Persevering in Ministry
Who likes to run? I don’t. I have run an 8k the last several years and I almost die each time because I don’t train at all before running it. Have any of you ever ran a marathon? That’s 26.2 miles. You know what I say about that? “No thank you.” To run something like that, it requires a lot. It requires training and perseverance and support. It’s the same in ministry, in serving the Lord.
Stick it out where God plants you. (1, 11)
Paul's experience in Corinth encourages us because it shows that facing difficulty in ministry is not a new thing. He faced opposition, personal harassment, daily financial pressures, and most heart-wrenching, he also experienced the pain of watching people reject Jesus Christ. Yet amidst that, he stayed in Corinth for a year and a half. He persevered and stayed there longer than he stayed on most places on his missionary journeys.
I’m encouraged as I look at the perseverance of Paul. Many others have followed him throughout church history in persevering through hard times. Jonathan Edwards was voted out of his church.[1] Hudson Taylor didn’t have the trust of the Chinese in his mission to them then he had to fight against other Christians in order to contextualize to share the gospel appropriately with those in China.[2] Adoniram Judson, the great missionary to Burma, faced hardship after hardship, and didn’t have his first convert to Christianity until his sixth year in Burma.[3] I’m reminded of Charles Simeon, the great preacher, who was called to pastor Holy Trinity in Cambridge, and the church wouldn’t show up, had a preacher they preferred over him come in to preach evening services and even locked the doors on him. It wasn’t until about 5 years in that they really allowed him to be their pastor. He pastored there for 54 years.[4]
God's looking for us to be obedient and faithful to the calling that He has placed upon us and in His power and strength to fulfill what He’s called us to. So, we persevere not because of ourselves, not for a participation trophy or for just sticking it out, but we persevere because Christ has called us to a task, because He's given us the Holy Spirit, and because our confidence is in Him, who is able to sustain us and to bring to completion the work that He began us.
So, how do we overcome the difficulty of ministry, the daily routine, the constant opposition from the world, the times in which maybe we're not so liked or we're challenged for our beliefs? We will see a few important things today that sustained Paul in ministry, and I pray it sustains you through whatever you may be facing.
Ancient Corinth was an immoral city. It was to such a city that Paul came, despite feeling weak and inadequate after his mistreatment in Philippi. And once he arrived in Corinth, yet more difficulties and challenges presented themselves. He wrote of this in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, describing how fear and much trembling were involved in his being there to speak, and yet the Spirit and power were still at work.
1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Paul's experience in Corinth shows us what ministry is like. It’s difficult and messy. The difficulty and mess can arise from external or internal sources; the world we operate in, like Corinth itself, can be firmly set against and resistant to the gospel. On the other hand, the struggles can come from within the Christian community; from personal failings, personality clashes, spiritual dryness and pettiness, all the way to outright rebellion against God and His Word.
Just as a marathon runner commits to rigorous training, facing challenges and moments of wanting to give up, so we remain steadfast where God has placed us, trusting in His strength to persevere.
“One year before the pivotal event in the movie “Chariots of Fire,” Eric Liddell ran in a meet between England, Ireland and Scotland. He ran the 100-, 220-, and 440-yard events. In the 440, he got off to a bad start. When that gun sounded, there was a lot of shoving to get in front to the inside lane, the advantageous position. Liddell tangled feet with J. J. Gillies of England and tumbled to the track. He sat there dazed for a moment, not knowing whether he could get up, when the official screamed, “Get up and run!” He jumped to his feet and took off after the pack, which was now a full twenty yards ahead of him. In a quarter mile, that’s a big distance to try to make up. In his unorthodox style of running he took off after the pack. He pulled into fourth place ten yards behind the leader, J. J. Gillies. With forty yards to go, he pulled into third place, then second. Right at the tape he passed Gillies, stuck his chest out, won the race, and collapsed to the track in total exhaustion. Medical personnel had to assist him off the track that day. An article appearing the next day in The Scotsman newspaper said, “The circumstances in which Liddell won the race made it a performance bordering on the miraculous. Veterans whose memories take them back thirty-five years and in some cases longer in the history of athletics were unanimous in the opinion that Liddell’s win in the quarter mile was the greatest track performance they had ever seen.”
“There’s something glorious about getting up off the track after you’ve been knocked down and running again. Win or lose, you didn’t stay down.”[5]
We need partners in life and ministry. (2-3)
I think one of the great reasons Paul persevered in Corinth was because of the support he had around him. God led him to connect with a couple, Priscilla and Aquilla, who had the same type of business that Paul did, making tents. Before his finances arrived later, he worked alongside them making tents and in sharing the gospel.
There is something beautiful to see here that we can’t see from just these verses. The partnership they had in life in ministry didn’t just support and grow Paul in his gospel ministry, but it grew Priscilla and Aquilla as well. They are mentioned several times in the Bible and were great disciplers of others.
1. Acts 18:18 - "After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow."
2. Acts 18:26 - "[Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."
3. Romans 16:3 - "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus."
As a result of forming a partnership, a shared ministry develops and in turn the ministries of both parties grow and strengthen.
One of the reasons pastors so often burn out is because they don’t have friends or partners in ministry. In a study done by Barna, of the pastors they surveyed who considered leaving ministry in 2022, 43% was because they feel lonely and isolated.[6] That’s the second highest just behind the stress of the job. Runners often train and run with partners for support and encouragement, much like Christians need brothers and sisters in Christ to walk alongside them, sharing the burdens and joys of ministry.
We run better when we run with someone. A tracking app found we run 7 seconds a mile faster when we run with a group instead of alone. It doesn’t just help us run well, but it helps us finish when we think we can’t.
“At the 1992 Olympics, Derek Redmond tore a hamstring early in the 400-meter race, collapsing. He got up and limped toward the finish line. His father barreled out of the stands and helped his son to the end. We are called to do that for one another. And most importantly, God does that for us.”[7]
We need boldness in proclaiming the gospel. (4-8)
One of the major challenges that Paul encountered was the constant opposition and vilification from the Jewish leaders. However, despite these seemingly insurmountable challenges, Paul remained steadfast and bold in his proclamation of the gospel. This boldness is not in our strength but is rooted in the power of the gospel. The Greek word for power is dynamis. It’s where we get our word dynamite. In Romans 1:16, Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” We see that verse played out exactly here.
Paul's ministry in Corinth, where his teaching led to significant conversions, including that of Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his household, underscores the impact of bold gospel proclamation. It shows us that when we step out in faith to share the Gospel, God is mighty to save!
When you’re running a marathon, you have to push through the pain, both physically and mentally. And you keep going no matter what. The Jews didn’t accept the Truth that Jesus is the Messiah, but Paul was so bold that he set up a church next door to the Jewish synagogue! And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord. THAT is the power of God for salvation!
We need to lean on God’s promises. (9-11)
The vision God gave to Paul is a powerful reminder of the importance of relying on God's promises for provision, presence, and protection. I think it is this vision and this promise that really is what sustained Paul to remain in Corinth for a year and a half. God had him there for a purpose. There were many people there who would come to know Christ, and it was Paul who was to tell them. If you were given that promise, wouldn’t you stay too?! Yes, even if it was difficult.
Do you remember the last words of Jesus? He told us to go and make disciples of all nations. That’s not His last words, though. He follows up that Great Commission with, “and I will be with you always.” Jesus promises us His presence as we live out what He’s called us to. Embracing God's promises also requires us to acknowledge that His plans often surpass our understanding. We don’t always know how He will come through, but He is always faithful to fulfill His promises.
Runners often draw strength from the cheers of spectators and personal reminders of their training and purpose. Runners can actually run 2-5 seconds per mile faster because of the adrenaline of the crowd cheering them on. Similarly, we are encouraged by God's promises, which provide the strength to continue even it’s hard.
God is faithful to fulfill His promises. (12-17)
In verses 12-17, Paul faces a significant moment of opposition in Corinth. The Jews bring him before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, accusing him of preaching contrary to the law. People like to hurl accusations at people, don’t they? This moment could have been a huge setback for Paul, shaking the foundation of his ministry in Corinth. Yet, in the midst of this difficulty, we see a profound demonstration of God's faithfulness to His promises.
Instead of entertaining the religious disputes brought before him, Gallio dismisses the case against Paul, refusing to involve himself in matters of Jewish law. This unexpected turn of events not only vindicates Paul but also highlights God's unwavering commitment to those who faithfully serve Him. God is faithful to fulfill His promises. And that truth alone is enough to sustain us through anything we face.
Just as a runner perseveres through the grueling miles of a marathon, trusting in the promise of the finish line, Paul trusted in God's promise of protection and provision. Despite the opposition he faced, Paul remained steadfast in his commitment to proclaiming the gospel, knowing that God would fulfill His word.
Prior to the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania was just another marathon runner. An Olympic caliber runner, yes. He had won marathons in Africa, running with times under 2 ½ hours.
He easily qualified for the Olympics. But in Mexico City, Akhwari encountered an obstacle he had never faced before: the altitude, which caused his legs to cramp severely. Still, he kept running. Then, about halfway through the race, he tangled with some other runners and fell. He dislocated his knee, scraped up his leg, and hurt his shoulder as he fell. But he didn’t stop. With terrible injuries and cramped muscles slowing him, he labored on and finished the race. He was one of seventy-five people who started the race, and the last of fifty-seven to finish it.
When he finally entered the arena for the final lap, only a couple thousand people were there to see him complete the race. He finished dead last, more than an hour behind the winner. A cheer went up for this brave runner as he circled the now darkened track. Although it seemed that Akhwari had lost the race, everyone who saw him finish knew he was a winner.
In an interview later on, a reporter asked, “Why didn’t you quit when you were hurt and bruised, bloody, discouraged? Why didn’t you quit?” His answer: “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”[8]
As we reflect on Paul's experience in Corinth, may we be reminded of God's faithfulness in our own lives and ministries. Though the road may be long and the path uncertain, anchor your hope in the promises of God, knowing that He is faithful to bring His work in you and through you to completion. Just as Paul trusted in God's protection and provision, trust in God's faithfulness to see you through every trial so you will see His triumph.
[1] https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-jonathan-edwards-got-fired-and-why-its-important-for-us-today
[2] http://www.livingwithfaith.org/blog/hudson-taylor-faith-through-difficulties
[3] https://dbts.edu/2019/11/04/what-sustained-adoniram-judson-during-a-dark-time-in-burma
[4] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/pastoring-through-opposition
[5] https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/40564-strong-to-the-finish
[6] https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-quitting-ministry
[7] https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/40564-strong-to-the-finish
[8] Rick Warren, Daniel Amen, and Mark Hyman, The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life, Kindle ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013)
