New Testament Walkthru - God Revealed - 2 Corinthians

1. The Gospels
Acts of the Apostles
Paul’s Letters
Other Letters
Revelation
A Walkthru’ of the New Testament
Lesson 9: II Corinthians – Jars of Clay

2.  Romans – Life Transformation Journey
 1 Corinthians - Heaven’s Gold
 2 Corinthians – Jars of Clay
 Galatians – No longer I
 Ephesians - Pushing Limits
 Philippians - The Mind of Christ
 Colossians – Complete Maturity in Christ
 1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope
 2 Thessalonians – Confident Hope
 1 Timothy - Fighting Fit
 2 Timothy – Fearless Faithfulness
 Titus – Double Grip
 Philemon – The Avatar

3.  Romans
 1 and 2 Corinthians
 Galatians
 Ephesians,
 Philippians,
 Colossians,
 1 and 2 Thessalonians,
 1 and 2 Timothy,
 Titus
 Philemon
 Hebrews
 James
 1 and 2 Peter,
 1, 2, and 3 John
 Jude

4. EVENT TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

5. But we have this treasure in
jars of clay, to show that the
surpassing power belongs to
God and not to us. Ch 4:7

6.  Introduction
 Maligning the Messenger
 Moving Message
◦ Depths
◦ Heights
◦ Transformation
 Ministry Model
◦ Planning
◦ Personal Example
◦ Profession
◦ Sphere of Influence
 Money Matters
◦ Ministry Support
◦ Fund Raising
◦ The Jerusalem Collection - Giving
 Discussion

7. Probably the last (of four) letters to the Corinthian
church Paul wrote. 1 Corinthians appears to be the
second. Previous letter was very severe and had
severe retaliation. He humbly responds sharing
deepest struggles. History (Church fathers
particularly Clement of Rome) records that the
church repents and lives like a model church for 50
years following which they fall into the same
heretical traps they are being warned about.
[1][2][3]
Biblehub.com

8. A few self seeking self acclaimed leaders in the
Corinthians questioned Paul’s apostleship, his
integrity, his personality, his profession, his
message:
 Not an apostle – ch 11:5
 Lording it over – ch 1:24
 Lacked integrity (as he promised to come but did
not) – ch 1:15
 Unimpressive and his speech contemptible - 10:10
 Low level trade Acts 8:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8
 Veiled gospel - ch 4:3

9. 12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves
with some of those who commend themselves; but
when they measure themselves by themselves and
compare themselves with themselves, they are
without understanding……..
17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18 For it
is not he who commends himself that is approved,
but he whom the Lord commends. 2 cor 10

10. Paul focusses more on his weaknesses saying “when
I am weak then I am strong”
Depths
Persecution for Christ
Physical weakness, affliction
Heights
Visions in heaven
Vision on Damascus road
Transformation
One degree of glory to another
Treasure in jars of clay

11. 23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more
so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten
times without number, often in danger of death.24 Five times I
received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was
beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was
shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I
have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers,
dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers
from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the
wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false
brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many
sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in
cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there
is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the
churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? ch 11

12. 7 Because of the surpassing greatness of
the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from
exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the
flesh, a messenger of Satan to [b]torment me—to
keep me from exalting myself!8 Concerning this I
implored the Lord three times that it might leave
me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” ch 12

13. Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will
go on to visions and revelations [a]of the Lord. 2 I know a
man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body
I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God
knows—such a man was caught up to the third
heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body
or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible
words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf
of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not
boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. Ch 12

14. • Moses put a veil so that his fading glory will not
be seen
• Paul does not require a veil as we are increasingly
reflecting Christ’s glory
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory
of the Lord, are being transformed into the same
image from one degree of glory to another. For this
comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Cor 3:18

15. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show
that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to
us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted,
but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed….;
12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. Ch 4

16.  Planning
◦ Plan, God directs
◦ Prioritize - Primary goal ministry – via work, via support
 Personal Example
◦ Personal life – Spread the aroma
◦ Partnerships – Do not be unequally yoked
 Profession
◦ Use trade only to facilitate by money and contacts
◦ Laboured night and day on trade and ministry
 Sphere of influence
◦ Jews and Gentiles

17. Paul planned his work and worked his plan. God re-
routed him where necessary
12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ
and when a door was opened for me in the
Lord, 13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus
my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on
to Macedonia.- Ch 2

18. His priority was preaching – the tent making was when
required to avoid depending on those he served to
finance his ministry.
 3and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with
them and they were working, for by trade they were
tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue
every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from
Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to
the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was
the Christ. Acts 18

19. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God
among those who are being saved and among those
who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death
to death, to the other a fragrance from life to
life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are
not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as
men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the
sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Cor 2

20. Paul was very particular about his ministry partners (He
even rejected John Mark at a point 39). Even his work
partners were believers (Aquila and Priscilla). He even
avoided spouse, in order to focus on God’s calling
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for
what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or
what fellowship has light with darkness?15 Or what harmony
has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common
with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of
God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; 2
Cor 6

21. Inspite of repurcussions, and danger from death from
Jews, Paul continues to minister to both Jews and Gentiles
alike.
I have become all things to all people so that
by all possible means I might save some. 1 Cor
9:22

22. ◦ Ministry Support
◦ Fund Raising
◦ The Jerusalem Collection - Giving

23. Paul’s fund raising was for causes other than his personal
ministry (in this case the Jerusalem collection – see notes)
2 Cor. 9 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has
purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all
grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in
everything, you may have an abundance for every good
deed;

24. Paul received ministry support (as did all other apostles). He
seems to avoid taking money from those whom he is
currently serving.
7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you
might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to
you without charge? 8 I robbed other churches by taking
wages from them to serve you; 9 and when I was present
with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for
when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied
my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a
burden to you, and will continue to do so. ch 11

25. When required he worked to cover his expenses
..nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On
the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and
toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 2
Thess 3:8

26.  Maligning the Messenger
 Moving Message
◦ Depths
◦ Heights
◦ Transformation
 Ministry Model
◦ Planning
◦ Personal Example
◦ Profession
◦ Sphere of Influence
 Money Matters
◦ Ministry Support
◦ Fund Raising
◦ The Jerusalem Collection - Giving

27.  What attacks do we face in ministry, how do we
respond?
 What do we learn from Paul’s ministry model?
How can we incorporate it in our lives?
 Share in what way you feel like a “jar of clay” and
how God’s treasure shines through you? How can
you be more effective?
 What do we learn from Paul on the importance of
involvement with the church (in his case Jews)?
Even if we feel we don’t fit in, how should we
persevere?
 What do we learn about giving and fund raising?
How can we improve?

28. God’s strength is made
perfect in our weakness

29.  Biblehub.com
 Bible.org
 Easton’s bible dictionary