The GospelsActs of the ApostlesPaul’s LettersOther LettersRevelation

A Walkthru’ of the New TestamentLesson 9: II Corinthians – Jars of Clay

GOD REVEALED

Romans – Life Transformation Journey 1 Corinthians - Heaven’s Gold 2 Corinthians – Jars of Clay Galatians – No longer I Ephesians - Pushing Limits Philippians - The Mind of Christ Colossians – Complete Maturity in Christ 1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope 2 Thessalonians – Confident Hope 1 Timothy - Fighting Fit 2 Timothy – Fearless Faithfulness Titus – Double Grip Philemon – The Avatar

Paul’s Letters

Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John Jude

Letters/ Epistles

EVENT TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Ch 4:7

Jars of Clay

Introduction Maligning the Messenger Moving Message

◦ Depths ◦ Heights ◦ Transformation

Ministry Model ◦ Planning ◦ Personal Example◦ Profession◦ Sphere of Influence

Money Matters◦ Ministry Support◦ Fund Raising◦ The Jerusalem Collection - Giving

Discussion

Presentation OverviewJars of Clay

Probably the last (of four) letters to the Corinthian church Paul wrote. 1 Corinthians appears to be the second. Previous letter was very severe and had severe retaliation. He humbly responds sharing deepest struggles. History (Church fathers particularly Clement of Rome) records that the church repents and lives like a model church for 50 years following which they fall into the same heretical traps they are being warned about. [1][2][3]

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Summary of the Book

A few self seeking self acclaimed leaders in the Corinthians questioned Paul’s apostleship, his integrity, his personality, his profession, his message: Not an apostle – ch 11:5 Lording it over – ch 1:24 Lacked integrity (as he promised to come but did

not) – ch 1:15 Unimpressive and his speech contemptible - 10:10 Low level trade Acts 8:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Veiled gospel - ch 4:3

Maligning the MessengerThe Accusations

12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding……..

17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. 2 cor 10

Maligning the MessengerPaul’s response

Paul focusses more on his weaknesses saying “when I am weak then I am strong”

Depths Persecution for ChristPhysical weakness, afflictionHeightsVisions in heavenVision on Damascus roadTransformationOne degree of glory to anotherTreasure in jars of clay

Moving Message

23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? ch 11

Moving MessageDepths

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to [b]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” ch 12

Moving MessageDepths

Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations [a]of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. Ch 12

Moving MessageHeights

• Moses put a veil so that his fading glory will not be seen

• Paul does not require a veil as we are increasingly reflecting Christ’s glory

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.2 Cor 3:18

Moving MessageTransformation

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….; 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. Ch 4

Moving MessageTransformation

Planning◦ Plan, God directs◦ Prioritize - Primary goal ministry – via work, via support

Personal Example ◦ Personal life – Spread the aroma◦ Partnerships – Do not be unequally yoked

Profession◦ Use trade only to facilitate by money and contacts◦ Laboured night and day on trade and ministry

Sphere of influence◦ Jews and Gentiles

Ministry Model

Paul planned his work and worked his plan. God re-routed him where necessary

12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.- Ch 2

Ministry modelPlanning: Plan, God directs

His priority was preaching – the tent making was when required to avoid depending on those he served to finance his ministry.

3and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 18

Ministry ModelPlanning: Prioritization

15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Cor 2

Ministry ModelPersonal Example: Preaching, Personal life

Paul was very particular about his ministry partners (He even rejected John Mark at a point 39). Even his work partners were believers (Aquila and Priscilla). He even avoided spouse, in order to focus on God’s calling

14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; 2 Cor 6

Ministry modelPersonal Life:Partnerships

Inspite of repurcussions, and danger from death from Jews, Paul continues to minister to both Jews and Gentiles alike.

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Cor 9:22

Ministry modelSphere of Influence: Everyone

◦Ministry Support◦Fund Raising◦The Jerusalem Collection - Giving

Money Matters

Paul’s fund raising was for causes other than his personal ministry (in this case the Jerusalem collection – see notes)

2 Cor. 9 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 

Money MattersFund Raising

Paul received ministry support (as did all other apostles). He seems to avoid taking money from those whom he is currently serving.

7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? 8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. ch 11

Money MattersMinistry Support

When required he worked to cover his expenses

..nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 2 Thess 3:8

Money MattersMinistry Support

Maligning the Messenger Moving Message

◦Depths ◦Heights ◦Transformation

Ministry Model ◦Planning ◦Personal Example◦Profession◦Sphere of Influence

Money Matters◦Ministry Support◦Fund Raising◦The Jerusalem Collection - Giving

RecapJars of Clay

The Chosen Vessel

What attacks do we face in ministry, how do we respond?

What do we learn from Paul’s ministry model? How can we incorporate it in our lives?

Share in what way you feel like a “jar of clay” and how God’s treasure shines through you? How can you be more effective?

What do we learn from Paul on the importance of involvement with the church (in his case Jews)? Even if we feel we don’t fit in, how should we persevere?

What do we learn about giving and fund raising? How can we improve?

Discussion

God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness

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References