Sermon Tone Analysis

The Attitude And Assurance Of The Preacher 2

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

 

 

*Safe In God’s Keeping*

 

        “The Christian Herald” carried a testimony of assurance given by the Scottish preacher McLeod Campbell.

One day a friend who was filled with doubt and spiritual perplexity inquired, “Pastor, you always seem to have peace of soul.

Tell me, how can you feel that you’ve got such a tight hold on God?”

For a moment the minister was silent.

Then with a smile he exclaimed, “I don’t always feel that I have hold of Him, but praise the Lord, I know that He always has hold of me!”

This truth also brings comfort in trial as the poet said:

 

Able to keep!  Yes, able to keep,

Though rough the path, all rugged and steep;

Tender the heart that’s caring for me,

Mighty the grace, “sufficient for thee.”

Able to keep - my weakness He knows,

Strong the temptation, crafty the foes;

God is my refuge, He is my shield,

Power almighty that never shall yield.

Thank God that He has left us, in His Word, an assuring testimony of His protection.

We are here today to celebrate the anniversary of Pastor Robert and Sister Valoree Lee, and I want to preach something that I pray will encourage their hearts.

So, forgive me for preaching to them more than to you.

In addition, I want you to forgive me for preaching to myself at times, because of the calling of God upon my own life.

Pastor Lee, when God has called you to proclaim His Word there ought to be a peaceful attitude and an assurance that God will keep you in His protective love and grace.

But the beloved Apostle Paul exhibits, as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, an even greater attitude and assurance in 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.

Would you notice that with me please?

/(Let’s Consider First:)/

 

I.

The Circumstances Of Paul’s Ministry.

/(The circumstances of Paul’s present ministry entailed:)/

 

A.

The door at Troas.

Paul tells of the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ had opened a door for him to preach the gospel of Christ in Troas.

The Lord had opened up for him an extended opportunity to preach the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to procure eternal salvation for those who trust in Him.

I believe, Pastor Lee, that God has done the same thing for you.

We talked about this, before you accepted the call of this church.

It is God who opens a door of ministry, not Mankind!!!

 

/(Paul begins this portion of Scripture with this tremendous blessing:  but ministry is no picnic./

/He turns his attention from the door at Troas to:)/

 

B.

The distress at Troas.

There is some confusion over the exact circumstances to which Paul was referring.

But the simplest explanation is that while on this journey, Paul had hoped to meet Titus at Troas.

When Titus did *not* show up, He was very worried and was troubled in his spirit.

So, he left Troas and went on to Macedonia.

*Every minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ knows that with every open door there is distress.*

When God works¾Satan works!!!  */New levels—new devils!!!/*  But, thank God that although Satan is powerful, God is all-powerful; that Satan is potent, but Jehovah God is omnipotent.

/(Now we have the circumstances surrounding Paul’s next statement.

In his next statement, we can see that there is something more important in Paul’s life than the circumstances of his ministry and that is:)/

 

 

II.

The Character Of Paul’s Ministry.

/(The character of his ministry can be seen first of all in an attitude.

That attitude is:)/

 

A.

The thankfulness of Paul.

One of the main words in this passage, in the Greek, is the word ‘thanks’.

thanks /5485 charis/ “4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favors)” /(Thayer’s Greek~/English Lexicon)/.

\\ *Paul’s ministry was characterized by thankfulness!*

If you would search your concordance, you would find out that Paul talked a great deal about thankfulness.

As a matter of fact, this is one of six times that He exclaims, “Thanks be to God!”

He makes this exclamation five other times:

 

Romans 6:17-18, “*But thanks be to God* that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Romans 7:24-8:1, “Wretched man that I am!  Who will set me free from the body of this death?

*Thanks be to God* through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other hand, with my flesh the law of sin.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

 

1 Corinthians 15:56-57, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but *thanks be to God*, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

2 Corinthians 8:16, “But *thanks be to God*, who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.”

 

2 Corinthians 9:15, “*Thanks be to God* for His indescribable gift!”

The life of a minister ought to be a life characterized by thanksgiving.

So, co-laborers in the Gospel, let’s cultivate the attitude of gratitude!!!

 

/(But why was Paul thankful?

He was thankful because of the confidence he had.

Let’s explore:)/

 

III.

The Confidence Of Paul’s Ministry.

/(Paul was confident of:)/

 

A.

God’s victory.

\\ /(He was confident of God’s victory because:)/

 

1.

God always leads us in the triumph that is in Christ.

Paul was a participant in the triumphal procession of God.  “The picture is the triumphal entry of a military hero into the city of Rome (Lamar Williamson, Jr., “Led in Triumph:  Paul’s Use of Thriambeuo,” /Interpretation/, 22 [July, 1968], 322).

The victorious Roman general marched into the city in a long procession preceded by the city magistrates.

They were followed by trumpeters, then the spoils taken from the enemy followed by white oxen intended for sacrifice, then the captives headed by the king of the conquered country, then officials of the victorious army and musicians dancing and playing, and at last the general himself in whose honor the whole wonderful pageant was taking place.

Paul represents himself as one of the ‘victorious general’s soldiers sharing in the glory of his triumph (Barrett).’”[1]

*Pastor Lee, we’re gonna win!!!*  Church, we’re gonna win!

 

/(Paul was confident of God’s victory, and he was also confident of:)/

 

B.

God’s vocation.

/(What was that vocation?)/

1.

God used Paul as an instrument to manifest the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

God used Paul as a holy instrument or vessel to make known, to the world, the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

·        This is more than the knowledge of the Christian religion.

·        This is the more advanced knowledge of the Christian religion.

·        This is the knowledge of the lawful and unlawful.

·        This is the knowledge of moral wisdom.

·        This is the knowledge of right living.

In short, this is the knowledge of Christ!!!

And likewise, God uses us as instruments to manifest the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

\\ Paul metaphorizes this knowledge of Jesus Christ as a sweet aroma that permeates every place that we, ministers of Christ, go.

“It was customary for the triumphal processions to be accompanied by the release of sweet odors from the burning of spices in the streets.”[2]

*The “Perfume” Of His Presence*