Treasure in Jars of Clay
Announcements
- Announcement 1
- Announcement 2
This Month's Topic:
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:1-15
Discussion Objective:
Paul speaking to the church plant at Corinth. He planted but had moved on from the port city of Corinth. Very tough sharing the gospel to a polytheistic people.
The opening 6 verses are a frank/candid reminder that we are at the mercy of God in all areas of our life. Which of these verses peak your interest or is confusing?
- Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
- But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
- And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
- For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
V1-6: Comments and/or follow up questions
How do you relate to being a jar of clay? What are the implications of being a jar of clay molded in Christ's image?
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;
10. always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
V7-10: Comments and/or follow up questions
If we look at this closely, it reminds us that being broken and in seeming disrepair is a constant in our life for Christ. How does this help you endure through times of hardship?
11. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,
14. knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
15. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
V11-15: This letter was written to the church as a whole implying that we must rely on one another at all times, especially in time of trouble. What does this tell you?
Do you have a "go to" person that you can tell anything and reach out to in times of trouble?
Pastor Notes
Notes from same book of the bible
File | Chapter | Resource |
---|---|---|
1_Luke Overview | - | Bible Book Overview |
The Miracle of Christmas Shepherd Evangelism | 2 | Teaching |
Simeon Waiting for Jesus | 2 |
|
Jesus Tempted | 4 | Discussion |
Jesus Call the Disciples Fishers of Men and Their Response in Following | 5 |
|
Unpacking the Parables Specks and Planks | 6 | Teaching |
Disabled Woman | 13 | Teaching |
Persistent Widow | 18 | Discussion |
Jesus Saves Zacchaeus and His Response in Giving | 19 |
|
A Biblical Leader is One Who Serves | 22 | Discussion |
Jesus' Personal Prayer Time | 22 | Discussion |
Proclaim His Name to All Nations | 24 | Discussion |
Telling Plainly What Happened | 24 | Discussion |