PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE: “What We Obtain Too Cheaply…We Esteem Too Lightly!”
By: Ron Woodrum
Two hundred forty years ago last week, General George Washington and his troops found themselves at as crossroad. Britain was doing its best to defeat this upstart amatuer continental army and demonstrate its supremacy. To America this was a “crisis”. As a matter of fact, on December 23, 1776 Thomas Paine published his pamphlet entitled The American Crisis. In it he wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph! What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly…Neither have I so much infidel in me, as to suppose that He has relinquished the government of the world…to the care of devils…” General Washington was so moved by The American Crisis that he ordered it read out loud to his troops to rally them not to disperse at the end of the year, when their six-month enlistment was up, and to rally them to have the courage before the Battle of Trenton. Paine went on to say, “I am confident that God governs the world, and that America will never be happy till she gets clear of this foreign dominion…let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virture could survive, that…the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to…repulse it…throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but show your faith by your works that God may bless you”. That last statement was echoing an imperative Jonathan Trumbell, Governor of Connecticut, had written to General Washington in a letter earlier when he wrote, “In this day of calamity, to trust altogether to the justice of our cause, without our utmost exertion, would be tempting Providence…March on! This shall be your warrant: Play the man for God, and for the cities of our God. May the Lord of Hosts, The God of the Armies of Israel, be your Captain, your Leader, your Conductor, and your Saviour!” Paine continued, “It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil…will reach you…the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole…I love the man who can smile in trouble and can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection…and will pursue his principles unto death”. These words of exhortation from Paine rallied the American militia on to victory.
Two thousand years ago, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ was at a crossroad. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ had entered into Europe, by the leading of the Holy Spirit. But at every turn its soldiers of the cross were met with demonic and devilish evil and opposition. Paul, like Thomas Paine, spoke inspired words to rally the Church of Corinth to continue to join him in advancing the ministry of Christ into the front lines of a pagan world. He reminded them that they had “this treasure in earthen vessels” (II Cor. 4;7) and that it was only the Power of God that “caused them always triumph in Christ…in every place” (II Cor. 2:14). That is what II Corinthians is all about. In Acts 16 we read how the Holy Spirit led Paul the Apostle to bring the Gospel into Europe. It made major advances into Phillippi. The Gospel only saw small advances into the demon-filled stronghold of Athens. But when Paul brought his message to the stronghold of evil that was Corinth he saw a “demonstration of the power of the cross of Christ” in conquering the Corinthians. But the enemy did not give up without a fight. II Corinthians is a rally-cry for the people of God to let the power of God continue to use them to bring ministry throughout the Province of Achaia. That is our January Bible Study for 2016. For the next several weeks, beginning this morning, I will be preaching through II Corinthians. We will be emphasizing how the Heavenly Treasure of the Gospel will be dispensed through Earthly Vessels causing the Aroma of the Salvation of the Conquering Christ to be spread throughout the entire world of the first century. Our world hasn’t changed all that much.
Scott Wesley Brown has given us a song expressing the mighty work of God in the ministry of the Gospel.
Look What God is Doing:
Look what God is Doing, All across the Land
See His Spirit moving, Feel His Mighty Hand
Breaking Chains of Darkness, Setting Captives Free
Look What God is Doing Through Those Who Do Believe
Glory Halleluia, look what God is doing
He is calling faithful men, to carry out His plan
So in the Power of Jesus’ name, Go possess the Land
Take the Living Gospel, mix it with His Love
Add a little action, and See just what God does!
Glory Halleluia, look what God is doing.
Two great missionaries who gave their life in advancing the Gospel give us their rally cries. Jim Elliot, who gave his life to take the Gospel message to the Auca Indians in Ecuador wrote, “The saint who advances on his knees never retreats!” The heir to the Borden Dairy fortune, who instead gave his life taking the Gospel to the Muslims in Egypt wrote in the flyleaf of his Bible not long before he died these words, “ NO RESERVE. NO RETREAT. NO REGRET”. Both of those men of God were living out the message of II Corinthians. They learned that the “harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph” and after realizing that this Gospel treasure was purchased at the expense of the precious blood of our Lord Jesus -that this treasure was “ something that could never be taken lightly”. May we follow in their steps and honor their Gospel legacies!