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Post by Admin on Jun 11, 2017 13:45:54 GMT -6
Study Begins: June 11, 2017
Discussion Begins: June 18, 2017
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5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone 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 jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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john
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Post by john on Jun 13, 2017 8:35:04 GMT -6
Vs 5
Our proclamations are not from us but by the power of the Holy Spirit operating through us. This in essence was a concept that the religious class of the day and in some cases today could not wrap their minds around. Jesus gave us the HS to enable us to be vessels (Jars of Clay) carrying the message of the cross. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6
Paul reminds that we who bring the gospel are merely servants of both God and man, giving God the glory and telling others of the life giving good news of Jesus Christ, His only son our Lord.
Blessings!
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john
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Post by john on Jun 14, 2017 20:34:05 GMT -6
Vs 6
God has shined his light into my formerly dark heart to enable me to see the face of Christ as my Lord and Saviour. The gospel is "foolishness" to those who are parishing (1 Cor 1:18). Unless God draws us to himself we remain blind to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Now that we have this light we can extend it to others who are hopelessly lost in the darkness.
Blessings
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Jun 15, 2017 6:17:49 GMT -6
V5 Paul keeps the message focused on Jesus Christ. We should all keep the message focused on our Lord and Savior and what he has done in our life. Our mission is to spread the Good News and humbly serve others for God. We are the body.
V6 God's love and His light shines into our heart and drives out darkness. His light and His power can be seen by others in this dark world.
V7 Jar of Clay... Though we are weak and flawed, God works powerfully through us. Contents equals Holy Spirit.
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JB
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Post by JB on Jun 17, 2017 21:39:12 GMT -6
In the beginning God brought light out of darkness. He continues to bring light out of our inner darkness today.
Christ, the Light, came so that we could see His face and reflect His glory in-person.
This man Paul, who wrote nearly half of the New Testament, acknowledged here that he had no light, no goodness, and no power of his own.
I can attest that my heart by nature is very dark and fragile, like the inside of a clay jar. Sometimes I relapse and get a glimpse of who I am apart from Christ and Hos Spirit. I shudder. If anything at all about me is good, it can only be Christ working through me.
God forbid that I should ever take credit for anything good that comes from me. It is truly Him, and I only His vessel.
The treasure in v.7 is the ministry that brings righteousness (3:9) which causes us to not lose heart (4:1). The treasure is our assurance that despite ourselves, we have been declared righteous and stand in His presence.
Our bodies are not just earthen, they are earthen vessels! They are not just clay, they are clay jars!
Vessels and jars are designed to hold something. Ours hold God’s power.
In recognizing that the treasure of this ministry is in his earthy body, Paul was both overwhelmed and comforted by the fact that, although his human nature was imperfect, God took full responsibility for the results.
The transformed lives God has called us to live would be too much to bear except that, God in His magnificent power, makes it happen Himself. We couldn’t possibly do this on our own. We can only have success if God enables us.
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JB
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Post by JB on Jun 18, 2017 13:45:26 GMT -6
Question to ponder: Why did God put his treasure in simple jars of clay? If I had been in charge, I certainly wouldn't have given such an important message and ministry to someone like me. Why not miraculously transform us into superhuman evangelizers who are incapable of sin, never wear down, never fail, are never distracted, able and to change hearts with a single word? He certainly could have done that if He wanted to.
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john
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Post by john on Jun 22, 2017 1:20:44 GMT -6
Why jars of clay, because "his power is made perfect in weakness." God only gets the glory when miracles are done by mere mortals. If the Son of God had to come as a baby so the gospel will pass from clay jar to clay jar. Water goes in and new wine is poured out and God is glorified in the process. Praise Him!
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JB
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Post by JB on Jun 22, 2017 6:03:08 GMT -6
Why jars of clay, because "his power is made perfect in weakness." God only gets the glory when miracles are done by mere mortals. If the Son of God had to come as a baby so the gospel will pass from clay jar to clay jar. Water goes in and new wine is poured out and God is glorified in the process. Praise Him! I agree John. To my question "Why not miraculously transform us into superhuman evangelizers who are incapable of sin, never wear down, never fail, are never distracted," God did do that in a different form. He sent Jesus, who perfectly fit that description. The despised and killed Him. My imperfection stands in contrast to His perfect majesty. |
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