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Jars of Clay
In 'The Challenges of Life', the author discusses the ministry of Paul in 2 Corinthians, highlighting the superiority of the new covenant through themes of mercy, perseverance in suffering, and the necessity of a pure heart. Paul emphasizes the transformative power of faith, the importance of truth, and the significance of suffering as a testament to Christ's life and glory. The overall message encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite challenges, focusing on the eternal rewards that lie beyond current hardships.
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Jars of Clay
- 1. The Challenges ofLife II Corinthians Chapter 4 with Jeff Carden
- 2. Chap 4:1: Therefore, havingthis ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
- 3. Therefore . .. Chap 3:7, 8 7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?
- 4. 29 Now whenMoses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand—when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to approach him.
- 5. 31 But Mosescalled to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and Moses spoke to them. 32 After this all the Israelites approached, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking with them, he would put a veil on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil until he came out.
- 7. Superiority of theNew Covenant Old • Death • Condemnation • Temporary • No hope • Veiled • Ceremony • Will of Man • Superficial New • Life • Righteousness • Permanent • Everlasting • Clear • Christ • Holy Spirit • Transforming
- 8. Chap 4:1: Therefore, havingthis ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
- 9. Paul defends his(the) ministry • Ministry is a “mercy”, a “grace”, a gift • II Timothy 1: “called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” • A gift that Paul: – accepted – appreciated – gladly suffered for
- 10. False Teachers afterPaul Chap 1:8 8 …regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living. 9 Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
- 11. Do not loseheart . . . Chap 6 4 in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger . . . 6 through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true; 9 as unknown. . .as those who are scourged and yet not executed; 10 as sorrowful . . . as poor . . . as having nothing
- 12. Necessity of apure heart Chap 4:2 2 But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.
- 13. Paul says, “We •don’t do shameful acts that must be kept secret.” • don’t try to fool anyone or twist God’s message” • have God as our witness” • speak only the truth so we can be trusted” • have nothing hidden”
- 14. No veil –no secret life Chap 4:3-4 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.
- 15. The god ofthis age • blinded the minds of unbelievers • prevents them from seeing the light The light is the new covenant that reveals God
- 16. Not about Paulor us! Chap 4:5-6 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.
- 17. We too areservants • God commanded light to shine in the dark • Light shines in our hearts – why? To show us that God’s glory is seen in Christ
- 18. New Covenant • Life •Righteousness • Permanent • Everlasting • Clear • Christ • Holy Spirit • Transforming
- 19. • Superiority ofthe New Covenant • Ministry is a “mercy” • Necessity of a pure heart
- 20. • Superiority ofthe New Covenant • Ministry is a “mercy” • Necessity of a pure heart • Personally insignificant
- 21. Chap 4:7 7 Butwe have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
- 22. Personally insignificant • Whatis the treasure? • In what is the treasure stored? –Earthen vessel –Clay Pot –Clay Jar
- 23. Clay Pot • Breakable •Unattractive • Disposable • Used for refuse – II Timothy 2
- 24. II Timothy 2:20 20Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.
- 25. What is ofsignificance? • The message • The gospel • The glory of the new covenant • The power comes from God • This is NOT about us
- 26. • Superiority ofthe New Covenant • Ministry is a “mercy” • Necessity of a pure heart • Personally insignificant
- 27. • Superiority ofthe New Covenant • Ministry is a “mercy” • Necessity of a pure heart • Personally insignificant • Benefit from suffering
- 28. Chap 4:8 8 Weare experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed,
- 29. God provides .. . • We often suffer but we are never crushed! • Even when we don’t understand we never give up! • In times of trouble God is with us! • When we are knocked down we get back up again!
- 30. Chap 4:10-12 10 alwayscarrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. 11 For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body. 12 As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
- 31. Why do wesuffer? • So others can see what Christ’s death was like • So his life can be seen in us • Life is working in you because Christ suffered
- 32. Chap 4:13-14 13 Butsince we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak. 14 We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence.
- 33. SPEAK! • We havethe same faith so we must also speak, teach, lead, suffer • Why must we speak?
- 34. Chap 4:16-18 16 Thereforewe do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison 18 because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
- 35. Never give up! •Our little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory • Our troubles will seem like nothing • Focus on the things which cannot be seen
Editor's Notes
- #3 Theme of II Corinthians = suffering II Timothy 4:4 – fought the good fight Starts and ends the chapter the same way = don’t despair, are not discouraged – we do not lose heart – Greek Kako – kakao – means evil
- #4 What is the therefore there for? Harkens back to Chap 3 The glory of the gospel exceeds anything that has come before – the old law was incomplete
- #5 Exodus 34:29-34
- #6 Exodus 34:29-34
- #9 The work is a “mercy” . . .
- #11 When we suffer or are challenged it requires us to not trust in ourselves
- #12 Paul suffered for the gospel . . . Ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten to near death, despised, accused
- #13 When one suffers it requires a pure heart so as not to give in or be tempted.
- #14 He was being challenged – he was being accused. In light of his suffering it would have been easy to compromise, to color the gospel so it was easier, to not stick to his guns so as to make it more palatable for some
- #15 No secret life or agenda
- #17 Suffering, being challenged is not about us – it is about showing Christ
- #18 Remember the promise of the new covenant Recent research says upwards of 70% of Americans are indifferent to religion Why are people becoming complacent about religion
- #19 No secret life or agenda
- #22 Extraordinary power – extra ordinary, not normal, not ordinary, not typical
- #23 The treasure is the gospel, the message, the promise of the new covenant, the treasure is Christ and the Spirit moving within us
- #24 II Timothy 6
- #25 II Timothy 2:20 – honorable use – serve food; ignoble use – trash, garbage, waste bin Why compared this way? Can’t compete with the message, the gospel – NOT ABOUT US!!
- #26 But don’t despair . . . Because God takes care of those who have the light on their hearts
- #29 But don’t despair . . . Because God takes care of those who have the light on their hearts
- #32 James 1:2 Count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance)
- #34 We know that God raised Jesus and he will raise us . . . This, so more will know God and praise and honor him…v 15
- #35 NEVER GIVE UP! Our little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory Our troubles will seem like nothing They are nothing in comparison
- #36 Celebrate the challenges Find Christ in these times of trouble Praise God when we suffer for it all pales in comparison Give invitation.