2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Recurrent Thought

The Gospel is the revelation of the Glory of God. The Gospel is giving sight to people to see that Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Providing Spiritual light to those walking in darkness is a greatest privilege God accords a Christ-devoted follower. The eternal beauty is that God allows us to work with him as he provides life-changing experience to everyone who believes on him. Last week, during the Prayers and Fasting, I was privileged to minister from 2 Corinthians 4: 1-6. During that presentation, we looked on what it means for us as Ministers of Light. We assessed explored various truths including the jurisdiction, character and purpose of our ministry; we also looked at the target and content of our ministry. In today’s message, we use the same text and further amplify the understanding of the Light of the Gospel. Continuing to use the tool of Q &A, I want to handle Four Important Questions on the Light of the Gospel 

1. What is the Gospel?
   •  Basically, the word Gospel means Good News. But what is that Good News?
   • Concisely, the Gospel explains how God accords Grace to an undeserving person making them be a forgiven, justified, adopted child of God. 
   • Therefore, the Gospel is the message of transformation of a person. The Gospel speaks freedom from sin and accessibility to the Grace that accords one resources of God
   • When we light the city, we are essentially pointing people to this means of transformation
   • 2 Cor. 4:4-6 ,provides the fullest meaning of the Light of the Gospel. See them in parallel 
     
     2Cor. 4:4  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 
     
     2Cor. 4:6  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
     
   • When you look at these two texts, which amplify each other, they declare that ultimately, the Gospel is God’s ability to enable a sinner see and experience Glory in Jesus Christ. This is the end thereof and greater good of the light of the Gospel 
   • These two verses, 2 Cor. 4:4 and 2 Cor. 4:6, show that there is real glory, there is a real spiritual light that shines through the gospel. It is the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, and one must see it to be saved. 
   • We must be resilient in preaching the Gospel of the Glory of Christ. Jesus is the center of our preaching. Preach Jesus as a Lord. 
2. What is the darkness that Human beings experience?
   • 2 Cor. 4. 4 states that “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
   • Blindness and walking in darkness began when our Federal Parents transgressed against the Law of the Lord (Gen. 3:1-22; Eph. 4:18). This Sin is imputed to all are federally their offspring.
   • Every human being is born in sin and continues on the same trajectory (Psa. 51:5; Rom. 3:9-20)
   • Psa 51:5  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
   • This human fall is called the Lostness of Man (Isaiah 6:5)
   • Isaiah when confronted by the Holiness of God, and display of Holy Majesty, he cried out “Woe is me! For I am lost” Isaiah 6:5. 
   • To live in darkness is to have blinded minds by the devil. To be lost is not to see the glory of Christ. 
   • Therefore, to be spiritually lost is to be spiritually blind such that one has no capacity to see the glory of Jesus in his death nor in his triumphal resurrection. Lostness is blindness to His Glory. 
3. What is Conversion based on this Text?
   • Conversion is when one is granted access to spiritual light to see the Glory of Jesus (2 Cor. 4:6) 
   • Conversion is triggered when God commands “light shine out of darkness”
   • “So the gospel is the gospel of the glory of Christ, and lostness is blindness to it. Conversion is when God “shines into our hearts through the gospel.”
   • The Glory of Christ is to experience the Love of Christ, the Wisdom of Christ, the Power of Christ, the Favor of Christ, etc. Whichever side of glory of Christ that one sees, light is necessary.
4. What does it mean to Share the Light of the Gospel
   • To share the gospel is to participate, as God permits, in the miracle of people’s transformation.
   • To share the gospel is to present the “knowledge of truth” to people whose minds and eyes the god of this world blinds (2 Cor. 4:4). 
   • 1Ti 2:3  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 
   • 1Ti 2:4  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth
   • Although only God converts people, Christ-devoted followers are responsible to share the Gospel of light which is crucial in allowing people to see the Glory of God
   • God informs Paul that he has given him the responsibility of opening peoples blinded eyes by providing the light of the Gospel (in Acts 26:17-18)
   • Evangelism or Witnessing for Christ is presenting someone the knowledge of truth or lighting an area with the gospel of his glory.
   • Although God does sovereignly bring conviction to human beings, there is always a demand that the seed of God’s word be presented.