Live in Such a Way (2 Cor. 6:3-13) *All verses in NLT*
– 2 Cor. 6:3, We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.
– Revival Week had me reflect on how I am living. How I interact with others. How I represent Jesus.
– What am I known for? How do I “represent” the Gospel, and the life of a Christian?
– Example: Jimmy Carter, 39th president 1977-1981, died in December. Lived to be 100 years old.
– “As president, Carter prayed several times a day, and said Jesus was the driving force in his life. He was greatly influenced by a sermon he had heard as a young man that asked: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?””
– Carter was a Naval Officer, a peanut farmer, the governor of Georgia, and our 39th President of US.
– His one-term presidency is universally viewed as a failure, but he did far more in his life than this.
– He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
– (Working with Habitat for Humanity) By 2019, the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project had helped 4,390 families move into safe, affordable shelter in 14 countries. Over the years, more than 104,000 volunteers from all over the world signed up to build alongside the Carters.
– Established the Carter Center, focused on advancing human rights and alleviating human suffering. Among these efforts has been working with the World Health Organization to eradicate Guinea worm disease. The incidence of this disease has decreased from 3.5 million cases in the mid-1980s to 25 cases in 2016, & only 4 in the first seven months of 2024, (Completely eliminated in 17 countries).
– We saw him teaching Sunday school, Maranatha Baptist, 25 years ago… (*Picture*)
– His legacy is a positive one. He was a man of integrity, humility, and kindness, who used his gifts and abilities to do good in the world. He represented Christ well. No scandals. No indiscretions. Faithfully married. Serving his community, his country, and the world.
– We must consider how WE are living. What example of a “Christian” are YOU displaying?
– As Christians, we must “live in such a way” as to represent Jesus and the gospel. Otherwise, we risk leading others astray.
– The Apostle Paul shared this concern in his letter to the Church in Corinth, and he shows us an example of how to “live in such a way”, so we can represent the Gospel of Jesus, well.
– 2 Cor. 6:3-13 (NLT), We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. 11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
In everything you do, represent Jesus.
– “We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God.”
– The NKVJ says, “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.”
– The Gospel is offensive, but YOU don’t have to be. If someone rejects the Gospel, let it be because of the message and not because of the delivery.
– 1 Cor. 1:18, The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
– Example: Co-worker who stopped me from telling them the gospel, because dad not saved, which means I’m saying his dad is in hell… It is offensive to those who don’t believe…
– Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes...
– So, it is not good enough to just say, “the gospel offends”, because without it, many are going to hell. So you must find a way to deliver it in a way it can be received.
Communication: What is heard is more important than what is said, because that is the message that will spread. Many things affect your communication with others:
– How you have behaved and spoken in the past. (Your social media likes/comments/shares)
– Tone, inflection, body language, word choice, sincerity…
– Unfortunately, you are working against all of the previous damage you or others created in the name of Christ….
** YOU CAN FIX THIS! Be humble, authentic, patient, and kind. Know the true Gospel and your testimony. This goes a long way to rebuilding communication lines.
– Romans 12:17b-18, … Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
– 1 Cor 9:22-23, When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
– PRIDEFULNESS and being easily offended ruin your witness, and make Christ look bad.
– Paul stayed honest and unashamed, but also told the hard truths. He did what it took!
– How do WE do this?
- Patiently endure troubles and hardships.
– 2 Cor 6:3-4, We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
– Paul and his team endured beatings, prison, angry mobs, no sleep, no food, and all kinds of hardship, but they continued in their mission, without complaining, anger, or retaliation.
– 2 Tim 3:12, Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (Because it is so counter-cultural! You can’t “go with the flow”!)
– The Greek word used here for “patiently” is more like “endurance”, not simply waiting around, but actively enduring. (Like: in the flood, you are swimming, not floating with the current.)
– Barclay said, “Nowadays it is not the violence but the mockery or the amused contempt of the crowd against which the Christian must stand fast.”
– Disrespect and ridicule are frustrating, and can make you want to lash out, but that’s what the enemy wants and will use it to discredit you.
– Proverbs 19:11, Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
– Eph 4:29, Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Change your perspective on your situation:
– James 1:2-3, Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
- Lean on the Holy Spirit inside you.
– 2 Cor. 6:6, We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
– The ability to walk through troubles and represent Christ well, comes from the power of the Holy Spirit inside you, not by your own strength.
– 2 Cor. 4:7, We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
– The fruits of the spirit must be evident in your life!
– Gal 5:22-23, But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
- Faithfully preach the truth.
– 2 Cor. 6:7, We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.
– This depicts spiritual warfare. The word of God is our sword and our shield.
– Your actions will speak louder than your words!
– Titus 2:7-8, And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
- Serve God, no matter what people think.
– 2 Cor. 6:8, We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.
– Paul could not do anything about false accusations except live in such a way that any fair-minded person would see such accusations as false.
– Gal. 6:9, So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
– The apostle Paul’s words have equipped us well to lead an honorable life for Christ.
– This verse in Galatians reminds me of Jimmy Carter. A man whose least accomplishment was being the 39th President of the United States. He was known more for his godly character than earthly achievements.
– Upon Carter’s death, former president Obama said this, “Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service.”
– Now YOU “live in such a way”, that when your story is told, no one will stumble, but your life will reflect your Lord and Savior.
– prayer –
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