P.M. Sermon 4-18-04
2 Cor. 4:1-7
I. We Have This Ministry. V.1
Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
On the road to Dasmascus with intentions of persecuting the church, Saul of Tarsus was miraculously converted, and was told that he was to be a minister, and witness. Saul became Paul and was faithful to death in his work for the Lord.
a. Our Position In Ministry.
Though we may not hold the title minister as in pastor, preacher, evangelist, all believers are called to be servants ! Being a servant is the greatest thing we could do for the Kingdom of God.
Matt 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosover will be great among you, let him be your minister;
V.28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The greatest priviledge in life is to be a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ !
b. Our Partners In Ministry.
1 Cor 3:9 For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
We are partners together with God in ministry. What a blessing to know that we are working alongside God in his fields !
c. Our Purpose In Ministry.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;Our ministry is to be one of reconcilation. We are to serve, and share the love of God is hopes of bringing them to know peace with God !
d. Our Place In Ministry.
The work elsewhere is no more important that where we have chosen to serve. If we can’t be a servant here, or want serve here, we could never serve on foreign fields. If we are not faithful in the place we are, where will we be faithful ?
II. We Have Received Mercy. V2
Paul was enabled by God’s mercy to be a minister of the gospel...but it is also God’s mercy that enabled him so that he did not faint.
a. We Need Mercy To Be Forgiven.
1 Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
b. We Need Mercy To Be Faithful.
"we faint not"
1 Cor 7:25 ...."I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful
Psa 21:7 For the king trusteh in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
c. We Need Mercy When We Are Faltering !
Psa 31:9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble:
III. We Have A Message. V2
a. It must be demonstrated !
"renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness
b. It must be direct !
"nor handling the word of God deceitfully"
c. It must be declared !
"but by manifestation of the truth"
