GOALS IN GIVING

6 trillion dollars!  Can you imagine such a sum?  Yet, that is what has been obliterated in the stock market in only two days!  Yet, any sum—vast or small—that is given to the Lord’s work is never lost and only pays dividends of eternal worth. 

Thus, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21). 

The purse strings are directly connected to our heart strings. Our stewardship is a spiritual x-ray of our soul. Therefore, every pastor must preach on giving and set the pattern in giving. 

Paul sets forth three goals to govern our giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9.  These are not about the sum of what we give, but the spirit in why we give.  The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart!

The first goal in giving is GRACE, (8:1-15). Four times in these verses, the Apostle calls giving a “grace.”  This is the means of our giving. It is not a legalistic obligation, but a loving motivation. It is not about how little we can give to satisfy God’s demand, but how large a gift we can give to celebrate God’s grace toward us. 

That cannot be measured in dollars, for Jesus presented the example of a widow who gave only two “mites.” A mite would be equivalent to about 1/8th of a penny today. Still Jesus said she gave more than all the wealthy men, “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood,” (Mark 12:44). She was motivated by grace, and that is what God is looking for in our giving. 

Of course, Jesus is the perfect model and Paul underscores that here. All we are and all we have and all we will enjoy for eternity is all of grace—the incalculable, “indescribable gift,” of Christ, (2 Cor. 9:18). God not only mandates our giving, but models true giving (Jn. 3:16). I have no right to preach this, if I do not practice this!

The second goal is GLORY, (8:16-9:5). Twice, Paul uses the word, “glory,” in presenting a goal. This is the motive for our giving. Now, he does boast in the generosity of the Macedonian churches, using them as an example to inspire the Corinthians. Yet, that goes beyond and points to the glory of God as the Provider who makes all our giving possible. All we are, all we have, and all we do is to redound to the glory of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus warned to have the proper motive for giving. 

“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 and 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; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matt. 6:1-4).

This does not mean that generosity cannot be celebrated. We already mentioned that the widow gave all she had and Jesus shone the spotlight on her. Then, I think of a very wealthy man, Barnabas, who sold all his vast possessions and surrendered the sum to the Apostles to distribute to any in need. The inspired Scriptures document that. In this text, Paul is giving a pat on the back to generous givers in stressing the Macedonian saints. Again, this gets to motive—and the heart’s passion. Is our giving for the praise of men or the praise of God?

The third goal in giving is GLADNESS, (9:6-15). “God loves a cheerful giver,” (v. 7). This is the mirth of our giving. It is not “a grudging obligation,” (9:5) in paying a bill, but a glad celebration in praising the Lord. I understand the use of online giving, or providing collection boxes, and the passing of collection plates. Any of these may be the means for offering worship to God. I do think highlighting giving in the gathering of the saints is important—as it is about worship. It is a personal matter, but a public celebration. How raucous is the rejoicing when the offering is received?

What is the business of the church when we assemble on the Lord’s Day?  It is for the purpose of exalting God in corporate worship. We may participate in worship by our singing, and with our serving, in the Scriptures, and in our stewardship. Some give madly, angry that there is the expectation that they give. Some give sadly, as they worry that they won’t have enough after they give. Some give gladly, and only these receive the blessing of God upon their giving. 

The passage closes with a summation of these goals in giving, as Paul stresses grace, glory, and gladness.  

“For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (v. 12-15)

We need more liberal preachers and churches. Not in doctrine, morals, or politics—certainly not!  But, liberal only in the matter of our giving—an abundance of grace, glory, and gladness!

HEADING FOR HOME

The old saying goes, “There’s no place like home!”  There is a restlessness—a longing—in every child of God for home. When I have been away on mission trips or revival services, those have been a blessing, but it is always good to get home. This world is not our home. Our home is heaven, and we long for it. We want to see our Father’s face. That is the thrust of 2 Corinthians 5. The Apostle speaks of “a building,” “a house,” “our habitation.”  Paul reminds us that wherever we are and whatever stage of our pilgrimage, we are heading for home.  

This SUSTAINS A GOOD CONFIDENCE, (v.1-10). Twice, the Apostle mentions we are, “confident,” (v.6, 8 ).  

This is our guarantee, (v.1-5).  “He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee,” (v.5). The hope of heaven is not just a possibility—it is a certainty!  God’s eternal Spirit indwelling us gives us the assurance, as the downpayment on our new home in heaven. 

How we long for home!  In this body we “groan,” as Paul twice underscores (v.2, 4). Yet, we know someday the groans will yield to glory!  This old house I live in now is in a state of decay. The fabric of this tent is wearing out. It will soon be unfit for habitation. So, God is preparing a new home for my soul. There we will be forever freed of life’s burdens!

This is our goal, (v.6-10), “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well-pleasing to Him,” (v.9). Each day on earth—no matter the temptations and trials—we can face the future with courage for we know that God is at work behind the scenes, guiding us through this world and preparing a place for us in the next. With this knowledge, we have the goal of pleasing Him, knowing that we are answerable to Him. The judgment seat of Christ awaits, where we will  gain reward or lose it, as our works are tested by fire as to the enduring quality of “gold, silver, precious stones,” or “wood, hay, straw,” (cf. 1 Cor.3:10-15). It is not a matter of whether we will get in to  heaven, but the degree of reward awaiting. Preacher, we do have a measure of responsibility to people, but ultimately our accountability is to God. Our goal is not to please a board, but the Lord!

Knowing that we are heading for home not only sustains a good confidence, but SUPPLIES A GREAT COMMISSION, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (v.18-20). 

This speaks of our motivation, (v.11-15). “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men,” (v.11a). This is our sacred why.  Because hell is hot and heaven is sweet, we recognize our accountability to share the Gospel. Love for our Lord and those who are lost compel us. We are not our own. We belong to Jesus. He has given us a mission. 

This points to our ministry, (v.16-20). “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,” (v.18). This is our sacred what. Though Jesus was fully God, He became fully man—now raised and ascended as forever glorified humanity. This means that in Him, we are not what we once were, and are forever changed. God has made us a new creation in Christ. As the Risen Lord was the same Jesus, yet different in His resurrection body, we are still the same person, but made new in regeneration—and more changes to come!  Because of what Christ has done, we who were sinners are now sons, reconciled to Holy God. He has appointed us His ambassadors. We are in a foreign land, representing our King. He wants peace with the citizens of this world. It is our task to extend the offer. While it is certainly true that each child of God is to share the Gospel, preachers must set the pattern. 

This presents us our message, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (v.21). This is our sacred word.  It may well be that this verse encapsulates the Gospel as well as any single text of Scripture. We have Christ’s incarnation, “He made him;” His qualification, “who knew no sin,” Christ’s substitution, “to be sin for us;” His justification, “that we might become the righteousness of God;” and His imputation, “in Him.” This is “the word of reconciliation,” (v.19b).  Man of God, wherever you begin your sermon make sure you end it at the cross!

DELIVERANCE FOR THE DISHEARTENED

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. … Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:1,16)

Church ministry has its burdens. Sometimes a load is thrust upon us that is crushing. Paul certainly felt the weight of the work—such gravity in his accountability to the Lord and immensity of his responsibility to the church. In 2 Corinthians, he once more writes to a congregation that in its infancy showed all the signs of immaturity. 1 Corinthians addresses a plethora of problems that plagued the church, as the Apostle hit these matters head on and forcefully. Now, in 2 Corinthians, the man of God would like to move on to more celebration of what God was doing among them, than confrontation of what they were failing to do. Yet, their ongoing struggles, Paul’s own battles, and the wear and tear of his duties tempted him to be disheartened. He finds the load lifted, however, by God’s provision of mercy and promise of glory in 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:11. This is expressed in two key verses (4:1,16). Here is deliverance for the disheartened. 

There is THE PROVISION OF MERCY, (4:1-15).  Paul had the opportunity to serve the Lord, because of the mercy he had received, (v. 1). The light of Christ had shone into the darkness of his sin as he travelled the road to Damascus. At that time, he hated the name of Jesus and all those who claimed to be his followers. He lived to obliterate that name by oppressing the church. That all changed when he met Jesus. He never got over that experience. When we are tempted to be disheartened by the difficulties we face in ministry—when we are tempted to complain, “God this is not fair. All I am trying to do is serve You, and now the people are biting this hand that feeds them!”—let us remember what we deserve. I should be in hell. All of us sinners should be. When we face problems here, let us know that they are nothing compared to perdition hereafter!  Yet, we have received mercy, so do not lose heart. And it was not just one time, but daily. We rejoice as did another disheartened preacher, Jeremiah:

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone and keep silent, Because God has laid it on him; Let him put his mouth in the dust— There may yet be hope. Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, And be full of reproach. For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies.” (Lam. 3:21-32). 

Paul renounced his Pharisaical disposition and embraced his Gospel declaration, (v. 2). Outwardly, he was a model of piety, but inwardly a man of depravity. Religion could not change him at the core—he needed regeneration. He knew the Scripture, but did not know the Author. All that would change on the Damascus Road. 

As, we preach to people, it seems at times that there is a veil over them, that keeps them in the dark, (v. 3-4). Indeed, it is a spiritual battle we are in when we preach. Satan has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, and our task is to open their eyes—and that requires a miracle. Yet, Paul knows such miracles can happen, for he was a recipient of such mercy. Let us then devote ourselves to the task, (v. 5-6).

Are we weak?  Of course we are. Paul is not some power of positive thinking preacher wearing rose-colored glasses. He admits to the struggle, but is resigned to the service, as he is reliant on the supernatural, (v. 7-15). As God works despite our frailty, He gets all the glory. The mention of glory takes us to our next truth that brings deliverance to the disheartened. 

There is not only the provision of mercy, there is also THE PROMISE OF GLORY, (4:16-5:11). Paul was pouring himself out day by day. But even though the wear and tear of life was taking a toll on him physically, he was gaining ground spiritually, (4:16-17). In light of the weight of glory he would know in eternity, the burdens of this world are light. They not only do not hinder the faithful preacher, but help him to gain in the reward to come. It reminds me of the old slogan that hung in our football locker room: “No pain; no gain.”

We become disheartened when we focus on the temporal, instead of the eternal, (4:18). Paul would not only be drained in Gospel work, he would die for Gospel witness—and he says, “So what?”  As Hebrews 9:27 declares, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” and Paul expounds that here, (5:1-11). It is the gravity of this that called him to preach with fervency and urgency. We will give account for our stewardship of the Word. Making excuses about how hard it is will not matter if we fail. Jesus told this parable:

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his Lord’s money. After a long time the Lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his Lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matt. 25:14-30).

Judas was such a man. He finally came to the conclusion that following Christ was too great a cost, and decided to cut his losses—selling his soul for 30 pieces of silver. What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? He sold his soul for far less! That man was a preacher—yet, a spiritual casualty. He killed himself rather than shoulder his responsibility. I have known preachers who chose to take their own life. I am not judging their eternal disposition. That is above my pay grade. The truth is that one may become so mentally vexed that their reason leaves them. Suicide is not the unpardonable sin. What I will say is that it is not the way you want to go meet God. 

This is a terrifying thought. We can know about God, yet we must be known to God. Paul testifies to the reality his experience and is confident others would affirm it, (5:11).

When we preach eternal souls hang in the balance. Our next sermon could be the last one we ever preach or the last one they ever hear. How many will go to hell from a church pew?  There will be some who go from a pulpit. They talked the talk, but did not walk the walk. Have we, as Paul, “renounced the hidden things of shame,” and are we pursuing holiness; “not walking in craftiness,” using ministry for the comforts of earth as pious frauds; “nor handling the word of God deceitfully,” in telling people what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear?  

Though it is possible that one who reads these words might be deceived, it is more probable that some are only disheartened. Certainly, we all face that challenge, as did so great a man of God as Paul. Oh, weary brother—are you disheartened?  Let is look to the provision of mercy and the promise of glory, and press on. Here is an old Gospel song to encourage us:

(1) Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

Refrain
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

(2) Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

Refrain
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

(3) Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

Refrain
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Amen? Amen and amen!

COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION

“Evan-jellyfish,” is a term I have heard used to describe evangelicals without a spine.  To such, Christianity is about being nice—just like Jesus.  After all, “He gets us,” as the multi-million dollar TV campaign nicely presents. Of course Jesus was nice, except when He was flipping over tables, cracking a whip, demanding repentance or you perish in hell, calling people vipers, and prophesying wrath to come!  

Yet, Jesus spoke the truth in love. He neglected neither. Christ was “full of grace and truth,” (John 1:14). Our message is not one of condemnation, but compassion. Yet, the way out of condemnation is not human goodness (however we define it), but heavenly grace. To promote love without truth is liberalism that has no saving power.  If we are already nice, then we can have this very nice Jesus whomever we imagine Him to be, and think all is well for the afterlife—whatever we conceive that to mean.

Paul is contrasting the ministry of the Old Covenant with the message of the New Covenant in chapter three of 2 Corinthians. There was a glory in the law given to Moses, for it came from Holy God. It set forth God’s standard, but gave no means to keep it. Moses’ face reflected the glory for a time, but it faded. In opposing liberalism, we are not promoting legalism. That is a ministry of the letter that kills. 

Rather, we have a ministry of righteousness—that very righteousness which comes by faith in Christ and gives us grace to change from the inside out. The Apostle would later state in this letter, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (‭5‬:‭17‬‬). It is the ministry of the Spirit that gives eternal life.  Our focus is on courageous communication that Paul commends in 2 Corinthians 3:12, “Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—”. 

This conveys THE BASIS OF COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION, “Therefore, since we have such hope…”.  The unshakeable hope we have rests in the finished work of Christ. It is a not the “hope so” of legalism or liberalism, but the concrete assurance of justification from Christ’s work in the past that saves us from sin’s penalty, sanctification in His ongoing work in the present that saves us from sin’s power, and glorification at His return that saves us from sin’s presence. There is no hope to be found in a message that declares we are good already as liberalism does, or demands that we be good in our own ability as legalism does. Rather, it is about Jesus who is, “the Way, the Truth, and the LIfe.”  The only hope, for none come to the Father but by Him, (John 14:6). 

This means we can have THE BOLDNESS OF COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION, “we use great boldness of speech—”.  Paul did not say, “I’m OK; you’re Ok” but confronted us with the reality of our sin and the gravity of the sentence upon us. Nether did he tell us to pray to Mary, confess to a priest, keep some ritual, be nice and so forth—hoping that in the scales of justice, the good may outweigh the bad.  False religion—whether of a cult or some perverted Christianity—has the works of bad people put in the scales and so our religiosity and ritual on the other side tip the balance in our favor. The problem with that it is actually the holiness of God in one side of the balance, and whatever we put into the other side will not even move the scale. Only one human ever equaled the perfect righteousness of God—the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, we boldly proclaim the Gospel. 

This is the good and glorious work that Christ does in us by His Spirit who regenerates and sanctifies. In HIs abiding presence and our pursuing an abiding relationship with Him that transformation occurs: 

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. 3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬‬). 

Our courageous communication is of freedom in Christ—free to be all that God wants me to be, realizing it in increasing measure, as I grow and glow from the glory of Christ in and with me. “He gets us,”—yes, if you mean Christ gets us by reaching into the pit of sin and pulling us out of the muck and mire, cleaning us up, and clothing us in His righteousness, fitting us for glory. 

Hallelujah, what a Savior we preach!  May His Gospel be our courageous communication!

A PREACHER OR A PEDDLER?

Paul was a preacher. He declared he was not a peddler. A peddler is someone who pulls together stuff from here and there at small cost and then sells it for profit. He takes secondhand goods and presents it as of great value. There are “preachers” who are really “peddlers.”  They take sermons from someone else and hawk them as their own. They are out for profit instead of being a prophet. Let us consider the Apostle’s message in 2 Corinthians 2:12-17. 

He speaks of the preacher’s OPPORTUNITY.  “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” (v. 12-13). 

God opens doors. We do not have to beat them down. When one door closes, then another opens. We must seize the opportunities when they are presented. 

When is it time to move on?  Paul had a restlessness in his spirit. I have often found that to be true, when the Lord is preparing me for the next opportunity. The peddler is a ladder climber. He is always on the move, looking for success, rather than where God is directing him.  

Also, note that Paul needed Titus and could not do all he wanted to do without “my brother.”  The peddler is usually isolated and feels self-sufficient. He does not want to be exposed for the “snake-oil salesman,” he is.  We are often shocked when one of these men are exposed.  The preacher who succeeds knows he needs accountability. He seeks those who will serve alongside him. His ego is not so inflated that he will not share the spotlight.

Then, there is the preacher’s VICTORY. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place,” (v. 14).  

The imagery is of a Roman general returning from battle. The citizens would line the streets to welcome the conquerors in celebration. Priests would wave censers as the fragrance of the incense would permeate the air.  The spoils of battle would be hauled in wagons. Captives would be chained to the chariot of the victorious general. Those who surrendered would become servants, whereas rebels would be executed. 

Christ is the conqueror.  His Gospel is the fragrance—of which we will say more. As we surrender to Him—chained to His chariot, if you will—then He leads us in victorious service. The peddler sets his own agenda. He is concerned about his glory and not celebrating the Lord’s victory. Such peddlers by their actions may disclose their destination to be condemnation, as they are unregenerate. 

Understand, the preacher’s GRAVITY.  “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” (v. 15-16a). 

The preacher understands the gravity of his task and focuses on the eternal accountability he has before God and the souls under his care. The peddler is concerned about temporal status and earthly reward. His ministry is about himself—not the Lord and the souls of men. I want to be gripped by the gravity of preaching God’s Word each time I stand behind the sacred desk. Paul tells us that eternal souls hang in the balance!

We must know the preacher’s SUFFICIENCY. “And who is sufficient for these things?” (v. 16b). 

The preacher recognizes that his work is too great for his natural ability. It takes more than his best. Our task is supernatural!  The peddler thinks himself adequate. He rests in the energy of the flesh. He struts around full of himself. If I am a man of God, I know that in myself I will be an utter failure. Apart from abiding in Christ, I can do nothing—as our Lord said in John 15. I must be empty of self and filled with the Spirit!

Paul’s desperate cry is answered in the next chapter.  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Cor.‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬‬). 

The peddler puffs his resume’. The preacher humbles himself. The peddler does letter preaching—trusting his skills—and that brings spiritual death.  The preacher does spiritual preaching—relying on the Spirit—which brings spiritual life!

Finally, we consider the preacher’s SINCERITY. “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ,” (v. 17‬‬). 

The real preacher is a man of sincerity, while the peddler is a man of hypocrisy.  What the peddler is selling may indeed be true, but he is a fraud, and that sham will someday be exposed—if not here, then hereafter. The man God uses is real—the Word of Truth is proclaimed by a man of integrity. He speaks, “as from God,” representing the Lord of Glory. He speaks with an awareness that all he is, says, and does is “in the sight of God in Christ.”  The Lord Jesus is jealous for His Bride, the church.  He is watching. Jesus will be the guest of honor in the church tomorrow. While what the members say about the sermon is not unimportant, it is what the Master says that really matters. 

Are you a preacher or a peddler?  God knows. 

Peter was a preacher.  Not a perfect man, but a penitent man. He was real, and learned to humble himself and rely on the Lord. 

Judas was a peddler. He seemed a good man, but was a fraud. He was a hypocrite, who when confronted, stubbornly resisted, and went his own way—as Scripture says, “that he might go to his own place,” and that place was and will be perdition. 

May we fall on our face before God today—only His grace can fit us to be preachers rather than peddlers. How I need Him!

TO THE GLORY OF GOD THROUGH US

As the Westminster Shorter Catechism properly puts it, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  The pastor effectively leads the church, when he models this to the church. Our ministry is about the majesty of God. It is not about making a name for ourselves, but magnifying the name of our Savior.  Paul states that he—as a preacher—along with other men of God, like Silvanus and Timothy, lived “to the glory of God through us,” (2 Cor. 1:20b). Let us explore 2 Corinthians 1:8-22. 

The passage begins with Paul acknowledging his PAST DESPAIR, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life,” (v. 8 ). Gospel ministry is not all sunshine and daisies, but often storms and difficulties. Being in the heat of spiritual battle can make us weary and worn. We can reach the point of despair, as did Paul. If a man of such faith could, “despair even of life,” I certainly may. I think of the mighty prophet Elijah, sitting under a juniper tree wanting to die. Many have been taught that “God will not put on you more than you can bear.”  Paul clearly contradicts that. He says, “we were burdened beyond measure, above strength…”. But though Paul was in despair, he did not stay there. 

We may experience a POWERFUL DELIVERANCE, “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.” (v. 9-11). Adrian Rogers said, “God will put more on us than we can bear, but not more than He can bear.” (Adrian Rogers Legacy Bible, p. 1299). Paul was about to die, but had a Deliverer—the Lord Jesus who conquered death, hell, and the grave. Nothing then is beyond His power to overcome!  The Lord worked through His Body, the church at Corinth, to bring the Apostle’s deliverance through the power of their prayers. We must remind our congregation to lift us up in prayer, as Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses until the deliverance came. The Corinthians not only supported him with their fervent prayers, but their financial possessions.  Over and again, I have seen the bank account depleted, but then a kind church member’s generosity enabled me to make it through another week. 

Thus, Paul maintained a PURPOSEFUL DEVOTION, “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.” (v. 12-16). Paul may have been sidelined in despair, but because of the Lord hearing the pleas of the saints on his behalf, he was restored in devotion. He lived with purpose. His conscience was clear. He was in the world, but not of the world. His lifestyle was marked by “simplicity and godly sincerity.”  He did not rely on “fleshly wisdom,” but “the grace of God.”  We are to emulate him in living for eternity—“the day of the Lord Jesus,” and summon others to do likewise.  What a crowning moment it will be, when we stand before the Lord of Glory, with those we have shepherded safely to the other side!

The preacher must make a PURE DECLARATION, “Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (v. 17‬-‭22‬‬). God is faithful and we as preachers must faithfully proclaim Him. We do not say one thing in the pulpit and another outside it—yes to one member and no to another. There must be consistency in our communication—purity in our preaching. It is pointed: “the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us.”  As the old saying goes, “Wherever you take your text, make a beeline to the cross!”  The glory of preaching is in the glory of the cross of Christ.

My brothers, do not despair, many—including me—are praying for your deliverance, so reinforce your devotion, and refocus your declaration.  “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

THE WORTHY WATCHMAN

 

God called Ezekiel the prophet to be as a watchman on the wall, (cf. Ezek. 3:16-27 and 33:1-11).  He had the spiritual duty as a sentry to be vigilant for the enemy’s approach and with the trumpet of truth to sound the alarm. Paul seems to draw from that same analogy in 1 Corinthians 16:13 when he writes, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”  I want to use this word picture to challenge the preacher to be a worthy watchman. Here is the anatomy of a faithful man of God.

We must have DISCERNING EYES—“Watch.”  The keener the vision, the more readily will the approach of an enemy be detected. The sooner the alarm is sounded, the better. False teachers are subtle in their approach, and vigilance is required of the worthy watchman. We dare not sleep at our post. Jesus rebuked the disciples in Gethsemane for their slumber: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation,” (Matt. 26:41). They would be unprepared for the crisis that was approaching. If Satan can bring down the shepherd, he can scatter the flock. As shepherds, we are not only watching for predators that would devour the flock, but are watchful against temptation that would ensnare us.

We must also have STABLE FEET and “stand fast.”  When the enemy is on the march, the worthy watchman does not run and hide in fear, but stands resolute with conviction. His responsibility is to be at his post, not looking for a way out.  It is always too soon to quit. When trouble comes in the front door of the church, it is tempting to run for the back door.  Some churches have established a pattern of attacking the watchman when they weary of him. They brand him an alarmist. Content to be in spiritual slumber, they do not want to be disturbed. If there is any hope for that congregation, some pastor has to take a stand.

Further, we must have BRAVE HEARTS—“be brave,” the Apostle commands. Here is the promise, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him,” (Is. 59:19b). That standard is placed in the hand of the preacher. We are at the front of the fight. I think of the movie, “Braveheart,” as William Wallace rallies the troops to face the foe: 

“Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!”

We want the people of God to be free from the tyranny of sin, and that starts with our example and exhortation.  Now, raise the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and rally the troops!

Finally, Paul calls for SPIRITUAL MUSCLES with “be strong.”  It is time to hit the gym—now, I don’t mean literally, but spiritually. While it might not hurt some of us to get in better physical condition, that is not Paul’s meaning here. He calls for the building of spiritual muscle. Our “gym” is the study where we meet with God and feed on His Word, and then wrestle against the enemy in the time of prayer. Some may think that being a preacher is a life of leisure.  Such do not know the reality of the task and immensity of the responsibility. 

May the Holy Spirit open our eyes, ground our feet, embolden our preaching, and strengthen our leadership!