3 We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. 4 But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, 7 by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet—see!—we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed; 10 as sorrowful, but always rejoicing; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

The ministry of Paul and Timothy was remarkable, as were the ministries of others like Barnabas and Silas. They travelled through many countries as they preached the gospel. They started and grew churches in many cities. They were imprisoned, beaten, endured hardships, sleepless nights, and much more, all in the pursuit of having Jesus be made known to all. And yet, despite all of this, there were people who doubted them and tried to discredit their ministry. Their response was to press on undeterred, through both slander and praise – “as sorrowful, but always rejoicing … as having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (v10).

This passage makes me reflect on those who have made a commitment to full or part-time ministry, particularly those in our church’s ministry team: Stephen, Gus, James, Vinno, and Susan. It makes me wonder how many times they have had to endure hardships in the pursuit of making Jesus be made known to all. I wonder how many times they’ve had to work through someone trying to discredit their ministry. I find it hard enough living faithfully as a Christian in this world. Taking on the responsibility to preach the gospel and shepherd a congregation full-time must be harder still.

So my response to today’s passage is to pray. Pray for our church ministry team. Praise God for their commitment to faithfulness to the Lord Jesus. Pray for wisdom and endurance as they seek to press on in preaching the gospel to all. Pray for protection from the evil one. Ask God how you can be loving our ministry team practically as they shepherd us as a congregation. And finally, pray in thankfulness to God, for His great provision to us, that we may all be united as one in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.