Tribulation and Triumph Series (3 of 3): The Battle (2 Cor. 4:8-10)

Written by Roger D. Wilmore

“We are hard pressed. . .”

The Christian life is filled with challenges, trials, and tribulations. Anyone who thinks it is easy has a misconception of what it means to be a Christian.

Paul sets the Christian life and ministry against the backdrop of a battlefield. Robertson says:

The secret of success in the ministry is very simple. It is a real connection with God, a vital union with Christ. This is just the most difficult thing to maintain in fullness of life. The strains of life pulls us away; dust gathers about our heads and in our eyes. Clouds gather and the sun does not shine upon us. God seems to slip away from us and we are left with our weakness and the criticism of the people. It is not human weakness that is the source of strength. It is only when the power of God charges the empty vessel that it becomes a dynamo. Paul changes the figure from that of an earthen vessel to a soldier, with an anacoluthon so common in [2 Corinthians].” . . . God had always come to his rescue.[1]

R. G. H. Lenski gives a vivid description of the Christian life in conflict:

Such poor vessels holding so vast a treasure! Such superlative power using such fragile vessels! Will they not break at once when this treasure and its power attempt to operate among men? Yes, marvelous to say, they are kept from breaking, and so the mighty power works its wonders and does so as the power that is “of God” and never “from us,” the vessels, as the source. The drama is breath-taking, the greatest drama in the world; but it is glorious in what ever it achieves. “Sheep among wolves” …and yet the sheep win! Death all around, yet so many given life! There is no spectacle like it in all the world. “Of God” alone explains it; “not from us” again explains it.[2]

Years ago someone gave me a tape of a message given by Patsy Clairmont at a conference. Clairmont described herself and her listeners as earthen pots that contain the light and life of Christ. She explained that before the light and life of Christ contained in the pot can be seen by others, the pot has to be broken. She declared that God uses “cracked pots.”

G. Campbell Morgan amplifies the principle of brokenness with the story of a young man in ministry who experienced great success and blessings at a young age. After hearing the young man preach at his church, Morgan exclaimed to his wife, “Was that not wonderful!” to which she quietly replied, “Yes, but it will be more wonderful when he has suffered.” Strength is made perfect in our great weaknesses.[3]

I have heard Alistair Begg address pastors on several occasions. He frequently uses the following quote from Bruce Thielman to describe the battle pastors experience in the pulpit:

“The pulpit calls those anointed to it as the sea calls its sailors. And like the sea it batters and bruises and does not rest. To preach, to really preach, is to die naked a little at a time, and to know each time you do it that you are going to have to do it again.”

Be encouraged! Though the battle rages and you find yourself hard pressed on every side, you will not be crushed. Though perplexed, you will not despair. Though persecuted, you will not be forsaken. Though struck down, you will not be destroyed. You are on the side of victory, which is is found when the treasure is poured out and displayed through the broken vessel.

William Barclay said that Paul “was well aware that if a man would share the life of Christ he must first share the risks of Christ, that if a man wished to live with Christ he must be ready to die with Christ. Paul knew and accepted the inexorable law of the Christian life—‘No Cross, No Crown.’”[4]

Be a clean, faithful, useful, available vessel to the greatest treasure in heaven or on earth—the Lord Jesus Christ.

Back to the Series Introduction

Roger D. Willmore is Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Boaz, Alabama. A Southern Baptist pastor for more than 30 years, Roger also serves as Minister at Large for Olford Ministries International in Memphis Tenn. Dr. Willmore has written numerous articles for Growing Churches, Proclaim! and Church Administration magazines.

[1] A. T. Robertson, The Glory of Ministry: Paul’s Exultation in Preaching (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1911), 156.

[2] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul’s First and Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Columbus, OH:Wartburg Press, 1955), 976.

[3] G. Campbell Morgan, The Corinthian Letters of Paul (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell, 1946), 239.

[4] William Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1954), 223.