Gospel: Darkness to Light

2 Corinthians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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ME

WE

GOD

Time flies. We’ve been now in the letter to the Church of Corinth for four messages now and this message seem appropriate and fitting to summarize what we have learned so far. In retrospect, it may have been more advantageous to choose a larger pericope of because as you will see, many of the themes we have been exploring are almost word for word repeated in the beginning of chapter 4, (and keep in mind, chapter 4 is an addition to a letter which originally did not have chapters or verses as divisions). For those who are only here for the first time, let’s catch up what we’ve learned so far. Paul sent Titus upon an unpleasant exchange with the church of Corinth which he founded in order to see if a certain individual in question in 1 Corinthians had repented of his sinful ways, as his sin was spreading into the community in order for them to take sides. Some hurtful words were exchanged in the heat of the argument and there were even some who accused Paul as being soft in person, harsh in writing, while others (or maybe the same people) even questioned the authenticity of Paul’s apostleship. Corinthians was seen as a letter written partially at least to prove Paul’s authentic apostleship, that he met and represents Jesus, and the gospel he preaches is from a heavenly source. Here we are reminded how heartbreaking it must be for Paul to have to see these children of his (if a founder is like the father to the cause) were so easily swayed by Paul’s opponents. We just left off last time Paul even using a comparison between the old covenant from Moses whose glory have faded because the new covenant he brings has superceded it. Paul likens it to a veil which we were reminded of Moses putting on one in order for the Israelites to not see the residue of God’s glory directly. But those who belong to the new covenant have unveiled access to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ who demonstrates God’s glory through his life, death and resurrection. With this summary, we can now look at chapter 4 beginning with an obvious echo to chapter 3 verse 12 (and if you have time, also look at 2:14-17, especially verses 17 and notice the similarity):

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,

And 4:1, it says:

4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

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The first from an affirmative perspective: hope in the glorious new covenant leads to boldness to declare it.
The second from a negative perspective, negative not in the sense of wrong, but in the sense of using “not.” The first one says we ARE, the second says what we NEED NOT be afraid, or as ESV translate, we do not lose heart leading to despair and weariness. This indicates this is a new point in defending his apostleship. But what compels this, God has given Paul a ministry by mercy. Not because of his ability. Not because he was a Pharisee, from the tribe of Benjamin, fautless when it comes to obeying the Mosaic law. Nor his zeal for doing what he thought God wanted him to do (arrest and imprison followers of Jesus before he was converted). No, his ministry is by MERCY! That’s surprising. If mercy means to spare someone from their grave mistake, it’s the other way around. It’s looking at ministry from the bottom up. See we think we are worthy of the ministry of the gospel because we have something to offer. But it’s the opposite. We should be so unworthy of the ministry of the gospel yet God still entrusts us who are so undeserving with the task. But that precisely sets us free, as it must have for Paul, to not be discouraged no matter how difficult his trials are because he is counted worthy outside of his ability to be a minister. Now, with these shackles of performance or competence removed, Paul knows he is stripped of all hindrances from sharing the faith “by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” Again, I think the ESV trips over unnecessary cumbersome words, surprisingly even NIV follows suit with:
On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
It’s that latter part which is clunky english in my opinion. NIV resolves the first part by saying what the open statement of the truth is? It’s telling the truth plainly, but the latter is identical to ESV. The version which makes the most sense but may miss some nuances is the NLT: we tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
NLT takes the everyone’s consience to mean honesty, but loses the idea of commendation completely. Probably a combination of these translation would be best: that in declaring the truth plainly (that’s what an open statement means), I submit (commend) all who have a consience (to judge between right and wrong) can determine whether what I say is true or not with God as my witness! Paul is saying because he is different from others who declare God’s word in one main feature, he tells it like it is, he is confident the gospel he shares will ultimately prevail. So this is the first point:

I. GOD COMPELLS US TO BOLDLY DECLARE HIS WORD UNFILTERED.

2 Corinthians 4:1–2 ESV
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
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Now having said that, clearly Paul is saying there ARE ways to malign and embellish God’s word. In fact, he listed out three, and we ought to take note what they are to judge when we watch television or listen on a radio or podcast if we are hearing the word correctly, and even more importantly, if we in fact may or may not be guilty of taking God’s word in such a way.
The first thing Paul renounces is disgraceful. What is Paul disapprove of? A disgraceful way. To minister in a disgraceful in the Greek means a way which brings shame. The one thing which immediate comes to mind is minister with strings attached. It’s infommercial preaching, asking for money in exchange for healing. Promising personal benefits if you accept the word.
Shannon and I one time before we were married was at my parent’s house and we were bored so we turn the channel to CTS and watch in horror and amusement as a preacher promise a luxurious life if you would give them a call. His wife was sitting on what appears to be a throne so MCBC, where’s si mo’s… anyways.
The second word is underhanded which actually means done in secret and is not necessarily a negative word. In the passages where Jesus taught the disciple to give, pray, and fast to do it in secret and your Father who sees it will reward you, uses the same word. But what then is wrong with ministering in a secret way? What if we add the words secretive dealings or secretive practices, perhaps it makes it more clear. It’s under-the-table exchanges and transactions. Whereas the shameful is blatantly obvious, the secretive ways catches us by surprise. These are the backroom dealings, politicing which is so often used in the world being brought into the church for the same earthly gain, financial, or noteriety/fame, or success. Unfortunately, I have heard of stories in church leadership where these things happened, especially if power dynamics are involved. These two combined is what Paul has seen those who don’t rely on the plain truth of the gospel rely on. In other words, is gospel plus something because a lack of confidence in the power of the plain gospel to persuade.
The last one is just as aggregious, practice cunning means deceitfulness or lying about God’s word, or tamper which means to alter it for one’s advantage. This is seen perhaps if an accusation to Paul that somehow he allows Gentiles to not have to follow Mosaic law in order to be included into Christian community. Today, it often appears as softening the tough choices of the gospel on the one hand, that it does demand us to give our life to God. Or we overplay the idea of works righteousness that our consumeristic gospel seems to not demand any contribution except to sit nicely in the pews and hear God’s word, rinse, and repeat. Or some liberal churches have completely sanitize the gospel to be devoid of blood and sacrifice (including our Lord Jesus’ because it’s too violent and barbaric) thus neutering Jesus to be nothing more then a self-help guru or a wise sage, but not a Saviour and Lord who demands our life yielded and submitted to his will for his glory!

II. GOD CLEARS OUR DARKENED MIND TO SEE THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL.

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

We’ve seen this before, last messsage, when Paul talked about the veil. It parallels verses 14 in chapter 3:

14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.

14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15

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We already explored about their minds were hardened, and the end result of this hardened mind is perishing. Though Paul offers a glimmer of hope, notice it says those who are perishing (on the way to) not perished (final state). the verb is either middle (subject of the verb is acting upon itself) or passive, which means something is acting upon it. Something, or someone is causing the veil to be covering their eyes, thus leading them to perishing. We find out of course the cause is the god of this world, though the word ‘world’ is more properly translated as ‘age,’ the god of this age is none other than Satan who has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Again, there is hope, or dare I say light in these words also. Just as a veil can be lifted, a god of this age can only do his worse THIS age, and not in the age to come. Satan’s power is limited whereas God’s power is eternal. But if for this age alone Satan has already caused enough trouble. Blindness here means the metaphor of someone who is blunted from exercising mental discernment between truth and lies. It is Satan who uses all kinds of devilish schemes and ways to prevent the plain truth from being accepted.

15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Just look at the Corinthians, they heard even the truth from the very source of their conversion Paul and yet a little well-planted doubt about Paul’s authority, a little comparison of the mighty Paul (I am being facetious here) to the other superapostles, and a harsher word to one of their own, and the church is already in uproar, being blinded because they want to believe something else. They wanted a Paul who is presentable not only in word but also in person! They wanted Paul at the same time to not be so condemning in his challenges to their Christian walk! They wanted to keep their pride by deceiving themselves that their community isn’t all that bad. They want to believe free from pain. All these blinders and false expectations cloud their judgment and misguided them to oppose Paul. But the gospel exposes all falsities powerfully and lovingly! It’s apt Paul should use the metaphor of blindness as his own personal testimony reveals a life from darkness to light.
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Saul, as he was known in his Hebrew name was a Christian hunter who thought he was doing God’s will by opposing Jesus and his followers as we said earlier. On one of those occasions to arrest more rebels of the pure Jewish religion, while on his way to Damascus, he had a supernatural encounter. Acts 9:
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3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

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Verse 8:
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8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Paul’s own experience and life is metaphor for what he is saying now to the Church of Corinth. The god of this age has blinded him completely, thoroughly, deceptively he actually thought he was doing God a favour by opposing Jesus! Only when the living God himself revealed he was none other than the Jesus he persecuted did he realize how utterly deceived he was by the powers at work not only in his life, but in the Pharasaic system and the sanhedrin, the council of the High Priest. All of them, willingly bought into a lie when the truth was staring them in the face. But just as dramatic is Paul’s blindness to keep him from seeing light, is God’s remedy to demonstrate physically and visibly the inner transformation of the Damascus encounter. He sent a man named Annanias to find this Saul on straight street and lay hands on him.

18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

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This is Paul’s testimony! A man who was blinded by darkness of his own zeal, own hatred, own ambition and religious fervor, being used by Satan to achieve his agenda, only to be rescued by the risen Christ and turned into a suffering instrument to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ alongside of the very Christians he once had on his hit list! That is the power of the gospel! That is how a changed life can reveal the glory of Christ! We already explored that theme as well in 3:18, but Paul takes it further that this glorious Christ is none other than the image of God, a new insight. This means Christ is God, and echoes the famous passage “He is the image of the invisible God.” This truth means all of God is revealed in who Jesus is, what Jesus does and says. Although God is immeasurably more than the man Jesus can reveal while he was on earth, what is revealed in Jesus’ earthly ministry will never contradict who God is. Remember in the Gospel of one of his disciples Phillip ask Jesus to show him the father, Jesus says to him plainly, “have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Phillip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
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The question for us who have been coming to MCBC and have not taken the step of faith to receive the gospel, at least one angle of looking at it might be, I know who is it that is blinding me from seeing and accepting this truth that Jesus is my Saviour who died for my sin and He is LORD who deserves my allegiance, but what exactly is holding me back? No amount of introspection will get you there, this can only be ascertained by asking the one who gives sight and who is light what is the condition of your blindness? Then cry out to him “I want to see!”
And for those who are already believers the question to ask may be in what ways am I still blinded from experiencing more of Jesus in my life? Is it a habit I need to break? Is it a relationship I need to end or re-evaluate at least? Is it an idol I need to let go of? I pray you too will experience what Paul says is the transformation from darkness to light.
Lastly,

III. GOD COMMISSIONS US TO BE SERVANTS SO WE CAN GLORIFY THE CHRIST.

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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Again, we have explored this theme in previous messages when we declare all of us are ministers of the gospel, and that we boast not about ourselves, even if we are doing things for God, it’s not about you, it’s not even about them, it is first and foremost about Jesus Christ! He is the source, the reason, the purpose for all ministry. And not just Jesus Christ though even that thought should make us shudder. If it doesn’t, I submit to you the reason may be the word ‘Christ,’ which means Messiah, and not his last name. Everything hinges on the fact Jesus is the Messiah, or the Christ. In fact, it may be more helpful to us (since we often say Jesus Christ so often like a last name like Jessica Lee, or Ryan Ho) is add the in front of Christ. I know, the original language doesn’t have a definite article, but ‘the Christ’ is his title, his vocation, his fulfillment of an age old prophecy from the First Covenant, the Old Testament that God through the prophets declared that one day a Jewish King will come as a suffering servant to bring about God’s everlasting kingdom, heaven on earth through his sacrifice and death and vindication. The gospel is about the enthronement of Jesus in fulfillment of Jewish, and by extension the cosmic expectation as King over all creation, calling a people for himself to exercise his fair and just rule. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead is the process by which the gospel is fulfilled. But the gospel is the proclamation: Jesus is Lord! Then Paul throws a twist, if Jesus is Lord then we are His servant, but he says we are your servant, that is in his context he is the church of Corinth’s servants, but with the qualifier, for Jesus’ sake. What Paul is saying is our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, but the working out of that allegiance means we submit to the others first before we receive. We give away our rights and privileges, time and labour and submit to those we shepherd.
This is a radical idea not only in first Century context but also in twenty-first century! Christians ought to strive even further than a Me-Too Movement which is about vindication. Our movement is a You-First movement which is about servanthood! Think of how radical the relationships we have with others will be if we did that with our spouse, with our children, with our parents, with our bosses. And don’t forget who the church of Corinth was at this moment in relationship with Paul; they are the ungrateful, boastful, prideful, and judgmental children of the church plant from Paul’s labour. Now Paul doesn’t say he is going to be a doormat (we will learn this in future messages), but Paul gives up his right to be selective on whom he chooses to be a servant to. When we have only one Lord, all of us are striving to outdo one another in our You-First movement!
will be if we did that with our spouse, with our children, with our parents, with our bosses. And don’t forget who the church of Corinth was at this moment in relationship with Paul; they are the ungrateful, boastful, prideful, and judgmental children of the church plant from Paul’s labour. Now Paul doesn’t say he is going to be a doormat (we will learn this in future messages), but Paul gives up his right to be selective on whom he chooses to be a servant to. When we have only one Lord, all of us are striving to outdo one another in our You-First movement!
Then Paul quotes God directly but if you search through the whole Bible you will not actually find this verse anywhere: “Let light shine out of darkness” except perhaps all the way at the beginning of all things, in the story of Creation. Genesis 1:3:

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

Paul once again could be referring to his conversion when the great light of Christ shone into his heart and reveal Jesus Christ is none other than God in all his glory. But perhaps the reference to Genesis is not by accident, but speaks of the power of that divine encounter each of us can have, already have, or will have when we are transformed from blindness and darkness to sight and light is as powerful as the primordial creation of God uttering existence into time and space! Paul ties this revelation as to the reason for our service. By his mercy, the light and glory which Moses need to be veiled from and the Israelites cower in horror to flee from, now, NOW bask onto us like the warmth of a Father’s touch and is revealed when we are most like his Son in love and sacrifice. That ought to be the only motivation and empowerment we need to live each day, fully and ready for Him! May God be all the glory in the presence of Jesus Christ!

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

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4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

YOU

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Co 4:1–2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.YOU
Our next time when we pick up this message will be almost at the end of the year in December. May this series thus far challenge us as a community to live with the hope to boldly and plainly proclaim the gospel of He who brings us out of darkness into marvellous light in order to serve others first for the sake of Christ! How will you respond to this glorious calling?
Let’s pray.

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