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"Our sufficiency is from God."

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:5

SUFFICIENCY FOUND IN GOD

Paul had written a very strong word concerning his ministry. He carefully explained how he was able to write as he did.

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
to think of anything as being from ourselves,
but our sufficiency is from God.”
2 Corinthians 3:5

1. “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves”

a) This may be read as a “disclaimer”.

b) Paul and his team members

i) They were conscious that their “sufficiency” did not come from themselves.

ii) They never thought of themselves as being “self-sufficient.”

2. “To think of anything as being from ourselves”

a) What were some things that they could have depended upon?

b) The following may be suggested:

i) Knowledge

ii) Wisdom

iii) Experience

c) Paul discounted all of the above.

d) He knew that there must be a sense of total dependence on the Lord for effective ministry.

3. “But our sufficiency is from God”

a) What was this sufficiency Paul spoke of?

b) The following thoughts may be considered:

i) The ability to serve the Lord.

ii) The strength to serve God.

iii) The power to touch lives.

iv) The skills that are necessary for effective communication.

v) The grace to sustain life and ministry.

vi) The zeal to serve with energy.

vii) The wisdom to deal with new and difficult situations that may crop up.

viii) The spiritual power to withstand any attacks mounted by the Evil One.

Paul and his team members were conscious that only God could make them sufficient for ministry!