Speaker	Sermon/Lesson Title (Right Click to Download)	Audio   Video  Text    Ipod MS Word	Category	Date Added	Lesson
Bobby Stafford	A Faithful Minister		Ministers	September 22, 2013	Sunday AM Sermon

A Faithful Minister

Introduction:

Read I Corinthians 4:1-2.  Each of us has been entrusted with the precious gospel.  The Lord expects us to be faithful stewards or managers of it.  But what does it mean for us to be faithful ministers?  Paul answers that question in II Corinthians 4:1-4.

Body:

I.             The Preaching of the Message  (II Corinthians 4: 1-2)

·         As a faithful minister, we do not lose heart.  Never give up.  Do not be faint-hearted, but bold.  (Acts 4:29)

·         Be humble, never self-promoting.  We always remember that we ourselves have received mercy.  (Titus 3:5)

·         Be honest and sincere; never use underhanded methods to promote the gospel.  (II Corinthians 5:11)  Do not be peddlers.                 (II Corinthians 2:17)  Never try to trick anyone.  Refuse to wear masks or play games.  Never manipulate people.  Do not add to the message thinking it will make the gospel more acceptable.              (I Peter 2:2)

·         Declare the whole truth of the gospel.  (Acts 20-27)  We must handle the Word accurately.  (II Timothy 2:15)

·         Be people of integrity – “every man’s conscience.”                                 (II Corinthians 1:12)

·         We must always remember as a faithful minister that we are ultimately to please God.  (Galatians 1:10) 

II.           The Reception of the Message  (II Corinthians 4: 3-4)

·         Faithful ministers are responsible for sowing the seed, not producing a harvest.  (I Corinthians 3:6-8)

·         The gospel is understandable to those with an open and willing mind.  (Ephesians 3:4)

·         “Veiled” – obscure   (II Corinthians 3:14-16)   People who won’t turn to the Lord won’t give the gospel the serious attention it needs.

·         Satan – “the god of this age”   (Ephesians 2:2)   He rules over the vast majority of people in this world.  (I John 5:19)

·         Satan works on the mind of men.  That’s the battleground.  He wants people to keep their minds focused on earthly things.  (Philippians 3:19)

Conclusion:

Just as Christ is the image of God, so we are to reflect to the world the image of Christ.  This is essential for a faithful minister in taking the gospel to the world.

Bobby Stafford                                                                                             

September 22, 2013