Don't Lose Heart - Part 2

Last week we saw that Paul did not lose heart because of the glorious treasure he possessed (4:1-7a). Today we see that Paul did not lose heart:

II. Because of the Divine Power He Trusted  (4:7-15)

Paul speaks of the surpassing quality, or the outstanding excellence, of a power associated with this ministry and treasure. In the face of all the challenges and persecution, Paul had a definite conviction concerning the power of God being at work as he ministered. He was convinced of the value of what he was doing (4:1-7a), but he also was convinced that God accomplishing His purpose through him by means of His excellent power.

Among the amazing statements in this section of teaching, is Paul’s clear statement of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13).  He believed in God’s power manifested in weakness. This was not just some passing notion, or a casual approach to life and ministry. This was a deep connection, a belief that supported and led to what he said. Notice

1)The Purposeful Demonstration of This Power (2 Corinthians 4:7-15)

Paul speaks of this treasure of the gospel/ministry being in earthen vessels, pottery baked clay, or “ostrakinos.” He is speaking of himself and those who ministered with him as the vessel that held the treasure.  The clay pots were inexpensive, breakable, and really only served to hold the treasure.  But this is how they were designed. This contrast between the treasure and the clay pot is a purposeful one. God has so designed things that the glory goes to Him. Just as all attention is on the treasure and not the earthen vessel, so God manifests His power in the midst of human weakness so that that power is clearly seen to be of God and not of us. God has so designed the demonstration of His power in ministry that:

(1) He gets the Glory  (2 Corinthians 4:7)

When something is seen to be clearly of God – God gets the glory. Paul ends this section by pointing to the fact that ultimately all things are for the sake of the Corinthians, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanks abounding to God.

(2) Others are blessed  (2 Corinthians 4:15a)

If our concern was truly the glory of God and the blessing of others, we may put up with a lot more trouble and tribulation. It is when we are more concerned about ourselves that we lose heart. Paul saw that the very design of God was to manifest His glory and to bless others through his servant.

2) The Paradoxical Demonstration of This Power (2 Corinthians 4:8-14)

Paul is speaking of real life. He faced hardships every day, but they did not beat him, because of the life of Jesus within him. Even though he had a death sentence, even though he was a marked man, even though he carried about in his body “the dying of Lord Jesus”, life was being manifested. It was manifested in the enabling grace to not be crushed, to not despair, and to be preserved in the midst of the persecutions he faced. God was at work sustaining and delivering. Paul was literally experiencing the crucified life. He was taking up his cross daily and experiencing all the sufferings and hardships of someone totally committed to Christ Jesus the Lord. But, in the midst of this committed crucified lifestyle, he was experiencing the life of Jesus. His emphasis is not on just his own experience alone, but on the results in the lives of others. He could point to the life that had been communicated to the Corinthians.

This is the way it really works, because this is how God’s power is often manifested. In the midst of suffering and apparent defeat, God works. The life of Jesus is manifested in sustaining grace and in life-giving blessing communicated to others.

3) The Victorious Demonstration of This Power

Paul was convinced of the ultimate victory of this power because of something he knew and believed (13-14). His faith in the victorious power of God was based on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the confidence he had in his own resurrection, and that of the Corinthians. Whatever victory we may experience in daily life is experienced between the great demonstration of victorious power in raising our Lord from the dead, and the great expectation of victorious power when we are raised with others in Christ. Every victory now points to the ultimate victory that again brings glory only to God, because only God raises the dead.

Conclusion: So, we not lose heart because God’s power is at work. There is such a thing as victory in the midst of suffering. But in order not to be discouraged or lose heart, we must remember that God’s power is demonstrated purposefully (He gets the glory and others are blessed), paradoxically (Death and Life are evident in life and ministry. It’s in the midst of suffering and dying that resurrection life is manifested), and victoriously (In the midst of the persecutions, God’s power was still at work. If literal death were to be his experience, resurrection would follow). With such unshakable convictions to sustain and maintain, Paul did not lose heart, and neither can we.