“Sphere”
2 Corinthians 10:12-18
Sermon Series: “Core”
Introduction: Our mission at True Life is “to meet people where they are and help them become fully devoted followers of Christ.” However, we also believe that according to the passage we are looking at this morning that He has appointed us a particular sphere in which to accomplish that mission. The word sphere literally means “a measure or measuring rod.” Greek scholar Spiros Zodhiates more explicitly defines it by saying, “Paul used the word in a figurative sense to the thing or quantity measured or to the portion of the Lord’s field which he had as it were measured out and allotted to be cultivated by himself.” In other words, God is the Lord of the harvest, and He assigns His workers different portions in the field. This is a very important concept for us to understand and apply if we are going to fulfill the mission that the Lord has given us as individuals and as a church.
Main Idea: God has given us (as individual believers and a church) a sphere that we are stewards of. A steward is a person who manages the affairs of someone else. God has given us the gifting and responsibility to minister in our portion of His field.
Keys To Stewarding Our Sphere:
1. Realize that we only have to answer to God for the sphere that He has empowered us for. We can all do something, but we don’t have to do everything. As Pastor Judah Smith says, “Limits are liberating.” We are to do what God has called us to do. We don’t have to apologize for what we have been gifted with or what we have not been gifted with either. This means that we do not have to be responsible for or passionate about everything. When it comes to church, it means that the issue is not liking the church but accomplishing God’s will in our sphere.
2. We stop comparing ourselves to others and live only for the Lord’s approval (v. 12, 18). Judah Smith says, “Only two results come from comparison and both are toxic to your journey with Jesus: self-commendation and self-condemnation.”
3. Our sphere is enlarged as our faith is enlarged (v. 15). This is really why we have done the “Core” series and “Sun Stand Still” together. As we trust God more, God will use in ministry more. They go hand in hand.
4. The church (“we”) is built up and enabled to spread the gospel through individual Christians (“you”) (v. 15-16). This means that every Christian is important and crucial to the church becoming what God wants it to be. We cannot be good stewards of our collective sphere without each of us being good stewards of our individual sphere. Plus, the ultimate goal is to spread the gospel where there is not a gospel witness instead of robbing from the ministry of other people.
5. We give all the glory to God (v. 17). All of this is for Him and by His power. We have nothing to boast in. This is about Jesus. We are simply His servants doing what He has called and empowered us to do (Luke 17:10).
Conclusion: What is our sphere as a church? How are we stewarding it? What is your individual sphere? How are you stewarding it? Are we glorifying God with our ministry?
