HOW TO KEEP FROM QUITTING (Part 1)

In his book Be Encouraged, Warren Wiersbe tells about a letter sent to Alexander Whyte, a famous 19^th-century preacher from Scotland. A discouraged Methodist preacher wrote Whyte that he was thinking about leaving the ministry. He responded, “Never think of giving up preaching. The angels around the throne envy you for your great work!”

The temptation to leave the ministry continues to be a problem for pastors. Dozens of articles are written today on the issues of clergy burnout and dropout.

If you can identify with those issues, you can find help in 2 Corinthians 4. Corinth was not an easy church to lead. Yet Paul did not give up on the Corinthians in spite of their divisions, immaturity, and confusion about spiritual gifts. What kept Paul from losing heart? What will hold us steady? Paul shares three secrets for his longevity.

First, “we have this ministry” (2 Cor. 4:1). Paul used several phrases to flesh out the nature of a new covenant ministry (3:6,8,17,18). The most powerful is the word transformed (v.18). This is the word metamorphoumetha. From this, we derive the word metamorphosis, the process of transformation from a caterpillar to a beautiful moth or butterfly. The same root word is used for the splendor of the transfiguration of Jesus (Matt. 17:2).

Acts 18 records that Paul was tempted to leave the Corinthians and move on to an easier place. When Paul faced stiff opposition from the Jews, he began to reach out to Gentiles. Paul’s ministry was confirmed after a night vision from Jesus. “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (vv.9-10). It was reassuring news. As a result, Paul stayed on for 18 months. He didn’t lose heart and quit the ministry. Maybe it was the dramatic conversion of Crispus and his household. To see the ruler of the Corinthian synagogue come under the power of the gospel and be transformed was powerful. A flood of converts followed.

Are you facing opposition? Are you thinking about resigning? Before you take that drastic step, think about some people who, like Crispus, have been wonderfully transformed as you have shared the gospel.

On Wednesday, we will consider a second reason to hold steady when we are losing heart.