"Qualifications For Ministry"
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (NASB)
(This Sermon was preached at Trinity Bible Church on September 3, 2000)

Introduction: Paul continues his teaching of what true ministry is. Here in our passages today, we are shown some qualities or qualifications that are needed if you are going to serve in a ministry. In fact, these qualities should be found in every Christian.
 

I. Tenacity (v.1).
1. The source of ministry (v.1a).

A. Paul resumes the theme of 3:6, a divine appointment and provision to be a minister of a new covenant.

1) "...we have this ministry" (v.1a).

A) "have," echo {ekh'-o: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; to have, to hold in the hand, possess.
B) "ministry," diakonia {dee-ak-on-ee'-ah: n, acc, f, sg}; service, ministry.

2) "...as we received mercy"

A) "have," kathos {kath-oce': conj, subord}; according as, just as, even as.
B) "received mercy," eleeo {el-eh-eh'-o: v, indic, aor, pass, 1 per, pl}; to have experienced mercy, to have obtained mercy or pity, compassion.

B. This New Covenant ministry was given to Paul in spite of his past.

1) 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." (NASB)
2) 1 Timothy 1:13, "even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;" (NASB)

Application: Anybody who wants to serve the Lord, must realize first that they are totally unworthy of such an opportunity in-and-of themselves. It is only because of the grace of God that He saved them and has given them the opportunity to serve Him. We must always remember that ministry is a gift from God. The key to any ministry is to recognize first you are there to serve and not to be served or receive any glory.

We must always remember that any ministry that we have must be focused on Christ and not on ourselves; John 13:16, "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him." (NASB)

We must always remember that any ministry that we have must exist to serve others; Matthew 20:28, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NASB)

And we must always have the same attitude that John the Baptist had we it comes to a ministry; John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (NASB)
 

2. The persistence of ministry (v.1b)

A. Since it is because of God's mercy and grace that we are able to serve the Lord, we must not loose heart.

1) "do not loose heart"

A) "do not," ou {oo: part, neg}; no, not (can denote a strong emphasis or contrast)
B) "loose heart," egkakeo {eng-kak-eh'-o: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; as failing to hold out successfully, give up, to become discouraged, lose heart.

2) This isn't talking about quitting a ministry after it has run its course, but rather just giving up when things don't go our way.

A) Paul didn't give up when he faced seemingly insurmountable barriers.
B) Paul didn't quit the ministry because of God's grace and mercy.

Application: The way we view our ministries will often help determine how we will fulfill it. If it becomes a burden instead of a privilege, then it becomes easy to quit when things don't go our way. Paul was overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy, which grave him the tenacity to keep on serving Christ regardless of his circumstances, regardless of what others said about him, regardless if anyone responded the way he wanted them too. The problem with today's Christian they quit serving before they ever begin. We need to get out of the mentality of looking for churches that something to offer us, and look for ways we can offer something to our churches.
 

II. Honesty And Integrity (vv.2-4).
1. The openness and honestly of ministry (v.2a)

A. Paul had been accused of deceitful behavior, which he emphatically rejected (7:2; 12:16).

1) Paul points out the openness of the new covenant and how it had always been reflected in his conduct.

- "we have renounced," apeipon {ap-i-pon': v, indic, aor, mid, 1 per, pl}; to speak out against, declare, to forbid, renounce, disown.

2) Unlike Paul, the false teachers were deceptive and twisted God's Word for their own purposes.

A) Their conduct was shameful.

-"things hidden," kruptos {kroop-tos': adj, pron, acc, neut, pl}; hidden, concealed, secret (used here in a bad sense).
- "because of shame," aischune {ahee-skhoo'-nay: n, gen, f, sg}; shameful ways, dishonorable deeds (used here of the conduct that causes shame).

B) Their lives were based upon their deceitfulness

- "walking," peripateo {per-ee-pat-eh'-o: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; to walk, go about (used here of how a person conducts their daily life).
- "craftiness," panourgia {pan-oorg-ee'-ah: n, dat, f, sg}; craftiness, cunning, trickery, deceit.

C) They twisted God's Word for their own personal gain.

- "adulterating," doloo {dol-o'-o: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; to ensnare or corrupt, distort (used here as changing something as to distort it).

2. The integrity of ministry (vv.2b-4)

A. Is found in the handling of the Word of God openly, truthfully, and accurately (v.2b)

1) Unlike the false teachers, Paul did not distort the Word of God.
2) Paul, instead proclaimed God's Word openly, truthfully, and accurately.

A) "manifestation," phanerosis {fan-er'-o-sis: n, dat, f, sg}; manifestation, the action of making something public, a clear announcement.
B) "of truth," aletheia {al-ay'-thi-a: n, gen, f, sg}; the objective truth, what is true in any matter under consideration, the absolute truth (used here of the Gospel message).

3) Paul's ministry was validated by the fruit that it produced in others, and he was not he knew that God knew the truth.

A) By witness of others

- "commending," sunistemi {soon-is'-tay-mee: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; to place or put together, making known one's approval, commend, recommend.
- "conscience," suneidesis {soon-i'-day-sis: n, acc, f, sg}; the consciousness, awareness.

B) In God's sight

- "in the sight," enopion {en-o'-pee-on: prep, gen};before, in the presence of, in front of, in one's sight.

Application: Unlike the false teachers, Paul did everything "above board." He made sure that everything that he did was out in the open for all to see and hear. He made sure that he handled God's Word truthfully and accurately. It is important in any ministry that we maintain a high standard, so as not to discredit or bring shame upon our Lord's name and upon ourselves. We must remind ourselves of James' warning about properly handling the Scriptures, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment." (James 3:1: NASB).
 

B. Why people reject the ministry of the gospel (vv.3-4).

1) The gospel was rejected by people who were unable and unwilling to accept it.

A) 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (NASB)
B) 1 Corinthians 2:14, "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." (NASB)
C) The gospel is veiled to those who lost (v.3).

- "veiled," kalupto {kal-oop'-to: v, part, perf, pass, nom, neut, sg}; hid, concealed, covered up, veiled (used in this verse as preventing spiritual comprehension).
- "to those who are perishing," apollumi {ap-ol'-loo-mee: v, part, pres, mid/pass, dat, m, pl}; to destroy fully, to perish, die, destroy, be lost, bring to ruin.

2) The gospel is veiled because of Satan's work in this world (v.4).

A) He blinds people's minds and makes it impossible for them to see the light of the gospel.

- "world," aion {ahee-ohn': n, gen, m, sg}; world, age, era, the present age, the culture in which we live.
- "blinded," tuphloo {toof-lo'-o: v, indic, aor, act, 3 per, sg}; to blind, to deprive one of the ability to see (used here as taking away the ability to comprehend).
- "minds," noema {no'-ay-mah: n, acc, neut, pl}; the mind, thoughts or purposes, what one thinks or understands, the reasoning power.

Application: Paul was careful as not to do anything that would give anyone else an excuse not to accept the gospel message since they so easily reject already. But there is a good lesson for those who share the gospel, and that is when they reject the gospel they are not rejecting you. They are rejecting God's only sacrifice for their sins. They make a willful choice to reject the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25). What is important for us is that we maintain honesty and integrity on our end of the message.
 
 

III. Faithfulness (vv.5-6).
1. Ministry must never be self-centered (v.5a).

A. The focus of Paul's ministry was always Christ centered and never upon his self.

1) "do not," ou {oo: part, neg}; no, not (can denote a strong emphasis or contrast).
2) "preach," kerusso {kay-roos'-so: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; preach, publicly proclaim, herald, tell everywhere.
3) "ourselves," eautou {heh-ow-too': n, pron, acc, m, 1 per, pl}; ourselves, one another, each other.
4) Paul kept himself in the background, recognizing that he was only a slave who was ready to help in any way he could to bring men to his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

B. Any ministry that doesn't focus upon Christ, is proclaiming a different gospel.

1) Some ministries want to drawn attention to the "holy spirit" all the time but God's Word says: John 16:13-14, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you." (NASB)
2) Some ministries today drawn attention to signs and wonders, but God's Word says:  Mark 13:22, "for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order, if possible, to lead the elect astray." (NASB).
3) Some ministries today speak of being "anointed," but also according to Mark 13:22 the Lord said that in the last days there would be "false Christs." The word "Christ" in the Greek. literally means, "the anointed."
4) Some ministries today speak of God's wealth being poured out upon them as a sign of validation, but God's Word says:  1 Timothy 6:17-19, "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed." (NASB)
5) Some ministries today just make up things that can't even be found in the Bible, such as holy laughing, shaking, and vomiting; being slain in the Spirit or "holy glue." But God's Word says: Galatians 1:8-9, "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed." (NASB)

2. Ministry requires total commitment (v.5b).

A. Paul considered himself a bond servant to Christ.

1) "bound servants," doulos {doo'-los: n, acc, m, pl}; a slave, bond-servant, one pledged or bound to serve, a devoted servant.
2) "for Jesus' sake," dia {dee-ah': prep, acc}; through, on account of, on this account, therefore, for this cause.

B. If you are a slave, then your very life is your master's and nothing else matters.

Application: We are not totally committed to serving the Lord, then we will quit the first time opposition comes our way. If Christians where as committed to the Lord as they are to themselves, our churches would be over flowing. How would you like it if your employer was as committed to you as you are to the Lord? I saw a church sign once that read, "part time faith is like a part time job....it won't support you all the way." Part time commitment is no commitment at all.

3. Ministry can only be done by those who are saved (v.6).

A. The reason why Paul served the church and proclaimed the gospel was because of God's work in his life.

- This is an unmistakable allusion to Paul's Damascus encounter with the risen Christ when God "saw fit to reveal his Son" to him when a light from heaven flashed around him (Acts 9:3; Gal.1:15-16).

B. Paul uses the illustration of God creating the world (Gen.1:2-4) to illustrate God's bring light into the hearts of those who live in darkness.

1) As the gospel is preached, the Spirit of God moves on the heart of a person revealing to them that they are guilty sinners who are in desperate need of a savior.
2) Likewise, God didn't shine in our hearts simply to give us knowledge of Him and His salvation, but to reflect His light to others also.

Application: The gospel message is still the only message that is able to save the lost sinner, and it is the only message that can penetrate the darkness in man's heart. It is also important to note that we make sure that people are born again before me put them in any kind of ministry. This may seem odd to us, but very few churches will ask a prospective pastor if he is saved. How could anybody shine the light of the gospel in the lives of others if the light has never shined in their own lives.
 

INVITATION:

There are two important truths given this morning in this passage:
1. Are you qualified to serve the Lord?

A. Are you willing to be totally committed to the ministry that the Lord has given you until it runs it course.
B. Do you have the honesty and integrity to minister?
C. Are you willing to be faithful to the Lord?

A. The bad news for many today is they are just as lost today as they were yesterday, and that they will be tomorrow. Many will go to the grave carrying all their sins with them.
B. The good news is that Christ has done something about sin and lives today to offer His forgiveness to you.

1) Romans 10:9-13, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for "Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved." (NASB)

A) CONFESS: to acknowledge the same thing that God says:

- you are lost in their sins, that you have fallen short of God's holy standards.
- there is no hope apart from Jesus Christ, and you cannot save yourself by any good works

B) BELIEVE: to hold that the gospel message is totally true.
C) TRUST: in God's promise to save you, and have confidence that through faith in Christ you truly possess eternal life.