A Ministry Filled with Grace - II Corinthians 6:1-10

Here and now! (II Corinthians 6:1-2)

We need to quickly respond to God's grace. While preparation and training are important, we must consider what failure comes through hesitation (maybe someone else will do it), procrastination (I'll do it after have done some other things first) and perfectionism (I won't do it until I can do it perfectly). If we need to develop our knowledge and skills, then get started, because opportunities to do things are coming and going. Consider Exodus 4:10-17; Jeremiah 1:5-10; Luke 9:57-62; 14:16-24; II Corinthians 12:7-10.

Holy and wholly devoted! (II Corinthians 6:3-10)

We must sincerely respond to God's grace. Ministry without purity will bring reproach on Christ's name (Titus 2:1-8). A little leaven will leaven the whole lump (I Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 5:9). Having begun by God's grace, we must not give up. We must put our hands to the plow and not look back (Luke 9:62; II Timothy 2:1-10; Hebrews 12:1-3; I Corinthians 15:58). Ministry needs grace in every part of our lives (Ecclesiastes 10:1; I Timothy 4:12-16).

A Ministry of Stewardship - I Peter 4:7-11

• There is urgency about our use of time that requires intensity and consistency. (I Peter 4:7 cp Ephesians 5:14-21)
• There is a tremendous need to minister love in the world.
  (I Peter 4:8-9 ~ the word "hospitality" means "to show love to strangers" cp. I Corinthians 14:26,40; 16:14)
• Ministry is a matter of first receiving from God and then distributing to others.
  The ministry belongs to everyone. We must be faithful stewards.
  We must give God the glory! (I Peter 4:10-11) John 3:27; I Corinthians 3:1-9; 4:1-7; Romans 12:1-13).