_Therefore seeing we have received this ministry._ THE APOSTOLIC MINISTRY Paul represents this I. As a ministry of light (2 Corinthians 4:4). 1. Cf. John 1:5. Nothing could be more different than the minds of Paul and John, and yet both call revelation “light.” According to John, to live in sin... [ Continue Reading ]
_But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty._ THE TRUE MINISTER Paul here introduces himself as a true minister appointed by God. He is led to this assertion by the insinuations of false teachers. He gives certain marks which characterised his ministry, but which were altogether wanting in... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost._ THE HIDDEN GOSPEL I. What is our gospel? You may call it either “God’s news” or “good newsy” for “God” and “good” are one and the same thing. The “gospel” is God’s good news. And what is “the good news”? Now, if I were to say that God is... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord._ THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY AND ITS MESSAGE I. The true position of the Christian minister--his relation to those to whom he ministers--is here clearly set forth as-- 1. A position of humble servitude. “We preach … ourselves as your servants (l... [ Continue Reading ]
_But we have this treasure in earthen vessels._ THE TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS I. Compares the ministers of the gospel to earthen vessels, A vessel contains what is put into it. The vessels of the temple were some of gold, others of silver, and they were consecrated to God. In the most ancient ti... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed._ TRIALS IN THE CAUSE OF CHRIST I. The trials encountered in the cause of Christ are sometimes very great. “We are troubled on every side.” The man who is earnestly engaged in any cause in this world will have to encounter trials. The old prophets... [ Continue Reading ]
_Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus._ BEARING ABOUT THE DYING OF CHRIST The first and literal meaning of these words is that Paul and his friends were in daily peril of such a death as Christ’s was, and that their trials left sorrowful trace upon form and feature. It is n... [ Continue Reading ]
_We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed and therefore have I spoken._ FAITH THE MAINSPRING OF ACTION I. First, a man must have faith before he can hope to speak successfully. Believing deeply must go before speaking heartily. Take it with regard to any departmen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also._ SOUL-INSPIRING FACTS I. That Christ was raised from the dead. “Knowing,” etc. No fact in history is more firmly established. II. That the genuine disciple of Christ will also be raised. “Shall raise us up also,” etc. III. T... [ Continue Reading ]
For WHICH CAUSE WE FAINT NOT; BUT THOUGH OUR OUTWARD MAN PERISH, YET THE INWARD MAN IS RENEWED DAY BY DAY_._ Dual manhood I. There is a duality in Christian manhood. The apostle was not only a great theologian, but also a great philosopher. He here speaks of an “outward” and an “inward” man, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
_For our light affliction._ ., worketh for us a … weight of glory_._ LIGHT AFFLICTION AND ETERNAL GLORY I. A few preliminary observations upon affliction. 1. There are afflictions which are common to humanity. Disease and death (Genesis 3:17). 2. There are afflictions which are of a self-procur... [ Continue Reading ]
_While we look not at the things which are seen … which … are temporal _ THE LAW OF THE HIGHER VISION I. The seen exists in the midst of the unseen. There are two worlds--the world of sense and the world of spirit; and the world of spirit surrounds, enspheres, and interpenetrates the world of sense... [ Continue Reading ]