Bethel Sunday School - 21st February, 2021
Text: 2 Corinthians 4:7 – 13

TREASURES IN EARTHEN VESSELS

1. But we have this treasure

a. The Lord Jesus Christ

i. The dying of the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:10a)
Identification with the suffering and death of Jesus

ii. The life of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:10b)
Identification with the life and ministry of Jesus

b. The same spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13)

i. The spirit of faith in the Scriptures

ii. That same precious faith in the Lord Jesus Christ with the Apostles

2. In earthen vessels

a. A reference to our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:11)

b. Our mortal flesh can indeed be compared to earthen vessels

i. Fragile

ii. Frail

3. That the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:7c)

a. Paul’s strength to cope with all the challenges was not from himself!

b. This excellent power comes from God through faith in Jesus

A POWERFUL FAITH LIFE TO ENDURE MUCH SUFFERING

1. Facing suffering (2 Corinthians 4:8- 9)

a. We are hard-pressed on every side

b. We are perplexed

c. Persecuted

d. Struck down

2. Faith in the Lord and His power to cope (2 Corinthians 4:8 – 9)

a. Yet not crushed

b. But not in despair

c. But not forsaken

d. Not destroyed

3. Unafraid to suffer for the sake of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:10 – 11)

a. Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord

b. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake

4. That Jesus would be manifested in our moral flesh (2 Corinthians 4:11 – 12)

a. That people would see Jesus in the lives of these brave souls!

b. That others would come to faith in Jesus

c. That they may also find this powerful faith life in Him too!

CHALLENGES

1. To find the same treasures Paul found!

a. Precious faith in Jesus

b. The life of Jesus in us!

2. To cultivate our faith in the Lord

a. The same spirit of faith Paul spoke about

b. The same spirit faith that is able to live significantly for the Lord

3. To find that power in God

a. The courage to bear witness for Christ

b. The strength to suffer for the sake of the Lord