The
Sacrifice of Missions
Text: II Corinthians 11:1-30
Introduction
It
doesn’t take a very long look into the New Testament to find that there is a
cost associated in doing missions. There is a cost in evangelizing the lost,
teaching the newly converted and establishing sound New Testament churches. Our
text establishes that right quickly. Though Paul is here defending his being an
Apostle, called of God, he gives us a window into the sacrifice of missions.
I.
The Sacrifice of Missions Demands Discernment:
A.
Of the direction of our teaching: (vs. 1-2)
1.
The area Paul is getting into here is not something he wanted to
do, but something he discerned was necessary – lead, I believe, by the Spirit
of God.
a)
He had a “godly jealousy” for the glory and honor of God, for
the sake of the gospel and the benefit of the church at
Corinth
.
b)
His motives where not his own in the direction of his teaching but
were godly.
2.
His position, gifts, calling and authority had been challenged.
a)
There is a time for this type of message and a time not to argue
such things.
b)
But, what he did, he did with a spirit of humility, compassion,
and right purpose. (Vs. 1)
c)
He was not tooting his own horn to establish his superiority but
with the purpose of presenting them chaste virgins:
d)
He nourished them, cherished them, protected them, directed them,
and chastised them when necessary, just as he did with the Galatian church.
e)
His motive was not a selfish one but a selfless one directing them
to Christ alone.
f)
He knew they were not his trophies but espoused to Christ.
g)
He knew he was a tool in the hands of God and needed to discern
how that tool was to be used.
h)
They needed to be taught to be singular in their love, pure in
their faith, and holy in their lives.
B.
Of the detection of false teachers: (vs. 3-4)
1.
They existed then and they exist now. They are a reality we often
have to deal with.
2.
They are ministers of Satan, and are like Satan in that they
are…
3.
Subtle, cunning, crafty, misleading.
4.
They seek to corrupt the Christian mind away from the pure and
simple gospel.
5.
The work isn’t over when someone is saved. Constant teaching of
the simplicity of the gospel is necessary and it is demanding.
a)
A lot of young preachers want to get into something new all the
time.
b)
We need a determination to rehearse the old paths, the tried
paths, the true paths.
6.
Be aware and be ready for there is only one Lord, one spirit, and
one gospel.
7.
They might be eloquent (vs.6) but he spoke the plain
understandable truth in which he was very skilled and which they knew very well.
C.
Of the determination of right methods (vs. 7-12) (Acts 18:1-3)
1.
He didn’t take a dime from them while he ministered to them.
Why? He discerned it needful and necessary. (He knew how some would talk about
it otherwise (vs. 12)
2.
It is something he could have done lawfully, but he didn’t.
Apparently those false teachers were making merchandise of the Corinthians?
3.
Instead he took (received) offerings from other churches – and
these were poor churches.
a)
Are we discerning enough to know when and from whom to receive
offerings for our work of the gospel?
b)
Are we discerning enough to know when it is right to work with our
own hands?
c)
And do we have the right attitude while we are in great need. He
worked hard, lived in moderation and had made a resolution not to take from them
in the future (vs. 9-10).
4.
His motivation for this stance was love (vs. 11) not distain for
them or theirs.
II.
The sacrifice of missions is unpopular:
A.
To those who love recognition:
1.
Those disciples in John 6:66 did not like that Christ was to
suffer and die. They were looking for a temporal redeemer, and an earthly king
that they could rule with and be recognized with.
2.
They walked with him no more. The work of missions does not carry
with it a high regard among men. You don’t become popular and well liked
because you preach the gospel.
3.
Christ never said a word to those who were leaving but to those
who stayed and their response was direct and emphatic.
B.
To those who love comfort:
1.
That certain scribe who wanted to follow until he heard of the
sacrifice - foxes have holes…
2.
Brethren the Bible says; My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John
10:27
C.
To those who love this world:
1.
2 Timothy 4:10, For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is
departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to
Galatia
, Titus unto
Dalmatia
.
2.
John Mark left Paul and Barnabus in Perga, why we do not know but
the reason was not agreeable to Paul. Praise God he later became profitable.
D.
To those who love wealth:
1.
The young man who had great possessions who when told to go and
sell all that he had and follow Christ he went away sorrowful.
2.
What a contrast from Peter and Andrew who left their business
immediately (Mark 4:19-20) or Matthew who “left all, rose up, and followed
him.”
3.
What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his
own soul?
III.
The sacrifice of missions is personal:
A.
There are no personal exemptions:
1.
Matthew 28:19, “Go ye” that is plural meaning every one of us.
2.
Paul said the love of Christ constraineth ME. (II Corinthians
5:11-14)
3.
This isn’t a call for some to sacrifice but for all to
sacrifice.
4.
I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and
gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
5.
Who among us here tonight would lift up a hand and say they are
exempt from the call and duty of missions? Go ahead and state your exemption but
know it won’t fly with God.
B.
There is no greater personal duty:
1.
We are ambassadors for Christ just as Paul was an ambassador in
bonds.
2.
Our purpose is to preach the gospel to every creature, not find
every creature comfort.
3.
Our purpose is to baptize every believer not just notch our belts
with another profession.
4.
Our purpose is to teach them to observe whatsoever Christ has
commanded us not make little copies of ourselves.
5.
What duty would you, and I do mean YOU, put above missions?
IV.
The sacrifice of missions is incalculable:
A.
It is incalculable as to the price God paid: “God sending his
own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh:” Romans 8:3
B.
It is incalculable as to the price we must pay:
1.
I could rephrase that and say that the cost is undisclosed.
2.
Paul didn’t know in advance what sacrifice he would pay for
following God’s will in doing mission work.
3.
We want to know in advance all the details before we make a
commitment.
4.
Paul had the right attitude – II Timothy 2:7-10, Consider
what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead
according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto
bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for
the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ
Jesus with eternal glory.
5.
Back to our original text - 2CO 11:24 - 30
6.
Of the Jews five times
received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I
stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by
mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils
in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In
weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings
often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which
cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not
weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of
the things which concern mine infirmities.
C.
There is a cost to missions which is incalculable, personal,
unpopular, and demanding.
D.
Christ paid the price and now I want to ask one final question.
E.
Who here tonight is willing to step up and pay the price?