ESOCS Devotional 18 March 2026 – Challenges of the Evangelical Ministry
MEMORY VERSE: ““Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God’s servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties.” 2 Corinthians 6:4 GNB
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-11
We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians! [c]We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
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In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus charged all disciples to go on with the work of evangelizing the world. – to teach all nations, and to occupy until He returns. He also promised His ever-present presence. This promise is a pointer to the tough and rough terrain of the evangelical ministry. In our text, we see that Paul was ever willing to give all that he had in order that others have an opportunity for eternal dwelling in the presence of God. Moreover, he lived his message, regardless of the hardships that the message brought to him. He was willing to go without all things, in order that those who obey the gospel would inherit all things in eternity.
It follows therefore, that, the ministry of the evangelist is a ministry of service to others. He must necessarily crucify the old man of selfishness (Galatians 2:20). He must live as Jesus would, among the people, in order to represent the Messiah in every respect. Knowing that the preaching of the message would bring the turmoil of life by those who hate the word, he must be prepared to forge ahead undeterred. Moreover, evangelists in mission fields must condition themselves to endure deprivation of food and other comforts. They must tolerate physical assaults and undeserved imprisonment. They must be willing to be dishonoured and slandered for the work of ministry. Furthermore, they must be willing to undergo poverty, sorrow, and discouragement, in order that others enjoy the riches of God’s grace.
Above all, evangelists must preach the word in all truth. No heresies whatsoever! They must be straightforward with their followers concerning those things that must be said. All truth must be said to those who are in danger of turning from the grace of God (2 Timothy 4:1-5). It’s a rough road to travel.
Reflections
- Is it better to soft pedal, to keep a large congregation, or harden up to maintain the few loyal disciples?
Prayer
- Lord Jesus, please always charge me to harmer on the truth at all times.
Further Reading: 1 Samuel 9:1-14; Jeremiah 5:1-19; Luke 15:1-10
ESOCS Devotional 18 March 2026
