Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
As we begin this morning, let me ask you a question.
Do you believe God has a ministry for you?
Does God have something He wants you to do?
I believe the answer to this question is a resounding, “YES” for everyone who knows Jesus as their Savior.
Today we come to 2 Corinthians chapter 4.
Here we read:
2 Corinthians 4:1-
So what is the ministry?
Notice that this verse begins with Therefore.
So we need to stop and see what it is there for.
In this case it points us back to chapter 3. Look with me at the last verse in chapter 3.
So our job is to reflect accurately reflect the glory of the Lord!
That is truly our ministry!
I. Don’t lose heart!
Because God gave us this ministry, and because He gives us the mercy for this ministry, we must not lose heart!
Paul says that he didn’t lose heart.
When God calls us to represent Him, we need to do so with dedication, and with accuracy!
2 Corinthians 4:2-
A. Don’t lose heart!
B. Plainly present God’s Word.
C. Where’s the veil from?
1. Veiled to those who are perishing.
2. Veiled by the god of this age.
D. Our job—Preach Jesus Christ as Lord.
E. Jesus shined His light into our lives!
II.
Clay Pots
In the first couple of verses of chapter 4, Paul reminds us that God has a job for us.
Now Paul reminds us that we are nothing more than clay pots.
Have you ever dropped a clay pot?
Even though they are big and strong, even though they are fragile.
So it seems appropriate that Paul describes us as fragile pot that hold the treasure of God.
2 Corinthians 4:7-
A. This treasure in jars of clay.
1. Shows God’s all-surpassing power.
2. Hard pressed—but not crushed.
3. Perplexed—not in despair.
4. Persecuted—not abandoned.
5. Struck down—not destroyed.
B. Death verses Life
For Paul the death of Jesus meant he had life.
And his suffering (death) meant that the church at Corinth could have life.
Everyone of us will die, but in Christ we have life.
Paul wants Jesus’ life to be revealed in him!
Today, Jesus’ life to be revealed in each of us.
Thus, the suffering Jesus—his death—is working in all of us.
It is working in us so that we can pass on life to others!
III.
Serving and Suffering
How is it that Paul could/would continue serving Jesus even though it meant he would encounter suffering?
2 Corinthians
A. Paul believed the truth of
Paul quotes the first part of the verse—I believed; therefore I have spoken.”
1. Paul understood that the conviction inside of him had to be expressed outside.
So he would suffer for Jesus so that which was inside could be seen outside.
2. Paul also understood that life did not end with physical death
He knew there was more to come!
3.
This all extends grace to others!
4. It causes people to thank and glorify God.
B. We don’t lose heart!
1.
Our suffering is “light”
2. Our suffering is “momentary”
3.
These sufferings are achieving external glory!
Paul considered his light and momentary sufferings to be nothing when compared to the glory he would receive when he saw Jesus!
C. Fix our eyes!
1. Fix our eyes on the unseen not the seen.
2. Fix our eyes on the eternal not the temporal.
SO WHAT?
So What Does This Mean to Me?
1. Uncover God’s Ministry for us!
2. Don’t lose heart serving the Lord!
3. We serve God in our weakness.
4. We should expect persecution.
5. Live inside out!
6.
Our life begins with death!
7. Reflect God’s glory!
8. Don’t lose heart.
9. Fix our eyes on what unseen and eternal.
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