Ministry - The Right Stuff - 2 Corinthians 2, 3 and 4 - April 11, 2010

Bible Study – Ministry - The Right Stuff – April 11, 2010

This begins a new series of study entitled “Ministry Done Right.”

Our scripture for this lesson is 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17; 3:4-5, 18; 4:1-2, 5-6, 16-18.

Our studies for April will be:

April 18 – The right Motivation - 2 Corinthians 5:9-21- Christians in ministry.

April 25 – The Right Support - 2 Corinthians 8:8-15; 9:6-11 – Supporting Ministry.

Ministry done right is very important as well as having the right stuff. What is the right stuff? First, Christians must be called by GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT to ministry. Often, we hear marvelous stories from those called to ministry about how the hand of GOD is working in their lives and the ministry to which HE has called them. Ministry goes smooth at times but just because a Christian is called to a ministry does not mean that things will always go smoothly. It is vital that a Christian know he/she is being called by GOD. Ministry done right or having the right stuff comes from the equipping of the HOLY SPIRIT. It is having the right relationship with CHRIST. It is getting self out of the way and letting GOD lead, guide and empower you to serve HIM, particularly when the going gets tough.

Let’s consider faith. Of course a Christian must have his/her faith well grounded in and built upon the foundation of CHRIST. But then there is faith as a gift. Not everyone called to ministry has this special gift of faith because he/she may not need it. Let me explain.

This special gift of faith is when a Christian is called to step out on faith where GOD will provide your needs. To step out hoping GOD will provide your needs is not that type of faith. This type of faith is knowing and not hoping that GOD will provide your needs regardless of the circumstances. That assurance comes from GOD. Once a person has experienced salvation, he/she is eager to serve the LORD. Often in the zeal of wanting to serve GOD, we get ahead of where GOD wants us to be.

I learned this the hard way. After I committed my life to CHRIST in 1971 I have wanted to be on the leading edge of service to GOD. However, in my zest to serve, I got ahead of GOD. Some of my zeal came from my ego, which GOD dealt with. There were times I thought GOD was lagging behind and needed to catch up with me. HE let me run ahead of HIM but then HE let me run into a wall a number of times to get my attention. After a number of years of hitting a few walls, HE finally got my attention and I began waiting upon HIM. The problem was, I was deciding what was important and because I thought it was important, I thought it was an open invitation for me to get it done. I had to learn that HE wants HIS work to be done more than I do. HIS timing is always perfect. Wait upon the LORD. I thought it was my faith that was important. I needed to have faith that GOD can do all things, which is true but because I have faith that GOD can do all things, did not mean to plow straight ahead to do them. I needed to wait upon the LORD.

GOD calls some of HIS children to ministries that require a special gift of faith. This type of faith is personal and is for the person or persons HE has called and equipped. The person or persons may have a great need and unless GOD provides it, he/she or they will be in a world of trouble. GOD provides but most often not until it is needed. This type of faith is a gift. If a Christian launches his/her own faith building program to live totally dependent upon GOD to provide all his/her needs without being called to do so, will be disappointed and possibly discouraged. We are often taught that we must have the faith for a faith act to take place. If something requiring faith does not happen, we conclude our faith was weak. When GOD leads Christians to take a step of faith, it always produces the desired result. It may not be what we think was the best result but it will always be the right result because GOD is sovereign.

A friend of mine, Hugh, told me of a missionary friend of his who lived on faith. He trusted the LORD with every need. His missionary friend, John, came home on leave from his mission work. John had asked Hugh if he could pick up his son and take him to a banquet where he was to speak. Hugh thought it would be good for his son and John to spend some time together. Hugh said sure ask him if he was available. Hugh said he thought of a sport coat he had been holding to see if it would fit John and if so, he would ask him if he could use it.

While Hugh and his son were waiting for John to arrive, Hugh gave his credit card to his son and told him to fill up John’s car with gasoline. He said that he told his son that he knew John always needed gasoline. John arrived to pick up Hugh’s son. After the usual greetings, as they were about to leave for the banquet, Hugh thought about the sport coat and asked his son to run up stairs to get it. His son came down with the sport coat and John tried it on. The coat fit him perfectly. John told Hugh that he had asked the LORD, “If it is possible he would like to have a sport coat for the banquet. But even if he did not get one, he was speaking at the banquet. He said not only does the coat fit me, “look it even matches my pants.” There is more.

They left for the banquet and returned in a few hours. Hugh asked his son how things went and if he filled John’s car with gasoline? His son said you would not believe it but a short distance from their home the car quit running. John said, “Well I must be out of gas.” The son said, “Here’s dad’s credit card. He asked me to fill your car with gas. So we filled the car with gas and made it to the banquet.” This is the type of special faith that is a gift from GOD. HE provides when the gifted person has a need. In our zeal to want to have this type of faith, Christians may be tempted to exercise that same type of faith without being gifted by GOD. The results can be disappointing and even discouraging but it also can be a learning experience.

Faith to step where there is no step is the special gift of faith I am referring to. GOD calls some and equips them with this special gift. GOD also will provide all our needs when HE calls us to ministry but we may have to work for it.

Do we have faith in something because we want it to be true or because it is true? Example, we want the salt in the salt shaker to be pepper. We can believe with all our heart and have absolute faith that GOD will turn the salt into pepper. Can GOD change salt into pepper? YES, but will HE because we want it to happen? It will happen only if it is part of HIS plan and purpose. I have heard many Christians say, “If my faith was stronger, then so-and-so would have happened.” It is your faith in GOD that counts and it still may not happen like you want it to happen. But when you have the relationship with GOD through CHRIST, even when the answer is no, you understand.

Often, we get impatient with GOD. GOD uses delay as an opportunity to complete a work in our life to better prepare us for ministry. The key is to wait upon HIM and respond when HE calls. So what do you do while waiting? Continue to focus on your relationship with HIM and begin to do what you have been led to do. If you need to raise support money, then be about raising support money. If it is to build a bridge, then start drawing up plans and gathering the materials.

When you are in relationship with CHRIST, then the better you can discern HIS voice and are willing to take action as HE leads you.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 3:4-5:

A Ministry of Life or Death

14 But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display[6] Or always leads us in a triumphal procession, or less likely, always causes us to triumph in Christ,[7] Lit in the Christ, or in the Messiah; see 1 Co 15:22; Eph 1:10,12,20; 3:11 and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him. 15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are a scent of death leading to death, but to others, a scent of life leading to life. And who is competent for this? 17 For we are not like the many[8] Other mss read the rest who make a trade in God’s message [for profit]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , but as those with sincerity, we speak in Christ, as from God and before God.

This was Paul’s fourth letter to the Corinthians. Two (2) letters have been lost. One person had led a crusade to discredit Paul. This person had spread the idea that Paul was in ministry only to make money. Paul gave us a clue in 2 Corinthians 2:1-11:

1 In fact, I made up my mind about this:[1] Lit I decided this for myself not to come to you on another painful visit.[2] Lit not again in sorrow to come to you 2 For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one hurt?[3] Lit the one pained 3 I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy is yours.[4] Lit is of you all 4 For out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart I wrote to you with many tears—not that you should be hurt, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.

A Sinner Forgiven

5 If anyone has caused pain, he has not caused pain to me, but in some degree—not to exaggerate—to all of you. 6 The punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a person, 7 so now you should forgive and comfort him instead; otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. 8 Therefore I urge you to confirm your love to him. 9 It was for this purpose I wrote: so I may know your proven character, if you are obedient in everything. 10 Now to whom you forgive anything, I do too. For what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for you in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his intentions.[5] Or thoughts

Back to our scripture - Paul referred to fragrance. He used an example of victors leading their captives down a street in a victory parade. When those who had gone to battle returned home victorious, the leaders would lead the victory parade. People would line the street to welcome them and would burn sweet smell incense in celebration of their victory. The incense was a sweet smelling to those rejoicing with the victors but the smell was death to those captured because at the end of the parade, those conquered could be killed.

Paul used this illustration as an example for Christians. CHRIST has conquered sin and death. CHRIST is the victor and was leading the victory parade. Christians who knew the truth were rejoicing in HIS victory. Christians who know the truth do not have to fear death or the consequences of sin. They can celebrate life in this life and the life to come. They are a sweet smelling fragrance to those who rejoice with them in the celebration of salvation but to those who reject CHRIST, they are the smell of death.

2 Corinthians 3:4-5:

Paul’s Competence

4 We have this kind of confidence toward God through Christ: 5 not that we are competent in[2] Lit from ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God. 6 He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life.

Paul was saying neither he nor any one in his group were peddling a feel good message for a fee but the true message of salvation which was free to all who believe in CHRIST. The resurrection of CHRIST was proof that CHRIST had conquered sin and death and HIS resurrection confirmed it. HE gives the gift of eternal life to all who believe. Paul preaches the message of salvation by the grace and power of GOD and not in his power. Paul’s confidence and competence were in CHRIST and not in his abilities. Following the letter of the law was of no value because it is the Spirit WHO produces a new life in CHRIST for all who believe. Following the law will never lead a person to experience the miracle of rebirth.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:2:

18 We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting[5] Or are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory;[6] Progressive glorification or sanctification this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.[7] Or from the Spirit of the Lord, or from the Lord, the Spirit

Paul used a statement from the Old Testament. When GOD was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, Moses met with GOD on Mount Sinai. GOD was giving him specific instructions and commands. When Moses came down from meeting with GOD, his face would radiate a glow or brilliance. The first time this happened it frightened the Israelites. Once the Israelites confirmed that this radiating person was Moses, they came close to him. Moses gave them GOD’S commands and then he covered his face with a veil until he met with GOD again. When he met with GOD, he took the veil off. It was Moses who was encountering the presence of GOD. The Israelites were encountering GOD through Moses but since CHRIST gave HIS life to break the barrier of sin and conquer death, Christians can encounter and experience GOD directly through the life-changing power of CHRIST. Those who continue to cling to the law cannot experience GOD because the sin barrier remains for them because they do not accept what CHRIST did for them. CHRIST makes it possible for all Christians to come before GOD with unveiled faces. Christians do not have to come through an intermediary. Christians have direct access to GOD.

Christians are indwelled by the HOLY SPIRIT for the purpose of reflecting the glory of GOD to others. JESUS said it best that Christians are the light of the world. Christians are always in the presence of GOD because of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. Christians are being made into the image of CHRIST and should reflect the presence of GOD in their lives. Now, that is a challenge when you consider it from a human point-of-view. However, it is all about relationship. It is impossible for Christians to gin up their own glory but when they are in relationship with GOD through CHRIST, it comes naturally.

Christians are being transformed into the image of CHRIST by the power of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. The Greek word for “transformed” means metamorphosis. The Spiritual transformation is accomplished through the process of sanctification. The process begins at the moment of conversion or salvation and continues over a lifetime of walking with CHRIST.

The Light of the Gospel

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not give up. 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not • walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but in God’s sight we commend ourselves to every person’s conscience by an open display of the truth.

The Corinthians had attacked Paul’s ministry because he had not come to Corinth. They had lost confidence in Paul. Paul was making it clear that his ministry was not coming from him but GOD had called him to ministry through HIS mercy. Without GOD’S mercy there would be no ministry. Because Christians have received mercy, they do not give up. As Christians, we know the truth and preach the truth. We have nothing to gain by distorting the truth. Let the truth of the gospel fall on the conscience of each hearer. The hearer has to make a decision whether or not to accept CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. Conversion is GOD’S business. Our part is to obediently present the gospel.

Paul did not have to resort to deception or deceit to preach the truth. The Greek word for “deception” in essence means “the end justifies the means.” There were people who were trying to use the gospel to earn money and gather a following for the wrong reasons. But Paul used the scriptures to reveal truth. The Corinthian Christians could check the message he delivered against the scripture to confirm the truth. This was Paul’s message in context of this scripture.

There is another message in Paul’s message. Christians are sinners saved by grace. Many Christians have done shameful things and are not worthy in their own right to represent GOD’S glory. But through GOD’S redemptive power, all Christians are made righteous before HIM through the shed blood of CHRIST. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:21 - 21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. This is hard for us to comprehend but it is truth.

Christians are all called to serve. GOD calls HIS children to be engineers, military, nurses, teachers, workers, garbage collectors, painters, laymen, laywomen, pastors, counselors, lawyers, special agents, AAA managers, business leaders, CEO’S, physical therapists, surgeons, doctors, stock brokers, government representatives, writers, artists, mothers, dads, care givers and the list goes on. So do not let your life before CHRIST cause you not to serve HIM. We are all sinners saved by grace. CHRIST shed blood cleanses Christians of all sin and makes them righteous before GOD.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 4:5-6, 16-18:

Verses 5-6:

5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness”[2] Gn 1:3 —He has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Christians have the light of CHRIST in them and they are to let that light shine through them to others. CHRIST said that Christians are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Light is a beacon of hope. Light shows the way and can help others avoid danger. What does salt do? It preserves, makes a dish more savory, has many uses but it can also make you thirsty. As the salt of the earth, Christians are to make others thirst for what they have. Is this difficult? YES, unless you have the right relationship with CHRIST. It is a daily journey and a daily empowerment. We need to be refreshed with the living water daily.

Verses 16-18:

16 Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction[4] See note at 2 Co 1:4 is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul acknowledges that we all get tired. Our bodies wear out but our inner person is restored by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT WHO refreshes us through relationship. The burdens for the moment in this life are nothing compared to eternal life in heaven. So Christians are not to focus on the here and now but on the glory that lies ahead by obediently serving our LORD.

The right stuff is CHRIST in you and letting HIM help you build the right relationship with HIM. It does not happen overnight. It is an awesome journey. When you build a relationship with HIM you also learn of HIM and really get to know HIM, which is vital to obediently serving HIM.