THE SECRET OF ENDURANCE

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from

us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not

abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so

that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over

to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in

us, but life is at work in you. It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of

faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from

the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit,

so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory

of God. 

Introduction:     

There is a course marked out for every follower of Christ

(Hebrews 12:1, 2)

  

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that

hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and  let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before himendured

the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

She/He can run the race with perseverance and finish well.

I. THE POWER OF GOD IS IN JARS OF CLAY, 7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is  from God and

not from us.

The unadorned clay pots are our ordinary lives; we’re not much to look at- fragile, transient, weak

and mortal. The closer we live to Christ, the more we are conscious of our own inadequacy.

A.  Know where the treasure is from

This all-surpassing power is from God. Privilege could lead to pride. We dare not confuse

God’s incomparable power with us.

B.  Realize whom the treasure is for.

II.   GIVE UP IN ORDER TO GO UP, 8-9

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted,

but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We have to give up to go up. Each time we give up something, we move forward and honor God.

A.  The paradox of the Christian life

Whatever condition the children of God may be in, they have a but-not that gives them

strength.

hard pressed                     but not                     crushed

perplexed                           but not                 in despair

persecuted                         but not                 abandoned

struck down                       but not                 destroyed

Battered and surrounded by troubles- but we’re not demoralized;

We’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do;

We’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side;

We’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.

  

B.  God’s triumph over human weakness

The trademark of the Christian is not that he does not fall, but that everytime he falls, he rises

again! He is sometimes beaten, but never ultimately defeated (fall down 7 times, get up 8).

The power of God triumphs through our weakness: “When I am weak, then I am strong. . .”

   

III.   THE SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN THE MASTER , 10-12

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be

revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake,

so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at

work in you.

A.      Dying in order to live

Early Christian martyrs- In the midst of their most painful and difficult times, they had their

sweetest communion with Christ.

If a man wished to live with Christ, he must be ready to die with Him. If he wished to share

the life of Christ, he must share His risks too.

B.      No stranger to sacrifice

We learn the hardest lesson of all: Getsemane- accepting what we cannot understand and still

be able to say- “God, I know you love me; I will build my faith on that.”

He who refuses to bleed can never hope to bless.

IV.            STEADFASTNESS IS DIVINELY SUSTAINED, 13-15

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe

and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will

also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so

that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the

glory of God.

A.      Faith in God’s promises (Declaration)

Ps. 116- “I believed it, so I said it.”

B.      Service for the sake of others (Donation)

It is all for the sake of others, so that as God’s grace is extended to more and more people, it

may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God.

C. Hope of the resurrection (Destination)

Face everything in life in the power of God.

Conclusion:

Finishing well may seem humanly difficult, but God has made arrangements for the journey.  The key is

knowing that the cross comes before the crown.

QUESTIONS FOR HOME/ECARE GROUP SHARING/DISCUSSION:

1.       How is human pride dealt with by the truth that divine power/presence dwells in jars of clay?

2.  Is anyone in the group going through any of the struggles in the paradox (verses 8-9)? Share how

you are dealing with the process.  What lessons have you learned from the Lord?

3.   Why is sacrifice contrary to the human spirit?  If the death of Christ earned for us our salvation,

in what way can our sacrifice benefit others?  Cite practical examples. Pray for a persevering

spirit, for faithfulness, and for consistency in our Christian life.

Ptr. Leo  P. Magayon

Chubitabitabz