1. 2 Corinthians “The Heart of an Apostle” Part 6 - 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 “Overcoming Ministry Discouragement” “The Heart of an Apostle” Part 6 - 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 “Overcoming Ministry Discouragement”

2. Discouragement “to tend to prevent something from happening by making it more difficult or unpleasant”

3. Introduction We live in a time when the worldview is inclined away from godliness, and godly living is discouraged in the name of tolerance. We are encouraged to be more culturally relevant by pin balling between the opinions and preferences of others, emphasizing that there are no real absolutes and everyone’s ideas are as good as another’s.

4. Big Idea “since our ministry of the New Covenant is from God, we must not abandon our calling”

5. Our Supernatural Weapon (4:1-2)

6. 2 Corinthians 4:1–2 “ 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1–2 NIV)

7. Theme “ 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1–2 NIV) The phrase “lose heart” is a military term that means “to abandoned oneself to cowardly surrender”.

8. Be a Good Soldier “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” (2 Tim 2:2–4 ESV)

9. Motive for Ministry “ 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1–2 NIV) Secret and shameful things refer to the internal immoralities, hypocrisies, and sins deep in the darkness of one’s life.

10. The Progression of Deep Sins “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14–15 ESV)

11. Tampering with god’s Word “ 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1–2 NIV) Our motivation for ministry will be shown in how we handle the Word of God. “tamper” (ESV) - to dilute as a dishonest wine merchant dilutes wine to maximize his profits.

12. Preach the Word “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Tim 4:1–4 ESV)

13. How did Jesus handle God’s Word? “When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” (John 6:60–66 ESV) “When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” (John 6:60–66 ESV) If Jesus, the Son of God, the greatest preacher who ever lived, would not dilute God’s Word to make it more acceptable to the masses, neither should we. “This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.” (John 10:6 KJV )

14. Set forth the Plain Truth “ 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1–2 NIV) Paul says that instead of tampering with the Word, we are to open it up in full view, to the consciences of man in the view of God.

15. Whom Shall We Fear? “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:26–28 ESV)

16. What’s Going On?

17. Our Supernatural Enemy (4:3-4)

18. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 “ 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor 4:3–4 NIV)

19. Gospel is Veiled “ 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor 4:3–4 NIV) This is the condition of all mankind because they are born in sin and are rooted and ground in the kingdom of darkness.

20. None Righteous “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Rom 3:10–18 ESV)

21. Dead in Sin “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—” (Eph 2:1–3 ESV)

22. Blinded By Satan “ 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor 4:3–4 NIV) Paul informs us that the veiling of the gospel is not because of the content or the preacher but because of the god of this world, Satan. This darkness is so thick that the natural man cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ.

23. Parable of the Sower “And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them” (Matt 13:3–5 ESV) ““Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.” (Matt 13:18–19 ESV) “And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them” (Matt 13:3–5 ESV) ““Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.” (Matt 13:18–19 ESV)

24. “Is there no hope?”

25. Our Supernatural Victory (4:5-6)

26. 2 Corinthians 4:5–6 “ 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor 4:5–6 NIV)

27. Bond Slaves for Jesus’ Sake “ 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor 4:5–6 NIV) Preaching is and always will be about lifting up Jesus Christ and making Him the preeminent one. doulos: “bond Slave”

28. Preach Christ “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,” (1 Cor 1:23 ESV) “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” (1 Pet 4:6 ESV) “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,” (1 Cor 1:23 ESV) “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” (1 Pet 4:6 ESV)

29. “Let There Be Light!” “ 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor 4:5–6 NIV) Though Satan may blind the hearts of the unregenerate with an impenetrable darkness, God the Holy Spirit says His people, “Let there be light!”

30. Kingdom Transfer “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” (Col 1:13 ESV)

31. So What?

32. Why Not Be Discouraged? Being rightly motivated to preach the undiluted, unadulterated God Word. We should not seek the attraction of man but the approval of the God who views all. Understanding that we have a supernatural, powerful enemy whose sole mission is to blind the hearts of fallen mankind so that they do not respond to the light of the gospel. Realizing that the creative power of God commands this darkness to be light and translates the children of God into His blessed kingdom. Being rightly motivated to preach the undiluted, unadulterated God Word. We should not seek the attraction of man but the approval of the God who views all. Understanding that we have a supernatural, powerful enemy whose sole mission is to blind the hearts of fallen mankind so that they do not respond to the light of the gospel. Realizing that the creative power of God commands this darkness to be light and translates the children of God into His blessed kingdom. Paul encourages us stay at our post because by God’s mercy we our doing God’s glorious work. This work is characterized by:

33. 12/15/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 33 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”