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September 2025

Church on a Mission

 

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INTERSECT | Simple Methods, Unchanging Message

 

 

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

The Coca-Cola™ brand is among the most recognizable in all the world. Over the years, the company has used various advertising slogans to sell its product. In 1906, during the Temperance Movement, the slogan was “The Great National Temperance Beverage.” In 1917 and 1925, the company focused on the number of drinks sold per day: “Three Million a Day” and “Six Million a Day.” Other interesting slogans included: “Pure as Sunlight,” “Where There’s Coke, There’s Hospitality,” and “Red, White, and You.”

Companies change messaging all the time to keep up with competitors and to reach both existing and new customers. But what about the church? Does the church need to change its messaging to reach newer generations? Some say yes. They want the church to “modernize,” to discard anything negative or off-putting, and adjust its messaging to win people today. However, in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, we find clear biblical teaching about the methods and message of the church.

Simple Methods (verses 1-2). Ministry comes through the mercy of God. Not only is our salvation an act of His mercy and grace, but God also calls and equips us in His mercy. He could accomplish His will without us, but He chose to use ordinary people like you and me to carry out His work.

Paul was careful to approach ministry the right way. He and his fellow laborers had renounced dishonest, crafty, deceitful ways (verse 2). Other versions translate this underhanded or disgraceful. The term underhanded is an especially visual translation, suggesting one hand holds something that is covered by the other hand. It describes trickery, deceit, or sleight of hand, with the goal of doing the other person wrong.

The word crafty describes someone cunning, someone good at talking others into something while hiding the consequences. They are like fishermen, hiding the hook from their prey. Paul refused to mix other ideas and notions with the Word of God or to change it to fit his own purposes. Deceitful methods are simply an extension of Satan’s work in the world. In Genesis 3, the great tempter followed the same deceptive pattern reflected in Paul’s words.

In contrast to deception, Paul described the gospel ministry as manifesting — or making an open statement — of the truth. Our task is to speak the truth of God’s Word in love while manifesting or demonstrating how a Christian should look, how a church should look. When we carry out our ministry this way, Paul said we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience before God. In other words, Paul said, “I have nothing to hide. You have seen my life up-close-and-personal. You know me — my lifestyle, my work ethic, my attitudes. My entire life is lived in the sight of God. He knows it all, and nothing is hidden from Him.”

You might be thinking to yourself, “I thought this was supposed to be about methods. He hasn’t even mentioned methods.” But I have. This is God’s simple way, the simple method He uses to change the lives of people in the world: speak and live the truth plainly. God transforms the life of one person and then uses that person to speak and live the truth out in front of another person.

When you think about methods, consider two familiar examples from the modern church. Sunday School (teaching people the Bible in small groups) has worked since it began in the nineteenth century. What makes it successful is the core structure: ordinary people getting together on a consistent basis to study and be changed by the Word.

What about Vacation Bible School? At our church, this summer event is exciting (to say the least) and incredible to witness. The decorations, energy (both kids and workers), fun music, and creative snacks. But what really makes VBS successful? Once again, it comes down to people whose lives have been transformed by God reaching out to children with the gospel. We must speak and live the truth plainly.

 


Simple Message (verses 3-6). Paul wrote bluntly about sin. Working from what he said in the previous chapter, Paul emphasized when the gospel is hidden or covered, it is the direct work of the evil one. Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the glory of God reflected in the person of Jesus. Paul described these individuals as “lost,” or “perishing,” as the word is sometimes translated. Both the word for hidden and the word for lost denote an ongoing state. The human condition outside of Christ is a dark, ongoing state of perishing.

In verse 4, notice that seeing the gospel light isn’t just a matter of simply choosing to see it. Seeing the light of the gospel requires the work of the Holy Spirit. These lost individuals cannot see the light of the gospel on their own.

Perhaps you have seen an ambiguous image, sometimes referred to as a reversible figure. The image, whether a picture or painting, might be a duck, but it also can be a picture of a rabbit. One person immediately sees the duck, another the rabbit. If you are the one who sees the duck, the other person can help you see the rabbit and vice versa. These pictures are fun, but the “picture” we find in this passage isn’t like that. We see the glory of Christ in the gospel, but people perishing in unbelief cannot see. And their sight doesn’t come simply because we “point out” the gospel to them. They can only see and accept the gospel through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.

Next, Paul shared a simple message of salvation: “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Our message is the unchanging good news of Jesus, the eternal Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, who lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary death on the cross. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended to Heaven and now sits at the Father’s right hand. Repentance from sin and faith in Him and His saving work is the simple message to be shared with all the world. Anyone who turns to Him finds forgiveness and eternal life. This is our message.

I believe every sermon in church should draw a connection to the person and work of Jesus. As a pastor preaches through the Word of God, even when the sermon text is centered on giving or tithing, it can still be connected to the person and work of Jesus. Or what about a passage on forgiveness? We still draw an obvious connection to the gospel, as we forgive others because God in Christ has forgiven us. The Bible is a book about Jesus. And the church is not about promoting ourselves but rather proclaiming Jesus.

We proclaim Jesus with the attitude of a servant. We are saved by Christ to serve Him and His people. If you have read Paul’s letters, you already know this was his most common way of referring to himself — as a “bondservant” or “slave” of Jesus.

How does this serving attitude manifest itself in the church? Countless ways! Pitching in wherever you are needed. Working behind the scenes. Finding your spiritual gifting and putting it in action. No role is too big; no role is too small. Service should happen as a normal and organic thing in the life of the church.

Feet washing provides an excellent picture of this posture of our lives. You see, we cannot simultaneously make much of Jesus and ourselves at the same time. We must remember our position as servants and His place or position as glorious and gracious Lord of our lives. And we proclaim Him.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts” (verse 6). This is the language of a new creation. Paul was clearly referencing the creation account when God said, “Let there be light.” Here, Paul connected it with the work of God in salvation, His new creation as He gives life and light to people who repent and believe. We don’t need to alter or adjust this simple message. We dare not do that. Instead, we must proclaim it faithfully.

Sure, companies like Coca-Cola probably need to change their messaging from time to time. This is not the case for the church. They are selling a product; we are sharing a Savior. We all know family members, friends, and coworkers who need Christ. How will they be reached? Through God’s simple method: ordinary people — like you and me — must share the unchanging message of the gospel.


About the Columnist: Dr. Barry Raper pastors Bethel FWB Church near Ashland City, Tennessee, and teaches ministry at Welch College.


©2025 ONE Magazine, National Association of Free Will Baptists