Fear of Giant Problems

Part 1 Fear of a Giant Personality

Prelude

Are our problems too large for God to handle? Is the tide of disbelief in the world and church too large for us to handle? Is there a need for heroes to stand up and slay the giant problems we face? Purpose: Let’s have faith in God using even the lowliest of us to do His will. Sermon Plan: Let’s look 1 Samuel 17:1-49 and what we can learn from the story of David and Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:1-19 Israel’s Fear

In 1 Samuel 17:1-19 we read of Israel’s troubles under presumptuous and arrogant national leadership. Saul ignored the advice of God’s prophets. Because of his disobedience, Saul found himself in a standoff with the enemy, on either side of the valley of terebinth trees, for 40 days. Rather than attack the problem with faith that God was on their side, they stood still paralyzed with fear. The enemy of the church also has great numbers and popular giants who taunt our faith, wanting us to become slaves to the world. The heroes God sends may not always be the oldest in a family, or the one with a big name.

1 Samuel 17:20-30 David’s Faith

In 1 Samuel 17:20-31 as David arrived on the scene, though just a young farm laborer working for his dad among the sheep, he seemed to be the only one without fear. Fearless people of faith can come from any walk of life, as did the prophets. David asked with youthful conviction, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” What can we learn from the faith of young people? Do people still mock God’s armies? David’s oldest brother insulted him in anger, treating him like a foolish boy. Have we ever been treated rudely and insulted in anger for our faith?

1 Samuel 17:31-49 David’s Message

In 1 Samuel 17:31-49 David chose artillery, a tactical advantage, if he was a good shot. Ancient Israelite sling-stones were about 2 inches (5 cm) across, and often ground by hand to a ball shape. With an underhand motion, and one windup, a slinger could hurl a stone twice as far as longbows could shoot arrows, about 400 yards or meters at 60 mph (100 kph). David told the Philistine, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.” He declared to Goliath, “the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 17:50-54 The Enemy Fled

David teaches us what believing young people can show: humility, faith, zeal and courage. A lesson we learn is that “the battle is the Lord’s.” “When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.” When evil leaders are vanquished their followers will run. “The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.” We often need just one brave soul who believes God and a whole nation can be given the courage to pursue the enemy out of the land.

Postlude

Our problems are never too large for God to handle. The tide of disbelief in the world and church are not too large for God to handle. God is looking for a few heroes and does not care whether they are kings or shepherd boys. All they need is to ask for Jesus’ help and a willingness to take up our spiritual slingshots and ask God to make our aim true.

Part 2 Fear of a Giant Storm

Prelude

When troubles come, how do we react? Are we fearful and anxious? Is there some way to calm the storm? Goal: Let’s understand that there is someone who calms storms. Sermon Plan: We will look at Mark 4:35-41 and what we can learn from a squall on Lake Galilee.

Crossing to the Other Side (Mark 4:35)

Mark 4:35 says, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’” Jesus crossed Lake Galilee with no recorded explanation as to why. Sometimes our journey seems uncertain. In a church the congregation sits in the nave, from Latin “navis” meaning ship, coming from this very story. Jesus invites us to join Him in the nave of the church building on a Sunday as we learn to go where He will lead. We don’t always know what is ahead, but we do know who is our captain. So come on board. Let us go. The captain of our salvation is waiting.

Leaving the Crowd Behind (Mark 4:36)

Mark 4:36 says, “Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.” Traveling with God, we leave the comfort of the past and journey into the unknown. Repentance is about change, moving from emptiness to a new life in Christ, and we take the joy of that life to others. At 75 Abraham moved to a new country. Would we? We are called, not to stay ashore in the comfort of the crowd but, to go on a journey with a small band of brave souls willing to follow Christ all the way to the other side.

A Great Windstorm (Mark 4:37)

Mark 4:37 says, “And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.” Sometimes when we go with Jesus we run into storms, feeling swamped, out-of-control. In faith we pray to the Lord knowing that what He allows is for our ultimate good. We don’t always know the why, but we do know the end of the story. God will wipe away all tears from our eyes; there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). And if there is no more crying, there will be no more reason to cry.

Jesus who Sleeps through Storms (Mark 4:38)

Mark 4:38 says, “Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’” Why did Jesus sleep through the storm? Are we tempted to ask if God has gone to sleep or if He even cares? Yet, Jesus has power over even the waves. We also read of his rebuke regarding the disciples’ lack of faith. We are no different and Jesus is also not very different today. He will often allow our circumstances to go to the point of sinking, but he is there and always has been, to calm the storm.

Peace! Be Still! (Mark 4:39)

Mark 4:39 says, “And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.” It was not the disciples’ faith that calmed the sea, but Jesus. Sometimes we think that if we just had enough faith, God would open up the Red Sea so we could escape the Egypt of our problems. But this story reminds us that God intervenes when He sees fit. Deliverance from life’s storms depends on Jesus. Church life can sometimes face rough waters. As trouble from outside and inside affect the church will we ask Jesus to calm the storm?

Why are You Afraid? (Mark 4:40)

Mark 4:40 says, “And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ Are our lives ruled by fear? Faith is trust in God. Do we trust God? Why didn’t the disciples ask Jesus for help? Why did they react so sharply and ask him if he cared? That’s what fear does. It makes us belligerent. Even being falsely accused, Jesus calmed the sea. God is merciful towards our fear. And then, the disciples fear Jesus and not the storm. Let us bring our fears to God and watch as he transforms them. God is so much bigger and filled with grace than we thought.

Who is This (Mark 4:41)

Mark 4:41 says, “They became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’” The disciples were “very terrified” that even the wind and sea obey Jesus. Their journey across the Sea of Galilee was perhaps about 7 miles (12 kilometers). The lake can experience sudden and violent storms with waves of ten feet (3 meters) sometimes causing damage to lakefront towns. Though our faith may be small, we can ask Jesus to calm the storm. The disciples did not yet understand who Jesus was and His power. They asked who he was. Have we learned that lesson?

Postlude

Life is filled with storms, some of our own making. Jesus taught us to live by faith and not fear. He slept through a storm when we would react in fear. The world needs us to tell the story of Jesus who calms storms and helps us slay the giant problems of life.

Mark 4:35-41; Revelation 21:4; 1 Samuel 17:1-49

[All Scripture: New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation]

Contending for the Faith

Intro

As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s see if Jude gives us some help. Plan: We will examine Jude and his opinion of the faith delivered to us.

Who was Jude

Jude was probably the younger brother of James, president of the Jerusalem council and therefore a younger half-brother of our Lord. Without further evidence, the Protestant idea of Jude being younger makes sense. This is contrary to Catholic and Orthodox tradition that his father Joseph was a widow with older sons and a younger Christ was Mary’s only son. During His infancy, when Joseph and Mary left for Egypt, there is no biblical mention at all of any older step-brothers. Of course, the Bible does not give every detail, and anything is possible. What is universally understood is that Jesus’ half or step brothers only came to faith after Christ’s resurrection.

Contend for the Faith

Jude 3 says, “I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” The words “contend earnestly” imply that we fight as well as build (Nehemiah 4:16-18). This faith ought not be watered down as society changes. Outward cultural trappings may change, but the faith does not. The NASB correctly translates the Greek term “once for all.” In this context the word “faith” is used collectively of God’s will and includes the full revelation of Scripture. The law (OT) is interpreted in the spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6). The NT is in the spirit and doesn't need reinterpreting.

Turning Grace into Licentiousness

Jude 4 says, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Then it was knowledge-worshiping Gnosticism and sexually-immoral Nicolaism. Today it is the arrogance and sexual perversions of our culture. Exciting preaching does not necessarily mean good preaching. Good preaching is faithful preaching. One example is carrying “non-judgmentalism” to the extreme of confusing grace with condoning sexually immoral behavior. In so doing ungodly people contradict the authority of both God the Father and God the Son in heaven to decide such matters.

Fallen Angels

Jude 6 says, “And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day”. Some angels abandoned their heavenly home and their authority-limits and became demons, metaphorically confined by chains and darkness until judgment day. What a fall from glory, to be dissatisfied with their beautiful place in heaven, to now live in the figurative darkness of this world, like condemned prisoners awaiting their doom! As these rebellious angels were not satisfied with how they were made, some people are not satisfied with their gender or other God-given roles in church and society.

Gross Immorality

Jude 7 says, “just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh…” Some say Sodom's sins were only pride, gluttony, laziness, and ignoring the poor (Ezekiel 16:47-49). But don’t stop there. Also read verse 50, and don’t forget the attempted homosexual gang-rape of the angelic guests and Lot’s twisted response (Genesis 19:4-13). Among things God calls abominations is men lying with men (Leviticus 18:22). Sodom also had other sexual sins. Husband and wife are considered one flesh (Genesis 2:22-24), so the “strange flesh” would be the sin of adultery.

Clouds without Water

Jude 12 says, “These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted”. The phrase “These are” is said three times beginning here. For example, the Nicolaitans had perverted the Christian love feast into orgies. The love feast was an early Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with His disciples. Libertines turned Christian rites into sin, pampering themselves, clouds without water, inflated and empty, carried by every wind or fad, trees without spiritual fruit, and twice dead, an allusion to the second death.

Wild Waves

Jude 13 says, “wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.” “Wild waves” indicate instability of both doctrine and temperament, and “casting up their own shame” seems reminiscent of those who parade their sins in public with pride (Isaiah 57:20). Wandering stars or planets, do not stay put, as denominations and individuals who are not satisfied with the authority of the Apostles and their writings and thus “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” Black darkness reserved forever is one of several metaphors for hell and warns where this leads.

Following their Lusts

Jude 16 says, “These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.” The second “These are” describes grumblers and complainers, perhaps an allusion to Israel’s complaining in the wilderness. This is different than a faithful Christian who might complain in prayer but say not my will but yours. These grumblers and complainers are pushing because they want to follow after their own lusts and complain if we dare quote the Bible. Their speech is arrogant and flattering. King James uses the term “great swelling words” not spoken with sincerity, but insincere flattery for applause, popularity and selfish advantage.

Ungodly Lusts

Jude 18 alludes to several other sources saying, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” (Acts 20:29; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3; 2 Peter 3:3) We are familiar with those who mock or scoff at Christianity in our time. Those who mock the narrow path of scripture call for inclusiveness, which really means to include licentious lifestyles. This misses the point that holiness demands exclusivity. The popular mockery of judgment to come is part of the delusion of those who want to grant greater inclusion rather than diligently follow the difficult and narrow way (Matthew 7:14).

Worldly-Minded

Jude 19-21 says, “These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” This final “These are” shows Jude reminding us of where division really is, those who divide themselves from Jesus and the authority of the Apostles. They are sensual, perhaps even sensitive and caring souls, delusionally defining love as inclusion and non-judgmentalism. Yet, allowing or encouraging people to remain in their sins and on the road to hell is not love.

Have Mercy on Some

Jude 22-23 says, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Rather than jump ship and run away from our responsibility, Jude encourages us to dive in and seek to save those who will listen. Love the sinner, hate the sin is certainly an appropriate understanding of Jude’s words. Love shows mercy while trying to save some from this heresy. There are several kinds of people described here, ranging those who will not listen and should be given stern warning, to those who may listen to compassionate words.

Conclusion

Every generation of Christians faces heresy of some kind or other. Every denomination contains some heresy. That’s the value of studying the Bible. Throughout history it has been the anchor which takes us back to “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

Jude; Nehemiah 4:16-18; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ezekiel 16:47-49; Genesis 19:4-13; Leviticus 18:22; Genesis 2:22-24; Isaiah 57:20; Acts 20:29; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3; 2 Peter 3:3; Matthew 7:14

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Future of the Church

Prelude

What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of God’s kingdom. Plan: We will look at Mark 4:26-34 and why optimism over the church’s future is valid, why the church will continue to grow as a hidden kingdom and why even the world’s greatest control freaks cannot control what is in God’s hands.

Planting Seed

Mark 4:26 “And He was saying, ‘The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil’”. This spiritual kingdom is where God’s authority is accepted. It is not a democracy, but we do get to vote or choose Him. We reveal our enthusiasm for Him by how we spread the news, the seed of the kingdom. We scatter it on the ground. It could be rocky soil, hard ground, thorny ground or good soil, but we do scatter. Other parables show that God is happy with indiscriminate scattering of that seed. The important point is that it is scattered and not left in the seed bag.

Sleeping

Mark 4:27 “and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.” This parable is only found in Mark. If we did what we could, if we spread the good news to anyone who would listen, then the rest is up to God. Let’s not worry about our church. The seed grows all by itself without human effort, night and day, while we are asleep or awake. If we have spread the seed, then God will bless our efforts while we sleep. We don’t need gimmicks. Now we just wait for it to grow and bear fruit.

Automatic Growth

Mark 4:28-29 “The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Sometimes plow perfectly good church programs under, like last year’s growth. We scatter seed, rest while God makes the seed grow. Of course we water, then participate in the harvest. Our job is not to worry about kingdom growth. The Greek word for “of itself” means automatically. A watered plant will automatically grow. An unwatered plant will not. Paul said (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) he planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Mustard Seed

Mark 4:30-31 “And He said, ‘How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil’” The mustard seed pictures something tiny. Kingdom work is never in vain. Growth is often not seen for a time, but it is promised to be incredible. It has grown from one man, Jesus, to billions today. The phrase “smallest of all the seeds” is hyperbolic. The meaning of the riddle is faith to see the future of even the smallest of kingdom efforts.

Mustard Plant

Mark 4:32 “yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.” A mustard plant is a shrub or even considered to be a weed by some. It can grow to 10 feet (3 meters) tall. Though religious leaders sometimes try to lord it over the faith of believers, that is not what Jesus wants (Matthew 20:25-28). The weed still grows everywhere in Israel today. Though control freaks try to dictate, maybe God has other ideas. What some call weeds can be valuable herbs with healing properties.

Parables

Mark 4:33-34 “With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.” Jesus’ parables are riddles about the kingdom of God. Those who are not ready and willing to hear may not understand. Those who are comfortable in this world may see the kingdom of God as a threat and dismiss it. Those who are ready to hear will delight in exploring the possibilities that parables open up. A parable is a teaching story, inviting us to use our minds.

Postlude

The future of the Church is growth. We don’t need to worry about it. Jesus is responsible for church growth. No one can stop the uncontrollable growth of God’s kingdom in us and in the world around us. Let’s make sure that we are a part of it.

Mark 4:26-34; Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

All Scripture: New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Suffering and Hope

Intro

Have we ever been ostracised by family? Have we ever been falsely accused even by a few religious people? Do we suffer in other ways? Purpose: Let’s learn to appreciate the majority of our church family that shares our suffering and our hope. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 3:20-35 and 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and the eternal hope that unites Christians as a family.

Our Christian Suffering

Mark 3:20-22 says, “Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind.’ And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebub [Beelzebul],’ and, ‘By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.’” The disciples were so busy with the crowds, they didn’t have time to eat. Jesus’ own family thought he was crazy and the scribes revealed their hearts by accusing Him of using the “lord of dung” (the devil) to drive out demons.

The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Mark 3:23-27 says, “So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.’” Jesus is not afraid of puffed up religious authorities and reveals how illogical their accusations are. In fact Jesus binds the devil.

The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Our Accusers

In Mark 3:28-30 Jesus said, “‘Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation’— because they said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’” Quite simply put, because they falsely accused the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus as being that of the devil, they were dangerously close to the unforgivable sin. That’s a warning for any who are tempted to join them in falsely accusing the Work of the Holy Spirit on earth, including what the Holy Spirit is doing in us.

The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Our Christian Bond

Mark 3:31-32 says, “Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.’” In the culture of the time, the word “brothers” could encompass all the meanings that today’s Christian churches attach to them. Some see them as half-brothers with the same mother, Mary, others see them as step brothers with Mary having married an older Joseph as widower with children. All such meanings are possible. It seems that Mary was also seeking him, thinking like His brothers that He was crazy.

The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Mark 3:33-35 says, “But He answered them, saying, ‘Who is My mother, or My brothers?’ And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” Christ bonded more with His disciples than physical family. Our human families may not understand the spiritual bond we Christians share. That is why it is so important to choose a Christian spouse (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14). If already married to an unbeliever, they are made holy by the believer (1 Corinthians 7:14).

The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Our Christian Hope

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Accusations are trials. We look upon all trials as our servants, helping us grow in grace, and as spiritual fire purging us of sin. This is not to minimize our present suffering, but to encourage us to look forward to our hope and contrast our trials with an eternity of utter joy, where they will seem but a light affliction.

The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18-5:1 says, “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Let’s take our minds off what we see, our worldly worries, and focus on that which is unseen. Our perspective changes. Everything in this world is temporary and our eternity waits. Meditation on this invisible hope is a necessary Christian habit.

The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Outro

Whether we are ostracised by family, falsely accused by a few religious people, or suffer in other ways, we look around at our church family and realize that most are our brothers and sisters and mothers who share our hope. And that hope transcends the trials of this world, as we meditate together, and encourage one another about our eternal hope, when all the present suffering will seem but a momentary pain in time.

For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Mark 3:20-35; 1 Corinthians 7:14; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We Preach Christ not Ourselves

Prelude

How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s examine the popular notion that we can ignore or reinterpret clear New Testament teachings. Plan: We will look at 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 and Paul’s loyalty to teaching Christ, not himself.

2 Corinthians 4:5 Preach Christ

2 Corinthians 4:5 says, “For [indeed] we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus [as] the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.” Paul did not preach about how great our human efforts are, but how great God is. This is a troubling thing in any church, bragging about ourselves, our denomination, our fallible human doctrines. Paul expressly did not preach himself as Lord, but Jesus, and spoke of himself only in the context of being a servant of Jesus. Jesus is the only infallible teacher for the Church, and our only Savior. Faithful Christians get their doctrines from Jesus as did His Apostles, not from themselves or the world.

Christians are taught to interpret the Old Testament in the spirit not the letter, because the letter kills, but the spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). The New Testament is different. It contains the teachings of Christ and the Apostles in the spirit, not the letter. It's easy to understand if we take them at their word. We should not interpret the New Testament like the Old. We turn circumcision into a matter of the heart, but we should not turn plain New Testament teachings into historical irrelevancies. This approach can be very dangerous, and lead to heresy. We should not twist the plain words of Christ and His Apostles.

2 Corinthians 4:6 Light in Hearts

2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Why did Paul and the other Apostles not preach themselves or their own doctrines? Paul explains that it was because of the light from God. What they preached did not come from people, human reason, science, or un-illuminated traditions. Paul seems to imply the same for future generations that it is the light of God’s glory that gives us impetus to preach Jesus, not things that neither Jesus nor His Apostles taught.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 Fallible Apostles

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed”. Paul readily admitted his faults (Romans 7:15-25) and also knew the suffering of being out front as an apostle (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). All who love God are humble and will suffer to some extent in a world going the opposite way. In four pairs of contrasting statements, Paul is near to defeat but never forsaken by God. 

2 Corinthians 4:10-12 Danger for Apostles

2 Corinthians 4:10-12 says, “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” Paul was constantly in danger of losing his life. This he did willingly so that others might receive salvation. Yet the life of Christ was manifest in their ministry. Apostles faced danger, but not necessarily average church members, who were often not in similar perils.

Postlude

We preach Christ; not our denomination, not our human doctrines, not our prejudice, not our culture, not our political party, not our human efforts, not our bragging, not smooth things, not our watered down reinterpretations, not our nationalism, not populism, but Christ, what He taught and what the Apostles taught about Him, unfiltered, unaltered and as pure as humanly possible.
2 Corinthians 4:5-12; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Romans 7:15-25; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

King James Version (KJV) Public Domain