MINISTRY BY MERCY

After last week's passage, this week we come to six verses: 2 Cor 4:1-6. And while I think we'll find them to be fairly simple, the task they propose is indeed filled with difficulty. At the heart of today's text is the question of what drives us when we talk about Jesus. It's easy to say only what other people want to hear, isn't it? But if you're up for it, I think we'll find strong reasons to (as the kids song tells us) "let our little light shine."

2 COR 4:1-2

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word.

• "HAVING THIS MINISTRY" - Paul's ministry to the Jews was a challenging one (re-read 3:14-15). And yet, Paul accepted this challenge in light of the mercy he received. What do you remember about Paul's past that helps him see past mercies instead of present difficulties?

• "WE DON'T LOSE HEART" - Think about Paul's relationship with the Corinthians. What would have made him tempted to discouragement? How can recalling God's mercy to you help you when you "lost heart"?

• "DISGRACEFUL" AND THEN SOME - As Paul sets up the kind of ministry he's aiming for, he starts by showing what tactics to avoid. "Disgraceful" is the first word he uses; what are the other 3 that follow in verse 2? 

2 COR 4:2b-4

2 but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

• "BUT ... WE COMMEND OURSELVES" - Yes, you read that correctly. Paul boldly challenges anyone to evaluate his ministry (in comparison to the shameful manipulation of God's Word). What is the phrase that he uses in verse 2 to describe his ministry's objective?

• "EVEN IF" - Paul acknowledges that (even despite his commitment to preaching truth) some people don't get it. Look at verses 3-4 ... how many times do you notice that Paul says these folks can't "see" the truth? What synonyms does he use?

• "IN THEIR CASE" - Such blindness, Paul says, isn't coincidental - somebody is behind that. What title does Paul give to this being? If there's only one "God" - why is this title not problematic? (see John 12:31 or Eph 2:2 for help)

• "WHO IS THE IMAGE" - Consider Paul's point so far - he preaches clear truth about Jesus and is in a battle with the "god of this world" who is trying to keep people from seeing the point. According to the end of verse 4, what (or who) is really the point of Paul's preaching then?

2 COR 4:5-6

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

• "FOR WHAT WE PROCLAIM" - Paul sets up a contrast in his preaching (not this, but that). What doesn't Paul proclaim and who does he proclaim?

• "WITH OURSELVES AS ..." - If Paul and his fellow preachers aren't the point, then what is Paul's identity in verse 5?

• WAIT, WHY NOT? - Paul (though not being the main topic) is clearly an impressive servant of God ... I mean, the book of Acts seems to follow his travels around pretty intently, right? But according to verse 6, WHY is Paul not the main point?

• THE BALANCE - Let's get this straight before we wrap up: Paul said that first, he "commends" himself (see v 2) but that second he doesn't "proclaim" himself (see v 5). Ponder this tension a bit here ... apparently there's a balance between commending without proclaiming as a healthy goal for any servant of God. In what ways are you tempted (on one hand) to downplay confidence in God's message or (on the other hand) get in the way of God's message? 

Grateful for the light of God in Christ,

Pastor Darren