Young People's Group

A TREASURE IN EARTHERN VESSELS

by Pastor Mitch
October 09, 2005

Seeing How Pressurising And Perplexing Life Can Be – The Example Of Paul

Life is tough! The sooner we understand this, the more geared we will be in coping with it. When we look at the life and ministry of Paul, we appreciate the reality that he had gone through many trying moments. Paul had to cope with all kinds of pressuring and perplexing situations.

“We are hard-pressed on every side… we are perplexed… persecuted… struck down”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Paul and friends were faced with immense troubles from every quarter. They went through perplexing situations. They were persecuted. Furthermore, the problem was exacerbated by the fact that Paul was conscious that they were “earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). He was conscious of how weak he was as he faced these difficult times. Truly, life can be most pressurising and perplexing.

Divine Light As A Powerful Treasure

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels”
2 Corinthians 4:7

Though life is tough, yet the Lord has given us something wonderful and precious to help us cope. We have a powerful treasure from God in our frail bodies. This treasure is the divine light that the Lord has given us.

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6

This is the light of the knowledge of the glories of God and the Lord Jesus. It is this light from God that will sustain and enable us to cope with any trial in life. Let’s learn to treasure this light from the Lord. Ultimately, the glory of that power that helps us cope is not of us but it is of God.

“That the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7

When we are able to endure the challenges of life, all glory will go to God.

Appropriating A Conquering Spirit

“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

With this divine light, we can appropriate an overcoming spirit. We can learn much from the example of Paul on how to persevere when the going gets tough. Paul never gave up no matter what he went through. It was the light of the Lord Jesus that gave him the joy and the ability to conquer all pressuring and perplexing situations. Though he was harried on every side, yet he was not crushed. His spirit did not despair. He had a tenacity of spirit that would hold fast to the end. He was greatly persecuted and yet he did not give up hope. He never gave in to feelings of being forsaken. He pressed on no matter what was hurled at him. Paul had appropriated a fantastic and powerful spirit that would overcome any obstacle. Young people, our challenge is also to cultivate such a strong spirit. Let’s choose not to give in to the problems of life. Let’s seek to be conquerors who will overcome any challenge or problem in life.

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