Sharing the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ - Part 974

Interestingly, the good news gospel ministry that the apostles presented "without fainting" did not include taking it upon themselves to promote their own personal agenda. Indeed, their ministry was not about making money. Neither were their ministries carried out in their own name. Rather,as Paul wrote, their sole motive was to preach Jesus in everything they did in word or deed.

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." (II Corinthians 4:5)

"Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." (Colossians 3:17)

As you can see, their motive was to share the life-changing message of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. How He who knew no sin willingly became sin, shedding His precious blood on a cross so that we could obtain His gift of salvation. "This treasure in earthen vessels." (II Corinthians 5:7)

"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." (II Corinthians 4:6)

Further, apostle Paul wants us to experience the Spirit of the living God that lives not in "tables of stone but in fleshy tables of the heart ... [so that] such trust have we through Christ to Godward, not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency of God ... who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament." (II Corinthians 3:3-6) 

"Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the glorious gospel of Christ -- who IS the image of God should shine unto them." (II Corinthians 4:1-4)

But then Paul writes: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (II Corithians 4:7)

Note -- "not of us." It is not the apostles who heal the sick, or cast out demons. It is not the apostles (in and of themselves) that can give hope to the lost. It is not the apostles who turn the world correctly on its axle day in and day out for both the good and evil. It is not the apostles who can give life everlasting to those who seek Jesus. 

In fact, the apostles knew firsthand that this treasure in earthen vessels -- this treasure that exists within you and I when we seek Jesus and His righteousness by faith -- and the power that comes from His gift of the Holy Ghost is not of them. "Not of us," they proclaimed, always pointing to Jesus as the author and finisher of their/our faith. (II Corinthians 4:7)

"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 works in us, but life in you. 

We have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak, knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present [us] with you. For all things [are] for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God ... for which cause we faint not." (II Corinthians 5:10-16)

Like Mary (the mother of Jesus) said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:46-47)

Now if only those who proclaim to be ministers of the good news gospel of Jesus the Christ today would remember the apostles' words when they preach the gospel. Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.