The Same Side of Two Coins

Introduction

2 Corinthians 4:1–10 KJV 1900

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Pray - Be Seated

Body

The Ministry we’ve recieved

Not the ministry of condemnation, but the ministry of righteousness (II Cor 3:9)

To take away the spiritual blindness people have so that they will come to Jesus Christ

Temporal vs. Eternal

This treasure is presently in earthen vessels

In our flesh we will experience pain, weariness, disappointments, confusion and failure

A Call to have the right focus

The ministry of condemnation vs. ministry of righteousness (flesh vs. spirit)

The world and everything around us is temporal. Everything we cannot see is eternal.

In the spiritual we are called to conquer, to be mighty, to destroy strongholds, to run through the ranks of the armies of the enemy. to bear in our spirits the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

In the flesh we are called to suffer pain, suffer loss, suffer disappointments, to bear in our bodies Christ’s death.

Conclusion

God has placed in each of us unlimited power for Him to use according to His will, but He placed it in these earthen vessels that the glory would be His.

We need to pray that God will open the blind eyes of those who are lost

We need to pray that God will open our eyes to what is truly possible when we allow Him to work through us the way He desires.