• 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 - Gospel Hope in Darkness: The Light of Christ (Rev. Erik Veerman)

  • Mar 2 2025
  • Length: 30 mins
  • Podcast

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 - Gospel Hope in Darkness: The Light of Christ (Rev. Erik Veerman)

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  • 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Please remain standing for the reading of God’s Word. By the way, a couple of you have recently asked why we stand for the sermon text and not the Old and New Testament readings. I would definitely like us to stand for all of them, just like the people did in Nehemiah 8 when the Word was read. However, we already stand and sit a lot in our service, as you know. So, consider our standing for the sermon text as a representative standing for all our readings. We stand in reverence to God’s Word. Hear now God’s Word, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. Reading Prayer “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.” Maybe you’ve heard that phrase before. It dates back to 1871. David Livingstone had left Scotland 30 years earlier to travel to Africa. He went there with the London Mission Society and he travelled all over central and southern Africa. But in the late-1860s Livingstone had gone missing. Many presumed he had died. So, a man named Henry Morgan Stanly was sent out to find him. Stanley searched for months. And on November 10, 1871, in modern-day Tanzania, he finally found the missionary. Stanly simply said, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.” It's hard to overestimate the impact that Livingstone had on Africa. Not only was he a Christian missionary but also a doctor and an explorer. He desired to put an end to slavery. He opened doors of trade in many places and emphasized education. As a doctor, he helped promote helpful practices to treat and prevent diseases. But most importantly, Livingstone brought the Gospel to central and southern Africa. As he travelled, he would learn the different languages of the people he met. He would translate portions of the Bible for them. He would teach the 10 commandments and the love of God in Christ. However, despite all his work and ministry, Livingstone did not experience fruit from his labors. No, in fact, by some accounts, he only witnessed one convert to Christ. One. In 1871, when Stanly urged Livingstone to return to England, he responded, "Oh, when will Christ's holy Gospel enter into this dark region?” Livingstone yearned to see the light of Christ in Africa. Now, if you were in Livingstone’s situation, how would you feel and what would you do? If you had dedicated 30 years of your life testifying to Jesus’ life and the cross and his resurrection but God had not seen fit to turn hearts to him, how would it affect you? I’m sure, like Livingstone, it would weigh on you. And of course, it is not a theoretical question. Every one of us has family and friends who don’t believe. Who maybe are even cynical or hostile to the message. Maybe that is you? Maybe you’re here today because of family or friends, but your heart is very skeptical. If that is you, as you listen today, be thinking about two things. · First, yes, your family or friends who believe in Jesus do want you to know and believe in him. But think about this. If you believed in something that you thought truly answered life’s deepest questions, would you not want your friends and family to know and believe? Questions of existence, meaning, morality, life, and death. Yes, I think you would. If you truly believed something that important, you would want to share it out of love. It’s something to think about. · Second, be thinking about what is preventing you from believing. Is there a deep-down reason that you are skeptical? If so, try to listen anew to the message of Christ. Maybe there something new to hear. I mention that to be sensitive. These verses are written to believers in Christ. And in part, they speak about people who do not believe. I don’t want you to feel ignored or dismissed. Going back to Livingstone. I have no idea if he ever compared his situation to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. Maybe he did. Maybe he didn’t. But if you were to pick a chapter in the Bible that describes Livingstone’s situation best, it would be 2 Corinthians chapter 4. Really, the whole chapter. But in particular verses 1-6. What I mean is that 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 is about faithfulness to ministry and mission. It’s about remaining true to Christ even when the message is rejected. Livingstone faithfully continued in his ministry even though the hearts of those to whom he was ministering to were closed. In fact, Livingstone was a Scottish Presbyterian… that means he believed in God’s sovereignty in salvation. And with that confidence, he persevered. Livingstone knew that God is the one who changes hearts and minds. It is God who shines his light of knowledge and glory. Despite the burden of seeing little response, yet he pressed on in faithfulness. As we work through these verses, I think you will see the parallels to Livingstone’s ministry. We have three main points this morning. You’ll see those on the sermon notes page. Point 1. Do not lose heart - that is verses 1-2 and 5. Point 2. Because of veiled and deceived hearts (verses 3-4) Point 3. For it is God who ...
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