2 Corinthians 4 Mark Gottlieb February 25, 2016

V1 THEREFORE, since we have a ministry V4 Satan has blinded those who are perishing …. The glory of Christ who is the image of God V7 Treasure in earthen vessels V8 We are hard pressed - yet not crushed V13 I believed and therefore I spoke V16 Consider it light affliction V18 Focus on the things not seen

V1 THEREFORE, since we have a ministry V13 I believed and therefore I spoke

V1 THEREFORE, since we have a ministry V13 I believed and therefore I spoke Ezekiel 2:7 “You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen”.

V4 Satan has blinded 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..”

V4 Satan has blinded those who are perishing …. The glory of Christ who is the image of God

POP QUIZ

V7 Treasure in earthen vessels “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

Imagine this list:

Noah is the man who got drunk and was sexually abused; Abraham is the man who gave his wife to sleep with another; David is the one who plotted to have his mistress’ husband killed. Moses is the one who murdered an Egyptian and was never brought to account for it. Rahab was the prostitute. Samson is the man whose life was marked by violence and who killed to impress his girlfriend. Jacob is the person who cheated his brother out of his inheritance.

Scripture shows that God uses very flawed people indeed!

We are made to hold someone; and that someone is God Himself.

Scripture shows that God uses very flawed people indeed! We are made to hold someone; and that someone is God Himself. We hold His message and bring that to the world.

V8 We are hard pressed - yet not crushed V16 Consider it light affliction Romans 5:3-4 …but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

V8 We are hard pressed - yet not crushed V16 Consider it light affliction John 16:33 “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

V18 Focus on the things not seen 1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

When I was a young Christian I heard: “Bad things come from Satan – and Good things come from GOD.”

When I was a young Christian I heard: “Bad things come from Satan – and Good things come from GOD.”

Isaiah 45:7 I formed the light, I create the darkness I bring prosperity, I create disaster I the Lord do all these things. Amos 3:6 If calamity comes to a city, is it not the Lord who has done it?

God has given us a message to share God has put His treasure/message in earthen vessels There will be trials – don’t run - expect them.