Several years ago (1993), FBI agents conducted a raid of Southwood psychiatric hospital in San Diego, which was under investigation for medical insurance fraud. After hours of reviewing medical records, the agents had worked up an appetite. The agent in charge of the investigation called a nearby pizza parlor to order a quick dinner for his colleagues.
According to the Snopes fact checkers, the following telephone conversation actually took place.
Agent: Hello. I would like to order 19 large pizzas and 67 cans of soda.
Pizza Man: And where would you like them delivered?
Agent: We're over at the psychiatric hospital.
Pizza Man: The psychiatric hospital?
Agent: That's right. I'm an FBI agent.
Pizza Man: You're an FBI agent?
Agent: That's correct. Just about everybody here is.
Pizza Man: And you're at the psychiatric hospital?
Agent: That's correct. And make sure you don't go through the front doors. We have them locked. You will have to go around to the back to the service entrance to deliver the pizzas.
Pizza Man: And you say you're all FBI agents?
Agent: That's right. How soon can you have them here?
Pizza Man: And everyone at the psychiatric hospital is an FBI agent?
Agent: That's right. We've been here all day and we're starving.
Pizza Man: How are you going to pay for all of this?
Agent: I have my checkbook right here.
Pizza Man: And you're all FBI agents?
Agent: That's right. Everyone here is an FBI agent. Can you remember to bring the pizzas and sodas to the service entrance in the rear? We have the front doors locked.
Pizza Man: I don't think so. CLICK (www.vasthumor.isfunny.com; and www.snopes.com; www.PreachingToday.com).
Sometimes, convincing people to believe the gospel is like that interchange. Very few people believe that you are indeed an ambassador for the King of kings (2 Corinthians 5:20).
So how do you convince them? How do you establish your credibility in a world full of skeptics? How do you persuade people to accept God’s grace (which seems too good to be true) and appreciate you, His messenger? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to 2 Corinthians 6, 2 Corinthians 6, where the Apostle Paul shows us how as he tries to establish his credibility among a group of people, who were questioning his credentials.
2 Corinthains 6:1 -2 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (ESV).
Working together with Christ, Paul urges his readers to receive God’s grace today! For the only way they could receive God’s grace in vain is if they waited too long, if they postponed their decision to trust Christ beyond their ability to do so.
David Brainerd, the great missionary to the Native Americans, was witnessing to a chief, who was very close to trusting Christ with his life. But the chief held back. There was some pause or hesitation.
Brainerd got up, took a stick, drew a circle in the soft earth about the chief, and said, “Decide before you cross that line.”
Why this passion and urgency? Because Brainerd recognized that at that moment, that chief was close to God. If he missed that moment, he might never be so close again (Bruce Thielemann, “Tide Riding,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 30; www.PreachingToday.com).
If you’re close to giving your life to Christ, do it now! Do it before you no longer want to or have the opportunity to do so. Paul urgently begged his readers to receive God’s grace today, and that’s what you must do if you want to establish your credibility.
FERVENTLY DECLARE THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD’S GRACE.
Urgently compel people to accept God’s unmerited favor and blessing today. Plead with people receive God’s free gift of salvation now, before it is eternally too late.
On July 25, 2000, Air France Concorde flight 4590 crashed on takeoff in Paris. One hundred passengers, nine crew, and four people on the ground were killed when the Concorde banked, went into a stall, plunged to the ground, and exploded on impact in a fireball.
The cause of the crash was a 16-inch strip of metal on the runway that burst the aircraft's tire, with debris from the blowout rupturing a fuel tank in the aircraft's wing. It was too late for the pilot to halt the takeoff. So, with the plane on fire, he planned to make an emergency landing at Le Bourget airport a minute's flying time away.
As investigators sought to discover the reason for the accident, they listened to the tapes of the pilot's conversations with the control tower. His last words as he fought to save his stricken craft were, “Too late” (Owen Bourgaize, Guernsey, United Kingdom; www.PreachingToday.com).
Please, don’t let those be your last words as one seeking salvation or as one trying to save people in desperate need of salvation. Urgently compel people to trust Christ today! Fervently declare the good news of God’s grace. Then…
FAITHFULLY DEMONSTRATE THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD’S GRACE, as well.
Go beyond just explaining the gospel. Show people the meaning of the gospel by the way you live your life. Set an example of God’s sacrificial love for sinners.
2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry (ESV).
Paul removes all obstacles to faith by the example he sets. He takes away any excuse people might have for not trusting Christ because of the messenger’s behavior. For he knows that the message of the cross is offensive in itself, a stumbling block for some (1 Corinthians 1:23), but he wants to avoid unnecessarily offending people.
So, in the verses that follow, Paul lists nine trials (vs.4-5), nine traits (vs.6-7), and nine triumphs (vs.8-10) to establish his credibility with his readers. First, look at the nine trials.
2 Corinthians 6:4-5 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger (ESV)…
Paul commends himself to his readers not by his great success, but by his great suffering. The false teachers touted their miracles. Paul touts his misery. You do the same if you want to establish your credibility.
Demonstrate God’s grace through endurance in trials. Show people God’s sacrificial love by continuing to serve even in times of pain.
Paul did not quit when times were tough. He “endured.” Literally, he “remained under” the load even when it got very heavy. He endured “afflictions”—i.e., trials under pressure. He endured “calamities”—i.e., the narrow spaces, being squeezed by his circumstances. He endured “riots”—i.e., violent opposition, and he endured “labors”—i.e., work to the point of sheer exhaustion. He also endured “imprisonments.”
When you read the book of Acts and Paul’s epistles, you see that Paul spent as much as 25 percent of his time as a missionary in prison.
Now, according to the Christian History journal, Roman imprisonment was preceded by being stripped naked and then flogged, a humiliating, painful, and bloody ordeal. The bleeding wounds went untreated; prisoners sat in painful leg or wrist chains. Mutilated, blood-stained clothing was not replaced, even in the cold of winter. In his final imprisonment, Paul asked for a cloak, presumably because of the cold.
Most cells were dark, especially the inner cells of a prison, like the one Paul and Silas inhabited in Philippi. Unbearable cold, lack of water, cramped quarters, and sickening stench from few toilets made sleeping difficult and waking hours miserable…
Because of the miserable conditions, many prisoners begged for a speedy death. Others simply committed suicide (John McRay. “Paul and His Times,” Christian History, no. 47; www.PreachingToday.com).
Such is the misery Paul endured, but he continued to serve. Your misery is much less, so don’t quit!
In his book, Character Forged from Conflict, Pastor Gary Preston writes about a hockey player that a local sportswriter nominated for greatness because of his ability to “play hurt.” He did not measure the man’s stature by his salary, number of goals scored, or minutes on the ice, but by the pain he endured.
After receiving a hard check in the first period of play, the hockey player couldn’t take a deep breath; he had bruises on his torso, and his shoulder and rib cage felt as though they had been through a meat grinder. He said, “I couldn't breathe. I was lucky my head didn't land in the boards. I would have been dead, almost.”
He was finished for the rest of that game, but his coach expected him to return to the lineup after missing one game, two at most.
You see, to athletes, playing hurt is a badge of honor. It reflects the measure of their inner drive, knowing that the team needs them (Gary Preston, Character Forged from Conflic, Bethany House, 1999, www.PreachingToday.com).
In the same way, you gain credibility by your ability to play hurt, by your perseverance in times of pain. So demonstrate God’s grace through endurance in trials.
Then 2nd. demonstrate God’s grace through an example in your traits. Show people the power of the gospel by expressing your inner character in the way you live your life. That’s what Paul did.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left (ESV)…
In dependence upon God’s Spirit and God’s power, Paul exhibits the inner qualities of purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, love, honesty, and righteousness. These are the “weapons” that Paul wears on his right hand and his left.
Now, in Bible days, a warrior carried his sword in his right hand and his shield on his left arm. These were weapons for attack and defense (Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians, 3rd ed., p. 257). Thus, Paul uses these inner qualities of the spirit to attack his task—i.e., to share the gospel of God’s grace with credibility. And he also uses these inner qualities of the spirit to defend himself against his critics.
Later, in 2 Corinthians, Paul will say, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
As you live your life in dependence upon God’s Spirit, He will, by the strength of your character, tear down the barriers that people put up to keep them from believing the truth.
During the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson marched more than two thousand Tennessee volunteers from Nashville to New Orleans. With bravado they fought the decisive Battle of New Orleans. The fighting took its toll on Jackson's troops, but sickness proved to be the deadliest and most dangerous enemy. One hundred fifty soldiers became gravely ill, fifty-six of whom could not even stand.
Dr. Samuel Hogg asked the general what he wanted him to do. “To do, sir?” Jackson answered. “You are to leave not a man on the ground.” It wasn't official code of conduct yet, but Jackson embodied the military motto “Leave no man behind.”
Andrew Jackson ordered his officers to give up their horses to those who were sick, and the general was the first to do so. Jackson marched 531 miles on foot. And somewhere between New Orleans and Nashville, he earned the nickname "Old Hickory.” Jackson said, “I was born for the storm. And the calm does not suit me” (Mark Batterson, Play the Man, Baker Books, 2018, p. 119-120; www.PreachingToday.com).
Old Hickory gained credibility through the strength of his character, and that’s how you gain it, as well. To establish your credibility, 1st, demonstrate God’s grace through endurance in trials. 2nd, demonstrate God’s grace through an example in your traits.
And 3rd. demonstrate God’s grace through the experience of triumph in adversity. Show people the power of the gospel by overcoming the hardships of life and ministry. That’s what Paul did.
In verses 8-10, Paul describes nine paradoxes, which contrast the good and bad in his life. Take a look.
2 Corinthians 6:8 …through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true (ESV)…
While Paul’s critics dishonored, slandered, and treated him as an imposter, he exhibited honor, praise, and truth.
2 Corinthians 6:9 …as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed (ESV)…
While Paul experienced obscurity, mortality, and punishment, he found popularity, life, and deliverance.
2 Corinthians 6:10 …as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything (ESV).
In times of sorrow, poverty, and lack, Paul experienced joy, he made many rich (spiritually rich), and he owned everything that matters.
Tertullian, one of the early Church Fathers and apologist for the Christian faith, imagines a conversation between Octavius (the pagan) and Minucius Felix (the Christian).
Octavius charges, “Look: some of you, the greater half (the better half, you say), go in need, suffer from cold, from hunger and toil. And yet your god allows it, he connives at it; he will not, or he cannot assist his own followers. This proves how weak he is—or wicked.
Minucius Felix (the Christian) answers, “I now come to the accusation that most of us are said to be poor; that is not to our shame, it is to our great credit. Men's characters are strengthened by stringent circumstances, just as they are dissipated by luxurious living. Besides, can a man be poor if he is free from want, if he does not covet the belongings of others, if he is rich in the possession of God? Rather, he is poor who possesses much but still craves for more” (Tertullian, “Money in Christian History,” Christian History, no. 14; www.PreachingToday.com).
That’s the paradox of the Christian life. Many of us are materially poor, but spiritually rich. It’s what gives us credibility as people see us living a full and meaningful life in the midst of hard times.
The last four years have been very difficult for military recruiters. The Army, Navy, and Air Force have tried almost everything in their power to bring in new people according to the New York Times. They’ve relaxed enlistment standards, set up remedial schools for recruits who can’t pass entry tests, and offered signing bonuses worth up to $75,000. Still, in 2023 the three services together fell short by more than 25,000 recruits.
Not the Marines Corps! They ended their recruiting year having met 100 percent of its goal, with hundreds of contracts already signed for the next year. The corps did it while keeping enlistment standards tight and offering next to no perks.
When a reporter asked the commandant of the Marine Corps if they would offer extra money to attract recruits, the commandant replied, “Your bonus is that you get to call yourself a Marine. That’s your bonus.”
That’s the Marine Corps’ marketing strategy: Dismiss financial incentives as chump change compared with the honor of joining the Corps. Brush off the idea of military service as a steppingstone to civilian career opportunities. Instead, dangle the promise of the chance to be part of something intangible, timeless, and elite (Dave Phillips, “U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force Struggle for Recruits. The Marines Have Plenty,” The New York Times, 10-17-23; www.PreachingToday.com).
There are no sign-on bonuses for those who choose to follow Christ, just the opportunity to be part of something intangible, timeless, and elite. So don’t offer health and wealth to gain a hearing for the gospel. Offer the opportunity for a meaningful life in a time when so many people are miserable. Offer the opportunity for a meaningful life and live that life before a watching world.
To establish your credibility, 1st, demonstrate God’s grace through endurance in trials. 2nd, demonstrate God’s grace through an example in your traits. 3rd, demonstrate God’s grace through the experience of triumph in adversity.
And finally, demonstrate God’s grace through the expression of true love. Show God’s love in the way you genuinely love others. That’s what Paul did. Look at verse11.
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also (ESV).
Paul opened his heart to the Corinthians. Now, he asks them to open their hearts to him. He not only asked them to accept God’s mercy (verse 1). He asked them to appreciate God’s messenger (verse 13), but only because he loved them unconditionally.
Warren Wiersbe says, “In spite of all the problems and heartaches the church had caused him, Paul still loved the believers at Corinth very much. He had spoken honestly and lovingly to them; now he tenderly asked them to open their hearts to him” (Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary).
That’s how you gain a hearing for the good news about Christ—not by winning arguments, but by winning hearts.
When Michelle Attaway moved in with her boyfriend, Jay, for a life of drugs and partying, she assumed Jay's parents would turn their back on them in disgust. So it was a bit shocking when they invited Jay and Michelle over for dinner. She writes about the events that followed:
“I was incredulous because I knew that Jay's parents were "normal" people, the type that crossed to the other side of the street when they saw us. Not only that, Jay had told me that they were religious, [but]… the thought of a good meal eventually convinced me to go.
“To my surprise, Jay's parents welcomed us warmly into their home. As we sat down to eat, I was painfully aware that my appearance—torn clothing, tattoos, and a dozen body piercings—clashed with the elegantly decorated table. Yet his folks treated us with friendly respect—even asking whether we wanted to play Scrabble afterward! I was bewildered by their kindness.
“Over the next few months, Jay's mom continued to contact us. Sometimes she brought a sack of groceries; other times she wrote letters that quoted Bible verses, saying she was praying for us. We'd read the letters aloud to our friends and have a good laugh. "Your mom must be crazy!" I'd chuckle. But the laughter couldn't mask the emptiness I felt inside, and our lifestyle of partying and drug use only got worse.
“Once, after a weeklong drug party… we were very scared and called [Jay’s] parents. They immediately came over with their pastor and some friends. [We expected] criticism and disapproval, [but] these "church people" simply stepped over the trash on the floor, looked past the ugly death and skull posters on the wall, shoved aside drug paraphernalia, and began counseling us and praying for us.”
Michelle says, “I was deeply touched by their love and acceptance. I'd been stuck in a downward spiral of depression and despair, and when I heard that God could give me a brand-new life through Jesus Christ, I bowed my head and turned everything over to him. Equally moved, Jay prayed as well. From that moment, we knew our lives needed to change. Jay proposed to me that very day.
“After a ‘hippie-style’ wedding… I began attending my in-laws' church. I noticed a sharp contrast between our untrustworthy friends and the reliable love of the church members. That was the kind of love I wanted to receive, and to show toward others…
Nearly every day, Jay and I were gifted with some form of love and acceptance from our fellow church members. As we struggled financially, we'd find anonymous checks in the mail or sacks of food on our doorstep. Once, a new set of soft flannel sheets turned up on our front porch.
As my relationship with God steadily deepened, I began to yearn for the opportunity to share his love with kids who were as troubled as I'd once been. So Jay and I began to volunteer with the youth ministry, working with teens living on the streets. Talking with those lost kids in their dirty, torn clothing reminded me how, at a needy time in my life, genuine Christian love had looked beyond appearances to a heart that needed Christ. And it cemented my determination to show that same unconditional love to others” Michelle Attaway, as told to Karen Strand, “More than Skin Deep,” Today's Christian, May/June 2008; www.PreachingToday. com).
My dear friends, that’s how we reach lost people in desperate need of a Savior. Reach out in compassion, not condemnation.
To establish your credibility, fervently DECLARE the good news of God’s grace, and faithfully DEMONSTRATE the good news of God’s grace.
In Leadership Journal some time ago, Pierce Harris wrote, “The modern preacher has to make as many visits as a country doctor, shake as many hands as a politician, prepare as many briefs as a lawyer, and see as many people as a specialist. He has to be as good an executive as the president of a university, as good a financier as a bank president; and in the midst of it all, he has to be so good a diplomat that he could umpire a baseball game between the Knights of Columbus and the Ku Klux Klan (Pierce Harris, Leadership, Vol. 6, no. 3; www.PreachingToday.com).
That may be the case for some. But for most, it’s really not all that complicated. Just preach the Word and love people, and God will use you for His glory!
