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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (21-6-1998 Guisborough Evangelical Church)
Reconciliation between God and man is made possible
through the Cross of Christ. When a Christian has been reconciled to God, he
becomes Christ’s ambassador, to preach, teach, witness and live for Him at
home and work. We are going to look at the life and labour of the ambassador for
Christ.
This chapter is one of the high peaks in Paul’s writings and is a window into his soul. There is a problem for the preacher, however, because he uses 28 separate phrases about his ministerial life. Some may not sound very relevant to our present situation, though are meaningful to people in other countries. Going to touch lightly on the main thoughts without going into detail, and do not intend to explain all 28 items of ministry.
As God’s fellow-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). God had done so much for Paul – loved him, given Christ for him, saved him, changed him, Christ’s love constrained him – that he was anxious for others to enjoy the same blessings. His hearers were hastening to the end of their lives, and would soon appear before Christ’s judgement seat. They would hear God’s verdict on their response to the Gospel and be assessed for quality of service. So Paul wanted his hearers to embrace that costly salvation before it was too late, to seek Him while they had the opportunity. The warning goes out to all those who refuse His call or delay answering:
“Too
late! Too late! Will be the cry,
Jesus
of Nazareth has passed by.”
Now is the time of God’s
favour (accepted time, AV), now is the day of salvation (2
Corinthians 6:2). The ambassador is never off duty. There is an urgency about
him. God’s offer is real, and his love and compassion are genuine. But time is
running out, and will soon reach the point of no return.
“Tis all my business here below
To
cry ‘Behold the Lamb’.”
Charles Wesley
We put no stumbling block in
anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited (2 Corinthians
6:3). Paul was concerned not to say or do anything which would cause others to
point the finger of accusation. He wanted to commend himself as a minister of
God in every circumstance of life. It would be so easy for his hearers to claim
inconsistency in the life of God’s servant as the reason why they did not come
to Christ.
Circumstances vary enormously, and there are so many
different situations where we can be caught out. General trials which come our
way are described in verses 4 & 5. Tribulations, life’s troubles, sorrows,
disappointed, needs, hardships, sorrow, bereavement, distresses, frustration,
feeling shut in and suffocated, trials inflicted by others, stripes, beatings,
physical pain, prison, riots… Some of these things we do not know much about,
but they are realities for Christians in Sudan, China and Pakistan. But we may
well have experienced being excluded from company and frozen out, receiving
unpleasant social reactions, contempt and sneering, which are hard to endure.
There were also the hardships
Paul inflicted on himself – his own hard work as a shepherd of God’s flock
had exhausted him in body and mind. He knew sleeplessness and discomfort because
of being up late praying, teaching and helping. He also knew hunger from his
periods of fasting. But Paul expected all these troubles in the world which
crucified Christ. And he was concerned that in all these things he did not give
offence, let the side down, and give an unbeliever cause to reject Christ. He
persevered, determined not to give up or give in, but to live triumphantly. He
passed breaking point, and did not break. He commended Christ and the Gospel by
his consistent Christian living and pure motives.
There is a picture here of total commitment. “Commitment” is not a popular word today – we prefer to “keep your options open”, and this mentality has spread to the church. Some regard church as a spectator sport, where they go on a Sunday to watch the experts do it. Others regard it as a supporters club, and are always on the sidelines shouting advice to the players on the field, but with no intention of putting on the kit and joining in. God is committed to the work of our salvation, and in return we need to be thoroughly committed to Him.
The ambassador commends himself in various situations by
purity, knowledge, patience and kindness (2 Corinthians 6:6). Purity speaks not
just of moral purity, but single-mindedness and sincere motivation, leading to
purity in thought, word and deed. Knowledge or understanding means insight into
God and His truth, wisdom and tact, and sensitivity to God’s will. The
ambassador is long-suffering, bearing with people who are slow to learn,
stubborn, stupid and obstinate. He does not act too quickly or look for a fight.
And finally he commends himself by his kindness, thoughtfulness, consideration
and gentleness, not rude or harsh, but always thinking of others.
Purity, spiritual insight,
patience and kindness are to be pre-eminent in the ambassador’s character.
“You
are writing each day a letter to men.
Take
care that writing is true,
For
the only Gospel that some men will read
Is
the Gospel according to you.”
It is a tall order indeed, but if the Bible speaks of
God’s requirements it also speaks of God’s equipment. Commands are always
matched by God’s enabling. Paul had with him a fountain of powerful divine
supernatural life because he was in Christ.
Firstly he had the Holy Spirit,
combined with the power of God. He is the great gift of God’s grace and the
great giver of all gifts and graces. He produces the life of God within us. If
He fills us daily, we shall be good servants of Christ. If the flow of His power
is not blocked in our lives, we shall be living like Jesus, whatever our
circumstances. He already indwells, but we must appropriate His fullness. Only
God’s power can lift us above our weakness and fear and inability.
The Word of Truth is also given
to us to help us meet God’s requirements. The message which is in God’s
word, we must reproduce accurately and faithfully. All we need to know is in
that book which He has given us. We need to lay hold of its inexhaustible riches
day by day.
Weapons of righteousness in
the right hand and in the left (2 Corinthians 6:7), so that we all well
equipped for attack and defence. On the right hand is the Sword of the Spirit
which is the Word of God. On the left is the shield of God’s faithfulness.
Here are the means whereby we answer false arguments and protect ourselves from
all assaults of the enemy.
We have the tools for the job, and this is our encouragement. These tools are available to anyone in whom Christ dwells because they are found in Him. No reason why we may not face life and all the adverse circumstances with complete optimism and confidence. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
As we engage in the Christian life and service, different
opinions are passed (2 Corinthians 6:8-10). From the world we receive dishonour,
evil report, branded as deceivers, unknown, dying, chastened, poor and having
nothing. From God’s side we receive honour, good report, true, well known,
living, always rejoicing, making many rich, possessing all things.
But perhaps Paul’s meaning is
not quite as neat as that. The world may be divided in its opinion of the
Christian worker – popular with some and rejected by others. Some people may
change their mind about you within 24 hours – that is how the crowds treated
Jesus. Sometimes fellow Christians will have different opinions or change their
opinions.
We will always be criticised in
the Lord’s work, usually, though not always, behind our backs. People do not
know all the facts, do not always give the benefit of the doubt, will be jealous
of or hostile to what we do. Spurgeon writes to his students, in a chapter
headed “Blind Eye and Deaf Ear”, “You cannot stop people’s tongues, and
therefore it is best to stop your own ears and ignore what is said.” Over an
old castle are inscribed the words, “They say. What do they say? Let them
say.” It is well for us to know nothing of criticism. It helps keep our peace
of mind and does not turn us against the critics if we do not know whom they
are. “Never hear what is meant for you”. “Listeners seldom hear any good
of themselves.” [unclear how much of this is attributable to Spurgeon]
When leaving his first church in
a village for a large London Church, a minister heard one old man pray that he
might be “delivered from the bleating of the sheep.” The minister did not
know what this meant, but he soon found out, and often prayed the same prayer
for himself.
Equally, flattery will only
soften the mind and make the preacher more sensitive to slander. So best not to
know what is said in praise or in condemnation. At the end of the day, we are
all imperfect, and opinions and judgements are imperfect. All that really
matters when all is said and done is the Master’s opinion. Therefore aim to
steer a straight course and please the Master.
“Some will hate thee, some will love thee
Some
will flatter, some will slight.
Cease
from man and look thee,
Trust
in God and do the right.”.
Least of all should we worry about the world’s opinion of us. To the world we are beggars and to be pitied. But we have everything in Christ. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. We have everything that really lasts.
The life and labour of the ambassador for Christ involves
being urgent in proclaiming our message, being consistent in every situation,
being concerned to display Christian character, being aware of the resources
available, and being sensible in the face of various reactions. Wonderful
blessing of two things which we often keep separate – a clear mind and a warm
heart; truth and love; doctrine and experience; the Word and the Spirit. Not to
be polarized. The Bible brings both together. “If we are all Word, we dry up.
If we are all Spirit, we blow up. If we are Word and Spirit, we grow up."
