The Church of Joy, Williamson Ga
Series: Getting Spiritually Fit (Sermon 3 - Perseverance)
Sunday Morning Sermon by Pastor Vaughn Drawdy
Locations & Times
The Church of Joy
3080 GA-362, Williamson, GA 30292, USA
Sunday 10:45 AM
What a great passage that tells us God is near. It is a great passage to embrace when we are pressing through tough times.
We all have times when life is tough. Each of us has a tidbit of wisdom about perseverance - some taught, some learned from the school of hard knocks. The greatest encouragement we can embrace comes from God’s Word.
Jesus told His disciples that they would face challenges, trouble: (Jn. 16:33)
We all have times when life is tough. Each of us has a tidbit of wisdom about perseverance - some taught, some learned from the school of hard knocks. The greatest encouragement we can embrace comes from God’s Word.
Jesus told His disciples that they would face challenges, trouble: (Jn. 16:33)
We have been called to be disciples of Jesus and these words ring true for us as well.
A disciple is one who wants to be full of the right knowledge - God’s Word - in order to know how to respond the right way in every circumstance. We are vessels that God wants to fill. He wants to fill you with His Spirit, His knowledge, His Word, His purpose, His ways. It’s not going to be easy. JAMES said it like this: (James 1:2-5)
A disciple is one who wants to be full of the right knowledge - God’s Word - in order to know how to respond the right way in every circumstance. We are vessels that God wants to fill. He wants to fill you with His Spirit, His knowledge, His Word, His purpose, His ways. It’s not going to be easy. JAMES said it like this: (James 1:2-5)
We will face trials in this life…this means that we are called to a life of perseverance, a steadfast determination to follow Jesus no matter the cost. Through perseverance we grow mature, we become Spiritually Fit.
Paul understood this and even gave us encouragement about persevering.
2 Cor. 4:7-18
Paul understood this and even gave us encouragement about persevering.
2 Cor. 4:7-18
Paul helps us understand a little about who we are and how to see our lives. He uses a metaphor here… comparing our lives to a clay pot.
I think Paul is drawing off the Words of Jeremiah and Isaiah.
(Jer. 18:1-7)
(Isaiah 84:8)
I think Paul is drawing off the Words of Jeremiah and Isaiah.
(Jer. 18:1-7)
(Isaiah 84:8)
Clay Pots:
>weak, fragile, easily broken, damaged.
What gives the jar value?
>the thing inside. The jar is of little value compared to what is inside.
(vs 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay.)
TREASURE
A treasure is something that is valuable, expensive.
In verse 7 Paul speaks of a "treasure."
>What is the treasure?
Christ and the gospel. Again, it’s the treasure within the vessel that gives it value.
The important thing is that the vessel be clean and available for service.
As the Holy Spirit fills the vessel the power of God is seen.
>weak, fragile, easily broken, damaged.
What gives the jar value?
>the thing inside. The jar is of little value compared to what is inside.
(vs 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay.)
TREASURE
A treasure is something that is valuable, expensive.
In verse 7 Paul speaks of a "treasure."
>What is the treasure?
Christ and the gospel. Again, it’s the treasure within the vessel that gives it value.
The important thing is that the vessel be clean and available for service.
As the Holy Spirit fills the vessel the power of God is seen.
God desires to shape us into what He would have us be, to do what He would have us do. We are like jars, jars filled with a great and valuable treasure.
Paul goes on to describe the challenges we face.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
>We may be troubled but Christ helps us in our distress.
Paul said in verse 8., "We are hard pressed" - which is to be squeezed, oppressed, hedged in and pressured. "BUT NOT CRUSHED" - We might find ourselves in troubled times but we are never beyond the assistance that God can give. God never leaves us without hope.
We may be perplexed, at a loss, doubting, not knowing what to do, which way to go, what to say - but Christ’s power keeps us from despair, from hopelessness. In His presence we find security and confidence.
Perseverance comes as we embrace the TRUTH of who Jesus is and who He is in our lives. He has paid our sin debt and has given us access - to the Father to stand before His presence.
Paul goes on to describe the challenges we face.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
>We may be troubled but Christ helps us in our distress.
Paul said in verse 8., "We are hard pressed" - which is to be squeezed, oppressed, hedged in and pressured. "BUT NOT CRUSHED" - We might find ourselves in troubled times but we are never beyond the assistance that God can give. God never leaves us without hope.
We may be perplexed, at a loss, doubting, not knowing what to do, which way to go, what to say - but Christ’s power keeps us from despair, from hopelessness. In His presence we find security and confidence.
Perseverance comes as we embrace the TRUTH of who Jesus is and who He is in our lives. He has paid our sin debt and has given us access - to the Father to stand before His presence.
We need to remember what Christ did, where He came from, why He came. We need to remember what He did for us on the cross and embrace the gift of LIFE He gave. We need to remember that since He is our Lord, no weapon formed against us will separate us from His love (Is. 54:17/Rom. 8:38-39). Paul went own to say (vs 16-18)
Because of who Jesus is and what He has done, we can have confidence in the (Jn. 10:10) abundance of grace given to persevere through adversity. In these times, we can rely on His strength, His presence and have hope of a better day. Through it all, know that God is at work in you so that He may be known through you.