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It is widely acknowledged that there is something of a current crisis in the evangelical church. Too many are dropping out of pastoral ministry and seeking to do something else. This is a tragic situation that must be urgently addressed.

Too many are dropping out of pastoral ministry and seeking to do something else. This is a tragic situation.

To be fair, there are a number of legitimate reasons why this might occur. [1] And I don’t want to discount the validity of an individual’s personal decision. But as I am presently preaching through Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, I’ve been struck by the numerous encouragements Christ’s apostle gives as to not lose heart. 

One of the most helpful commentaries on 2 Corinthians is that by Gary Millar, 2 Corinthians For You (Good Book Company, 2020) and much of what follows is based on this. Nevertheless, I offer it, hopefully in a fresh way—as an encouragement to those who are feeling weary and tempted to give up. So, here are ten reasons not to lose heart in gospel ministry:

1. Our ministry is better than Moses’ (3:7-12)

Incredibly, the ministry which we have received through Christ is far more glorious than that which was even given to Moses. For instance, between verses 7 and 11 of 2 Corinthians 3, the term ‘glory’ is mentioned no less than nine times. The point which Paul is making is unambiguous: the New Covenant far outshines the Old Covenant, particular with regard to ‘glory’. 

This is because what the Law did was essentially condemn (Gal 3:19-25). Yes, it showed people how holy God is, but it did so by exposing our unholiness—and thus, our need for a Saviour. This is also why the ministry of the New Covenant is so much more glorious. Because it produces true righteousness for those who believe: not just through Jesus assuming the penalty for our sins; but also through the gift of the promised Holy Spirit to help us to keep God’s law (Jer. 31:31-34).

2. We are being transformed by the Spirit (3:13-18)

The Lord is powerfully at work in us, even when we don’t perceive it.

Whereas Moses had a fading glory in which he literally had to cover his face with a veil, we have the Spirit of God continually working within us. As Paul says in verse 18:

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

This is the spiritual reality for everyone who is a Christian: inwardly renewed each and every day with an ‘ever-increasing glory.’ What an encouraging truth—especially when we are feeling discouraged. The Lord is powerfully at work in us, even when we don’t perceive—or maybe even feel—that he is.

3. God has mercifully included us in his ministry (4:1-2)

That’s explicitly what Paul says in verse 1 of chapter 4: Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Being called to serve Christ in whatever ministry we might exercise, is a great and undeserved honour. It’s why Jesus says in Luke 17, …when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.

We mustn’t give in to the temptation then, of thinking that we are doing God a favour through our service—or that people must constantly express their gratitude and appreciation to us. Ministry is not a right, but a mercy from God. Whatever spiritual good we do must always be seen as a privilege that has been extended to us, rather than the other way around.

4. We know we have a spiritual enemy (4:3-4)

While I don’t want to suggest that there is a demon behind every bush, it’s crucial to realise that sometimes the setbacks come from beyond ourselves. For instance, in 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul talks about how Satan stopped him from seeing the believers there. Nobody in the New Testament talks about God’s sovereignty probably more than Paul, yet he acknowledged that the Devil still had real power in this world.

Could it be that the dungeon of despair you are currently in has something to do with the attacks of the evil one? Recognising it is half of the battle: as we consciously resist the Devil he flees from us (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).

5. It’s not about you! (4:5)

Following on from the previous point is Paul’s declaration that, we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants. What a powerful rebuke to all pretensions of self-glory and pride!

The words, ‘Sir, we would see Jesus!’ appear on many pulpits as a timeless reminder for the preacher to exalt Christ and not himself. and his own knowledge, personality and insight. Whenever it becomes about us, we’re destined to become dissatisfied and fail. Let it always be about him! 

6. The Lord is powerfully at work in our witness (4:6)

Another reason why we should not lose heart is because the Lord himself is powerfully at work through our witness. In verse 6, Paul draws a parallel with Genesis 1 (and probably Isaiah 9:2): as the Lord brought the world into existence simply by speaking his Word, so too he is powerfully at work bringing spiritual life when his ambassadors preach the gospel (see Eph 2:1-7; James 1:18).

How inspiring it is to know that the Spirit who hovered over the waters of chaos at creation is now bringing people to new birth through Jesus Christ.

How inspiring it is to know that the Spirit who hovered over the waters of chaos at creation is now bringing people to new birth through Jesus Christ. But that is the benefit of sharing the gospel. It always has an effect, even if sometimes it’s the Lord’s will for us to function as the stench of death (see 2 Cor. 2:15-16).

7. Our weakness is integral to God’s strategy (4:7-11)

A central theme in 2 Corinthians is the way that the Lord has hidden the gospel in us—like treasure in jars of clay. He has done it to show that this all-surpassing power is from him and not from us.

What this means in pastoral reality, is that the Lord purposefully plans for us to go through all kinds of various trials and difficulties—hard-pressed … crushed … perplexed … persecuted … even struck down—so we stop depending on ourselves but learn to rely on him whose strength is made perfect through our weakness (2 Cor 1:9; 12:9).

This means that there is something profoundly incarnational in serving Christ. The gospel is not just the ‘content’ of our message but also its ‘shape’. Christ has put us right where we need to be. As Paul says in verse 10, We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 

8. God is faithful to deliver us (4:12-13)

Christ is King; sovereign over everything which happens to us.

In 2 Corinthians 4:13, Paul quotes from Psalm 116—a Psalm that acknowledges both that the righteous often suffer, yet also affirms that the Lord can always be trusted. In the verses immediately before Paul’s quote, the Psalmist says: 

For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (Ps 116:8-9)

 Christ is King; sovereign over everything which happens to us. Thus we pray in confidence for deliverance (2 Cor. 1:10-11)—even if that deliverance means him allowing us to die (Dan. 3:16-18).

9. We know that we’ll be raised with Christ (4:14)

If the Lord does choose to call us home, Psalm 116 speaks to that end too:  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints,’ (v 15). In a similar way Paul writes that we can have the same gospel confidence because we one day will be raised with Christ:

… we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. (2Cor 4:14)

The resurrection of Christ is the basis of our sure and certain hope for the future. It is the one defining moment of human history. For in breaking the power of death, the Lord Jesus has shown us where true meaning is to be found. At the end of 1 Corinthians 15—that great chapter in which he speaks about the nature and importance of the resurrection—Paul writes:

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.(1Cor 15:58)

10. There is a tonnage of glory to come! (4:15-17)

Thus, while our bodies decay—and even our ministries might seem unimpressive and insignificant—we are being renewed inwardly each and every day (2 Cor 3:18). The Spirit of the Lord is persevering in inwardly transforming us into the image of Christ. As Paul says in verse 17: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

When Paul refers to our troubles as being ‘light’ and momentary’ he’s not being dismissive: back in chapter 1 he speaks of trials which were so severe that he even despaired of life itself. Paul knew what it meant to suffer! But in comparison with the glory that is to come, these things are nothing! As Gary Millar writes:

Throwing yourself into gospel ministry is hard. I’d be lying to you if I said anything else. You have signed up for suffering, disruption and abuse; for frustration, lack of appreciation and disappointment. But you know what? Every second of it will be worth it—because God is at work for your good and his glory. We need not lose heart because we are being changed, because we are storing up an eternal tonnage of glory.

 What are you looking at?

I often wonder whether the reason why things in ministry can at time seem so difficult is because we give into the temptation of seeking our identity and satisfaction in the here and now, rather than that which is eternal and truly real. As Paul encourages us in verse 18: ‘… we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It is natural for us to seek identity, meaning and satisfaction; to want our lives to mean more than accumulating and spending. What’s more, the Bible says we’re exactly right to think that way, for God’s plan is for us to be involved in his ministry of reconciliation. Each and every one of us to be a vital cog in the machinery of his redemption. And that itself is enough reason for us to continue to persevere—to keep on going and to not lose heart.

 

 

 

[1] Editorial Note: There may be times when Pastoral staff need to take time off for reflection and self-care. Pastoral burnout is one such occasion, and may involve a transitioning out of Pastoral ministry – either temporarily or permanently. If you find yourself in this position, please seek help from your denomination. TGCA is also partnering with ministry training provider ‘Reach Australia‘, to help Pastors and their teams remain fruitful in ministry for the long haul: we commend their training to all Pastoral staff and their teams.

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