2 Corinthians 4 (2)

Pray Psalm 71.14-16.
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

Sing Psalm 71.14-16, 3.
(Solid Rock: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)
But as for me my voice I raise to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell Your never-ending grace to tell.
Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
my Rock and Fortress ever be!

Read 2 Corinthians 4.1-6; meditate on verses 5, 6.

Preparation
1. Whom did Paul preach?

2. To what end did he preach and minister?

Meditation
Paul summarizes his calling and ministry in these two verses. He acknowledges that God commanded His light to shine on him, to lift him out of the darkness of sin and wrong belief into the glorious light of Christ and His Kingdom (v. 6). This is where every believer’s ministry begins—called by God, saved by Jesus, indwelled and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and sent by God as a servant to the world.

So our message is not ourselves (v. 5) but Jesus. We are His bondservants for the people to whom He sends us each day, that we might bear witness to Christ in all our words and deeds.

As we come to God’s Word day by day, He gives us light to know Jesus better and to experience the glory that radiates from His face (v. 6). As God works in us, so we work as a servant to others, by our words and deeds seeking to lead them into the glory of the Lord. Our goal is not to attach anyone to ourselves but to Jesus. God will shine His light in all who hear and believe the Good News. Then He begins the work of drawing them ever more deeply into the knowledge of the Lord, that they may see His glory and live for His glory in every aspect of their lives.

The goal of all ministry is to connect people with Jesus. When they see Him in His beauty, majesty, goodness, might, and truth, they will be drawn to Him and transformed into His image. And God is pleased to give us a role in this exciting work.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
“I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies” (Ps. 119.125).

We are “bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4.5) to share His love and glory.

And as His Kingdom workers, we rejoice to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our God is an awesome God!

“For it is the God who commanded
light to shine out of darkness,
who has shone in our hearts to give
the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4.6).

Light to shine out of darkness.
Light to disperse darkness.
Light to overcome darkness.
Light to change heart darkness.

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (Jn. 1.4, 5).

As His people, His servants, we share His truth, walk in His light, and rejoice to know Him.
“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
“In Your Name they rejoice all day long…” (Ps. 89.15, 16).

We, as His servants, have been tasked to carry this joyful sound and light to others. For truly, “The goal of all ministry is to connect people with Jesus. When they see Him in His beauty, majesty, goodness, might, and truth, they will be drawn to Him and transformed into His image.”

“My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day…” (Ps. 71.15).

For reflection
1. Whom will you seek to connect with Jesus today? How will you do that?

2. How do you connect with Jesus? How can you be more consistent in connecting with Him?

3. How does knowing your Personal Mission Field help you fulfill your calling as a servant?

I am a servant. I am but a minister of those who receive the gospel, transacting everything for Another, and for his glory doing what I do. John Chrysostom (344-407), Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians 8.3

Pray Psalm 71.17-24.
Pray that God will give you opportunities to minister His Word today. Praise and thank Him in advance for the grace you need to serve Him faithfully.

Sing Psalm 71.17-24.
(Solid Rock: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)
O LORD, I praise Your righteousness Who me from youth have taught and blessed.
Forsake me not when I am old, ‘til I Your mercies all have told!
Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
my Rock and Fortress ever be!

Your righteous deeds are great and true. O God, there is no one like You!
Though many troubles I have seen, You will revive my soul again!
Refrain

Increase my greatness, comfort me, and unto You shall praises be.
Your truth I will exalt full well, O Holy One of Israel!
Refrain

My lips with joy and praises ring; to You, Redeemer, praise I bring!
I praise Your goodness all day long; LORD, humble all who do me wrong.
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

Want to learn more about encouragement? Download the six installments of our free ReVision study on “Encouragement” by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.