A
FAITHFUL MINISTRY
"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have
received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of
dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God
deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every
man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to
them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but
Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God,
who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of
the power may be of God, and not of us." -- 2 Corinthians 4:1-7
Faithfulness is the one
thing God requires of his servants and the one thing God honors in his
servants. The Apostle Paul was an example to us all in this matter of
faithfulness. And the Holy Spirit uses him to show us what is involved in a
faithful ministry. What is a faithful ministry? Let the Word of God answer.
Taking the example given in 2 Corinthians 4:1-7, every faithful ministry has,
at least, seven identifying characteristics. Here are seven things which are
true of every faithful gospel preacher.
1.
EVERY FAITHFUL PASTOR LOOKS
UPON HIS MINISTRY AS A GIFT OF GOD'S MERCY ENTRUSTED TO HIM (v. 1). He considers
his call of God to the work of the gospel a gracious, merciful gift and high,
high honor. The gospel preacher is a steward into whose hands God has trusted
the affairs of his kingdom. What a privilege! What a responsibility!
2.
FAITHFUL SERVANTS NEVER QUIT. "We faint not." The servant may be moved from one field of
service to another by the will of God, but God's servants never quit their
Master's service. There is no discharge from the warfare in which we are
engaged.
3.
FAITHFUL GOSPEL PREACHERS
ARE CANDID, UNPRETENTIOUS, HONEST MEN (v. 2). They are open and above board, both in the
way they live and in the way they preach. Their lives commend their message to
their hearers.
4.
FAITHFUL PREACHERS KNOW THAT
SALVATION IS ENTIRELY OF THE LORD (v. 3-4), that all men by nature are dead,
spiritually blind, and ignorant, and that man's natural blindness is compounded
by Satan's delusions. We know that salvation comes only by the supernatural,
life-giving revelation of God in Christ.
5.
EVERY FAITHFUL GOSPEL
PREACHER IN THE WORLD HAS THE SAME MESSAGE (v. 5). "We preach Jesus," our Savior, "Christ," God's Anointed One, "the Lord," our sovereign Monarch. And we are "your servants," not servants under
your rule, but servants devoted to your souls, “for Christ's sake.”
6.
FAITHFUL PREACHERS PREACH
FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (v. 6). They declare what they have seen, heard, felt, and know for
themselves.
7.
EVERY FAITHFUL GOSPEL
PREACHER KNOWS HIS OWN PERSONAL INSUFFICIENCY FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY (v. 7). Our sufficiency is
of God. If we are useful, it is the Lord's doing.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #867
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net