Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Humble Invincible Sacrificial Fruitful Faithful Hopeful Worshipful 1

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Humble 4:7 “But” shows the contrast with verse 6. The treasure is of incalculable value. Hidden with Christ in God – Col. 2:3-9 2

Colossians 2:3-9 (NASB) 3  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4  I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5  For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. 6  Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

7  having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 8  See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9  For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Humble 4:7 “But” shows the contrast with verse 6. The treasure is of incalculable value. Hidden with Christ in God – Col. 2:3-9 Freed from the power of sin/death – Rom. 8:2 3

Romans 8:1-2 (NASB) 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Humble 4:7 “But” shows the contrast with verse 6. The treasure is of incalculable value. Hidden with Christ in God – Col. 2:3-9 Freed from the power of sin/death – Rom. 8:2 Released from condemnation – Rom. 8:1 4

Romans 8:1-2 (NASB) 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Humble 4:7 “But” shows the contrast with verse 6. The treasure is of incalculable value. Hidden with Christ in God – Col. 2:3-9 Freed from the power of sin/death – Rom. 8:2 Released from condemnation – Rom. 8:1 Transformed to the image of Jesus – 2 Cor. 3:18 5

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB) 18  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Humble 4:7 “But” shows the contrast with verse 6. The treasure is of incalculable value. Hidden with Christ in God – Col. 2:3-9 Freed from the power of sin/death – Rom. 8:2 Released from condemnation – Rom. 8:1 Transformed to the image of Jesus – 2 Cor. 3:18 Given eternal joy, peace, and satisfaction Earthen Vessels – common pots, cheap, breakable, easily replaceable, valueless 6

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NASB) 26  For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28  and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29  so that no man may boast before God.

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Invincible 4:8-9 Paul’s weaknesses became his strength. Afflicted – under pressure … But not crushed – confined to a narrow place Perplexed – at a loss … (using same root) But not despairing – not a total loss Persecuted – to pursue or hunt … But not forsaken – abandoned Struck down – as with a weapon … But not destroyed – ruined or lost, as in killed 7

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Sacrificial 4:10-11 Paul now summarizes and interprets for us the paradoxes of verses 8 and 9. This is all about our identification in Christ. Paul is bringing to light the Biblical truth of the great exchange – life comes from death. Dying – nekrosis (process of dying) – 1 Cor. 15:31 8

1 Corinthians 15:31 (NASB) 31  I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Sacrificial 4:10-11 Paul now summarizes and interprets for us the paradoxes of verses 8 and 9. This is all about our identification in Christ. Paul is bringing to light the Biblical truth of the great exchange – life comes from death. Dying – nekrosis (process of dying) – 1 Cor. 15:31 There is a simultaneous experience of this process of dying and the life of Jesus it brings! Delivered over – same as in Jesus’ crucifixion 9

Matthew 10:16-24 (NASB) 16  “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17  But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18  and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19  But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.

20 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

23  “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. 24  “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.”

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Fruitful 4:12 Paul now speaks of how the fruit that is born out of the truth of death produces life. Our suffering and the putting to death of sin in our lives is good for us. Most importantly, this is good for the Kingdom – Phil. 2:17; Col. 1:24; 2 Tim. 2:10. 10

Philippians 2:17 (NASB) 17  But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

Colossians 1:24 (NASB) 24  Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

2 Timothy 2:10 (NASB) 10  For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Faithful 4:13 Paul connects faithfulness to God’s Word! Psalm 116:10 is used to make his point. Faithfulness is not compromising. Faithfulness means you remain true to your convictions. Those who genuinely believe the truth cannot help but speak the truth! 11

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Hopeful 4:14 The Gospel provides the reality of hope in the resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection becomes proof of our resurrection. Death held no terror for Paul, and it should not have a grip on us. We should want this hope for others just as Paul did. 12

Transforming Treasure 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Worshipful 4:15 Like Paul, we are to be selfless in all things for the sake of others. Selfless service leads to God’s glory. “giving of thanks” is continual. It points others in the same direction. The result is continual glorification of God. 13

Transforming Treasure Application Is God’s treasure transforming you into a useful clay pot for the sake of the Gospel? Can others see God’s power in Your humility for the Gospel? Your invincibility in Christ for the Gospel? Your sacrificial life for the Gospel? Your fruitful labor for the Gospel? Your faithfulness for the Gospel? Your hope in the Gospel? Your worship in the Gospel? 14