GOSPEL AND GOSPEL WORK (I)

Synopsis of Seminar Conducted by Pastor at the Bible College of East Africa, Tanzania

5th September 2024

Text: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

The Apostle Paul is known for his zeal and diligence in his labours for Christ. Nevertheless, some in the Corinthian church attacked the integrity of the Apostle Paul. They accused the Apostle Paul of not caring for the Corinthian church by not going straight to Corinth as promised. For the sake of the ministry, the Apostle Paul was forced to defend his heart for the gospel and the work of the gospel.

The Bible declares that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) If we are to remain steadfast in the Lord, we need to understand what the gospel is, why we are involved in the work of the gospel, and how we should conduct ourselves in the work of the gospel.

On the other hand, we pray that everyone will prove to be true servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will soon see from the Scriptures that charlatans can never do the work of the gospel. All their labours will be in vain.

Seize Every Opportunity for the Gospel (v.12-13)

Paul went up to Troas after an extensive time of ministry at Ephesus. What was Paul doing at Troas? Certainly not for a holiday! God had opened a “door” of opportunity to preach the gospel in Corinth. Since it is the Lord’s direction, Paul must go and preach in that city. “The Holy Spirit is the Director of Missions” (T. Tow)

Let us first consider what Paul is supposed to preach in that city. He is to preach no other message but the gospel. The term “gospel” is translated from the Greek εὐαγγέλιον (euangellion) which means “good news”. The good news in a nutshell is explained by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

First, the gospel is said to be “according to the scriptures.” It is not a figment of Paul’s imagination, nor that of any man, but a true declaration from God. It is not fake news, but 100% true and reliable. This expression tells us that the gospel of Christ can be found in the Old Testament. For example, Isaiah 53 tells us about Christ as the suffering Messiah in His first coming. Thus, Luke 24:25-27 records for us what Christ said to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” The New Testament is in the Old concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New revealed.

Second, the elements of the gospel are (1) the death of Christ, (2) the burial of Christ, and (3) the resurrection of Christ. The gospels record many instances of Christ talking about His death and resurrection (cf. Matt 20:19; Mark 9:31; 10:34; Luke 18:33; 24:7; 24:46). The resurrection of Christ is essential to the gospel. Many talk about the death of Christ, but forget to mention His resurrection. Let us therefore remember, no resurrection, no gospel! Let us not for[1]get to preach the resurrection of Christ when we share the gospel with our loved ones and friends.

Here is a warning to charlatans who do not know the gospel but use the Lord’s name in vain in their works. Acts 19 gives us the record of the seven sons of Sceva who thought that they could employ the name of Christ like a magic formula in exorcism. What is the end of this abominable venture? “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”, exclaimed the evil spirit. “And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:16) Charlatans will eventually be exposed and judged by the Lord.

As those who preach the gospel of Christ, it is also critical that we must be precise in our understanding of the gospel. Consider the example of Apollos (Acts 18:23-28) when he first preached at Ephesus. Though he was mighty in the Scriptures, he knew only the teachings of John the Baptizer’s. He probably learnt these things from a disciple of John who taught him that Jesus was the Lamb of God that “taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). However, he was deficient in his knowledge of the finished work of Christ, neither was he strong in the understanding of what took place at Pentecost.

The period of the early church was one of transition. In the Old Testament, men were saved by looking forward to the coming of the Messiah to die on the cross. However, in the time of the New Testament, men are saved by looking back on what Christ had done on the cross. Apollos must be clear and precise in understanding these things if he was to lead others to salvation. There is salvation in no other name but the name of Christ (c.f. Acts 4:12)

Knowing the importance of this matter, Aquilla and Priscilla instructed Apollos in the things of Christ so that he may be perfected in his understanding. We also witness Apollos’s humility Though he was an educated man who was supposedly mighty in the Scriptures, he accepted that there were still things he must know from the Scriptures concerning the way of salvation. God was working in Apollos’s life to raise him as a mighty preacher of His Word.

 As time passed, Apollos felt the call to minister in the region of Achaia. He would be instrumental in the growth of the Corinthian church. The Bible records that “he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” (Acts 18:28)

 Now that we know the gospel, we must seize every opportunity to preach the gospel. Herein is a principle for preachers – when an invitation comes to minister the Word, it is wise to fulfil it. If you turn it down, the door to minister God’s Word may never open again. The gospel work is not for sloths. The lazy will never be profitable for the Lord.

The Rev. Timothy Tow, commenting on the second missionary journey of Paul wrote, “In Paul’s return journey he did not take it easy as ordinary missionaries today would. He kept a tight schedule, like an athlete under training. So did William Burns, the modern St. Paul. After a short meeting with friends or associates, he would abruptly leave them, saying, ‘I must run.’ ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. . . . I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; . . . But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.’ (1 Cor. 9:24-27)”

In the passage today, Paul gave a second reason for not going immediately to Corinth. Paul had earlier sent Titus to Corinth as the bearer of his “severe” letter. The Corinthian church had grown in numbers but was full of issues in her midst. Some of these issues include a partisan spirit among members, a failure to rebuke and discipline immorality, abuse of spiritual gifts, abuse of the Lord’s support, and hatred for one another to the extent of suing one another in the civil courts. It was a church in chaos. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth and visited them to address these issues. However, they were stubborn to receive his instructions in the truth, and the visit turned out to be a painful one. Paul then wrote a severe letter to further admonish them to walk in righteousness. This letter was not a retaliation on the part of Paul against the church for the painful visit he experienced. It was for the well-being of the church. The letter was written out of a heart of love, not bitterness. Paul cared deeply for the Corinthian church despite their accusations of a lack of concern.

We see then that the gospel work does not only involve the preaching of the gospel, but there must also be a commitment to instruct and encourage the brethren to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. Gospel work should not be conducted in a “hit and run” fashion. There must be a commitment to disciple believers in the whole counsel of God as taught plainly in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). It is through such a work that every believer will be built up to be a powerful witness of the gospel of Christ.

Sadly, the Corinthian church did not view Paul’s action kindly. Their accusations of Paul revealed a heart that is self-centered and not concerned for the gospel to be preached to the uttermost parts of the world. Some churches demand that their pastors and preachers should minister to them alone. When other churches ask the pastor and preachers to preach the Word to them, they fly into a rage, accusing the pastor and preachers of dereliction of duty. Such congregations do not understand the importance of seizing every opportunity of the gospel work. Their heart is not fervent for the gospel.

Lastly, we learn from this passage that self-willed and stubborn men will not succeed in the gospel work. This passage teaches us the doctrine of D.V. (i.e. deo volente, God being willing). It talks about a person’s hearty submission to the plans and designs of God in all matters. He is willing to follow God’s direction, even if it means a change in his plans. We may have certain desires and plans in our hearts. It could be a change of career. Or a plan to go for a holiday. Or perhaps a desire to serve in a certain ministry. However, God may have other designs. His ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts (Isa 55:9). While it is our human responsibility to plan, let us also be ready that God may change our plans. To stubbornly trust and insist in our own plans is foolishness for God knows better than us. “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:15).

In the work of the gospel, the Lord may change our plans and call us to serve where we had no design to go. Will we submit to His will and go?

Yours affectionately,
Pastor Clement Chew