June 2 2024 Sermon

David E Lee

2 Cor. • Sermon • Submitted 6 months ago • Presented 6 months ago

2 Corinthians 4:5–12

Humility

A Witness

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Transcript

Jars of Clay

2 Corinthians 4:5–12 ESV

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 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. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

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Pre-Sermon bit:

When I was here to interview about a month and a half ago or so someone told me that this is where you typically hear a preachers best sermon and I said then like I’ll say it today I don’t have best sermons. I don’t have interview sermons. Last week I didn’t have a farewell sermon for the folks in Longview. Today I don’t have an introductory sermon for you here in Tuttle. I just have this sermon, that I pray speaks a word to you and to me that together we need to hear.

Let’s Pray

Read the Text

2 Corinthians 4:5–12 ESV

Intro:

I have a sign on my office wall that hangs next to my degrees. (This Sign)

Stay Humble

Work Hard

Be Kind

I got it a few years back because it reminded me of the Tim McGraw song “Humble and Kind” which is one of my favorites.

Do you hear that kind of thing in the opening line of our text today?

2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

The Apostle Paul is explaining to the church in Corinth that he and the other apostles are not Lord, and don’t proclaim to be. He is saying this because there was a group that had come in let’s call them the “Super Apostles” and claimed to be more than Paul, more than Peter, more than they had previously heard. After all they were Super Apostles.

So Paul is reminding them, not the first time he has done this in this letter, that he and his friends (notice the we) are not proclaiming to be Lord but that Jesus Christ is Lord and they are servants/slaves not just of Jesus Christ but of these brothers and sisters for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Do you hear that church?

This is a lot to unpack in just 1 verse.

Do you hear the humility of the Apostle Paul?

This is a characteristic of his teaching, preaching, writing. He was self admittedly trying to be the very best Jew he could be. That’s why he was persecuting the Church, that’s why he was putting people in prison, that’s why he was on the road to Damascus when he was struck down, brought low, humbled. He was so humbled that he had to be led by the hand to a house and then he was healed by the very thing, the very person he was persecuting. A member of the Church that Jesus worked through. You can read all about it in Acts 9.

But why this humility?

Is it a false humility? The kind of humility that says “hey, see how humble I am?” “I’m so humble I never ask for any credit, but did you see what I did?”

NO! Its a genuine humility. Its a humility that says I AM IN NO WAY LORD, JESUS IS! but it goes further. Not only is Jesus Lord but Paul says he is the servant not of Jesus but of the people he is ministering to. Not his friends, not his family, not his boss, but the people he is trying to introduce and lead to Christ that’s who he is serving.

2 Corinthians 4:6–7 ESV

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Paul says but this God that I serve has given us a light. A light that overcomes the darkness, and He has put it in our hearts to show others the light and the love of God. But as we have gained this light Paul wants to make sure they remember their place. They aren’t vessels of gold or silver or some precious metal they are simple, plain, ordinary jars of clay. Yet because of the power of God in us He enables us to be more.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

This world tries to beat up our simple fragile clay jars but God says no. Yes, there is affliction but you won’t be crushed. Yes, there will be times you will be filled with uncertainty but with God that won’t drive you to despair there will always be hope. Yes there are times you will be persecuted because of your faith where you feel like people are trying to run you out, but God will not forsake you if you keep turning towards Him. Yes there will be times where we suffer and it hurts but through God we will not be destroyed.

James 1:2–4 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

God is with us through all these hard times and we can trust that we will make it through. Not because of how good or great that we are but because of how good and great He is.

2 Corinthians 4:10–12 ESV

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 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. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

—> we imulate Jesus in remembering that we have to die to self so others can live. So we carry with us the self sacrificing love of Jesus Christ that took him to the cross for me and for you and for all the world. NO ONE is beyond the love of God because God sent his one and only son into the world to die for everyone’s sins. that’s the hope that people see in us when they see the light of Christ shining through us.

When they look at us they see another clay pot but there is something a little different. Not in our exterior but inside shining through into the darkness of the world.

Today we will remember again the love of God as we share together the Lord’s supper.

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The Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit. It is to be received in reverent appreciation and gratefulness for the work of Christ.

All those who are truly repentant, forsaking their sins, and believing in Christ for salvation are invited to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. We come to the table that we may be renewed in life and salvation and be made one by the Spirit.

In unity with the Church, we confess our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. And so we pray:

The minister may offer a prayer of confession and supplication, concluding with the following prayer of consecration:

Holy God,

We gather at this, your table, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who by your Spirit was anointed to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set at liberty those who are oppressed. Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and established the new covenant for forgiveness of sins. We live in the hope of His coming again.

On the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, when the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.” Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Matthew 26:27–29, Luke 22:19)

And so, we gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these your gifts. Make them by the power of your Spirit to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.

By your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in the ministry of Christ to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, let us pray:

(Here the congregation may pray the Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Before the partaking of the bread, let the minister say:

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

Before the partaking of the cup, let the minister say:

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

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