WE ARE NOT DISCOURAGED

Pr Park Jung Il
Covenant B-P Church, Korea

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:1–18

Nowadays we face many situations that make us discouraged. Especially, when we live as Christians, difficulties are more than those of the unbelievers. Sometimes, we can be mocked, bullied, or persecuted. This kind of situation may make us discouraged.

Today, we can meet the person that experienced many tribulations and situations. But he was not discouraged; rather he encouraged us not to be. How is it possible? Therefore, the title of my message is “We Are Not Discouraged”. We are not discouraged because of:

God’s Mercy (vv1–7)
Look at verse 1, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;” This ministry means the ministry of new covenant of the spirit, righteousness, and glory. Paul was unworthy but the Lord called him as Apostle.

What was the situation for Paul to be discouraged? It was the matter of qualification as Jesus’ Apostle. Paul visited the Corinthian church for the second time. But at the time, he could not help coming back with a heavy mind (2:1). Paul considered his second visit a painful experience. We don’t know what Paul went through at that time but we can guess based on some verses. Paul spent much time defending his qualifications as an Apostle of Jesus Christ in 2 Corinthians. In verse 2, Paul said, “commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Also, in 3:1, he asked, “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?” Given these verses, one of the pains he felt was the attack against his spiritual authority. Some false teachers came into the Corinthian church and caused the church to doubt Paul’s teaching and his apostolic authority.

According to verses 3 and 4, the members of the church were blinded. The god of this world made them blind spiritually. In verses 5 and 6, Paul emphasised that God Himself saved him and made him His servant. Therefore, it was evident that Paul’s qualification came from God. Also, the Corinthian church already knew the fact. According to verse 2, he did not deceive them and distort God’s Words. They themselves were witnesses of Paul’s faithfulness.

When we are betrayed or are attacked by those whom we have served, it must be very painful and easy to be discouraged. But Paul was not. Why? He knew that all things that had happened to him were from God. He was never at the mercy of people’s words. Instead, Paul depended on God’s mercy. That was one of the reasons that made Paul not to be discouraged.

In our Christian life, we are sometimes mocked, ignored, or persecuted. In such times, we should think in the manner of Paul. We are sinners saved by God’s grace. The more we realise God’s grace and mercy which saved us from sin and death, the more confident and bold we become. We cannot be discouraged in the midst of any situation.

Gospel Advancement (vv8–12)
Another reason for discouragement could be severe tribulation, troubles and persecutions. These situations could cause Paul to be perplexed, in despair, and finally discouraged. But Paul was not. Paul knew that through such difficulties, the gospel would advance to individuals and churches.

The difficulties Paul went through are well recorded in 11:24–29, “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?”

In verse 10, Paul said that many people could see Jesus Christ through his life. People cannot see Jesus physically today but they can see Him through our beautiful and faithful life. Through Paul’s commitment and service, churches were established. Paul himself went through very painful experiences but they were very beneficial to many. For this reason Paul was not discouraged.

We are okay even though nobody knows or recognises our commitment and service. If we keep sowing spiritual seeds, someday we will reap. Galatians 6:7–9 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Blessed Hope (vv13–18)
In verse 14, we are told by Paul that as God has raised Jesus Christ, so will He also raise all His saints one day. With this hope, the inward man is renewed day by day. Compared to the spiritual blessings to come, Paul said his afflictions on earth were light. His focus was not on visible things but the invisible and eternal kingdom. This is our blessed hope. Although, we are in the middle of tribulations and hardships, if we possess this faith, we can overcome any difficulty and discouragement.

Though the hills be steep
and the valleys deep,
With no flowers my way adorning;
Though the night be lone and my rest a stone,
Joy awaits me in the morning.
What a joy ’twill be when I wake to see
Him for Whom my heart is burning!
Nevermore to sigh, nevermore to die,
For that day my heart is yearning.

My Testimony

Thanks to my teacher and preacher as well as my pastor, Dr Jeffrey Khoo. I really thank him for his love. I also want to express my gratitude to True Life Session and church members. Here in Korea, I felt alone, but through the church camp, I realised my thinking was wrong. I was encouraged and supported spiritually and materially.

When I was a young Christian, I was trained to be missionary and swore to live as a missionary. But I realised that I had already become a missionary of True Life Church at the camp. I am honoured to be called a missionary and proud of it. Spiritually, Korea must be mission field. Antichristian sentiments are full in this nation. People are no longer interested in Truth. The number of Christians decreases and many churches close. Accordingly, the number of students who want to learn God’s words decreases. Many Christians are searching the internet for pure spiritual food.

I thank God who led and directed me to FEBC to make me equipped as a preacher. Three times, on Wednesday’s prayer meetings, I share from Proverbs. In the morning worship services, my church studies the Gospel of Mark. In the afternoon worship service, I preach from the book of 2 Corinthians. And I pray and prepare for an English worship service. Preaching is my pleasure and my comfort is from God. As Paul said, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not”.

I once was scared to be criticised and attacked because of my degree and my doctrine of premillennialism. When I started a Bible-Presbyterian Church in Korea, I faced several problems. One of them was to register my church in Korea. My church should be under a denomination. But there is no other Bible-Presbyterian church in Korea. I kept praying earnestly and looking for a proper place to worship. But still I cannot find any. But God comforted me through last week’s afternoon message that I preached.

I faithfully try to prepare my sermons and share them with my family. My two sons understand me and are obedient to me. They are my good helpers. And also I started a blog in the internet and post my sermons there. As time went by, people visited my blog and read my writings. And the number is increasing gradually. I am very happy to share what I have learned in FEBC with my fellow Koreans. I will do my best with my mission.

I will not lose my heart because someday, I will go to heaven and live with my Lord eternally. I am also happy to share this blessed hope with my Principal and True Life Church.

THANK GOD FOR FEBC

Dear Dr Khoo

Greetings in our Lord’s blessed name.

Thank God for FEBC that is God’s provision to study God’s Word faithfully.

In Korea, this is the hottest summer like Singapore’s weather. It reminds me of my lovely time in FEBC.

I have started MDiv course in Chongshin Theological Seminary. Here students also study Greek and Hebrew too. Gratefully I got top score in Chongshin since FEBC gave me good training and teaching.

I am willing to go to BCEA, Kenya after I graduate and get pastorship. Rev Park and Rev Mark Kim asked me to help in the African ministry. Please pray for me to be steadfast in the Lord and His ministry.

I write this letter to say that it is a little inconvenient to listen to audio sermon through FEBC homepage. It was my great joy to listen to your sermons every week. But after remodeling of homepage, I could not connect to audio sermon page. If you help me to connect I am happy to listen to the sermons continuously.

FEBC, Mrs Tow, principal and all faculty are in my prayers. Please say hello to Mrs Tow from “Korean boy”. Thank you.

In Christ
Ko Woong
August 8, 2016