THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY

THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY

This morning I awakened with 2 Cor 4 on my mind. I have long known that Paul, in most of this epistle, is explaining and defending his ministry, and the ministry of other Apostles.

But, this morning, it came together in a different way than usual. I first thought of where Paul said he had BEEN MADE an able minister-- both of the Word and of the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God; Who also HATH MADE US ABLE MINISTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT; not of the letter (LAW OF MOSES), but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Paul is NOT contrasting the Word against the Spirit. RATHER, the contrast is between the LAW OF MOSES and the LAW OF THE SPIRIT. MOSES KILLS-- THE SPIRIT MAKES ALIVE.

Paul recognized that-- I Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Paul, like Noah, had "found grace in the eyes of the Lord". Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. The reason for this-- Genesis 6:9 -- Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.

Paul begins chapter 4 with-- II Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

In verses 6 and 7 Paul gives the source of his ability to do what God intended for him to do. Listen to him as he says--

II Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the LIGHT to shine out of darkness, hath SHINED IN OUR HEARTS, to [give] the LIGHT of the KNOWLEDGE (recognize and COMPREHEND) of the GLORY OF GOD in the face of Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:7 But we have THIS TREASURE ( speaking of MINISTRY here) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We who minister the Word of God should do our utmost to maintain such a relationship with Jesus that He can cause HIS LIGHT to shine in our hearts, in order that we may minister LIFE and UNDERSTANDING to those we minister to.

One man said one time, "Use whatever language you wish, you can only minister what you ARE." Another has said, "It takes 20 years to make a sermon, because it takes 20 years to make a MAN," This is especially true of TRUE MINISTRIES.

A few months ago, a young minister told me that he played a lot of GAMES with his computer. Since he had a BIBLE program, he would go down on Sunday morning and extract a few scriptures. He was then ready to preach to his congregation. Well, I appreciate my BIBLE program also, but I doubt that the Lord is pleased with that sort of attitude toward our ministry. Would it be any wonder if he were to utterly fail as a true minister?

Are our congregations lifeless and worldly? Are they struggling to keep the victory, and failing many times? Are the saints discouraged and disheartened?

The cause could well be that the Minister's LIGHT is getting dim, or has GONE OUT. Maybe we are too occupied with affairs of State and Politic, and not busy enough with the WORD OF GOD and the SPIRIT OF GOD. Could we be "playing" too long?

Five of the Virgins suffered great loss because their LIGHT would only take them as far as the MIDNIGHT HOUR. They were still fully as "virgin" as the others. The SHORTAGE OF LIGHT made the difference. They HAD POSSESSED LIGHT at one time, but NOT ENOUGH OF IT.

Psalms 119:130 The ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS GIVETH LIGHT; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

II Timothy 2:15 Study (give diligence) to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed (God to be ashamed of), rightly dividing the word of truth.

II Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

The ministry of the Pastor is the pivot point of the whole congregation. His personal relationship with Jesus flavors his ministry in the pulpit. He will produce in the congregation what he, himself, is.

"We have THIS TREASURE in earthen vessels.

Oh, how we need to repent, and walk softly before the God who has called us.