If the world really knew what we were plotting, they would oppose us with everything they have. Our ambition is total domination, gained evangelistic, not militarily, for the glory of Christ. There are not only those of the world who would disagree with this, but there are those in the church who also would disagree with this motive.
We live in an age where the ministry is misperceived as a profession. The world wants statistics and we show up with a message. That is one reason why the culture is so drawn to the therapeutic. Everything then becomes a subjective question. My counseling method is short.
1. what is your problem?
2. what would God have you do about it?
3. why are we having this conversation?
The world progresses toward the benefit. Nothing is done the same way that it was five hundred years ago, let alone two thousand years ago, but preaching is best done in the same way that it has always been done. This template is described quite well in Colossians 1. We have turned the term “minister” into a title, haven’t we? It has become something other than that which is humble. It has become a title of distinction.
In this text, Paul shows that the task of a minister is anything but. It is several things, and I pray that my laptop battery holds out!
Today, we see pain as something to be avoided or anesthetized. Paul rejoiced in the sufferings because our sufferings are there for our testimony of Christ, whose sufferings were for our salvation. (v. 24) True ministry requires suffering. To avoid suffering is to avoid ministry.
Romans 8:17-18 shows that this suffering is not without cause. There is a reason behind all of it. The ministry is only effective if it joyfully shines through the suffering.
Preaching is a stewardship of mysteries. (v. 25-26) This is the ministry to which we have been called. What are these mysteries? Well, it’s no secret. It’s a mystery only to those who will not see. Our task is to make this mystery known. We introduce others to the greatest hope in all the world. And we do it by making the word of God known.
We must see a destiny of glory in our work. (v. 27) The glory is the inclusion of the gentiles and is Christ’s work within us.
We must see a proclamation of wisdom. (v. 28) Paul is the wrong model for one who doesn’t step on toes. But our task is to warn, to admonish. This is proclamation, not indirect suggestion. We warn as those who love our flocks enough to warn.
Nobody will be angry with you if you avoid propositional truth. Your people will love you as you direct them directly toward hell. We do not discuss. We warn and we teach. This is why expository preaching is so important. We warn and we teach. Our only tool is preaching the gospel. That’s all we have.
Preaching is done toward the goal of a presentation to maturity. (v. 28-29) We are not up to this task. We need to use nothing but the word of God. We have fooled ourselves into believing that there is any other way to bring about the maturity of those under our care. It is done by his spirit and word. It is done by the obedience that only He can call from us.
The key question is whether or not we truly believe this. This is a product that is invisible to us. We cannot watch it happening in most cases. Sure, we are given occasional glimpses, but we largely do not have the blessing of seeing the process.
This is not going to be easy. We struggle, though, with an energy foreign to ourselves. We use resources that are not our own. (v. 29) We are the earthen vessels that can take the message of God and deliver it in a way that those we preach to can comprehend it. To the glory of God.
Amen.
