CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH THE MINISTRY OF THE NEW COVENANT

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Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7–18

2 Corinthians 4:8–11, 16–17 (NKJV)
8. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9. persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10. always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
16. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

All glory to the Lord Jesus for another day in this week. It is only by His mercy that we are not consumed, and His grace, mercy, and favour will continue to work in us and for us, in Jesus’ name.

Previously, we examined the ministry of the new covenant. But this morning, we will be looking at the challenges faced by the new covenant ministry. The Lord Jesus also faced challenges in His earthly ministry. We, as believers, should expect the same in the course of our ministry. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he laid emphasis on the challenges he faced. However, those challenges did not stop him in the ministry of the new covenant, nor did they reduce the potency or efficacy of the ministry.

The hope of the resurrection kept them from sinking (2 Corinthians 4:14). They knew that Christ was raised, and that His resurrection was an earnest and assurance of theirs. Paul had already treated this topic extensively in his former epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:1). Therefore, their hope was firm, being well-grounded in the belief that He who raised up Christ the Head will also raise up all His members.
Note: The hope of the resurrection encourages us in times of suffering and sets us above the fear of death. For what reason does a good Christian have to fear death when they die in the hope of a joyful resurrection?

Consideration of the glory of God and the benefit of the church—through their sufferings—kept them from fainting (2 Corinthians 4:15). Their sufferings were for the church’s advantage (2 Corinthians 1:6), and they brought glory to God. When the church is edified, God is glorified. We can bear sufferings patiently and cheerfully when we see others are being blessed—when they are instructed, edified, confirmed, and comforted.
Note: The sufferings of Christ’s ministers, like their preaching and conduct, are meant for the good of the church and the glory of God.

The thought of the advantage their souls would gain from the sufferings of their bodies kept them from fainting: “Though our outward man perish, our inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Here, note:

  1. Each of us has an outward and an inward man—a body and a soul.

  2. If the outward man perishes, there is no remedy. It must and will happen, for it was made to perish.

  3. It is our blessing if the decay of the outward man contributes to the renewing of the inward man—if outward afflictions become inward gains; if when the body is sick, weak, and perishing, the soul is vigorous and prosperous.

Even the best of men need continual inward renewal—day by day. Where the good work has begun, more work remains to carry it forward. As the wicked grow worse and worse, so the godly should grow better and better.

Believers who are ministers of the new covenant should also remember that suffering and affliction are temporary. They will not last forever. Whenever we are down, we should always remember that our home is not in this world. We should hold on to the reward that comes with this ministry (Romans 8:18), when we meet Jesus our Lord and Saviour on that glorious day.


PRAYER

Lord, we bless You for this morning and for the word You have sent to us again. May Your name be praised forever.

Lord, we pray that You grant us the grace to remain in You, even in times of challenges and trouble.

We pray that You open our spiritual eyes so that we may see beyond the sufferings and challenges of this present time.

Amen.


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