THIS MINISTRY WE VE RECEIVED? RETHINKING THE WINESKIN

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1 THIS MINISTRY WE VE RECEIVED? RETHINKING THE WINESKIN For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 (NLT)

2 BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (NKJV), Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

3 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RENOUNCE? 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NKJV), Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, Renounced, Renounced- ἀπεῖπον apeípon; from apó (575), from, and eípon, I said, to speak. Literally, to speak out against, to hold to the end, to refuse, deny, renounce, disown with aversion. (WSD) to speak out, tell out, declare. (IGEL) to assert opposition to something to denounce (LN)

4 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RENOUNCE SHAME? 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NKJV), Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, Hidden things-, κρυπτός kruptós; from krúptō (2928), to keep secret. Hidden, concealed, and thus secret. Hidden within rather than visible without a matter of one s heart Shame- αἰσχύνη aischúnē; noun from aíschos (n.f.), shame. Disgrace, shame. A sense of shame resulting from exposure of one s weaknesses or sins. It is that feeling which leads one to shun what is unworthy out of the prospect and anticipation of dishonor, fear of disgrace. The confusion of one who is ashamed of anything, sense of shame. The first instance of shame Genesis 2:25 (NKJV), And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Naked, [ʿarowm, ʿarom /aw rome/], have no barrier

5 A REFERENCE TO WHOM? 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NKJV), Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man s conscience in the sight of God. Craftiness- πανουργία panourgía; Shrewdness, cunning, craftiness, unscrupulousness; The word signified the employment of any or all means necessary to realize an end. What is the first manifestation of craftiness mentioned in Scripture? Handling [deceitfully], δολόω dolóō; from dólos (1388), deceit. To adulterate. To cause something to be or to become false as the result of deception or distortion to cause to be false, to distort. What did Satan do with God s Word in the Garden? Manifestation of the truth (as opposed to the lie )

6 BLINDED MINDS? 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV), 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. Minds- νόημα nóēma; noun from noéō (3539), to perceive. A thought, concept of the mind Blinded- τυφλόω tuphlóō; To blind. to cause someone not to be able to understand God of this age, blind, how? Not believe- ἄπιστος ápistos; from a (1), without, and pistós (4103), believing, faithful. Believing what? The Truth, about Image- εἰκών eikṓn; Shine- αὐγάζω augázō; from augḗ (827), dawn. to illuminate; to shine irradiate, beam, shine forth. to cause something to be clearly evident to cause to be seen, to cause to be clear to.

7 LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NKJV), 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Light to shine Out of darkness Shone in our hearts To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. 1 John 2:8 (NKJV), 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV), But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

8 HIDDEN SHAME TO HIDDEN TREASURE! 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV), But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. Colossians 1:27 (Mirror), In us God desires to exhibit the priceless treasure of Christ s indwelling; every nation will recognize him as in a mirror! The unveiling of Christ in human life completes man s every expectation. (He is not hiding in history, or in outer space nor in the future, neither in the pages of scripture, he is merely mirrored there to be unveiled within you. Mt 13:44, Gal 1:15, 16)

9 PERFECTED RESULTS 1 John 4:17 (NKJV), Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. Perfected, τελειόω teleióō; from téleios (5046), complete, mature. To complete, make perfect by reaching the intended goal. Boldness, παρρησία parrēsía; from pás (3956), all, and rhḗsis (n.f.), the act of speaking. Freedom or frankness in speaking. Judgment, κρίσις krísis; from krínō (2919), to judge. Separation, figuratively division, dissension, decision, crisis, turn of affairs, judgment. (WSD) a separating, power of distinguishing, (IGEL),

10 WHEN I WAS A CHILD, NOW 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (NKJV), When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. Child, νήπιος nḗpios; from nḗ, not, and épos (2031), word. One who cannot speak, hence, an infant, child, baby without any definite limitation of age. Understood, φρονέω phronéō; from phrḗn (5424), mind. To think, have a mindset, be minded. The activity represented by this word involves the will, affections, and conscience. Thought, λογίζομαι logízomai; from lógos (3056), reason, word, account. To reckon, impute, number. (Compare with 2 Corinthians 5:19) Actually, the verb logízomai means to put together with one s mind, to count, to occupy oneself with reckonings or calculations. to keep a mental record of events for the sake of some future action. Put away, καταργέω katargéō; from katá (2596), an intens., and argéō (691), to be idle. To render inactive, idle, useless, ineffective.