Beacon Hill Church
BROKEN VESSELS
2 Corinthians 6
Locations & Times
Beacon Hill Church - Main Campus (English)
1990 Norco Dr, Norco, CA 92860, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
VALIDATION: We all desire validation
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
Our work as God's servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. (The Message)
TRIALS, HARDSHIPS AND SUFFERING do not discredit THE GREAT MESSAGE OF GOD’S GRACE, but they VALIDATE THE MESSAGE
God’s presence no longer dwells in the temple in Jerusalem, He dwells in temples of flesh
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
Our work as God's servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. (The Message)
TRIALS, HARDSHIPS AND SUFFERING do not discredit THE GREAT MESSAGE OF GOD’S GRACE, but they VALIDATE THE MESSAGE
God’s presence no longer dwells in the temple in Jerusalem, He dwells in temples of flesh
THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS WITHIN US
· We are not God, but God’s Spirit indwells these vessels of flesh
· THE LIGHT OF GOD’S GRACE SHINES FORTH THROUGH US
OUTWARD CIRCUMSTANCES AND ADVERSITY CANNOT EXTINGUISH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST IN OUR LIVES OR VANQUISH HIS SPIRIT.
A primary characteristic of an earthen vessel is that it is extremely fragile.
Pottery vessels, unlike those made of glass or precious metal, have value as long as they are whole and intact.
· Once damaged, they cannot be repaired or melted down
· They are cheap and FRAGILE, of no ENDURING VALUE
· In other words, they are EXPENDABLE
MAIN POINT OF THE TEXT, however, is not the value and enduring nature of God’s treasure, BUT HOW GOD USES this earthen vessel, which is fragile and has no lasting value, to display his incomparable, all encompassing power.
What keeps believers from sinking and fainting under their sufferings?
FAITH!
FAITH KEEPS US FROM GIVING UP!
For Paul, difficulties or trials are not primarily a test of an individual’s character and grit, but the all-surpassing power of God which is beyond any comparison.
As we continue in the faith, in a right relationship with God, God’s sustaining presence dwells in us and shines forth through us to those around us in the midst of adversity and trouble.