Text: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Theme: “Our Daily Lifestyles”
Today, we will look into “Our Daily Lifestyles” from the Second Corinthians 4. It gives us the missionary endeavours of Paul and his co-workers. This chapter has “Their engagements”, “their encounters”, “their empowerments”. Paul’s leadership with transparency, humility, and weakness are explicitly described.
2 Corinthians 4:1-7: Daily Engagement in evangelism
2 Corinthians 4:8-12: Daily encounters with sufferings
2 Corinthians 4:13-18: Daily empowerments with Holy Spirit
1. Daily Engagement in God’s work of evangelism (2 Corinthians 4:1-7)
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
A day of Jesus was scheduled in Luke 4:14-19. The Timetable of Jesus Christ was fully occupied. He had a regular practice of prayer, evangelism, healing, and counselling. However, nothing was robotic, not legalistic. It was his commitment and concerns.
Jesus went about Galilee to preach, to heal and to lead the band of disciples (Matthew 4:17, 23-25, Acts 10:38). Jesus was teaching daily at the temple (Matthew 26:55, Mark 14:49).
Here, Paul says that we are engaged in ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1-2) “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
Paul talks about his Personal salvation experience, and personal holiness - renounced shameful acts before men and in the sight of God. He further cautioned that the God of this world has blinded people not to see Jesus, his image, and his glory.
Paul continually declared clearly, forcefully and authoritatively Christ. The proclamation of the gospel is not the statement of a set of doctrines of the faith, but the proclamation of a Person. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ.
Austin Precept: Paul does not proclaim politics, philosophy, a system of theology, a theory of knowledge.
Dave Guzik: “Paul didn't preach himself, his opinions, even lots of entertaining stories or illustrations. He preached Jesus.”
Paul wrote to the Corinthians and said: "We preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).
Paul didn’t preach a concealed gospel, corrupted gospel.Paul preached the gospel with honestly. Our preaching is evaluated not only by men but by God too!
The light shines out of darkness (Romans 1:16-17). The gospel is the light of the knowledge of God. John attests, “We have seen, heard, touched, experienced” (1 John 1:1-3).
William Barclay comments: In this passage Paul has something to say, either directly or by implication, about four different people. About himself, about his opponents and his slanderers, about those who have refused to accept the gospel, and about Jesus.
“The idea behind the ancient Greek word for loose heart is of the faint-hearted coward. The connotation of not only a lack of courage but of bad behaviour and evil conduct.” (Enduring Word). “A popular lie shall take the place of an offensive truth.” (Spurgeon). “There is a higher scrutiny than that of the human conscience.” (Hughes).
Paul knows that God is the one who has given him the ministry of bringing the truth about Jesus to the world. It's not a position he deserves; it is by God's mercy. Paul declared that the gospel preached to every creature under heaven (Colossians 1:6,23), as Jesus commanded “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20).
The ministry of Paul was wholistic. He emphasis on the entire process of conversion, feeding, growing, and multiplying than merely witnessing. A steady feeding and nurturing disciples is the daily engagement (John W. Ritenbaugh).
Calvin: “The cataracts of unbelievers in no way detracts from the clearness of the gospel like the sun is no less resplendent because the blind do not perceive its light.”
Paul maintains that his ministry is not of judgement Rather, it is a ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 2:14-3:18). And where the Spirit is, there is the freedom that comes from seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror in Christ’s face and being transformed into image of Christ (3:18; 4:1-5).
2. Daily Encounters (2 Corinthians 4:8-12)
Daily dying afflicted, perplexed in every way - persecuted, struck-down, daily cross carrying. (Luke 9:23). Hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down are situations of Paul. Yet look at the triumph of Jesus in Paul’s life: not crushed, not in despair, not forsaken, not destroyed. The suffering of Paul brought forth life to others. Indeed, it takes shape in our paradoxical experiences of sufferings, and encounters (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) yet keep moving, becoming more zealous for God.
Treasure in the clay pots: The treasure is gospel, the saving power of God. The clay pots are our weak bodies with diseases, passing clouds, and withering grass. “The smartest person isn’t smart enough, the purest person isn’t pure enough, the most spiritual person isn’t spiritual enough, and the most talented person isn’t talented enough. We are all just clay pots holding an unspeakably great treasure.”
Why did God choose risky, earthen vessels instead of safe, heavenly ones? Because “perfect” vessels are safe but bring glory to themselves. Earthen vessels are risky but can bring profound glory to God.
Enduring word: When Paul considered the greatness of his calling, it gave him the heart to face all his difficulties. As David says we are “Daily swallowed up” - Psalm 56:2. It talks about our vulnerability (2 Corinthians 4:12).
William Barclay: “Paul begins this passage with the thought that it might well be that the privileges which a Christian enjoys might move him to pride. However great his Christian glory he is still a mortal man; still the victim of circumstances; still subject to the chances and the changes of human life; still a mortal body with all that body's weakness and pain.”
In Philippians 3:10 Paul speaks about the glory of knowing Jesus: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Paul understands that the path he is on will eventually lead to his physical death.
Mathew Henry says that ‘the apostle troubled on every side, afflicted many ways, and he met with almost all sorts of troubles; yet not distressed. Even in our greatest perplexities, knowing that God is able to support us, and to deliver us, and in him we always place our trust and hope.’
“Our weaknesses are the sources of our true abilities. Enduring suffering is not an unfortunate side effect experience in some circumstances; it is the actual means of bringing about genuine accomplishment. Just as the power of Jesus resurrection came about because of his crucifixion.” (Theology of work).
Bible exposition commentary: People without a burning conviction that God’s Word is true will give up easily. The splendour of our message transcends any problems that we might encounter.
Illustration of Polycarp: How can I deny Jesus who was faithful to me for 80 years?
Polycarp, a disciple of John, Bishop of Smyrna. He confessed: "Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour? You threaten me with a fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked." Then while he was burnt he said: "I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ."
3. Daily empowerments (2 Corinthians 4:13-18)
Even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day: Paul does not lose heart is because though all his suffering takes a toll on the outward man, yet the inward man is being renewed and blessed.
Romans 1:16-17 says ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel.’ This passage talks about the Pride of the Gospel, Power of the Gospel and the Person of the Gospel.
“For I am not the least bit embarrassed about the gospel. I won’t shy away from it.”(The Voice). “It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him” (The Message). “I want to preach it because I’m not ashamed of the good news.”(NIRV). “I am not ashamed to tell people the good news. God uses that good news to show his great power.” (EASY).
"I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Euaggelion) implies that one is proud to be a Christian, proud to be an evangelist, and proud to be a believer in an environment of atheists, agnostics, and nominal believers. In Paul’s life believing, enjoying and sharing the Gospel are one and the same.
Paul made this statement that he was unquestionably unashamed of the Gospel not from the palace, not from the comforts but after imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:23, 24), chased out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9), smuggled out of Berea (Acts 17:10-15), sneered at in Athens (Acts 17:32), regarded as a fool in Corinth (1Corinthians 1:18 23), and stoned in Galatia (Acts 14:19). Neither ridicule, nor criticism, nor physical persecution could curtail his boldness. (2 Corinthians 4:5-18; 11:23-28; 12:9). He thundered that nothing could separate him from Christ and His gospel (Romans 8:37-39).
Jesus was empowered on daily basis, he woke up early morning and walked down to the wilderness for a solitary prayer (Mark 1:35). Jesus withdrew during the day and prayed (Luke 5:16). Jesus went to the Mount of Olives regularly for prayer (Luke 22:39-40). Jesus spent the whole night in prayer to select his best men (Luke 6:12-19). Jesus attended the weekly meetings at synagogues (Luke 4:16). The Lord’s Prayer is the life schedule for a day. It pleads for bread and for life directions (Matthew 6:9-13). We take up our cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23).
However, The Lord’s mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). His mercies are new every morning, his compassions fail not (Lamentations 3: 4:22-23). David says that He would call upon the Lord Daily - Psalm 86:3, 88:9. Solomon says that he would Daily watch at the door of the Lord - Proverbs 8:34.
Remember:
- We are created in the image of God with unique identity (Genesis 1:26).
- God has unique plan and purpose for everyone on the earth (Jeremiah 1:5).
- We are chosen by God (Psalm 4:3).
- We serve in an imperfect organisation.
- We need to be conscious of the sovereign will of God (Psalm 2).
- We should work for the development of the humanity, community, and society.
Adam Clark: “Our soul-that which cannot be felt or seen by others, is renewed, is revived, and receives a daily increase of light and life from God, so that we grow more holy, happier, and more meet for glory every day.” He further writes: “as the body grows old and decays, the soul grows young and is invigorated.”
The pulpit commentary: “The inward man, namely, our moral and spiritual being, that new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
William Barclay: “The sufferings which leave a man with a weakened body may be the very things which strengthen the sinews of his soul. When physic slipping down the slope that leads to death, the spirit man is climbing up the hill that leads to the presence of God. Our sicknesses bring us not nearer to death, but to God.”
Jesus spoke against the hypocritical life of servants of God (Matthew 23:25-27). Matthew 23:13, we are not going to enter into the kingdom of God and we are not allowing congregations to enter.
Conclusion: Let “Our Daily Lifestyles” bring us to the renewal and to the master of the soul rather than to the discouragement and fear.
