may arise due to the fact that ministry in general, & apostolic ministry specifically, is not intended as a ‘for profit’ job &/or career choice to be made ‘on a whim.’ It is to be decided & entered into as God specifically calls.
And as such, it is supernaturally rife with hardship. These come to the minister per circumstantial pressures. It speaks of the constraint(s) inherent to God-driven & purposeful living.
We call all kinds of things”needs” when they are actually wants, desires, or lusts of the flesh.
?Do your NEEDS commend your ministry...
OR do they negate it?
“Needs/Necessities/Hardships”—anagkh—Noun Dative Plural Fem.—1) Necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one's advantage, custom, argument; 2) Calamity, distress, straits. Strong—Constraint(literally or figuratively); by implication--Distress.
From—ana—Preposition—1) Into the midst, in the midst, amidst, among, between. Strong—a primary preposition & adverb; properly--Up; but by extension(used distributively)--Severally, or locally--At(etc.).—& the base of—agkalh—from agkov(a bend, "ache"); An arm(as curved). English=‘Amid bending’
A 4th Commendation as ministers of God...
“in distresses”
Comes by means of “distresses.” i.e., A Commendable Ministry is delivered in the package of “distresses.”
As with ministry’s pressures/tribulations, there are narrow & dire circumstances which color & confine the minister’s civic/social freedoms.
These may come upon us by—correspondingly narrowing legalistic &/or unrestrained(‘no-holds-barred’) liberal views of others—both of which others may either knowingly or unknowingly apply to us personally in the exercise of our particular ministry.
Men may put the minister & his/her ministry in a box but God simultaneously opens both to new horizons!
God seeks Not penance but repentance!
Preferably “distresses” come to us by means of our commitment to God—Thru committing to His way, His path, His design, His purpose,... we willingly & supernaturally limit ourselves to operate within the confines of God’s will in His redemption of mankind thru faith.
Illustration:—A single bathroom or small kitchen for a large family!
?Do your DISTRESSES commend your ministry...
OR do they negate it?
“Distresses”—stenocwria—Noun Dative Plural Fem.—1) Narrowness of place, a narrow place; 2) metaph.--Dire calamity, extreme affliction. Stenocwria meant originally a narrow, confined space. It denotes affliction as arising from cramping circumstances. In use it cannot always be distinguished from ylipsiv, but it is ordinarily a stronger word. Strong—Narrowness of room, i.e. figuratively--Calamity. Used 4X.
From—stenov—Narrow(from obstacles standing close about)—&—cwra—through the idea of empty expanse; Room, i.e. A space of territory(more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants).
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
*Obviously some ministries are more fraught with difficulty than others, but they are all tied to spiritual relationships with other people & the physical hardships of sharing the Good News.
Action:
A new creation is significant in the...
14. PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY-B(6:3-10)
B. MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS(6:4ff.)
ii. Tribulations
iii. Needs
iv. Distresses
A. OFFENSE & BLAME(6:3)
B. MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS(6:4ff.)
i. Patience(6:4)
Part ‘B’- subpoints ii-iv of point 14 presented 05/01/2016am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
