David Wilkerson 1 March 7, 2003
Every Christian is called to the ministry. The Bible clearly says. Paul writes: "We [all] we have this ministry" (2 Corinthians 4:1).
Yet the concept of ministry that most Christians are not very biblical. Very often we look at the ministry as something that is done only by preachers or missionaries who have received an order. We think ministers as people who attended a Bible school, people who marry and celebrate the funeral, who build churches, lead meetings of worship and teach doctrine. We consider them a bit 'as the doctors should heal the spiritual wounds of the sick and those in need.
But God does not judge the ministry as we do. Most of us judge the ministry of its size or its effect on the number of good works it does. But in the eyes of God, the problem is not how effective a ministry, or how to become a large church, or how many people are reached.
course, many church leaders have done amazing things in their ministry. Men and women have built mega-churches, founded schools and institutions, have reached multitudes with the gospel. Yet some of these people with super in the course of their ministry, had a black heart. Adulterers, fornicators, drunkards, homosexuals - have used their gifts and their intelligence to do many things within the church.
I thank God for every devout minister who founded and established a ministry through the charities. From side to side, the Bible calls us to minister to the needs and the needs of humanity. But the problem is that most Christians imagine that the ministry is something we do, work to be undertaken - and not what we are or who we become.
Paul speaks of a ministry that all Christians are called upon to play. This ministry does not require gifts or special talents. Rather, it must be undertaken by all those who are born again, ministers and ordinary people. In fact, this ministry is the first call of every believer. Everything else must proceed from this. No ministry can not please God, if it is born from this call.
I'm talking about the ministry of contemplating the face of Christ. Paul says: "We all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
What does contemplate the glory of the Lord? Paul is speaking here of devout worship, concentrated. This is the time we spend with God, just look at. And the Apostle immediately adds: "Having therefore this ministry .." (4:1). Paul states that contemplate the face of Christ is a ministry to which all must dedicate ourselves.
The greek word for "cover" in this verse contains a very strong expression. Indicates not only throw a look, but "fix your eyes." It means deciding: "I do not budge from this position. Before you do anything else, before trying to go somewhere else, I want to be in the presence of God."
Many Christians misinterpret the phrase "beholding as in a mirror" (3:18). They think of a mirror in which there is reflected the face of Jesus But Paul was not saying this. He was talking about watching something intensely, trying to discern the outlines as in a mirror, to see them more clearly. We must "fix our eyes" in this way, determined to see the glory of God in the face of Christ. We should close the most holy place, with an obsession: to look so hard, have communion with such devotion, to be changed.
Paul says that the person ends with Christ, we contemplate him, is transfigured.
What happens when a believer contemplates the face of Christ? Paul writes: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The greek word for "processed" here is "metamorphosis", which means change, transformation, transfiguration. Anyone who enters the most holy place, and fixed his eyes intently on Christ, he receives a metamorphosis. It happens with him or her as a transfiguration. That person is constantly being transformed in the image and character of Jesus
Maybe you come often to the presence of the Lord. Yet perhaps you do not feel transformed when you spend time with Him I tell you: It is possible that you do not happen in a metamorphosis. Something is for sure, because no one can contemplate the glory of Christ continually without being transformed.
Note the last sentence of the statement Paul: "... We all are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord" (3:18). The Holy Spirit accomplishes in us the work of transfiguration. Now notice the line before: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord, there is freedom" (3:17).
Can you understand what Paul is saying here? He's saying: "When you contemplate the face of Christ, he receives freedom to be processed." Staying in His presence, we give the Spirit the freedom to govern our lives, we do what pleases Him. It is an act of submission that says, "Lord, my will is yours. Whatever happens, transform the image of Jesus. "
The first thing we see when we contemplate the Lord is what we are dissimilar to Christ. No matter what we think to be fair. The Spirit shows us how far we are from the glory of God, how selfish we are, how much c 'is our flesh.
Yet as we contemplate Christ, began work in us spontaneously. We realize that He has accomplished all righteousness for us. And we must not fight or sweat or struggle to be holy. On the contrary, we processed - not for what we do, but for the work of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit has begun in us the glorious process of transfiguration.
Now everything is accomplished "through the covenant, through His Spirit." Our task is simply to bring us into his presence often, our gaze on Him and being in His presence. And we must put our trust in Him, who is the head and finisher of our faith. Through his Spirit, He will transform us continually in the image of Christ.
Many Christians profess to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But I think there is a test that shows if the Holy Spirit is ruling our lives or not. The question is this: there is a progressive growth of the character of Christ in us.
If the Spirit has full control, this growth does not dim. There will be no removals or separations from His presence. Instead, you will see a continuous change. And the growth does not there will be only in the trials or tribulations. It will be a continued growth, because the change made by the Spirit of God is continuous. There is growing stagnant in the work of the Spirit.
But the transfiguration takes place mainly through the trials and sufferings. Paul says: "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). You may ask, but as our earthen vessels so fragile to hold and to manifest the glory of the continuous nature of Christ? And especially when we are in evidence?
is not for us to know how the Spirit transforms us. We do not know what methods they choose to use in our lives. But we know this: every suffering and every difficulty carries a transformation.
When Gwen and I, we learned that our granddaughter Tiffany had a terminal brain cancer, we thought that our daughter Debbie was a fragile earthen vessel. We wondered: "How can he endure such a thing? She is so fragile." But Debbie has proved a rock in this whole situation. Everyone in our family has seen the power of God manifested in her.
Where did he get his strength? For months, she contemplated the face of Jesus through the sacred writings of Madame Guyon and Amy Carmichael. When he began to read, Debbie told me, "Dad, I want to know more about Jesus."
For months, she remained secluded with the Lord, beholding His face. And the Holy Spirit has made a change that shook the world. He transfigured. We have all seen the same force in her husband Roger. Their faith, their trust and rest in Jesus was a powerful ministry during this terrible ordeal. I want to make a statement
coraggiosa.Tutte the sufferings, sorrows and trials in vitadi a child of God is a call to the ministry
No one on earth can give you a ministry. Maybe you can even graduate to a seminar, you will be ordained by a bishop or commissioned by denomination. But Paul was the only source of all true call to ministry: "I give thanks to Christ our Lord, who strengthens me, because I considered it worthy of trust by putting me in his service "(1 Timothy 1:12).
What did Paul mean here when he says that Jesus considered trustworthy? Think about 'the conversion of this apostle. Three days after that event, Christ called him to ministry - specifically, the Ministry of suffering: "For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9:16).
And it is this ministry that Paul refers when he says: "So we had this ministry ..." (2 Corinthians 4:1). Continue adding, "... Having received mercy, we faint not. "He is speaking of the ministry of suffering. It specifies that this is a ministry that we all possess.
Paul is telling us that Jesus gave a promise for this ministry. Christ urged him to remain faithful to him and made him worthy in all its evidence. The greek word for "make worthy" means a continuing source of strength. Paul declares: "Jesus has promised to give me a great deal of strength. I will be able to remain faithful in this ministry. For him, I do not lose heart and do not let the socket. Emerge as a witness."
I want to ask: What is that Paul considered it his primary call to ministry? Perhaps a persuasive preaching? A profound teaching? No. As he himself admitted later, Paul was not a eloquent speaker. He said he preached through the weakness, in fear and trembling. Even Peter said that Paul's statements that were difficult to understand (see 2 Peter 3:15-16).
Yet, Paul had put aside all the teachings of this world and all human wisdom. He knew that his ministry had not preach or heal the sick, nor the brilliance of man. The ministry of Paul was to Christ to shine through him, a glow procured from great suffering. The great apostle greatly influenced his time, and also affects us today, for the way they reacted to his evidence.
Paul often spoke of "Christ in me." By this he meant: "You see before your eyes a human being. But God brought me through great trials, and those suffering have produced in me the character of Christ. This is why you see me shine in this way. Only those who stand with faith can see this outcome in their lives. Only he can give a song or a witness who is in the same affliction.
And one way Paul has all his ministry: "We are afflicted in every way, but not reduced to extremes, perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; killed but not destroyed, leading to the continuous in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body "(2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Paul was not a superman. He knew very well the meaning of despair. He had faced the problems many times, often to the point that he thought he not make it. Witness: "Why do not we, brothers, to be ignorant of our trouble which befell us in Asia, as we have been overly burdened beyond our strength, so much to come to despair of life itself. In fact we had in ourselves the sentence of death, so we do not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who has freed us and frees us from so great a death, and in which we hope will yet deliver us "(2 Corinthians 1 :8-10).
understand what Paul is saying? He's saying: "We were pressed beyond human strength. And we were about to despair of our own lives. We were about to believe it was over."
This period was the most trying for Paul. He found himself face to face with death. Yet at that very moment, he remembered his ministry and his call. He reminded himself: "The whole world is watching me. I've preached many sermons on God preserves His servants. Now all I look to see if I really believe in what I say."
It was then that he laid his life. He shouted: "Dead or alive, are of the Lord I believe in God, who resurrects the dead."
Then Paul told the Corinthian church: "That's all for your prayers help me. You have made it to come out of this situation with a song of victory ": He writes:" As for yourself you join us to help us in prayer, so thanks be to us by many for the benefit will be granted through the prayers of many people "(2 Corinthians 1:11).
I mean this with all my heart: we can not get to read the fact to pray for our brothers and sisters in need. Paul says that the prayers of the Corinthians were like a gift. They were the most valuable honey, more important than any words of comfort or any gesture of love.
My family knows this gratitude for the prayers of others. For thirty days, our granddaughter Tiffany was at home, at the end of life. It 'was the most difficult period of our lives. We knew the significance of the testimony of Paul: a sudden pain came upon us, and we were pressed beyond measure, we faced a test that went beyond all human comprehension.
the last hour, while Tiffany exhaled his last breath, we all gathered around his bedside, holding hands and singing "God is so good." In those moments, we felt the power of the prayers of the saints of God felt in a tangible way, as we shook hands.
Our family can attest courage that has been surrounded by the prayers of those who we have raised. And like Paul, can we say to all those who prayed: "We have helped a lot with your prayers. You have given us a gift that helped us to glorify God in this moment so tremendous. We have not been demolished by evidence. We must out ".
The time will come when the only messaggioche insanosarà will impact on this world I'm talking about the ministry
I am convinced that Paul was describing our time, when he wrote to Timothy: "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience and doctrine. The time will come, in fact, they will not endure sound doctrine but, having itching ears, will accumulate teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth to turn to fables. But watch thou in all things, endures the suffering, is' the work of an evangelist and completely fulfill your ministry "(2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Paul was saying to Timothy:" Men are so dedicated to their pleasures, they will not endure sound doctrine. But you continue to preach the Word. You need the fix. So, shoot the rebels and urged everyone to do good. "
We must continue with our messages of power, with sound doctrine and a healthy correction. But soon the world will not want to hear me speak. Humanity is becoming so obsessed with the pleasures and desires, which will completely ignore the church. The preaching and teaching will have more impact on a society drugged.
In fact, I think we have arrived at this point. The church has become almost irrelevant rated. No longer affects the nation, and in most cases, even people. My question is: which ministry will reach a mad world?
Thank God, there is still a ministry that speaks to atheists, Muslims, the unbelievers of all kinds. And 'the reflection of Christ through the suffering of believers. For centuries this was the most powerful testimony The believers of God's people were shocked and troubled by diseases, persecutions, sufferings of all kinds. But in all these things, was a reflection of the character of Christ who has touched those who were around them.
Look carefully at Paul's exhortations in this passage:
· "But watch thou in all things, endures affliction" (2 Timothy 4:5). Are you saying in effect: "A world of unbelievers is watching you. So be careful how you react in times of distress. Do not allow your tests to make you one who complains, with the face down. Discredit every word you ruled on the faithfulness of God. "
· "Make the work of an evangelist" (4:5). When I was a young minister, I did not understand why I could not just walk in the corridors of a hospital, praying with faith, and to see miracles of healing. I thought, "What evidence would be! All unbelievers will be persuaded, if they saw patients getting out of bed."
I have since learned that this is not the kind of more effective evangelization. Think about it a bit '. Who has a greater impact on those around us: a Christian smiling, full of health, entering the room of a non-believer preaching, adjusting and presenting a sound doctrine? Or a humble Christian who stands against the wall, recovering from a difficult operation of double mastectomy? This woman will never be free of pain. But it will not fear. The nurses smile, light up his room with his inner peace. Even the most cynical and unbelieving doctor will be curious to know more about this woman's peaceful. He sees his suffering, but is attracted to her, because she wants to know the source of his peace.
I'm not putting down those who have a ministry in hospitals. E 'high vocation, a vital work that each body of believers should be taken. But I can tell you firsthand what it is that had the most impact on our family during the last days of life of Tiffany. At that time there was a worker who came and went from our house. He knew that our niece was dying. After three weeks, he told his wife: "In that people there is something special. Sometimes I see them cry, but I can not understand the peace that they have. I want to know more. "No one has testified to this man. He just saw the Spirit of Christ reflected in our family suffering.
·" Fulfil your entire ministry "(2 Timothy 4:5). The greek word for" fulfill "means to ensure fully prepared. Paul is saying, in effect:" Be prepared to face the evidence that you are suddenly. Make sure you are well equipped, filled with every spiritual resource, so as not running out of oil. "
Today I see many Christians fall during practice. The suffering send them into crisis. Listening to their questions and their cries, think that they have never known fact is that God only knew Jesus as the author of their faith, not as the true finisher. These people have not been transfigured by their suffering. On the contrary, they were disfigured in the spirit and character. All
we change, we are subject to
metamorphosis is taking place in our lives a transfiguration. The truth is that we are transformed by what haunts us. We become like the things that occupy our minds. Our character is influenced by whatever has our heart.
Consider the homosexual life. I saw a sudden degeneration in many homosexuals who have known, even in their lifestyle. They have suffered a change in behavior, voice, in their ways of doing things. And there is also a display of evil.
Two years ago, several hundred homosexuals in New York City who swore they would never have marched in Gay Pride Parade down Fifth Avenue. They said: "We do not want to show our sexuality. We will not ever." Yet last year, a large number of them have led the parade, half-naked.
Consider the changes due to pornography. Some men begin to look at pictures of naked women, and end the cycle of child pornography. Married men can not get rid of their desires, therefore, engage in illicit affairs. They swear to die for their children, but I am willing to leave families without shame or remorse. How quickly disintegrate their character! They become totally different people!
I thank God for everyone who nourishes his mind and his soul with spiritual things. These servants have set their eyes on what is pure and holy. They keep their gaze fixed on Christ, spend quality time worshiping and built up in faith. The Holy Spirit is at work in these saints, constantly changing their character to be like that of Christ.
Only these believers will be ready for the harsh and explosive to be suffering on earth. Christians are lazy, listless and without prayer will suffer terribly and depart. Will be disintegrated by fear, because they do not work in the Holy Spirit to transfigure. When will come the test, do not make it.
At this moment, you're going through a test, we have been called to the ministry by the Lord himself. So take care not to offend this call by becoming a coward who complains or strikes. Here are the last words of Paul in this regard:
"We do not give any cause for scandal in anything, that is not reviled the ministry, but in everything, let us commend ourselves as ministers of God in the many sufferings, afflictions, in necessities in the District, in beatings, imprisonments, in sedition, labors, vigils, in fasting ... as poor yet enriching many: as having nothing, yet possessing everything "(2 Corinthians 6:3-5,10).
How do we" enrich many? "Reflecting Christ's hope in the midst of our suffering. We offer true riches when challenged in the other this question: "What is his secret? How do you stand this test? Where do you find such peace? "
Start to prepare your heart even now. Fill your store of wealth, remaining alone with Jesus, and set your eyes on him then you're ready for anything.
Yet the concept of ministry that most Christians are not very biblical. Very often we look at the ministry as something that is done only by preachers or missionaries who have received an order. We think ministers as people who attended a Bible school, people who marry and celebrate the funeral, who build churches, lead meetings of worship and teach doctrine. We consider them a bit 'as the doctors should heal the spiritual wounds of the sick and those in need.
But God does not judge the ministry as we do. Most of us judge the ministry of its size or its effect on the number of good works it does. But in the eyes of God, the problem is not how effective a ministry, or how to become a large church, or how many people are reached.
course, many church leaders have done amazing things in their ministry. Men and women have built mega-churches, founded schools and institutions, have reached multitudes with the gospel. Yet some of these people with super in the course of their ministry, had a black heart. Adulterers, fornicators, drunkards, homosexuals - have used their gifts and their intelligence to do many things within the church.
I thank God for every devout minister who founded and established a ministry through the charities. From side to side, the Bible calls us to minister to the needs and the needs of humanity. But the problem is that most Christians imagine that the ministry is something we do, work to be undertaken - and not what we are or who we become.
Paul speaks of a ministry that all Christians are called upon to play. This ministry does not require gifts or special talents. Rather, it must be undertaken by all those who are born again, ministers and ordinary people. In fact, this ministry is the first call of every believer. Everything else must proceed from this. No ministry can not please God, if it is born from this call.
I'm talking about the ministry of contemplating the face of Christ. Paul says: "We all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
What does contemplate the glory of the Lord? Paul is speaking here of devout worship, concentrated. This is the time we spend with God, just look at. And the Apostle immediately adds: "Having therefore this ministry .." (4:1). Paul states that contemplate the face of Christ is a ministry to which all must dedicate ourselves.
The greek word for "cover" in this verse contains a very strong expression. Indicates not only throw a look, but "fix your eyes." It means deciding: "I do not budge from this position. Before you do anything else, before trying to go somewhere else, I want to be in the presence of God."
Many Christians misinterpret the phrase "beholding as in a mirror" (3:18). They think of a mirror in which there is reflected the face of Jesus But Paul was not saying this. He was talking about watching something intensely, trying to discern the outlines as in a mirror, to see them more clearly. We must "fix our eyes" in this way, determined to see the glory of God in the face of Christ. We should close the most holy place, with an obsession: to look so hard, have communion with such devotion, to be changed.
Paul says that the person ends with Christ, we contemplate him, is transfigured.
What happens when a believer contemplates the face of Christ? Paul writes: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The greek word for "processed" here is "metamorphosis", which means change, transformation, transfiguration. Anyone who enters the most holy place, and fixed his eyes intently on Christ, he receives a metamorphosis. It happens with him or her as a transfiguration. That person is constantly being transformed in the image and character of Jesus
Maybe you come often to the presence of the Lord. Yet perhaps you do not feel transformed when you spend time with Him I tell you: It is possible that you do not happen in a metamorphosis. Something is for sure, because no one can contemplate the glory of Christ continually without being transformed.
Note the last sentence of the statement Paul: "... We all are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord" (3:18). The Holy Spirit accomplishes in us the work of transfiguration. Now notice the line before: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord, there is freedom" (3:17).
Can you understand what Paul is saying here? He's saying: "When you contemplate the face of Christ, he receives freedom to be processed." Staying in His presence, we give the Spirit the freedom to govern our lives, we do what pleases Him. It is an act of submission that says, "Lord, my will is yours. Whatever happens, transform the image of Jesus. "
The first thing we see when we contemplate the Lord is what we are dissimilar to Christ. No matter what we think to be fair. The Spirit shows us how far we are from the glory of God, how selfish we are, how much c 'is our flesh.
Yet as we contemplate Christ, began work in us spontaneously. We realize that He has accomplished all righteousness for us. And we must not fight or sweat or struggle to be holy. On the contrary, we processed - not for what we do, but for the work of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit has begun in us the glorious process of transfiguration.
Now everything is accomplished "through the covenant, through His Spirit." Our task is simply to bring us into his presence often, our gaze on Him and being in His presence. And we must put our trust in Him, who is the head and finisher of our faith. Through his Spirit, He will transform us continually in the image of Christ.
Many Christians profess to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But I think there is a test that shows if the Holy Spirit is ruling our lives or not. The question is this: there is a progressive growth of the character of Christ in us.
If the Spirit has full control, this growth does not dim. There will be no removals or separations from His presence. Instead, you will see a continuous change. And the growth does not there will be only in the trials or tribulations. It will be a continued growth, because the change made by the Spirit of God is continuous. There is growing stagnant in the work of the Spirit.
But the transfiguration takes place mainly through the trials and sufferings. Paul says: "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). You may ask, but as our earthen vessels so fragile to hold and to manifest the glory of the continuous nature of Christ? And especially when we are in evidence?
is not for us to know how the Spirit transforms us. We do not know what methods they choose to use in our lives. But we know this: every suffering and every difficulty carries a transformation.
When Gwen and I, we learned that our granddaughter Tiffany had a terminal brain cancer, we thought that our daughter Debbie was a fragile earthen vessel. We wondered: "How can he endure such a thing? She is so fragile." But Debbie has proved a rock in this whole situation. Everyone in our family has seen the power of God manifested in her.
Where did he get his strength? For months, she contemplated the face of Jesus through the sacred writings of Madame Guyon and Amy Carmichael. When he began to read, Debbie told me, "Dad, I want to know more about Jesus."
For months, she remained secluded with the Lord, beholding His face. And the Holy Spirit has made a change that shook the world. He transfigured. We have all seen the same force in her husband Roger. Their faith, their trust and rest in Jesus was a powerful ministry during this terrible ordeal. I want to make a statement
coraggiosa.Tutte the sufferings, sorrows and trials in vitadi a child of God is a call to the ministry
No one on earth can give you a ministry. Maybe you can even graduate to a seminar, you will be ordained by a bishop or commissioned by denomination. But Paul was the only source of all true call to ministry: "I give thanks to Christ our Lord, who strengthens me, because I considered it worthy of trust by putting me in his service "(1 Timothy 1:12).
What did Paul mean here when he says that Jesus considered trustworthy? Think about 'the conversion of this apostle. Three days after that event, Christ called him to ministry - specifically, the Ministry of suffering: "For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9:16).
And it is this ministry that Paul refers when he says: "So we had this ministry ..." (2 Corinthians 4:1). Continue adding, "... Having received mercy, we faint not. "He is speaking of the ministry of suffering. It specifies that this is a ministry that we all possess.
Paul is telling us that Jesus gave a promise for this ministry. Christ urged him to remain faithful to him and made him worthy in all its evidence. The greek word for "make worthy" means a continuing source of strength. Paul declares: "Jesus has promised to give me a great deal of strength. I will be able to remain faithful in this ministry. For him, I do not lose heart and do not let the socket. Emerge as a witness."
I want to ask: What is that Paul considered it his primary call to ministry? Perhaps a persuasive preaching? A profound teaching? No. As he himself admitted later, Paul was not a eloquent speaker. He said he preached through the weakness, in fear and trembling. Even Peter said that Paul's statements that were difficult to understand (see 2 Peter 3:15-16).
Yet, Paul had put aside all the teachings of this world and all human wisdom. He knew that his ministry had not preach or heal the sick, nor the brilliance of man. The ministry of Paul was to Christ to shine through him, a glow procured from great suffering. The great apostle greatly influenced his time, and also affects us today, for the way they reacted to his evidence.
Paul often spoke of "Christ in me." By this he meant: "You see before your eyes a human being. But God brought me through great trials, and those suffering have produced in me the character of Christ. This is why you see me shine in this way. Only those who stand with faith can see this outcome in their lives. Only he can give a song or a witness who is in the same affliction.
And one way Paul has all his ministry: "We are afflicted in every way, but not reduced to extremes, perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; killed but not destroyed, leading to the continuous in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body "(2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Paul was not a superman. He knew very well the meaning of despair. He had faced the problems many times, often to the point that he thought he not make it. Witness: "Why do not we, brothers, to be ignorant of our trouble which befell us in Asia, as we have been overly burdened beyond our strength, so much to come to despair of life itself. In fact we had in ourselves the sentence of death, so we do not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who has freed us and frees us from so great a death, and in which we hope will yet deliver us "(2 Corinthians 1 :8-10).
understand what Paul is saying? He's saying: "We were pressed beyond human strength. And we were about to despair of our own lives. We were about to believe it was over."
This period was the most trying for Paul. He found himself face to face with death. Yet at that very moment, he remembered his ministry and his call. He reminded himself: "The whole world is watching me. I've preached many sermons on God preserves His servants. Now all I look to see if I really believe in what I say."
It was then that he laid his life. He shouted: "Dead or alive, are of the Lord I believe in God, who resurrects the dead."
Then Paul told the Corinthian church: "That's all for your prayers help me. You have made it to come out of this situation with a song of victory ": He writes:" As for yourself you join us to help us in prayer, so thanks be to us by many for the benefit will be granted through the prayers of many people "(2 Corinthians 1:11).
I mean this with all my heart: we can not get to read the fact to pray for our brothers and sisters in need. Paul says that the prayers of the Corinthians were like a gift. They were the most valuable honey, more important than any words of comfort or any gesture of love.
My family knows this gratitude for the prayers of others. For thirty days, our granddaughter Tiffany was at home, at the end of life. It 'was the most difficult period of our lives. We knew the significance of the testimony of Paul: a sudden pain came upon us, and we were pressed beyond measure, we faced a test that went beyond all human comprehension.
the last hour, while Tiffany exhaled his last breath, we all gathered around his bedside, holding hands and singing "God is so good." In those moments, we felt the power of the prayers of the saints of God felt in a tangible way, as we shook hands.
Our family can attest courage that has been surrounded by the prayers of those who we have raised. And like Paul, can we say to all those who prayed: "We have helped a lot with your prayers. You have given us a gift that helped us to glorify God in this moment so tremendous. We have not been demolished by evidence. We must out ".
The time will come when the only messaggioche insanosarà will impact on this world I'm talking about the ministry
I am convinced that Paul was describing our time, when he wrote to Timothy: "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience and doctrine. The time will come, in fact, they will not endure sound doctrine but, having itching ears, will accumulate teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth to turn to fables. But watch thou in all things, endures the suffering, is' the work of an evangelist and completely fulfill your ministry "(2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Paul was saying to Timothy:" Men are so dedicated to their pleasures, they will not endure sound doctrine. But you continue to preach the Word. You need the fix. So, shoot the rebels and urged everyone to do good. "
We must continue with our messages of power, with sound doctrine and a healthy correction. But soon the world will not want to hear me speak. Humanity is becoming so obsessed with the pleasures and desires, which will completely ignore the church. The preaching and teaching will have more impact on a society drugged.
In fact, I think we have arrived at this point. The church has become almost irrelevant rated. No longer affects the nation, and in most cases, even people. My question is: which ministry will reach a mad world?
Thank God, there is still a ministry that speaks to atheists, Muslims, the unbelievers of all kinds. And 'the reflection of Christ through the suffering of believers. For centuries this was the most powerful testimony The believers of God's people were shocked and troubled by diseases, persecutions, sufferings of all kinds. But in all these things, was a reflection of the character of Christ who has touched those who were around them.
Look carefully at Paul's exhortations in this passage:
· "But watch thou in all things, endures affliction" (2 Timothy 4:5). Are you saying in effect: "A world of unbelievers is watching you. So be careful how you react in times of distress. Do not allow your tests to make you one who complains, with the face down. Discredit every word you ruled on the faithfulness of God. "
· "Make the work of an evangelist" (4:5). When I was a young minister, I did not understand why I could not just walk in the corridors of a hospital, praying with faith, and to see miracles of healing. I thought, "What evidence would be! All unbelievers will be persuaded, if they saw patients getting out of bed."
I have since learned that this is not the kind of more effective evangelization. Think about it a bit '. Who has a greater impact on those around us: a Christian smiling, full of health, entering the room of a non-believer preaching, adjusting and presenting a sound doctrine? Or a humble Christian who stands against the wall, recovering from a difficult operation of double mastectomy? This woman will never be free of pain. But it will not fear. The nurses smile, light up his room with his inner peace. Even the most cynical and unbelieving doctor will be curious to know more about this woman's peaceful. He sees his suffering, but is attracted to her, because she wants to know the source of his peace.
I'm not putting down those who have a ministry in hospitals. E 'high vocation, a vital work that each body of believers should be taken. But I can tell you firsthand what it is that had the most impact on our family during the last days of life of Tiffany. At that time there was a worker who came and went from our house. He knew that our niece was dying. After three weeks, he told his wife: "In that people there is something special. Sometimes I see them cry, but I can not understand the peace that they have. I want to know more. "No one has testified to this man. He just saw the Spirit of Christ reflected in our family suffering.
·" Fulfil your entire ministry "(2 Timothy 4:5). The greek word for" fulfill "means to ensure fully prepared. Paul is saying, in effect:" Be prepared to face the evidence that you are suddenly. Make sure you are well equipped, filled with every spiritual resource, so as not running out of oil. "
Today I see many Christians fall during practice. The suffering send them into crisis. Listening to their questions and their cries, think that they have never known fact is that God only knew Jesus as the author of their faith, not as the true finisher. These people have not been transfigured by their suffering. On the contrary, they were disfigured in the spirit and character. All
we change, we are subject to
metamorphosis is taking place in our lives a transfiguration. The truth is that we are transformed by what haunts us. We become like the things that occupy our minds. Our character is influenced by whatever has our heart.
Consider the homosexual life. I saw a sudden degeneration in many homosexuals who have known, even in their lifestyle. They have suffered a change in behavior, voice, in their ways of doing things. And there is also a display of evil.
Two years ago, several hundred homosexuals in New York City who swore they would never have marched in Gay Pride Parade down Fifth Avenue. They said: "We do not want to show our sexuality. We will not ever." Yet last year, a large number of them have led the parade, half-naked.
Consider the changes due to pornography. Some men begin to look at pictures of naked women, and end the cycle of child pornography. Married men can not get rid of their desires, therefore, engage in illicit affairs. They swear to die for their children, but I am willing to leave families without shame or remorse. How quickly disintegrate their character! They become totally different people!
I thank God for everyone who nourishes his mind and his soul with spiritual things. These servants have set their eyes on what is pure and holy. They keep their gaze fixed on Christ, spend quality time worshiping and built up in faith. The Holy Spirit is at work in these saints, constantly changing their character to be like that of Christ.
Only these believers will be ready for the harsh and explosive to be suffering on earth. Christians are lazy, listless and without prayer will suffer terribly and depart. Will be disintegrated by fear, because they do not work in the Holy Spirit to transfigure. When will come the test, do not make it.
At this moment, you're going through a test, we have been called to the ministry by the Lord himself. So take care not to offend this call by becoming a coward who complains or strikes. Here are the last words of Paul in this regard:
"We do not give any cause for scandal in anything, that is not reviled the ministry, but in everything, let us commend ourselves as ministers of God in the many sufferings, afflictions, in necessities in the District, in beatings, imprisonments, in sedition, labors, vigils, in fasting ... as poor yet enriching many: as having nothing, yet possessing everything "(2 Corinthians 6:3-5,10).
How do we" enrich many? "Reflecting Christ's hope in the midst of our suffering. We offer true riches when challenged in the other this question: "What is his secret? How do you stand this test? Where do you find such peace? "
Start to prepare your heart even now. Fill your store of wealth, remaining alone with Jesus, and set your eyes on him then you're ready for anything.
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