NOT LIVING IN VAIN (11 OF 17)
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-18
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Not Living in Vain (11 of 17)
Series: 2 Corinthians
Robert Dawson
2 Corinthians 5.20-6.18
This time is my least favorite time of the year, for many different reasons but one reason stands out, the oak trees in my yard, and there are a lot of them!! It is so discouraging. You crank up the mower, break out the rake and the blower clean the yard and before you have finished what you started the leaves are already beginning to fall. They fall all autumn and winter because they all let go at different times. Some let go of the leaves and stand bare while others cleave to their foliage until new growth forces last year's growth to the ground. It is an inescapable exercise in futility. It feels like a colossal waste of time.
Anything that we do over and over again, can feel that way. I feel that way about the yards, sweeping the kitchen floor, telling the kids to put their dishes in the dishwasher and I know my wife feels that way about washing clothes, an activity I was banned from ever doing again almost 25 years ago. Can't say my heart is broken over it.
No one wants to feel as if they have wasted their time and energy. Paul does not want us to waste the ministry that God has entrusted to us as believers. Sometimes, we feel about ministry the way I feel about the yards, it just doesn't matter. It's never finished. There is no end. It is relentless.
That may be true, it may be relentless, never-ending without a measurable finish, but it is important. It is fulfilling. In this passage Paul reminds us of some truths to help us not waste what God has given and stay the course.
The first reminder we are given is...WE ARE PARTNERS WITH GOD IN GOSPEL WORK
Let's go back and pick up a few verses at the close of chapter 5 as we read. It will help us maintain the flow of thought running through the passage. 2 Corinthians 5.20-6.1 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be r ...
Series: 2 Corinthians
Robert Dawson
2 Corinthians 5.20-6.18
This time is my least favorite time of the year, for many different reasons but one reason stands out, the oak trees in my yard, and there are a lot of them!! It is so discouraging. You crank up the mower, break out the rake and the blower clean the yard and before you have finished what you started the leaves are already beginning to fall. They fall all autumn and winter because they all let go at different times. Some let go of the leaves and stand bare while others cleave to their foliage until new growth forces last year's growth to the ground. It is an inescapable exercise in futility. It feels like a colossal waste of time.
Anything that we do over and over again, can feel that way. I feel that way about the yards, sweeping the kitchen floor, telling the kids to put their dishes in the dishwasher and I know my wife feels that way about washing clothes, an activity I was banned from ever doing again almost 25 years ago. Can't say my heart is broken over it.
No one wants to feel as if they have wasted their time and energy. Paul does not want us to waste the ministry that God has entrusted to us as believers. Sometimes, we feel about ministry the way I feel about the yards, it just doesn't matter. It's never finished. There is no end. It is relentless.
That may be true, it may be relentless, never-ending without a measurable finish, but it is important. It is fulfilling. In this passage Paul reminds us of some truths to help us not waste what God has given and stay the course.
The first reminder we are given is...WE ARE PARTNERS WITH GOD IN GOSPEL WORK
Let's go back and pick up a few verses at the close of chapter 5 as we read. It will help us maintain the flow of thought running through the passage. 2 Corinthians 5.20-6.1 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be r ...
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