LBC Sermons & Messages

II Corinthians 4:1-6

On this memorial day, we have an obligation to remember those men and women who have given their lives in defending our rights and freedoms. As believers in Christ, as our Lord and Savior, we have an obligation to the ministry of the glorious gospel of Christ. How we carry out this ministry is of the utmost importance to our Lord. In this section, Paul gives us some marks that need to characterize us as we minister to others.

The first mark is integrity (v2). We must renounce underhanded ways, trickery, the use of ungodly methods, etc. In other words our lives our to be an open book for all to see, no playing of games. What you see is what I am. In relationship to those around me, they should see (Ch6:6-7; purity, patience, kindness, truthfulness and righteousness) and in relationship to the Word of God, we must stand in awe of it, tremble at it, speak it, search it, handle it correctly, preach it, and make it the standard of our conduct and the supply of our spiritual nourishment.

The second mark, is that of steadfastness (v3-4). Proclaiming the “light of the gospel” to the lost. If anyone will not believe, it is not the fault of the skill of the one proclaiming the message, nor the packaging of the message, nor the technique used in proclaiming the message. But the fault lives in the condition of the hearers heart, that has been blinded by the god of this world. We as believers must stay committed to just proclaiming the gospel message.

The third mark, is that of humility (v5). Nothing will more effectually humble a believer than to look over his past life and remember it is by the mere mercy of God that we are entrusted with the high office as an ambassador of Jesus Christ.

The secret of all this is found in v6. We have in our hearts, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of JesusChrist”. God had brought us to conviction, regenerated us and sealed us unto Himself. We relate this thruth by living a life of integrity, steadfastness and humility.