2 Corinthians 4:7-18 English Standard Version

Treasure in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

What could I possibly say that could speak to you that is any better than these scriptures themselves?

At least I could point out some things that strike me personally, but that does not mean those things are the message God has for you. We gather in study groups to share with each other what we see in the scriptures that touch us, but in this we are not the final answer for anyone else. “I believe and so I spoke.”

The power belongs to God and not us is a good start. For some of us verse 8 rings true, but I cannot say that is true for everyone, at least not yet. My experience says, if you live long enough those things will become your own reality in part if not in totality.

The same goes for experiencing the manifestation of Christ in our mortal bodies. It takes longer for some to recognize that part of this life with Christ. We are after all just human. Since the power belongs to God we are not in control of His manifestation. Even our sin cannot stop Him but knowing that is a matter of faith more than one of experience. Time will tell.

I said “What could I possibly say” and then I did, not because I am right but because I too have experienced things in this life with Christ that seem impossible not to share. It is a little like those that Jesus healed and then said to keep it to themselves but they couldn’t.

I have little else to say except perhaps this, to God alone be the glory.

Matthew 7:28-29 English Standard Version

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

This is the end of the Sermon on the Mount. When we look for that sermon we will find the beginning of it in Matthew chapter 5. It goes on for 3 full chapters.

Not since Moses heard directly from God, speaking face to face, had man encountered God speaking directly to them. The bible is full of messages from messengers, angels and prophets but to hear directly from God Himself, this was the first time the masses heard God speak.

Make no mistake here, Jesus Christ is the second person of God, One in unity and mind and will with God the Father and The Holy Spirit, the third person of God. His sermon that day was an expository of the mind of God bringing all the words that were spoken before into clear concise terms that no one had ever heard before. There was no need for a scribe to tell them what the scriptures meant, He was clarifying nearly everything.

In places, His words contradicted the interpretation of the scriptures given to the people by their scribes.

Matthew 5:21 begins “You have heard” and then in verse 5:22 He says “But I say”. He repeats that pattern on the subjects of anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, loving our enemies, and then beginning in chapter 6 addressing attitudes and behaviors that the scribes may have never addressed in their teachings because they were just too personal.

God was getting personal with the people. This is something only God can do.

In chapter 7 Jesus shifts into high gear and relates to the people on how to make life better for them addressing judgments, prayer, seeking God’s favor, treating one another, and winding down His sermon with the valuable topics of fruit, a personal relationship with Him and finally the Rock upon which we stand.

In short, do not read chapter 5 of Matthew and think you have gotten everything God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ has to say to us on a personal level. There is more, there is always more.

Now we have the Third Person of God, the Holy Spirit to tell us all that He has to say today.