We Have This Ministry

We Have This Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:1-7

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Intro: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

Whether or not you know it…you have a ministry.

-When you see the word ministry in the

Scripture, think servant

-We often think of having a ministry as

having some project or specific purpose.

-Youth ministry

-Jail ministry

Ministry simply means service…minister means

Servant

WE all have a ministry.

It is not a choice…you DO have this ministry,

It is the result of receiving God’s mercy.

It is because we are saved that we have this

ministry.

In this ministry we must not fail…falter

-You cannot quit

-It is a ministry that is ongoing…

1. We have a ministry of openly demonstrating the

truth. Vs. 2

-You very life is a demonstration of God’s

truth.

-When God saved you…he changed you.

-If you are genuinely born again, you cannot hide

it.

-God does not have secret agents.

-If Jesus is truly the Lord of your life and you

are living for Him in obedience…people will notice.

-The truth that your life proclaims is not hidden.

Vs 2

-By dishonesty (are you living a lie?)

-By walking in craftiness (deceit)

-By twisting the Scripture to mean something

it doesn’t.

-If you are honestly walking with God, your

life is an open demonstration of truth.

-Not just what you say.

-Not some kind of show…(hypocrites put on a

show)(two-faced one)

-People see the truth of God and the gospel in

the life that you live.

-Commending ourselves to every man’s

conscience.

-Commending…standing in front of

-Every man’s judgment…or opinion of us.

-We are putting ourselves out there to be

criticized by everyone…either good or bad.

-In the sight of God

Our ministry is to openly demonstrate truth in front of God and everybody.

2. We have a ministry to preach Christ. Vs 5

“Everywhere you go, preach Christ, and if

necessary use words.” (St. Thomas Acquinas)

-USE WORDS.

-To speak up as God gives us opportunities.

-It scares people to death to speak up and

witness for Christ.

-It scares me sometimes

-I think that is why Jesus said “I am

with you always, even unto the end of the

world.” (Matthew 28:20b)

-You don’t have to be a theologian.

-You don’t have to be a preacher…

-You don’t have to use fancy words.

2 Corin. 2:1-5

-Just tell what God did for you.

(Testimony)

-You should think about your testimony.

-Not how bad I was…but how good God is.

-You should practice. (I did)

-It is necessary because Satan may blind the

eyes of lost people from the truth. Vs 3-4

-Satan does not what them to see the truth.

-Your demonstration of truth may be hid to

them that are lost.…you may have to speak up.

-like wives who get their hair done and

don’t say anything…the husband may not

notice…then he’s in trouble.

Our ministry is to preach Christ. (Mark 16:15)

3. We have a ministry of shining light in a dark

world. Vs 6

-You are a light shining in the darkness.

-Your light is your good works.

-Matthew 5:16

-God saved you to do good works.

Eph. 2:8-10

-You were created unto Good works.

-What are they…

-Good works are shown in obedience.

-Kindness, Going to Church, Doing Right,

etc.

-Are you shining for Jesus?

Our ministry is to shine in the darkness.

Conclusion:

One more thing….we have a secret. Vs 7

This ministry cannot be done in the flesh…

The ministry of demonstrating truth.

The ministry of preaching Christ.

The ministry of shining in the darkness.

-The power is of God and not of us…

-God gives us the power to demonstrate truth.

-God gives us the power to preach Christ.

-God gives us the power to shine in the darkness.

He works THROUGH us…if we will just let him…

We must be surrendered to His will, His Work, His way.