June 05, 2016 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Something Greater – “A Treasure of God”
2Corinthians 4:1-18
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” - J. Elliot
- Life Lesson: (2Corinthians 4) If it doesn’t cost much, it’s not worth much.
Vs 1: “Therefore since through God’s mercy we have this ministry we do not lose heart.”
The Making of a Treasure:
Vs 1-6: “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we 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.”
- God’s desire is the treasure that is a Christianity be put on display.
- The greatest possession – the greatest treasure is Christ.
Vs 6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
- God could not be more clear: the glory of Christ is meant to shine through us!
Vs 7-11: “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.”
- If it (faith) costs this much, how much will it be worth?
- God’s desire is the r of Jesus Christ’s power for living be evident in
my life.
- The process is revelation to refinement. Isaiah 48:10-11
Vs 16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- God’s desire is that I take p of the eternal treasure now.
- Must see and seek (now) an eternal perspective for my life.
- The Promise is a never give up, a never lose hope, and a never lose attitude for life.
“Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success.” - William Wilberforce
The choice today: To possess a dollar store faith or an eternal treasure of faith.