“WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER.”
Text: II Cor. 1:18-24
One of the beautiful things about the ministry is the LIFE PRINCIPLE: where there is an investment of time.
The Life Principle had become fractured between Paul and the Corinthian church.
In the past, Paul and the Church had been through a lot. “We despaired of life itself.”(v.8)
Because Paul had been so connected to the Corinthians, it was hugely important that the pastoral relationship be restored correctly.
The last 7 verses today deal with togetherness in the ministry.
The gospel is all about relationships.
The importance of Paul’s relationship with the church.
1. MINISTRY NEEDS CONSTANCY. (vv.18-19)
I Peter 4:8
A. The triangle factor (v.18)
POINT: In church ministry, there is an individual relationship with God and a corporate relationship with each other.
POINT: The love that we receive from God vertically is to be shared with each other horizontally.
B. The fellowship factor (v.19)
-In a day when the gospel is being minimized-Let our yes be yes.
-In a day when people are losing faith, -Let our yes be yes.
-In a day when Christians are being asked to lay down their beliefs-let, our yes be yes. I Cor. 3:4-6
2. MINISTRY NEEDS CONSISTENCY. (vv.20-22)
A. God is not yes and no but always yes. v.20
B. When we are yes, we give God glory! v.21-22
- Yes!-They were in Christ. 1 Cor. 4:15
- Yes! -God has “anointed us.” 1 Cor.12:13; 1 Jn.2:20, 27
- Yes!-God has sealed us. Romans 8:9
- Yes!-God has given us the Spirit in our hearts.
3. MINISTRY NEEDS COMPASSION. (v.23-24)
A. We should be Understanding in relationships. v.23
2 Corinthians 13:2
B. Ministry needs teamwork.
If you try to find a reason, you can find one to whine about. Don’t complain; quit feeling sorry for yourself. Enough victimization. Get over it. We’re all bleeding. We’ve all got bullet holes. We all have been wounded.
John 16, Jesus said, “In this world, you will have tribulation.” We’re all shot. Shut up and drive. We don’t quit. We don’t draw back. Proverbs 24:10 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”