Pastor Mike Renfrow (Trinity Baptist Church in Wilson, NC) shared this devotional in a recent weekly deputation meeting. We pray that it can encourage our entire missions family.
2 Corinthians. 4:1-18 “Therefore we have this ministry as we have received mercy.”
Paul said they weren’t going give up, let up, shut up, or slack off. The Bible has much to say about the matter of fainting.
Luke 18:1 “Men ought always to pray…”
Galatians 6:9 “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Proverbs 24:10 “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”
Paul suffered a lot of opposition, yet he stayed faithful to the task.
Five Things That Motivated Paul:
- He was entrusted with a ministry and with a message. 2 Cor. 3:6 “Who also hath made us able ministers, not of the letter but of the Spirit.” Paul realized he had been entrusted with a great task. 2 Cor. 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Paul realized his responsibility and accountability to God.
- Truth needs to be expounded and error needs to be exposed. 2 Cor. 4:2 “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Paul realized the need for this. If we faint, truth won’t be expounded and error will prevail.
- Every man is a sinner and needs a Savior. Every man needs to be evangelized. 2 Cor. 4:3 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” Paul said I’m not going to faint because sinners need to be evangelized.
- He realized his enablement came from God and not from himself. 2 Cor. 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” His strength came only from God. Our enablement is not from ourselves. That is an encouragement.
- His focus was not upon the material but upon the eternal. 2 Cor. 3:16-18 “For which cause we faint not…yet the inward man is…look not at the things which are seen…” Paul knew that this world was not his home. He was focused upon eternity.
Paul kept on keeping on for the Lord. We may have setbacks along the way, but we can stand up, speak up, and look up-keeping on for the Lord. As we keep these things in mind, we can be encouraged and motivated in the ministry.
Audio for this devotional can be found here.