Vessels of Blessing: 2 Cor. 4:1-10 January 24 th, 2016

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond- servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ

2 Corinthians 4:7-8 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;

2 Corinthians 4:9-10 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

WE are not...

Inexhaustible

WE are not... Inexhaustible Infallible

WE are not... Inexhaustible Infallible Unbreakable

What is the purpose of an earthen vessel?

To hold something?

What is the purpose of an earthen vessel? To hold something? – Not quite... That’s a container.

What is the purpose of an earthen vessel? To hold something? – Not quite... That’s a container. A vessel is different

What is the purpose of an earthen vessel? To hold something? – Not quite... That’s a container. A vessel is different – it is used to relocate a resource so that it can be easier accessed

What is the purpose of a disciple as an earthen vessel? To have a ministry of distribution

We are made to be a distributor If not, we fail to fulfill our purpose.

We are made to be a distributor If not, we fail to fulfill our purpose. We feel, and are, useless.

We are made to be a distributor If not, we fail to fulfill our purpose. We feel, and are, useless. Paganini’s violin

So what do we distribute?

Cause I can’t give anymore of myself

So what do we distribute? Cause I can’t give anymore of myself Never was “you” to give You are the vessel, not the treasure

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels This treasure is Jesus Distributed through the Holy Spirit

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels Get this, your job is to distribute God Make Him accessible To fill a need Not all receive/ some don’t want/ believe they’re already righteous

Matthew 9:12-13 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

So Manifestation of Holy Spirit

So Awkward, uncomfortable

So John 13: 5-16

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Life-giving blessing Awkward, uncomfortable