26 April 2009

Text: 2 Corinthians 4

“THAT THE LIFE OF JESUS MAY BE MANIFESTED IN OUR BODY”

(I) WONDERFUL WAYS OF DESCRIBING OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST

1. We become God’s children                       

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12

2. The Holy Spirit indwells us as our Seal and our Guarantee

“…in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

(II) A SPECIAL WAY OF DESCRIBING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

“Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:10

1. The dying of the Lord Jesus in our body

a) A reference to the way Jesus faced death           

i) He was not afraid to die

ii) He faced death with great calmness and courage

iii) He saw beyond death

b) A challenge to all believers to face death in the same way

i) With faith

ii) Without fear

iii) Walking in the footsteps of Jesus

2. The life of Jesus manifested in our body

a) There is great power in living as Jesus did

b) The way we live manifests the very life of Jesus

c) The power of Jesus is given to us to manifest His Life significantly

(III) A SPECIAL CHALLENGE TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH IN CHRIST

1. We can make it our life’s goal to preach Christ Jesus           

“…we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord…” 2 Corinthians 4:5a

2. We can serve the Lord

“…bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5b

3. We can manifest the life of Christ mightily

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

4. We are unafraid to even die for Jesus

“For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake…” 2 Corinthians 4:11

(IV) THE EXAMPLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

“For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:11

1. Living for Jesus

2. Delivered to death for Jesus’ sake

3. Manifesting of the life of Jesus in the mortal flesh