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Ordination: Giver of Light
Marion Clark
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Introduction
It is appropriate, as we gather to ordain a man to serve as a minister of the gospel, to consider what such a calling entails. Our passage is an exposition by the apostle Paul of his own calling and of his fellow ministers who served with him.
Paul reflects on his ministry during a difficult time. He has undergone grievous persecutions. As he says in 1:8, 9: ''For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.''
Furthermore, his relations with the Corinth believers is strained, to say the least. His authority as an apostle is being questioned, and their interchange has left hurt feelings on both sides. In the midst of what should be a discouraging time in his ministry, he articulates what he regards his ministry to be about.
Text
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
''This ministry'' is the ministry of the new covenant. In chapter three he contrasts the new covenant ministry with that of the old covenant law. Whereas, the old covenant ministry was of the letter, i.e. the law, the new covenant ministry is of the Spirit. Because the letter kills, the old covenant ministry was in effect a ministry of death. But the Spirit gives life, and thus the new covenant ministry is life-giving. The glory of the old covenant was a fading glory; the glory of the new covenant is everlasting. Indeed, it is transforming the redeemed into the glory of the image of the Lord.
Glory is what Paul's ministry is about: ''And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit'' (3:18). Isn't that great stuff? Paul thought so. ''Therefore, ...
Marion Clark
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Introduction
It is appropriate, as we gather to ordain a man to serve as a minister of the gospel, to consider what such a calling entails. Our passage is an exposition by the apostle Paul of his own calling and of his fellow ministers who served with him.
Paul reflects on his ministry during a difficult time. He has undergone grievous persecutions. As he says in 1:8, 9: ''For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.''
Furthermore, his relations with the Corinth believers is strained, to say the least. His authority as an apostle is being questioned, and their interchange has left hurt feelings on both sides. In the midst of what should be a discouraging time in his ministry, he articulates what he regards his ministry to be about.
Text
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
''This ministry'' is the ministry of the new covenant. In chapter three he contrasts the new covenant ministry with that of the old covenant law. Whereas, the old covenant ministry was of the letter, i.e. the law, the new covenant ministry is of the Spirit. Because the letter kills, the old covenant ministry was in effect a ministry of death. But the Spirit gives life, and thus the new covenant ministry is life-giving. The glory of the old covenant was a fading glory; the glory of the new covenant is everlasting. Indeed, it is transforming the redeemed into the glory of the image of the Lord.
Glory is what Paul's ministry is about: ''And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit'' (3:18). Isn't that great stuff? Paul thought so. ''Therefore, ...
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