Living To Manifest Christ
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Last week we talked about being transformed into the image of Christ as we gaze into His Word and behold Him there. In the beginning of ch. 4 Paul discusses the preaching of the gospel and the transformative power it contains. Paul then turns his attention to addressing the reality that as we preach the gospel and lives are changed, we do not receive the glory. Everything is about Christ being exalted. This passage reveals three areas where we are to manifest Christ as we live for Him and share the gospel. The first is…
Manifesting Christ’s Power v. 7
The treasure is the gospel spoken of in v. 4. We are the earthen vessels. The incredible treasure of the gospel is entrusted to us. As we are transformed by the gospel it is obviously not us doing it. The excellent power that makes us new comes from God and not us! So many things about the gospel are the opposite of what we might think. Rather than sheltering the treasure of the gospel in a locked box, it is placed in the unlikeliest of places, in fallen, sinful, broken human beings. The power of Christ is clearly displayed because we so clearly lack power. It is also a blessing to know that the gospel doesn’t depend on our ability or persuasiveness, but on the power of God!
We have been entrusted with a treasure! We have access to unlimited power! As we are faithful, God’s power is manifested in our lives! In addition to his power we are to be…
Manifesting Christ’s Victory vv. 8-10
These are some of the most encouraging verses ever. Paul is presenting this as somewhat of an explanation of v. 7. These things happen to us that the power of God might be evident. In v. 8 we are hard-pressed but not crushed. Though we face distresses and pressure, it is not hopeless! In our human strength the pressures of life crush us! But Christ’s victory is manifested when we face the oppressions and difficulties of life and are not hopeless. We are perplexed, but not in despair. There are some events in life that honestly leave us scratching our heads. We can become confused by the trials and difficulties we face. Yet even in those times, we are not in despair! We don’t have to fall apart and lose our compose or suffer doubt because we are held by the mighty power of God! His victory is displayed as we face confusing circumstances with faith!
V. 9 provides us with two more examples. Persecuted, but not forsaken. I love this one. We are subject to systematic harassment because of our faith in Jesus Christ. This is a reality for believers. Yet even in the face of this harassment, we are not forsaken! God does not abandon, desert, or depart from us! No matter what we face, no matter how difficult the trial, we can be assured of the continuing presence of God in our lives! We are never forsaken. Struck down but not destroyed. I think all of us have had life hit us so hard it was like a knockout punch. This can be an almost frightening aspect of life. There are going to be moments when we are so hard hit we feel like we’ve been knocked to the ground! Yet the promise is that we are not destroyed! The damage we may suffer is not irreparable! Our God restores and strengthens.
Hard pressed, not crushed. Perplexed, not in despair. Persecuted, not forsaken. Struck down, not destroyed! In v. 10 we are reminded of our mortality. Being continually reminded of the death of Christ better enables us to display His life. His victory is manifest in us as we face trials and hardships yet are not overcome by them. His faithfulness enables us to carry on. Christ’s victory over death gives us life! This brings us to the final example…
Being continually reminded of the death of Christ better enables us to display His life. His victory is manifest in us as we face trials and hardships yet are not overcome by them. His faithfulness enables us to carry on.
Manifesting Christ’s Life vv. 11-12
We who live are believers. We are alive both spiritually and physically. This is true life. Yet in our true life we face death for Jesus sake. Why? So that His life is displayed in us! The trials and difficulties we face serve to manifest the life of Christ in us. We die to ourselves and face death that others may see how Christ in us is the hope of glory. The more we face death, the more others are drawn into a life with Christ!
The trials and difficulties we face serve to manifest the life of Christ in us. We die to ourselves and face death that others may see how Christ in us is the hope of glory.
We best manifest the life of Christ when we face the threat of death with peace, calm, and faith-filled assurance! We serve the God who has conquered death! What do we have to fear? His life gives us the strength necessary to face death.
CHALLENGE: Manifest the power, victory, and life of Christ!
V. 7
Excellence - ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē) extraordinary degree. Extraordinary overabundance n. — the state of having extremely (even superlatively) more than is necessary. Noun (subject), nominative, singular, feminine.
V. 8
Hard-pressed - θλίβω (thlibō) afflict; oppress. to be caused to be distressed v. — to be brought into difficulties or distress or suffering. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Crushed - στενοχωρέομαι (stenochōreomai) restrict; confine. To be distressed hopelessly v. — to be in a distressing situation without hope of escape, survival, or other positive outcomes; possibly conceived of as an extremely narrow area from which no physical escape can be found. Verb, present, active, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Perplexed - ἀπορέω (aporeō) be perplexed; be at a loss. To be perplexed v. — to be or become filled with confusion resulting from failure to understand. Verb, present, middle, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Despair - ἐξαπορέομαι (exaporeomai) be in doubt; be in despair. To fall apart v. — to lose one’s emotional or mental composure. Verb, present, either middle or passive, participle with indicative force, nominative, masculine.
V. 9
V. 9
. 9
Persecuted - διώκομαι (diōkomai) pursue; persecute. To be persecuted v. — to be or become subject to systematic harassment and attack due to one’s religious beliefs. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Forsaken - ἐγκαταλείπομαι (enkataleipomai) desert; forsake; abandon. To be left behind v. — to be or become forsaken or abandoned by someone at their departure (either intentionally or through neglect). Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Struck down - καταβάλλομαι (kataballomai) throw down; strike down. to be felled v. — to be or become fallen by or as if by receiving a blow. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.
Destroyed - ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) destroy; perish; lose. To be destroyed v. — to be or become destroyed or damaged irreparably. Verb, present, either middle or passive, participle, plural, nominative, masculine.
V. 10
Manifested - φανερόω (phaneroō) reveal; make clear. To be manifest v. — to be or become clearly revealed to the mind, the senses, or judgment. Finite verb, aorist, passive, subjunctive, third person, singular.
V. 11
Delivered - παραδίδομι (paradidomi) deliver; hand over; betray. To be brought into a state ⇔ be delivered v. — to be or become forced or compelled into a state or condition; conceived of as being handed over to an authority. Finite verb, present, passive, indicative, first person, plural.
V. 12
Working - ἐνεργέω (energeō) work; be at work. To function v. — to do what something is used for; perform as expected when operating. Finite verb, present, middle, indicative, third person, singular.