This exposition of 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 29, 2018.
Intro:
Times change. I get that. I understand that our methods must adapt to changing times and things that fit well in times pass do not necessarily fit anymore. But I miss some things. I miss pastor gatherings. We used to have an active ministerial alliance.
[sections collapse="always"][section title="Read More"] We met together monthly and while we did discuss community matters it was primarily a fellowship opportunity. I miss meeting with pastors in the association. There is something about a “band of brothers” meeting. I guess what I miss most is pastors gathering and we would sing our unofficial anthem, “Gloom despair and agony on me. Deep, dark depression, excessive misery. If it were for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Oh, gloom, despair and agony on me!” I still tear up when I hear it. Yes, I’m exaggerating - maybe! The truth is depression is a common thing in ministry. Spurgeon was the most celebrated preacher of his time. An army of men sat in every service taking down the message is shorthand. They would then be printed verbatim and circulated throughout Europe and the United States. Imagine the shock of those folks gathered for worship on the that Sunday morning in 1866 when they heard their pastor say, “I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever gets to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to.” Or again in 1887 when he said, “Personally I have often passed through this dark valley.” John Henry Jowett renown pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian in New York City, and later Westminster Chapel in London wrote to a friend in 1920 saying, “I am often perfectly wretched and everything appears most murky.” Alexander Whyte one of Scotland’s greatest preachers often had season of deep depression regarding the results of his work in the pulpit and with his people. Luther, the great reformer was renown for bouts of depression. He would lock himself in his room for days at a time. Family members removed all dangerous implements from the house for fear he would harm himself. These dark periods could last for weeks. In the midst of one of those times his wife, Kathryn, entered his room dressed in mourning clothes. Startled, Luther asked who died? She replied, “No one but from the way you were acting I thought perhaps God had died!”
The apostle Paul found himself in a depressed state. He said that he was “downcast” when waiting word from Corinth. I said before preaching is not hard. Teaching is not hard. Participating in a program is not hard but ministry is. When you put your heart and soul into preaching, teaching, or engaging in a project or program you make yourself vulnerable. If you are vulnerable you will be hurt. Thus ministry is a two-edged sword. It is the source of great joy and crushing defeat. Our text this evening is found in the 7th chapter of 2 Corinthians.
Text: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16
[Read Text]
As we work through this text we find…
Thesis: The apostle Paul honestly speaks of the heartache of ministry and the God-ordained means of delivering us from ministerial despair.
This is not a message reserved for those in “full-time ministry” but rather speaks to every believer as we are all called to minister the gospel. We are co-laborers in the cause of Christ.
There are 4 things I want to call to your attention from this text.
A genuine heart for ministry often leads down the road of suffering and sorrow. (7:2-5)
The ministering heart finds comfort in the joy of like-hearted companions. (7:6-7)
The ministering heart finds encouragement in God’s gracious work in others. (7:8-12)
The ministering heart rejoices in restored relationships. (7:13-16)
Conclusion:
Ministry, genuine ministry is hard. If often travels down the road of suffering and sorrow. But comfort is found in the presence of like-hearted companions. Encouragement is found in God’s gracious work in the lives of others and there is great joy in restored relationships.
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