Untitled Sermon (3)

Carrying the Treasure

Intro - We are having Celebration of Hope next year, 17-19 May - (ttyn). True success is - not COH per se, but the impact on SAC. How it can encourage us to grow in our personal outreach. “Personal evangelism on a mass scale.”We will look at this passage in to help us reflect on the gospel ministry which is our privilege to be a part of. (Testimony re ministry beginnings?) Therefore having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. Ministry - ch 3 - In 3:7-11, Paul has taught about the surpassing splendour of the new covenant. In 12-13, he said that those appointed to this ministry must act boldly because this ministry from Christ endures, unlike that of Moses which was fading and now, annulled. 3:17, Because now the Lord is working through His Spirit, we are freed from the limitations which the previous Law has. Our faces are unveil, we can behold his glory and be transformed.by the mercy - the ministry is a gift, not a personal accomplishment. The adequacy or sufficiency is from God (3:5,6) and not from himself. Consistent tone of the apostle. Ministry for all: priesthood of all believersWhile Paul talking about his apostolic ministry, very often in these chapters he uses the word “we.” Priests - not always helpful. Mistaken notion that ministry only belongs to the clergy. The Ang church firmly believe in the priesthood of all believers, as clearly taught in the NT. “…“...today the ordained priest is called to reflect the priesthood of Christ and to serve the priesthood of the people of God and to be one of the means of grace whereby God enables the Church to be the Church.”Abp Michael Ramsey reminded us - Church is called to continue the priestly ministry of Jesus. Some are set apart in the leadership to equip and enable the church to serve this priestly call...to equip the saints in the language of Ephesians. We are bold to

1. Reveal the Treasure

2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (). When faced with opposition to the Gospel, we can lose courage (discourage). We can shrink back. Instead…we need to be bold.Not hiding, Not deceiving, Not tampering w God’s word.Paul use the phrase “open statement of truth” (v2) = full and open teaching - - catholic - everywhere in time and space (Vincentian) Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus," - what (is) always, what (is) everywhere, what (is) by everybody (believed) - The Vincentian rule”In the fifth century, St Vincent- came up with this rule in the mist of controversies that were raging during his time. Certainly drew from the writings of St Paul. Truth in space (universal) and in time (of antiquity). G.K. Chesterton - Tradition is the democracy of the dead. I am referring to the gospel and the creed. Two examples:I am forgiven by Christ past. present and future- so I do need to keep confessing my sins. True - We are loved by God. Bible, Augustine, Reformers etc - we can never be good enough on our own strength. Forgiveness- key to our faith. Not true - in time and space, that daily confession , contrition and brokeness is not needed. Central to every Christian Church. True - Whatever orientation u r in, God loves u. Not true- that marriage between same sex persons can be blessed.“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” ()If “veiled”, as in, “not in the open”- only to unbelievers. (v3)note: v 6- 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. ()\Light of shining through us (not hidden)Source of ministry is God. JUst as he created light to push back the darkness, to bring life…

2. The Vessel for the Treasure

v5- not ourselves - important in age of learning. For your sake, for Jesus’ sake. Your servants and His servants. (Being given over)What is “ourselves”? Move on to describe “ourselves.” “Jars of clay!” Language of contrast7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.Clay Jars were widely used in the ancient world - in homes and temples for storage. Being clay, they were easily broken and dispensed of. If it is broken you don’t try to repair it. You throw it away. In fact, every archaeological dig will yield up pieces of broken clay pots. When we were building CNS, workers found many pieces of broken clay. (Cooking claypot story?)Therefore clay jars provide a penetrating illustration for Paul. For we are frail, weak, transitory and yes, very dispensable. We are mortals. Creation language here (v 6 - Let light shine out of darkness). He is the Potter, we are the clay. Clay jars are us. J John’s words... (Made mistake - called Dean John Tan a clay pot - sentence deleted - disrespectful)We carry it in our human frailty that we may reveal the power and glory which rightly belongs to God. Like clay jars. 4 antitheses8 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,afflicted in every way, but not crushed; (squeezed but not squashed) - can be persecution, family opposition, or society “molding” - pressure to conform, to be PC (, - )despairing, but not utterly desperate. No English tr. can successfully reproduce the wordplay of the Greek phrase, aporoumenoi exaporoumenoi. Literally - perplexed but not perplexed to the final degree; Aren’t we sometimes perplexed? Suffering etcPerplexed...NEB is good: “bewildered, we are never at our wits’ end.”persecuted, but not forsaken – David being pursued by his enemies, but God sees and will be faithful. Or betrayed by a friend e.g. . “We are a constant prey. “ (always in v 10) Think about it - unending harassment. struck down, but not destroyed; - Knocked down but not knocked out10-11 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus…For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake…12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.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.“Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus.." =Normal - not an exception. “Cross around the neck.” Take up your cross, deny yourselves and follow...“Being Given over.” A perpectual dying. for Jesus’ sake (on account of Jesus, nt so muhc for his benefit) )and for your sake (your slaves - because of you!!). Serving, giving of ourselves - love=time and energy\And so, we are being given over to serve a world in need of Christ. 5 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.

3. Transformed by the Treasure

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. Extra note: Problem of depletion for long-serving ChristiansContrast to philosopher of the day - “The body is a vessel for the soul and it comes to maturity, wears out, grows old, dies and is dissolved.” Reflect:What a glorious ministry. Lady - “we have no good news to share.” This “year”, will you carry and share this good news? COH..how will it draw out the Cathedral? Chance mtg with J John. True - Cat is just a jar of clay. It si the treasure which is important. Start witnessing. Har Jie.` Hokkien Service, this is home. Lord, let me stay here for many more years. John Tan - each of us have our turn at being the Cathedral Claypot! [I told one of my staff recently, when I end my ministry, many too will think I have stayed too long. And after I am gone, they will improve many things. And that is right. For I am just a human. That is who we are. Chaplain - to Abp Moses and Msian Bishop - thye love durians but they don’t like to open it! ]Stop looking at the container and focus instead on the contents. We need this desperately. A new work of the Spirit of God. Solemn Assembly. Season of fasting.Solemn Assemblies (1 July - 7 August 2018) Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord () The Church in Singapore across denominations have set apart 1 July-7 August for united prayer from 8 pm to 10 pm. These Solemn Assemblies will occur simultaneously at various venues in the north, east, west and central parts of Singapore (details given on pages 12,13 of May issue of The Courier and Digest). We are in a season of unprecedented unity; we are hearing the clarion call to come together to cry out to God for the revival of our land. You are all encouraged to fully participate in these Solemn Assemblies. Together, we will seek the Lord with one heart, one soul, one mind, one purpose: § To return to God in repentance for personal, corporate and national sins. § To consecrate ourselves to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. § To cry out to God for salvation among the 80% unsaved in our land. § To set apart this generation, the next generation, and every generation to fulfill Singapore’s destiny as the Antioch of Asia. On the evening of 8 August, we will gather with one accord in one place, the Singapore Indoor Stadium, for Day of His Power!WIll you be given over? Permission to church hop!Many hearts are hungry tonight,Many trapped in darkness yearn for the LightSo many who are far from home,And many who are lostOh, Lord, Your wounded children needThe power of Your crossAs bread that is broken, use our livesAs wine that is poured out, a willing sacrificeEmpower us, Father, to share the love of ChristAs bread that is broken Lord, use our livesHelp us to begin where we are.Help us love the people near to our heartsThen give our faith a mission fieldWherever You may callLord, love Your world through each of us,Until we’ve touched them all