Mathews urges reliance on, seeking encouragement from God only in ministry

Find encouragement from God during challenging times in ministry preached Tony Mathews, senior strategist of missional ministries at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, during his Oct. 10 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College.

Mathews preached from 2 Corinthians 4.

“We cannot escape challenges in ministry but be encouraged because the presence and power of God are with us during the challenges,” Mathews said.

From 2 Corinthians 4, Mathews stated that Paul outlined his ministry and in the first six verses he talked about the authenticity and sincerity of his ministry when it comes to preaching the Gospel.

“He mentions those who are blind by Satan and cannot see the blessings of the Gospel,” Mathews said. “He mentions that in verses three and four. And then he focuses on letting us know that it is not about me but about Christ.”

Mathews referred to verse seven and what he called an “and not” statement, where he said Paul provided insight into some challenges that he had in ministry but also inspiration to continue in ministry.

Mathews mentioned that in verse seven Paul wrote “that the power will be of God and not from ourselves.”

“He’s talking about the treasure of the Gospel,” Mathews explained. “The Bible says we have this treasure in earthen vessels. This is a blessing to know that we are really nothing without Christ. Yet He has deposited the treasure within us, and as we have this deposit, we need to disseminate it. We need to proclaim it. We need to let folks know the glorious news of the Gospel.”

Mathews emphasized that as ministers grow in ministry they will find they are nothing without Christ.

“Paul had it right,” Mathews proclaimed. “He didn’t have to rely on himself for struggles. He didn’t have to rely on his resilience but on the omnipotence of God. If God called you into ministry, He will protect you. If He called you to it, he will see you through it.”

Mathews said to never back down from preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Always be true to the Word of God. He then referenced what he called “but not” statements in verses 8 and 9.

“He says ‘we are afflicted but not crushed,’” Mathews stated. “He is basically saying you will not be left without having a way out.”

In providing context for verse 9, Mathews admitted that ministry can be confusing.

“He says ‘we’re perplexed but not despairing,’” Mathews read from verse 9 of the text. “We are not driven to despair. ‘Persecuted but not forsaken.’

Mathews  told students that pastors must preach the Word of God and sometimes they will be met with persecution and conflict. He said Paul was no stranger to it and referred the gathering to 2 Corinthians 11:24-28.

“After all the challenges he mentioned, he says, ‘He has the pressure of the concern of the church,’” Mathews said. “He says this though, ‘We will not be forsaken.’ We won’t be abandoned. God will be with you because he loves you.”

In closing, Mathews continued in 2 Corinthians 4.

“Paul was a testimony,” he stated. “You will have challenges in ministry. He talks about not losing heart, basically staying bold, don’t be timid, and stay true to your calling. No matter what comes, be bold, courageous, and share the Gospel with people no matter what goes on. There’s no greater joy than to serve Christ in ministry.”

Mathews earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Angelo State University, a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from The Criswell College, and both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Seminary. Mathews served as senior pastor of North Garland Baptist Fellowship in Garland, Texas, for 30 years before he began service with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He authored There’s More Than One Color in the Pew: A Handbook for Multicultural, Multiracial Churches. He also served twice on the Southwestern Seminary Board of Trustees.

Mathew’s entire message can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Seminary and TBC. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.live.