WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.440 Well, morning, everyone. Do come with me back to this passage, 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:13.019 Let me just reread to us verse 7. But we have this treasure in jars of clay 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:23.460 to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. So here's what I think is 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:26.920 the hardest question to answer in a job interview. See if you agree. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:33.240 3. What would you consider to be your weaknesses? Now, what on earth do you do with that? 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:38.280 Because we don't know what to do with that, what we do is we take a question that really, 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:44.640 when you boil it down, is all about showing self-awareness. And what we do is we subtly 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:50.520 turn it into a little bit of self-promotion, don't we? So my friends say, I'm too honest. Do they? 00:00:50.520 --> 00:00:56.420 Great. I work too hard. I'm a perfectionist. I'm committed to going the extra on my own. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:04.379 Have you ever wondered why we have a hard time admitting weaknesses? I imagine it's to do with 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:10.879 the fact that as a culture, we celebrate the impressive, right? Anthem of my childhood growing 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:17.159 up, I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never going to keep me down, right? 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:24.299 Those 90s songs that made you ask the deep questions of life. We go nuts for that narrative, 00:01:24.479 --> 00:01:29.640 don't we? The student who started their start-up company, and then they sold it for millions, 00:01:29.759 --> 00:01:36.959 and is now doing the TED Talk circuit. The basketball player who defied all the odds to make it to the 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:43.219 top of the NBA. The couple from Rotherham who appeared on Homes Under the Hammer because they bought a 00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:48.840 property auction. They did it up, and now they're selling it for a five-figure profit. That's the 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:57.620 stuff that Disney and Netflix and the BBC make biopics of, isn't it? Here's the thing. Success stories 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:03.099 sell. And as we get back into this letter today, here's what we're going to see. 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:14.939 That what God says is glorious, and what the world thinks is impressive are two very different things. 00:02:15.799 --> 00:02:25.199 So here's the invitation. Come and bring your weakness to this passage. Come and bring your 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:30.620 struggles. Come and bring your sufferings. Come and bring your fears. Come and bring your sin. 00:02:30.620 --> 00:02:38.780 Come and bring your ordinary looking life. Come and bring your emotions, and allow God to tell us 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:47.659 where real lasting glory in this life is to be found. Because the thing is, success stories sell 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:55.540 in this city of Corinth as well. This booming port city, a little southwest of Athens. If you're into 00:02:55.540 --> 00:03:00.360 geography and into maps like me, you'll love getting into that. Find Corinth on the map, 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:06.400 giving you a little clue, right? It's a city that's just a melting pot of all sorts of different 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:13.940 peoples. It's a city where money and pleasure and making a name for yourself are the name of the game. 00:03:14.820 --> 00:03:23.840 This is Benidorm and Manhattan rolled into one. One commentator described the city of Corinth like this. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:32.539 He says, Corinth was a city with a Roman face, a Greek heart, a large Jewish minority, and get this, 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:38.819 and a deeply ingrained universal desire to impress. 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:50.180 And like osmosis, that whole success stories sell scent, how about that for alliteration, 00:03:51.539 --> 00:03:57.219 that's pungent all over Corinth, is beginning to waft its way into the church as well. 00:03:57.219 --> 00:04:03.900 These false teachers who are playing to the Corinthian crowds, right, with their impressive 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:09.219 looking lives and words. It's like Ant and Decker hosting an episode of Corinth's Got Talent every 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:14.579 week when they gather. They're saying there's no wiggle room for weakness in the Christian life. 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:23.579 And what Paul is writing to do is to try and convince the people in this church, who he loves so 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:32.479 dearly, he's trying to convince them not to buy it. And instead embrace the genuineness of him and his 00:04:32.479 --> 00:04:40.399 pattern of ministry, a life that's modeled on and being conformed to the crucified and the resurrected 00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:50.019 Jesus. And what we arrive at today is one of the most powerful and liberating metaphors 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:55.879 to describe the Christian life that you will find anywhere in Scripture. Ready for a big claim? 00:04:56.279 --> 00:05:01.259 Here's the claim. You get this, and it really does have the power to change your life. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:06.779 And to get it, imagine that we're back in that job interview. 00:05:08.159 --> 00:05:11.579 And imagine Paul's the one in the seat. Paul's the one getting grilled. 00:05:11.579 --> 00:05:18.039 And the question comes, doesn't it? Paul, describe yourself in three words. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:26.500 What does he say? Verse 7. Describe yourself in three words. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:32.000 He says, jar of clay. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:38.339 As my American pals would say, let's riff on that metaphor for a little bit. 00:05:38.339 --> 00:05:44.479 Okay. What is a jar of clay? Right. In the first century Roman world, 00:05:45.659 --> 00:05:53.060 a jar of clay was just an everyday fragile container that was used to transport all sorts 00:05:53.060 --> 00:06:01.759 of goods across the length of the empire. Oil, wine, documents, valuables. I guess today 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:07.339 the equivalent might be the cardboard box that your Amazon package comes in. 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:14.539 Okay. Because think about it. The last time you received an Amazon package in the post, 00:06:14.619 --> 00:06:18.339 here's a question. How long did you spend looking at the box? 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:25.759 Could you even know who made the box? Me neither. 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:34.079 But it's a metaphor. If we press into it a bit more, it's a metaphor that precisely counters 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:38.599 the Corinthian obsession with impressiveness. Doesn't it? 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:49.000 Counters it. And yet, friends, it's into these jars that represent broken, fragile, 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:59.639 fearful, unimpressive people like us. With all sorts of struggles, with all sorts of baggage, 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:05.240 with all sorts of issues, with all kinds of limitations, with all kinds of ailments. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:12.779 We are the place that God by his spirit, see the text, has put the treasure of his gospel. 00:07:12.779 --> 00:07:21.500 It's not about being impressive on the outside. It's all about the treasure that God has placed on the inside. 00:07:23.979 --> 00:07:35.799 Jar of clay. All I'm wanting to convince us of this morning is to embrace that jar of clay model of life. 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:42.639 What Paul does, he gives us two big reasons why he embraces that metaphor. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:46.000 We're going to look at them together, and then from those two big reasons, 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:50.620 I've just got two real quick questions to ask us as we flesh out the application, 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:52.360 what it's going to look like in our lives this week. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:57.639 Okay? Now, here's the first reason that Paul embraces a jar of clay existence. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:02.920 In the text, it's because he knows, as he does it, who is being revealed. 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:10.259 So come with me to verse 10 to 12 and see how does Paul describe his life. 00:08:11.400 --> 00:08:14.319 How did he describe it? It's three times you get it. 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:16.500 It's death-shaped. 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:23.600 And to flesh that out, he tells the Corinthians how life is going. 00:08:26.200 --> 00:08:28.139 And he's not winning at life, is he? 00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:31.639 Verse 8 and 9, what does he say? 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:33.960 Just take these in. He's hard-pressed. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:35.939 This is how life is going right now. 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:37.159 He's persecuted. 00:08:37.819 --> 00:08:39.179 He's perplexed. 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:40.439 He's struck down. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:45.319 Verse 16, outwardly, he is wasting away. 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:49.439 So life has taken its toll on his physical body. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:50.179 That's what he's saying. 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:55.639 And that suffering is coming as a direct result of his pursuit of Jesus. 00:08:57.059 --> 00:09:02.979 As he walks the narrow road and as his life goes right against the grain of the world, its values and its logic. 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:06.519 And yet, here is why he keeps going. 00:09:08.079 --> 00:09:16.740 Verse 10, because he knows as he does it, he is revealing the life of Jesus. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:20.279 Do you see how the word death there comes up three times? 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:23.220 And yet, the word life comes up there three times as well. 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:24.919 Here's what I think he means. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:31.720 When people look at him and they see him go through this stuff and yet he's not crushed. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.019 Do you see his language there? 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:34.299 He's not in despair. 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:35.980 He's not abandoned. 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:37.139 He's not destroyed. 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:40.120 That he's no social jogger. 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:43.440 He only puts on his sneaks and gets out there when it's nice outside. 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:44.680 He's really into this. 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:47.620 They look at him and they say, what on earth keeps that guy going? 00:09:49.459 --> 00:09:54.379 There's no circumstantial reason why he's still plodding on. 00:09:54.959 --> 00:09:56.679 How do you explain it? 00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:05.879 And the answer is that God is both sustaining and with him through it all. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:20.179 And yet, incredibly, it's not despite, but through Paul's unimpressive life and the words that accompany it, that people are becoming Christians. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:25.979 And so people put those two things right next to each other on the table. 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:29.459 People becoming Christians, Paul's unimpressive life. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.759 And they cannot square that circle. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:43.840 And yet, the only conclusion that they can reach is that people are becoming Christians and it's nothing to do with Paul's impressive life. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.659 What is it to do with? 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:52.000 It's to do with the fact that the treasure, it's power, the power of the message through the work of the Spirit. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:54.799 That's the treasure that's helping people become Christians. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:11:00.860 Jar of clay is revealing Jesus. 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:04.740 Just park it for the application at the end for our lives, okay? 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:08.059 His unimpressive life is revealing Jesus. 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:13.340 Second reason is because he knows what's up ahead. 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:16.519 What does he know, verse 14? 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.360 What's ahead of him? 00:11:17.780 --> 00:11:19.800 The resurrection from the dead. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:24.280 When his suffering and his trials will be over. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:28.740 When his physical body will be made new. 00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:31.300 Glorious truths. 00:11:31.300 --> 00:11:40.500 But the real wonder of it is that God, he says, will present us with you to himself. 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:44.460 He gets God. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:51.100 You could even say that's where his story really begins. 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:56.740 And so with that in mind and with his eyes fixed there, do you see how Paul does? 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:58.519 He just contrasts two things. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:03.240 Firstly, he contrasts what is going on outwardly. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:06.080 His body, it's wasting away. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:10.440 Contrasted to what's going on inwardly. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:13.379 The new him in Christ. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:16.759 That person who is growing in love for Jesus. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:19.919 Is being conformed more to Jesus by the Spirit. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:21.259 It's happening all the time. 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:23.620 Outwardly he's wasting away. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:27.720 Inwardly he's being renewed day by day. 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:33.220 I think this is kind of like, remember those expanding sea creature toys that you used to put in the bath when you were young? 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.200 Started off small. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:36.860 You put it in. 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:37.440 What happened? 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.659 Is it just grew and grew and grew and grew. 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:44.419 And that's what's happening inwardly in Paul's life. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.279 He's growing. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.679 That's the first contrast. 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:50.639 The second contrast. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:53.720 And get this, this is wonderful. 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:58.860 Is between what's temporary and what's eternal. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:04.319 What's time limited and what's forever. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:10.419 Paul knows this life and what he's going through now is temporary. 00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:13.399 Now you've got to see what he calls it in verse 17. 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:21.740 With all the pastoral sensitivity in the world as a man who is going through all of these things. 00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:22.740 What does he call it? 00:13:25.099 --> 00:13:29.279 He calls it a light and momentary struggle. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:33.620 Now he doesn't deny that these are troubles. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.799 You've got to see that. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:36.639 He doesn't deny that these are troubles. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:44.340 But it's as if Paul would take us by the hand and take us all the way to the children's swing park. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:47.199 And he would take us to the seesaw. 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:54.460 And what he does is he puts the hardships and the sufferings that we go through in this life on one end. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:57.020 And he puts eternal glory. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:14:01.340 Being in the presence of the God that we love on the other end. 00:14:02.520 --> 00:14:08.200 And he says it's like putting a fully grown sumo wrestler on one end and a tiny child on the other. 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:10.800 There just is no competition. 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:14.659 Compared to what's next. 00:14:14.839 --> 00:14:19.299 What we are suffering now he says will shrink and pale into the background. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:22.500 And even more than that. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:24.799 So sovereign and good is this God. 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:27.659 That it's not despite these things. 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:30.319 But it's through these things. 00:14:30.979 --> 00:14:37.779 That God is achieving this inner renewal thing in Paul's life. 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:42.100 He's a jar of clay. 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:48.600 So here's the two questions for us as we begin to think about this specifically. 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.500 And how it might apply to our lives. 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:53.559 Here's question number one friends. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:56.959 Do some of us need to embrace our limits? 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:02.100 Do some of us need to lean into this morning harder. 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.699 This jar of clay existence. 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:08.320 Can I hit you with some facts? 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.720 Fun facts I learned this week. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:12.320 I'm sure someone will correct me on this one. 00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:13.620 But give me grace. 00:15:14.140 --> 00:15:14.300 Okay. 00:15:15.020 --> 00:15:17.540 Did you know that over 60% of your body is water? 00:15:19.540 --> 00:15:21.240 Try not to look at any medics in the room. 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:27.460 And did you know that the metabolical value of your body. 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:28.820 If you boiled it all down. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.940 Took it to the marketplace. 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.700 And said what price I can get for this. 00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:35.100 Do you know that you wouldn't even have enough to buy two flat whites? 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:38.720 There's a conversation starter next time you go to Costa. 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.080 Right? 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:42.259 Friends you and I are made of dust. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:50.320 And yet the joke is that too often we feel like we need to run around like headless chickens. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.759 Justifying our worth. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:57.639 And our world doesn't it that values busyness. 00:15:58.439 --> 00:16:02.539 Our world values busyness and it equates that busyness with importance. 00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:05.580 What are we so often tempted to do? 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:08.120 To push the limits. 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:13.860 But here is an invitation to embrace the limits. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:19.899 Are you not so glad that God through the pen of Paul picked that metaphor? 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:25.340 All sorts of metaphors he could have picked. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.959 But he picked this one. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:31.399 Can I suggest that that is hugely good news for us this morning? 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:40.259 Is it not so freeing to know that the name of the game is not be awesome for Jesus so that others will think he's awesome too? 00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:47.659 No, it's to reveal to people through our jar of clay lives. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:57.000 Because the treasure is in us, friends. 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:02.600 God turns our weaknesses into his opportunities. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:13.480 Know that when we respond to everyday trials, big or small, in faithful ways. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:20.720 When people look at you and say, there's something bigger going on in their lives that's making them tick. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.620 And I don't quite get it. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:28.319 Know that in those moments that you are revealing the life of Jesus. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:33.620 Students, see, I know many of you are coming to the final lap. 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:39.779 See when your friends can see that you're not panicking about the upcoming finishing line. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:41.940 And what happens after that. 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:43.380 I remember what it was like. 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.799 Everyone else freaking out. 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:46.500 What are we going to do after we're finished? 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:48.360 See when people can see that you're not. 00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:52.240 Because they know that you trust a God who knows the end from the beginning. 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:55.640 And has good works prepared in advance for you to do. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.920 Who is holding you. 00:17:57.740 --> 00:18:00.600 And your life is more than grades and jobs. 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.820 See when people can see that. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:04.620 Can I encourage you not to underestimate what God can do through that. 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:12.719 Those of us right now who are facing or staring down the barrel of unemployment or redundancy. 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:15.239 When people can see that you face those things. 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:17.039 And your world isn't falling apart. 00:18:18.699 --> 00:18:22.059 As we begin to get older and our bodies break down. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:25.639 I'm now at this stage when I get on my knees to change a nappy. 00:18:25.739 --> 00:18:28.359 I get down on my knees and I think, what else can I do when I'm down here? 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:30.379 Because it takes such an effort to get up. 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:34.539 But when people see our bodies beginning to break down. 00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.699 As we age. 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:38.959 And this is why sports players have such a hard time when they retire. 00:18:40.479 --> 00:18:45.419 We live our lives in such a way that people can see that our identity was never wrapped up. 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:48.359 Primarily with our appearance or our abilities. 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:50.299 Or what we did for a job. 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:54.359 It's always been in something way more lasting and satisfying. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.599 That will never fade. 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:59.219 When people look at you funny. 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:02.279 Because you've got convictions. 00:19:02.459 --> 00:19:08.219 Loving convictions about sexuality, gender, beginning of life, end of life issues. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:13.619 And they wonder why you would hold those views when everyone else disagrees with you. 00:19:13.939 --> 00:19:16.199 When you're willing to take the hit because of Jesus. 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:18.539 Your love for him and your trust in his word. 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:22.039 Friends, you will be a walking question mark in the eyes of the watching world. 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:25.459 That you are not crushed. 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.839 When hard times come. 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:30.519 That we are not despairing. 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:33.799 We are not abandoned by our God. 00:19:33.899 --> 00:19:35.279 Friends, when we do those things. 00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:38.219 We are revealing the life of Jesus. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:43.099 Where is God calling you right now? 00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:45.779 Where is the spirit putting his finger on in your lives? 00:19:46.459 --> 00:19:49.179 Friends, where we need to embrace our limits. 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:53.340 Here's the second question. 00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:56.340 Do some of us need to expand our horizons? 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:59.400 We live in a quick fix world, don't we? 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:04.560 Where you can get easily duped into confusing the immediate and the lasting. 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:06.220 We want that sugar hit. 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.080 Right? 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:09.279 What is it about sugar? 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:14.779 It mentally tricks you into thinking that you're full when actually you're empty. 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:18.639 And instead of going for something that is more lasting, what do we do? 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:20.399 We just want another hit. 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:26.119 You know, our kids over Christmas, they went to granny's and they built a gingerbread house. 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:34.859 And they smothered all over it sugar, icing, rainbow laces, little stars, jelly tots. 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:36.500 Didn't even know jelly tots were still going. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.619 And they brought it home. 00:20:39.979 --> 00:20:44.239 And it's almost as if Paul is saying here, do you see how much of life is just covered in sugar coating? 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:49.639 It makes you think you're full, but actually it will leave you empty. 00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:54.899 So much of the things that we chase in this life are covered in sugar. 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:58.900 And it's as if Paul drags us to see that we need to be playing the long game. 00:21:00.300 --> 00:21:01.540 Don't take the quick hit. 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.700 Play the long game. 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:08.920 Something way more satisfying, something way more lasting is on offer. 00:21:09.280 --> 00:21:13.100 Can I just say this is going to be particularly special to you if you're going through a really hard time. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:19.660 To know that there is a sell-by date to your suffering. 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:25.279 And is Jesus not our wonderful example of patience? 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.480 Patience with people. 00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:32.060 Patience in circumstances. 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:35.000 Patience in suffering. 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:39.779 To the extent that for the joy before him, he would endure the cross. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:41.680 Because Jesus was patient. 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:45.980 Because he had his eyes fixed on lasting things. 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:51.119 Friends, he saves us by his death on the cross and he invites us into that life. 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:56.779 Paul is fixing his eyes on eternal things. 00:21:56.899 --> 00:22:02.059 Know from this passage, friends, if your trust is in Jesus, then resurrection is your future. 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:08.399 And because of that, Paul thinks about the inner man. 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:15.139 And the question comes to his friends, what are we doing to sow inwardly? 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:22.899 You know, when I was a student during my summers, I used to work at the front of a bank. 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:28.300 And they trained you to ask every single customer two questions. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.540 Here was question number one. 00:22:30.060 --> 00:22:31.519 How would you like your cash? 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.440 Remember those days, friends, of physical money? 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:40.640 Remember when they had the audacity to make you stand at an ETM and enter your digits so that you would get the money? 00:22:41.060 --> 00:22:42.000 Do you remember physical money? 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.000 Great days. 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:47.480 Ask the person, how would you like your money? 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:50.340 10, 20, 30, 50, but how would you like your money? 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:56.819 Second question, would you be interested in speaking to one of our team about increasing your savings? 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.959 And here was the subtext of that question. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:04.459 We want you to be investing yourself here. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:10.699 And as if God is inviting us to do exactly that, do you see it? 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:19.019 Investing ourselves in the things that are unseen, that are glorious and eternal. 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:22.200 Are we investing ourselves there? 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:26.379 Seriously, that's what we do every time we pick up our Bibles. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:28.259 Don't know if you've ever thought about it like that. 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:34.680 It is an investment as we spend time in God's Word, getting these promises into our head and our heart. 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:38.180 It is an investment in the things that are unseen. 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:43.480 I always love how Augustine, church father from years ago, talked about the Bible. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:48.440 He talked about it and he said that the Holy Scriptures are our letters from home. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:49.940 I love that. 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:53.099 The Bible is our letter from home. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:55.880 Sowing. 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.480 Sowing inwardly. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.960 Sowing to the things that will last. 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.980 Sowing to the things that are unseen. 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.380 Sowing to the things that are eternal. 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:04.500 Sowing to the things that are eternal. 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:07.080 And so here is Paul's conclusion. 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.060 Verse 16. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:13.040 And it's the one that he started with at verse 1 that kind of bookends this chapter. 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:18.100 He said, I do not lose heart. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:26.820 You know, just as we close, let me tell you about a girl who was part of this church family years ago called Joanna. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:29.980 Some of you remember Joanna and Bobby when they were here. 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:31.560 Joanna was a community nurse. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:38.099 Remember one of the patients that she visited regularly in his care home was a man called Derek Prime. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:42.559 Derek Prime used to be the pastor at Charlotte Chapel for many, many years. 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:49.440 And when he got older, when his body was fading away, his family moved him to a care home so he could get the help that he needed. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:55.639 And Derek Prime was one of those people who had died during COVID and had a handful of people at his funeral. 00:24:55.640 --> 00:25:04.700 But Joanna remember telling me the story that when he died, Joanna put it on the WhatsApp group with all her colleagues. 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:07.320 They used to have a big WhatsApp group and they just contributed things. 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:11.680 Either she, I think she put it on or somebody else put it on, on the WhatsApp group. 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:14.400 And she said, I didn't think anyone would notice. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:21.240 And all of a sudden, one by one, her colleagues come back with stories of this man. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:28.319 And the things that he'd said, the things that he'd pointed out when they used to care for him in his room. 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:33.500 Apparently, he had the nickname as the old man who always loved to sing. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:39.279 Always used to love to sing hymns in the morning when people used to come to visit him. 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:46.019 He used to explain the hymns, where they came from, and said, would you like me to read to you? 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.319 Gave them a tract. 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:49.660 He was the man who always loved to sing. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:57.140 Friends, if the scriptures are our letters from home, are not the songs that we sing, the anthems that we sing as we get there? 00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:59.740 This man used to love to sing. 00:25:59.800 --> 00:26:03.259 One of his favorites, and many of us will remember this old hymn. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.540 And it really is wonderful. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:07.759 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds. 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:11.340 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:18.300 In a believer's ear, it soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away our fear. 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:24.339 It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the troubled breast. 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:30.399 Tis manna to the hungry soul and to the weary rest. 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:32.220 Do you know what my new ambition in life is? 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.799 To finish like that. 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:45.659 A jar of clay that lives to reveal the treasure that God has put within. 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:54.000 Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:58.819 And the words of Hebrews chapter 12. 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:08.839 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:19.299 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:27.359 For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:35.240 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:42.680 And so, Father, I pray today that you would simply lift our eyes to the things that are eternal. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:47.799 Help us, Father, to be people who live for the things that are yet to be revealed. 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:52.259 Lord, help us to invest in the things unseen. 00:27:53.160 --> 00:28:00.500 Lord, by your Spirit, right now, Father, would you be bringing comfort to those of us who need to be comforted? 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:04.720 Would you be bringing challenge to those of us who need to be challenged? 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:10.720 Would you be bringing that confidence, Lord, to those of us who are perhaps doubting? 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:13.920 We thank you, Lord, for a glorious gospel. 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:18.120 And so, Father, we pray that you would be with us as we finish our time together. 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:22.140 Help us fix our eyes on Jesus, we pray. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.440 Amen.