2 Corinthians 4:7-12 NKJV
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 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. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
I. INTRODUCTION
II. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE A RECIPIENT OF HIS TREASURE
A. God deposited gifts in you knowing your human condition
1 Corinthians 1:27-28 ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him.
1. God Uses the Foolish Things
2. God Uses the Weak Things
3. God Uses the Based Things
4. God Used the Despised Things
5. God Uses the Things that Are Not
B. What God Knows About You
1. He Knew I Could Handle It
2. He Knew I Wouldn’t Embarrass Him
3. He Knew I Would Acknowledge Him
C. Never Forget It’s Him and Not You
Acts 17:28 NKJV
28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
D. The Power of God at Work
1. He Protects His Investment
2. He Protects My Insecurities
3. He Allows Me to Produce Beyond My Ability
III. APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO YOUR TRIALS
A. You Can’t Prevent the Trials from Coming
B. What To Know About Trials in Your Life
1. You Aren’t the Only One Going Through
1 Peter 5:8-9 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
2. You Don’t Have to Do Anything Wrong to Experience Trials
Matthew 5:45 NKJV 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
3. Trials Never Last Always
Psalm 30:5 KJV ⁵For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
C. You Can Control How You Respond to Them
1 Corinthians 15:58 ⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD.
D. Your Determination Is Tied to 3 Things
1. His Word
2. His Will
3. My Witness
IV. ACCEPT THE RELATIONSHIP TRUTHS
A. Whatever You Encounter, Christ Is Your Example
B. 4 Fundamental Rules That Govern Christ Life
1. His Assignment Was Always Greater Than the Adversity
2. Have A Discipline Prayer Life
3. Don’t Allow Your Disappointment with People To Derail Your Destiny
4. Hang in There
C.The Intensity of Your Attacks, Are A Result of The Greatness of Your Assignment
V. AWARENESS OF THE REACH OF OUR TESTIMONY
A.You Can’t Lead Like Him If You Don’t Look Like Him
1. Our Perspective
2. Our Profession
3. Our Posture
B. You Went Through For More Than You