"Life Together: Ministry" Devo

May 27th, 2018

“Life Together: Ministry” - 2 Cor 6: 1-13

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “We Work Together” - 2 Corinthians 6: 1

I’m never quite sure how to respond when people start telling me about “their ministry”. Part of me is thrilled that someone has discovered their calling in how to serve others and that is something that they have passion about and take ownership in.  But the other part of me sometimes worries. Because when we start to describe certain ministries as being “mine” or “Susie’s ministry” or “Jim’s ministry” we can quickly miss the point. 

For the truth is we are all in ministry together. When we engage in ministry we do so as the church, following the leading of Jesus Christ, our Savior and head. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, a church filled with bitterness, bickering and divisions, to remind them that we are in ministry together. Not just Paul and those he is mentoring. Not just Paul and the Corinthians. But all believers under the authority and leadership of God. When we forget to whom ministry brings honor and glory we can forget why we are doing what we are doing in the first place.

How are ministry and grace connected?

Think of a time when you remember the Church working together to honor God. What was that experience like for you?

Prayer: Gracious God, we come together today because of you. It is you that we want to follow, Mighty God. It is you that we want to point others to through mission and ministry. It is you we want to glorify together with our brothers and sisters. Give us a common mission, Lord, and then send us out in the power of your name. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Right Time” - 2 Corinthians 6:2

We have talked before about how our English language sometime misses out on the particularity of words in other languages - because while we have one word that means many things, other languages may have many words to describe different aspects of those things. For example - the word love. In Greek there are at least 4 words for different types of love - love between spouses, love between friends, and the love of God just to name a few.

The same is true of the word time. There are at least two words to describe time. Chronos is time like what you look at on your watch or see on a calendar. It is the time we live in. But Kiros time is God’s timing. The timing that is something hard for us to understand. 

We sometimes try to meld together these two different types of time in our lives - asking why God doesn’t show up in our timing or when we want. But Paul is reminding us that the timing of God, the timing of Salvation, will arrive when it arrives. But if we are not looking for it, we could miss it. That is why Paul is passionately reminding that Church that the time of God is upon us - if only we would open up our hearts to receive it. 

How do we try to bring together calendar timing with God’s timing? What is the result?

What practices can you add to your life to appreciate and look for God’s perfect timing? 

Prayer:  Lord, we confess that we are not a patient people. Often we want what we want and when we want it. Sometimes our lack of patience shows up in the ways that we try to force your timing. Forgive us, O Lord, and help us to look for your timing and way. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Suffering” - 2 Cor 6: 3-5

Sometimes we think that because we are doing something for God - because we are trying to make God’s name known, that what we are doing should be easy. I have been in many a council meeting where an idea for ministry is brought forth only to hear “we tried that ‘x’ number of years ago. It didn’t work.” It is rare to be in a meeting representing the church where people are willing to try anything and everything, time and again, no matter what the cost, to honor and glorify God.

Paul is trying to remind the Corinthians that serving God is not always easy. In fact, he uses the lens of his own life in service to God to show just how hard it can be and just how much one can suffer for the Gospel. Paul isn’t drawing attention to his own suffering in order to bring feelings of pity. No! He is drawing attention to say “look at all I’ve went through and it was worth it”.

We need a shift from a mindset of scarcity - where we may try something once and if it doesn’t work we move on - to a mindset of abundance - we will give whatever is needed, however many times it is needed for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

How can we make the shift in mindset from scarcity to abundance?

What are you willing to give for the sake of the Gospel?

Prayer: Lord, you have given us a mission, and because it comes from you, we believe that it should be easier. We quickly give up when things prove to be harder than we imagined. Remind us, O Lord, that while the mission is sometimes hard and the road is often long, that we are seeking to honor you and your Kingdom, which is always worth it in the end. Amen. 

Thursday: “Righteousness” - 2 Corinthians 6: 6-10

I recently finished a book that was about trials along our faith journey. Two types of trails that we spoken of often were medical concerns and persecution of Christian in other countries around the world. At first, these two things may seem to have nothing in common, but the author was making the point that when we face unspeakable hardships our faith can often shine through in ways we never could have imagined. He spoke of friends who were dying of incurable diseased who turned to him and said “watch, this is how a Christian prepares to die” just as martyrs, persecuted for their faith said “watch, this is how I live and suffer for Christ”.

Paul knew what it was like to suffer for Christ, but for him suffering and living were connected hand in hand. Whether he lived or died, he knew that he was proclaiming the gospel and living a righteous life.

On the other hand, the Corinthians were spending the time they had quarreling with one another - living in ways that we would have a hard time defining as righteous. Paul is reminding them that the path to joy and abundance, is the way of the cross - which leads to life and death. Suffering and resurrection. 

Why do we desire faith to be easy?

How do you respond when something difficult happens in your life?

Prayer: Lord, you invite us along this path and while it may be trying you also remind us that you will never leave us nor forsake us. You invite us to the way of life, eternal life and abundant life, but also know that it requires death to self. Help us, Precious Lord, in each of our living moments to seek to live righteous lives, as those who are prepared to die. Amen. 

Friday: “Hearts Wide Open” - 2 Cor 6: 11-13

Why did Paul suffer? So that others, like the Corinthians may come to know the love of a Savior. He poured himself out so that they could find eternal life and follow the way of the cross. 

But Paul is also disappointed because as much as he has poured into them so that they could pour into others, they have squandered the gift - turning instead to the ease of arguing with one another instead of putting energy and effort into spread the Good News. He is pleading with them to open their hearts for others, as Paul has opened their hearts to them.

Sometimes we miss the point. Sometimes we fail to make the effort that the Gospel is worth. But we are reminded through this passage, that hope is not loss. We can repent and start again. We can put our passion into the place of making disciples of Jesus Christ. If only we choose to open our hearts wide anew. 

What does it look like for you to open your heart wide?

Prayer: God, you have given everything for us, and we have sometimes given so little in return. Crack open our stubborn hearts, O Lord, and let us love others as you have loved us. We pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Life Together: Confession and Communion” -  1 Corinthians 11: 24-27

Family Activity: What happens when you fight with siblings or friends? How does it make you feel during and after your fight? Would you rather be fighting or playing together? Why?