2 COR. iv. 1, 2. “Therefore
seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we
faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty,
not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceit-
fully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves
to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
I. THE ministry is a business with the world. It is a
divinely appointed agency for the communication of God’s
will to man. It is this which exalts it far above human
resource and human authority. So long as men are born
and die and sin, so long will the ministry have a business
with the world.
II. This business of the ministry is mainly with the con-
sciences of men. Every man has a conscience, and it is a
comfort broad and strong that there is something in all of
you marking the faithful appeal, pointing the solemn warn-
ing.
III. The great instrumentality which the ministry is
empowered to use is the truth. That truth is the Gospel.
In Paganism the higher rose the culture the deeper sank
the character; and the whole world seemed like one vast
valley fertile and gay with flowers, but no motion in the
dim dead air till the breath came down from heaven.
Our great business is to bring that conscience and that
truth in connection with each other. We may range the
consciences of humanity in three states: those that are
slumbering, those that are apprehensive, those that are
peaceful and at rest. To each of these we are to commend
the truth in the sight of God.
W. Morley Punshon, D.D.
Sheep are defenseless, liable to stray, pitiful when lost, scattered, stubborn and unintelligent. Clearly, they are desperate for a shepherd. They are dependent on someone to feed protect and lead them to safe green pastures. In the Bible the church leader is called a pastor, a shepherd. The transfer is applicable. It is His charge to “shepherd the flock of God among you (1 Peter 5:2). That means he must feed them on the nutrients of God’s Word, protect them from false teachers (spiritual wolves), warn them about potential dangers, lead them to the fields of holiness and grace and correct them when they stray. Ultimately, Jesus Christ does this through them.
Randy Smith