2 Corinthians 4: 7-18

Strength for today

and bright hope for tomorrow

Overview

• Awesome power wrapped up in weakness

• Victory over difficulties

• Following in Jesus’ footsteps

• Living and ministering by faith

• Keeping our eyes on what really matters

• So what?

Treasure in jars of clay

• Paul has been speaking about:– The glory of the gospel and humble appearance– Our response to this

• This was a common practice• Unspectacular appearance• Weakness and frailty• The inestimable value of what is unseen

– Matt 6:18-21 “Do not store up treasure on earth”

• Displaying God’s power in our weakness– 2 Cor 12:9 “power made perfect in weakness

Victory over weakness

• Hard pressed on every side, but not crushed

• Perplexed but not in despair

• Persecuted but not abandoned

• Struck down but not destroyed

• In every circumstance, God provides the “but not”

Following in Jesus’ footsteps

• Jesus suffered and so will we

• Jesus overcame and so will we

• Jesus was resurrected to eternal life and so will we be

• Jesus life and power are revealed in our suffering, hardship and weakness

Living and ministering by faith

• Drawing on scripture: Psalm 116

• We have the same spirit of faith

• Our belief leads us to speak

• Confidence that we will be raised and presented with Him

• Confident labour blesses the church– More people receiving grace– More reason for thanksgiving– God is glorified

Keeping our eyes on what really matters

• We do not lose heart

• Outwardly wasting away: inwardly being renewed day by day

• “light and momentary afflictions”– incomparable with weight of glory– Matt 13:44-46 Treasure & Pearl of great price

• Look to the eternal “unseen”– not the seen but temporary

So what?• Are we willing to be “clay jars” for God’s glory?

• Are we mindful of the inestimable worth of the gospel?• Are we displaying God’s power in our lives?• Are we walking in victory?• Are we walking in Jesus’ footsteps?• Are we confident because of Jesus victory and

resurrection?• Do we live and walk by faith?• Are we being renewed day by day?• Do we really believe that out troubles are insignificant

by comparison with the weight of glory?• Do we fix our eyes on what is eternal?