Endurance Is Possible
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
ILLUSTRATION
Egg in hand. Cannot crush if it’s in the center.
The yolk has no ability to protect itself.
It is protected by the shell.
The shell only protects the egg if the egg stays right in the middle of the pressure.
If the egg moves, it gets crushed. CRUSH
We can endure if we stay where God placed us.
Where He has placed us we have the protection that He gives.
It is when we move outside of God's will that we are crushed.
In the face of difficult times we need this reminder.
Endurance is possible.
Today we are going to examine three reasons endurance is possible.
When we endure, we give people a picture of Jesus Christ.
When people see Jesus in us and through us, they come to Him.
Not everyone and not every time. But our lives, lived with the endurance He provides, attract people to Christ.
Three reasons endurance is possible.
Endurance is possible because of…
1. The Power Of Jesus v. 7
1. The Power Of Jesus v. 7
In the beginning of this chapter in 2 Corinthians, Paul discusses the preaching of the gospel and the transformative power it contains.
Paul then turns his attention to addressing the reality that as we preach the gospel and lives are changed, we do not receive the glory.
Everything is about Christ being exalted.
Christ is exalted because it is His power that changes lives through the gospel and it is His power that enables us to endure.
This verse answers two questions about the power of Jesus in our lives.
The first question answered is why? Why do we need the power of Jesus?
Consider with me…
a. The demand for His power v. 7a
a. The demand for His power v. 7a
READ v. 7a
The treasure is the gospel spoken of in v. 4.
Look at v. 4.
The gospel is the treasure. We are the earthen vessels.
This is the demand for the Power of Christ. This is why it is necessary.
We are just clay pots.
Clay pots are not fancy or even very valuable.
How many of you have ever used a disposable tray?
Maybe like these (S)? You can buy these off amazon. $20 for 30 trays.
We call them disposable because they are meant to be used and then discarded.
That’s how the ancient world saw clay pots.
Craig Keener puts it this way,
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 4:7–18—Fading Flesh but Enduring Glory
because clay was always available, such containers were cheap and disposable if they were broken or incurred ceremonial impurity—an odd container for a rich treasure.
The point here is that we would assume the treasure of the gospel message would be entrusted to more honorable vessels.
David wrote this in Psalm 8:3-5 (S).
Psalm 8:3-5
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Scripture is very clear about the exalted glory of our God and the wretched state of sinful man.
What is the answer to David’s question here?
Why is God mindful of man? Why does God care?
Look with me at Ephesians 2:4-5 (S).
Ephesians 2:4-5
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
God is mindful of man because He loves us! This is confirmed by John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son.
Later in Ephesians 2 we learn that our works don’t save us.
Titus 3:5 tells us that it isn’t by works of righteousness but because of God’s mercy.
Isaiah 64:6 says that our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.
Psalm 14, Psalm 53, and Romans 3 all declare that no one is righteous.
We are lost. Our works cannot save us. In fact, everything we do only condemns us further!
This is why we need the power of Jesus!
Our own strength is insufficient!
In this picture (S), doesn’t it look like he is holding himself up? What we often ignore is the rock that he clings to! If it were not for the rock he clings to he would have fallen!
Our ability to endure comes from the power of Jesus!
The rock that we cling to is what makes us able to endure.
The incredible treasure of the gospel is entrusted to us.
As we are transformed by the gospel it is obviously not us doing it.
Warren Wiersbe writes
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: Courage for the Conflict (2 Corinthians 4:1–5:8)
We are vessels so that God might use us. We are earthen vessels so that we might depend on God’s power and not our own.
We need the power of Jesus because we are weak.
There is no shame in that!
This is a universal truth! All of us are weak. We need His power.
We’ve answered the “why” question. Now we turn to “what?”
What is the purpose of God in the power of Jesus?
Consider with me…
b. The display of His power v. 7b
b. The display of His power v. 7b
READ v. 7b
This is God’s purpose.
Why does He put the treasure of the gospel in clay pots? What does He want to accomplish?
He wants to put His power on display.
How does He do that?
By giving you and I the power to endure, to spread the gospel, and to be transformed by it!
Why does God sometimes place us in situations that seem over our heads? To display His power!
When we respond to negative circumstances in the power of Christ, it attracts people to Him.
Turn to 1 Peter 3:13-17.
1 Peter 3:13-17
Most of the time with this passage, we hear v. 15 quoted and the application is made that we need to know the truth and be able to defend it.
That is a perfectly legitimate application.
However, what is missing is the reason people ask us about our hope.
The reason people ask us about our hope is in the rest of the passage.
The context here is how we respond when we suffer. What is our attitude?
If we respond to suffering with grace, hope, and faith in Christ, people will ask us why.
That is Peter’s point here!
We are supposed to live in such a way that people look at us and ask why we respond to difficulty with confidence in our God!
Is our response to the current crisis making people ask about our hope?
We can have peace in the middle of all this because we know who is in control!
When we have peace others see that, and they ask us why. We then have the opportunity to point them to Christ.
That’s why we have the treasure of the gospel in these clay jars. Because when a clay jar survives a smashing blow, people want to know why.
When we endure suffering and trial with peace and hope, people want to know why.
We don’t endure because we are so mighty or brave. We endure because we serve an awesome God.
His power and strength get us through.
The excellent power at work in us comes from God!
Murray Harris writes that
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Second Epistle to the Corinthians a. The Trials and Results of Apostolic Service (4:7–15)
It is precisely because the proclaimers of the gospel are in themselves frail and fragile (witness vv. 8–9!), relatively insignificant and unattractive, that people clearly recognize that the transforming power (δύναμις) of the gospel is God’s alone and that the strength (δύναμις) of its ministers to endure hardship comes from God alone.
So many things about the gospel are the opposite of what we might think.
Rather than sheltering the treasure of the gospel in a locked box, it is placed in the unlikeliest of places, in fallen, sinful, broken human beings.
When a clay pot is used to contain something incredible the glory doesn’t go to the container!
It is not about the container, it is about the contents.
The power of Christ is clearly displayed because we so clearly lack power.
We are just clay pots.
And yet.
We have been entrusted with a treasure!
We have access to unlimited power!
As we are faithful, God’s power is manifested in our lives!
And through His power, we endure.
Reason #1. Endurance is possible because of the power of Jesus.
Reason #2. Endurance is possible because of…
2. The Perseverance Of Jesus vv. 8-10
2. The Perseverance Of Jesus vv. 8-10
Every time I hear the word perseverance I think of the tortoise and the hare. Or the turtle and the rabbit. However you may have learned it.
The story is told of a rabbit that mocked a turtle for how slow it was. Eventually the turtle challenged the rabbit to a race.
The rabbit took off and soon lost sight of the turtle. The rabbit stopped to eat, to goof off, then finally fell asleep.
He is awakened by cheers as the turtle inches toward the finish line.
He takes off but reaches the end of the race moments after the turtle wins.
The moral of the story is that speed doesn’t determine who wins.
Consistence and perseverance do.
If we want to win the race of life. If we want to grow spiritually. We must persevere.
These verses teach us two lessons about perseverance.
Lesson #1…
a. The effect of perseverance vv. 8-9
a. The effect of perseverance vv. 8-9
READ vv. 8-9
These are some of the most encouraging verses ever.
Paul is presenting this as somewhat of an explanation of v. 7.
These things happen to us that the power of God might be evident.
In v. 8 we are hard-pressed but not crushed.
Hard-pressed - θλίβω (thlibō) afflict; oppress. to be caused to be distressed v. — to be brought into difficulties or distress or suffering.
Hard-pressed - θλίβω (thlibō)
We face oppression, distress, and difficulty. We are afflicted.
Though we face distresses and pressure, it is not hopeless!
That’s the idea of this word “crushed.”
It means “To be distressed hopelessly.”
Our afflictions do not steal our hope.
Why not?
Hebrews 10:23 gives us the answer (S).
Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
We have hope because of the faithfulness of our God!
In our human strength the pressures of life crush us!
But Christ’s victory is manifested when we face the oppressions and difficulties of life and are not hopeless.
Through the power of Christ we can face affliction and distress and not be crushed by it!
We are perplexed, but not in despair.
Perplexed - ἀπορέω (aporeō) be perplexed; be at a loss. To be perplexed v. — to be or become filled with confusion resulting from failure to understand. Verb, present, middle, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Perplexed - ἀπορέω (aporeō)
There are some events in life that honestly leave us scratching our heads.
Everything that is happening right now, for instance.
We can become confused by the trials and difficulties we face.
Yet even in those times, we are not in despair!
This word means to “be in doubt; to fall apart; to lose one’s emotional or mental composure.”
We don’t have to fall apart and lose our compose or suffer doubt because we are held by the mighty power of God!
His victory is displayed as we face confusing circumstances with faith!
We may not know what tomorrow will bring. But we know the one who brings tomorrow!
Our God is more than able to handle the challenges we face.
Turn to Isaiah 40:10-14.
Isaiah 40:10-14
He is our good shepherd.
He can hold all the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and streams in the palm of His hand.
The expanse of the universe can be measured between his finger and thumb.
He can put the mountains and hills on His scales.
The point of these verses is to display the power of God!
Nothing is too hard for Him.
When we depend on the Lord, we can face distress and confusion without being crushed or overwhelmed with despair.
V. 9 provides us with two more examples.
Persecuted, but not forsaken.
I love this one.
Persecuted - διώκο (diōko) pursue; persecute. To be persecuted v. — to be or become subject to systematic harassment and attack due to one’s religious beliefs. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Persecuted - διώκομαι (diōkomai)
We are subject to systematic harassment because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
This is a reality for believers.
Yet even in the face of this harassment, we are not forsaken!
God does not abandon, desert, or depart from us!
This is the promise of His Word. Hebrews 13:5 (S).
Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
No matter what we face, no matter how difficult the trial, we can be assured of the continuing presence of God in our lives!
We are never forsaken.
Please hear that. You are never forsaken.
No matter how hard, how bad things get. The God of eternity is with you.
Struck down but not destroyed.
Struck down - καταβάλλο (kataballo) throw down; strike down. to be felled v. — to be or become fallen by or as if by receiving a blow. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Struck down - καταβάλλο (kataballo)
I saw a video the other day where these two fighters both swing and knock each other out at the same time.
A knockout is what this verse is talking about.
I think all of us have had life hit us so hard it was like a knockout punch.
This can be a frightening aspect of life.
There are going to be moments when we are so hard hit we feel like we’ve been knocked to the ground!
Some of you are there.
So many people are out of work. Jobs have been lost, businesses ruined, plans cancelled, graduations put on hold, and many other things.
It can feel like a knockout punch to the face.
Yet the promise is that we are not destroyed!
The damage we may suffer is not irreparable!
Why not?
Our God restores and strengthens.
By God’s power we persevere through the toughest times.
He alone will get us through.
The effect of perseverance is that we are not crushed, forsaken, or destroyed, and we do not surrender to despair.
That is what the power of God does in us.
Lesson #2…
b. The purpose of perseverance v. 10
b. The purpose of perseverance v. 10
READ v. 10
Hard pressed, not crushed.
Perplexed, not in despair.
Persecuted, not forsaken.
Struck down, not destroyed!
In v. 10 we are reminded of our mortality.
Being continually reminded of the death of Christ better enables us to display His life.
His victory is manifest in us as we face trials and hardships yet are not overcome by them.
His faithfulness enables us to carry on.
Christ’s victory over death gives us life!
The point of this verse is similar to Romans 8:36. Let’s look at that verse (S).
Romans 8:36
36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
We face death for the cause of Christ, yet, look at what Paul says in the next verse (S).
Romans 8:37
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
We face suffering, trials, and death. Yet the power of Christ sustains us!
As His power continually delivers, strengthens, and upholds us, He is more clearly seen.
The purpose of our trials in this life is to put Christ on display!
Our perseverance makes His power evident.
How?
We are just clay pots. There is no way we can survive the pressures of life apart from Him.
Endurance is possible because of the power of Jesus and because of the perseverance of Jesus.
Reason #3. Endurance is possible because of…
3. The Presence Of Jesus vv. 11-12
3. The Presence Of Jesus vv. 11-12
We have hope in trials.
Why do we have hope?
Because of the promises of God.
Consider three of them. Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28; Matthew 28:20 (S).
Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28; Matthew 28:20
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Our hope lies in the presence and work of Jesus.
These verses reveal two ways He is present.
First of all…
a. He is present in life v. 11
a. He is present in life v. 11
READ v. 11
“We who live” are believers.
That is who Paul is referring to here.
We are alive both spiritually and physically.
This is true life.
Yet in our true life we face death for Jesus sake.
Why?
So that His life is displayed in us!
The trials and difficulties we face serve to manifest the life of Christ in us.
Scripture is very clear about what believers in Jesus Christ will face.
Earlier we looked at 1 Peter 3 where we learn that we will suffer for righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:12 leaves us with no doubt about what we will face (S).
2 Timothy 3:12
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
We will suffer persecution.
Turn to 1 Corinthians 4:8-13.
1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Paul describes for the Corinthians what he has faced for Christ.
Fools, weak, dishonored, hunger, thirst, little clothing, beaten, homeless, reviled, persecuted, defamed, considered the filth of the world.
Now, before we get depressed, look again at v. 10 where we have the key phrase, “for Christ’s sake.”
Paul endured all this for the cause of Christ! So do we.
The point here is that The way we go through trials, the way we endure, points people back to Jesus.
In Romans 12:19-21 Paul gives this guidance (S).
Romans 12:19-21
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We treat our enemies differently.
We die to ourselves and face death that others may see how Christ in us is the hope of glory.
The more we face death, the more others are drawn into a life with Christ!
When we respond in this way, it is obvious that something different is going on inside us.
That is when people ask us about our hope.
How do we endure in this way?
By depending on the Lord!
How do we depend on the Lord in the middle of a crisis?
We live by His promises. We give Him our burdens.
We live with peace, hope, and joy because we know who is in control.
The life of Christ at work in us is evident when we endure.
How we endure trials makes Christ visible.
Christ is at work in our lives.
If you have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, He is at work in you.
Make His work apparent by how you respond to trials.
#1. Jesus is present in life.
There is a second way that Christ is present.
b. He is present in death v. 12
b. He is present in death v. 12
READ v. 12
Paul’s point here is really a restatement of v. 10.
When we are living for Christ the way He has called us to, there may come a time when we face death for Him.
In some ways the trials and difficulties we endure are like facing death.
As we endure trials, as we face the risk of death with our faith and hope centered on Jesus, others are called into life.
Warren Wiersbe writes
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: Courage for the Conflict (2 Corinthians 4:1–5:8)
If we suffer, it is for Jesus’ sake. If we die to self, it is so that the life of Christ might be revealed in us. If we go through trials, it is so that Christ might be glorified. And all of this is for the sake of others. As we serve Christ, death works in us—but life works in those to whom we minister.
We best manifest the life of Christ when we face the threat of death with peace, calm, and faith-filled assurance!
We serve the God who has conquered death!
What do we have to fear?
Psalm 27:1 puts it this way (S).
Psalm 27:1
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
As we serve Christ, He becomes evident in our lives.
The more people see Him in us, the more they are attracted to Him, and the more believers grow.
His life gives us the strength necessary to face death.
His life gives us the strength necessary to endure.
His life is what gives us the strength to point people to Him in the middle of a pandemic!
How we face death makes Christ visible.
Is He visible in my life?
Is He visible in your life?
If not. It is because we are not availing ourselves of His strength!
He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness!
He has given to us the ability to endure!
All we have to do is take advantage of it!
When we live in His strength.
Endurance. Is. Possible.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We are clay pots.
These clay pots hold the immeasurable treasure of the gospel.
These clay pots suffer affliction, confusion, persecution, and the knockout punches of life.
And yet.
These clay pots endure.
Why?
Because within these clay pots resides the power of God!
We have the power of God because God the Holy Spirit lives in us.
We can endure the corona virus.
We can endure the trials and hardships of life.
We can endure because of Jesus Christ.
When we endure with our faith and hope intact, we put Christ on display!
People ask us the reason for the hope that is in us.
Warren Wiersbe writes that
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: Courage for the Conflict (2 Corinthians 4:1–5:8)
God permits trials, God controls trials, and God uses trials for His own glory. God is glorified through weak vessels.
I am a weak vessel.
But I serve an all-powerful God.
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.
My fellow blood-bought believers.
Endurance is possible when we depend on the Lord.
When we endure with faith and hope, people see Jesus in us.
In the midst of this pandemic I believe we have a responsibility.
Put Christ on display.
“Take The World”
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.