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; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. —II Corinthians 4:7-18

Conducting our lives amid social, mental, and

This spiritual strength gives us the

I. The limitation that can hinder our tenacity 4:7

• A. The reality of our humanity – “earthen vessels”
  
  1. Earthen vessels were not special
  2. Earthen vessels were for common everyday tasks
  3. Earthen vessels were cheap, easily replaceable, and of no real inherent value other than what was placed in them
• B. The function of the Gospel – “treasure in earthen vessels”
  
  1. God has chosen to use us as common everyday vessels
  2. God has chosen to place the greatest treasure into our care
  3. God wants to make it clear that the power is in the Gospel not the vessel

Our willingness to embrace our

When it is all said and done, we are nothing more than a

II. The difficulties that can destroy our tenacity 4:8-12

• A. Described 4:8-9
  
  1. Afflicted 4:8a
  2. Perplexed 4:8b
  3. Persecuted 4:9a
  4. Struck down 4:9b
• B. Explained 4:10-12
  
  1. We experience the dying of Christ through our difficulties 4:10
  2. God delivers us over to these difficulties in order that we might exhibit the life of Christ 4:11
  3. The intended purpose – out of our death life comes 4:12
     

III. The perspective that enables our tenacity 4:13-18

• A. Proper perspective 4:13-15
  
  1. Declaration of our faith 4:13
  2. Anticipation of our faith 4:14-15
• B. Proper relationship 4:16
  
  1. Man’s frailty in ministry – I Kings 19:14
  2. God’s strength for ministry – Isa. 40:29-31; Eph. 3:16-19; Col. 3:10
• C. Proper balance 4:17
  
  1. The reality of the struggle
  2. The expectation of reward - Rom. 8:18; Heb. 11:1,6; 11:33 – 12:2
• D. Proper fixation 4:18
  
  1. Acknowledgement of the visible pressures
  2. Focus upon the invisible power – II Kings 6:8-17

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. Why are we so afraid to embrace and show our weaknesses and imperfections to one another?

4. What are some clear ways we can live out the Gospel in our current cultural context?

5. Why do we so easily doubt the power of the Gospel? What steps can we take to make sure we have the proper focus amid the battles of life?