The Significance Of A New Creation-21

‘The Significance Of A New Creation’--XXI—2Corinthians 5:9--6:10...

14. The PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY-B—2Corinthians 6:3-10...

Part B of point 14 in the series.

No matter what we do for a living or how we worship together corporately, much more is required to bring about the actuality of ministry than may be perceived/considered/grasped.

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)

We will see that Paul & Timothy commended apostolic ministry to the Corinthian church thru a list of Practical Realities within which they operated.

The significance of how 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 in their manifestation as Commendors of God-ordained Ministry.

14—A new creation is significant in the...

PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY-B(6:3-10)

So far we have looked at the role of...

A. OFFENSE & BLAME(6:3)...as well as...

B. MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS(6:4ff.)(CONT...)

i. (6:4)Patience—cheerful endurance & constancy

ii. Tribulations—pressures

iii. Needs—forced subsistence

iv. Distresses—narrowed circumstances

v. (6:5)Stripes—officially sanctioned punishment

vi. Imprisonments—(officially sanctioned removal from society)

vii. Tumults—chaotic/unstable lifestyle

viii. Labors—physically/mentally taxing work

ix. Sleeplessness

x. Fastings—prayer & fasting

xi. (6:6)Purity—living uprightly

xii. Knowledge—personal, of God & His way

xiii. Longsuffering—refrain from wrath/revenge/vengeance

xiv. Kindness—Useful moral goodness

xv. The Holy Spirit—

xvi. Sincere Love—Unhypocritical

xvii. (6:7)the Word Of Truth—God’s unfailing word

xviii. the Power Of God—God’s ability

xix. The Armor/Weaponry Of Righteousness—protection

xx. (6:8)Both Honor& Dishonor

xxi. Both Evil Report & Good Report

xxii. Perceived as Deceivers yet Genuine

Continuing our look at MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS we find a 23rd commendation beginning in 6:9....

14—A new creation is significant in the...

PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY--B(6:3-10)

B. MINISTRY COMMENDATIONS(CONT...)

6:9—“as unknown, & yet well known; as dying, & behold we live; as chastened, & yet not killed;”

As with being accepted as both deceivers & true(:8c), the contrasts with reality continue...

A 23rd Commendation as ministers of God...

“as unknown, & yet well known”—(Ignorance & Recognition)

Comes in their being regarded “as” “unknown,” while at the same time being regarded as “well-known.” Christians are “well-known” among the church but entirely “unknown” among the unaccepting.

Paul was & is mostly “unknown” to the unregenerate world, but is entirely “well-known” to believers.

Some Christian workers feel a great need to be ‘recognized’ for their efforts. These talk much on How much they give, What they give, When they give, How committed they are, etc. However, the recognition must belong to Jesus!

Such ‘ministers’ are mere ‘talkers’ who have given zero, have given the right thing with the wrong heart, & are committed, not to Jesus, but to themselves!

!We should be known for our commitment to Jesus!

Christians are the family of God & this should be apparent!

Mat. 6:1-4, 5-15, 16-18—““Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues & in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; & your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues & on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, & when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; & your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom & the power & the glory forever. Amen.”