Your Life Is A Letter

Introduction

A.T. Robertson, "Professing Christians are the Bible that men read and know. "There is a great truth here, which is at once an inspiration and an awful warning; every Christian is an open letter for Jesus Christ. Every Christian, whether he likes it or not, is an advertisement for Christianity. The honor of Christ is in the hands of His followers.

We judge a shopkeeper by the kind of goods he sells; we judge a craftsman by the kind of articles he produces; we judge a church by the kind of people it creates; and therefore we judge Christ by His followers.

William Barclay quoted Dick Sheppard as having said, "the greatest handicap the Church has is the unsatisfactory lives of professing Christians." When we go out into the world, we have the awe- inspiring responsibility of being open letters, advertisements, for Christ and His Church.

I. The Commendation 1

The false teachers accused Paul of not possessing the appropriate documents to prove his legitimacy. Such letters were often used to introduce and authenticate someone to the first century churches.

Paul's point was that he did not need second hand testimony when the Corinthians had first hand proof of his sincere and godly character, as well as the truth of his message that changed them.

A. Letters Of Commendation

Acts 9:1-2, "Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

"Paul was very familiar with these letters.

B. Lord Of Commendation

Acts 9:10-16, "Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias: and to him the Lord said in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord.' So the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.' Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.' But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.'"

II. The Affirmation 2

A. Engraved Letters 2a

"You are our epistle written in our hearts" permanently engraved in his heart. This serves as an affirmation of Paul's affection for the believers in Corinth; he held them close to his heart.2 Corinthians 12:15a, "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls."

"spend" - refers to spending money"be spent" - describes Paul's willingness to give of himself, even to the point of sacrificing his life.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 illustrates Paul's commitment to his people (his authenticity).

1 Corinthians 9:1-2, "Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord."

"seal" - certification

B. Exposed Letters 2b

"known and read of all men" - the transformed lives of the Corinthians were Paul's most eloquent testimonials, better than any secondhand letter. Their changed lives were like an open letter that could be seen and read by all men as a testimony to Paul's faithfulness and the truth of his message.

III. The Transformation 3

"clearly" - term denotes making something visible which is invisible. "Let Others See Jesus In You"

"While passing thro' this world of sin, And others your life shall view,

Be clean and pure without, within, Let others see Jesus in you.

Your life's a book before their eyes, They're reading it thro' and thro'; Say, does it point them to the skies, Do others see Jesus in you?"

A. Provided Credentials For Validation Of Paul's Ministry

"You are an epistle of Christ" - Paul had the Corinthian believers' changed lives as proof that Christ had transformed them.

Question: What are your credentials of validation of your ministry? Licensing, ordination, books written or read, tapes produced, positions held, honors bestowed.

Answer: How about the people that were changed by your ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit, motivated by the love of God, and done for His glory.

Illustrate: John the Baptist in Prison. He asked about Christ's credentials: Matthew 11:2-3, "And when John had heard in prison abut the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?

"This is the question: Note the answer: Matthew 11:4-5, "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind see and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

B. Provided Credentials For Celebration Of Paul's Ministry

"ministered by us" - through our ministry; one who executes the command of another. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy."

C. Provided Credentials For Manifestation Of Paul's Ministry

Contrast:

1. What It Is Not

"written not with ink" "not on tablets of stone" In others words the new covenant of God is not something which is legal or external or outside of Paul, but something that has come into the very depth of his soul, that has touched the hardness of his heart and melted it. Jeremiah 31:33, "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

2. What It Is

"but by the Spirit of God" "but on tables of flesh, that is, of the heart" Paul's letter (epistle) was alive, written by Christ's divine, supernatural power through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The

New Covenant mediated by Christ through the Spirit of God produced an inward change whereby God's Word was actually implanted in believers, not just externally imposed. This transforming work made the believers Paul's greatest recommendation.

IV. The Verification And Motivation 4

Paul's ministry was also verified by his unwavering confidence toward God. This was not a proud confidence which arose from an attitude of self-sufficiency, but one which was through Christ. As  Paul saw the Lord working through his faithful presentation of the gospel, he interpreted this as a validation of his ministry. Paul was confident in his ministry, and that confidence resulted in his ability to stay the course and continue moving toward the goal.

V. The Consideration 5

Whatever adequacy or sufficiency he possessed was not the product of his own ability or origination. He did not deny that a credible and competent work had been done in Corinth, but he disclaimed all personal credit. Adequacy for the task had come from God; not starting from ourselves.

VI. The Administration 6

(the New Covenant) Paul's Autobiographical Statement: His early life had been devoted to trying to keep every aspect of the written code and it had heightened the knowledge of his own inadequacy without any hope of deliverance.

A. His Suffiency

"who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant"Paul recognizes that only God can make a person adequate; God rendered us fit; able; fresh and effective. He makes us competent for the task.

B. His Salvation

Old Covenant Slays - New Covenant Saves. Two ways the letter kills:

It Results In A Living Death. It Kills Your Joy, Peace, And Hope