Man’s Way vs. God’s Way:
Ministry
Text:
2 Cor. 4:1-11
Introduction:
·
Elmer
Gentry as an example of a “Huckster”
·
Modern
Hucksters: James Bake, Robert Tilton, Oral Roberts
·
Biblical
Example: Balaam, Way of Balaam, Error of Balaam, Doctrine of Balaam
I. Kind of Ministry
A.
We have “this kind” of ministry, referring to the glorious
soul-saving ministry mentioned in chapter 3.
B.
It matters the kind of ministry that you have. We are too often worried with the size of
the ministry when the emphasis should be on the kind of ministry that we have.
C.
We faint not. Don’t
quit. Realize what you are working with
and who you are working for.
D.
I Cor. 3
1.
We will be judged for the quality of the ministry, not the
necessarily the quantity
2.
Compare 1 Cor. 3 and
the types of vessels
II. Man’s Way
A.
“Hidden things of dishonesty (shame)”
1.
Genuine ministry first of all renounces these things
a)
We don’t let them slide
b)
We reprove the wrong
2.
Dishonesty = “shame”
a)
Christian Belly-dancing
b)
Christian rock
c)
Christian dances
B.
“Walking in craftiness”
1.
Craftiness=panourgia
which literally means “all-working”
2.
Thus, they were willing to do any and all things to get people
to listen. They would tickle ears if
that worked. They told people what they
wanted to hear, not what they needed to hear.
3.
The end justified whatever means or message.
4.
Pragmatism
C.
“Handling the word deceitfully”
1.
Deceit
2.
“Adulterating the word”
a)
Shows the seriousness of the crime
b)
Compare 2 Peter 2:1-3
(1)
“Feigned words” comes from the Greek plastikoV
(2)
Plastic words mean they twist words to mean what they want
3.
Twist the meaning of major doctrines
a)
They use words like “salvation” but don’t mean by it what we
do
b)
Jude: they turn the
grace of God into lasciviousness
c)
They take God’s mercy in forgiving sin and twist it to condone
and allow sin
d)
So you can have “churches” that condone and promote
homosexuality
e)
Episcopalians have just voted in a homosexual priest to a
prominent position
D.
“Hid to them...”
1.
We usually use to refer to being ashamed of the gospel
2.
Possibly refers to “hiding” the “offensive” parts of the
gospel
E.
Self-Promotion
F.
Review the five faults of a man-made ministry
1.
Adds shameful elements to the message
2.
Will use whatever means are necessary to get a crowd
3.
Handles the word deceitfully, “plasticizing” words
4.
Hide the “offensive” elements of the gospel
5.
Promote the messenger instead of the message
III. God’s Way
A.
Clean Vessel
B.
Using gifts God has given you
C.
Focus on the treasure (Christ), not on the vessel (the
preacher)
D.
Scars, not stars
.