Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. We must ascribe glory to God when we behold awesome things in nature

2. We can ascribe glory to God when we behold things through eyes of faith

a) When the Spirit of God writes upon the hearts of people

b) When God makes us sufficient for ministry

i. Individuals

ii. The church

AN ACCOUNT OF PAUL’S MINISTRY TO THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH

1. When he was present with them

a) What he did

i. He taught in the synagogue every Sabbath   (Acts 18:4)

ii. He testified to the Jews that the Lord Jesus is the Christ   (Acts 18:5)

iii. He also ministered to the Gentiles   (Acts 18:6)

b) The results   (Acts 18:8)

i. The ruler of the synagogue believed on the Lord with all his household

ii. A number of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed

2. In his writing ministry

a) He wrote to the Corinthian church

3. He dealt with many serious issues which affected the church

PAUL’S AFFIRMATION CONCERNING HIS MINISTRY

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God.   (2 Corinthians 3:4)

1. He had trust concerning his ministry

a) A trust that came from faith in the Lord Jesus

b) A trust that made him certain and confident

2. Paul affirmed that his ministry came about through the Lord Jesus Christ

a) It was the Lord Jesus Christ who chose him   (Acts 9:15)

b) An example of the Lord Jesus enabling the Apostle Paul for ministry   (Acts 18:9-11)

i. Paul was to speak without fear

ii. Paul was given the assurance of the Lord’s presence

iii. Paul continued teaching the word of God in Corinth for 18 months

3. Paul affirmed that his ministry was toward God

a) He served with God in mind

b) He served while being very conscious of God

c) He served to give God the glory

PAUL ATTESTED THAT IT WAS GOD WHO MADE HIM SUFFICIENT

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.   (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)

1. This sense of certainty and confidence concerning their ministry did not originate from self

a) They did not empower themselves

b) Their own experiences did not enable them

2. It attesting that God enabled them, Paul gave glory to God

3. How God made Paul and his team sufficient as ministers of the new covenant

a) The enabling and empowering of God

i. He comforted   (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

ii. He delivered   (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)

iii. He brought about salvation   (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

iv. He led them   (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)

b) The provision of the Holy Spirit

i. The coming alongside of the Spirit of God had been promised by the Lord Jesus

ii. The instrumental role of the Spirit of God experienced

(α) The Spirit of God wrote on the hearts of people

(β) The Spirit of God gave life

CONCLUSION

1. Let us affirm that God has been involved and at the heart of all that we have done

a) Our giving is not of our own but it has come from Him

b) Our gifts have been given to us only by His grace

c) Our ability to minister has been enriched as we experience Him by faith

d) We have been helped by the Holy Spirit who comes alongside

2. Let us attest as one body that it has been God who has made Bethany sufficient

a) To minister to her people locally

b) To minister to our brethren overseas

3. Let us ascribe glory to God