Fragile week 4: Jeff Maness – June 28, 2020
I can’t produce an unbreakable faith, but an unbreakable faith should produce some things in me. In part 2 of this message, we continue the discussion on what an unbreakable faith should produce in us.
Fragile:Produce (Part 2)
Big Idea: I can’t produce an unbreakable faith, but an unbreakable faith should produce some things in me.
Theme Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:7 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. Big Question: What should an unbreakable faith produce?
(Part 2)
Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-11 2
Corinthians 4:18 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
Tharrheo = I am courageous, confident, of good cheer.
1. A persistent courage
It is an instance when the hope of heaven will enable a man to face danger with courage; to endure toil with patience; and to submit to trials in any form with cheerfulness. — Albert Barnes
2 Corinthians 5:7 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.
2 Corinthians 5:9 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.
2. A pleasing life
2 Peter 1:3 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
Philippians 2:12b-13 12b Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
2 Corinthians 5:10 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
3. A preparation for judgment
2 Corinthians 5:11 11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
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