Text: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 17-18

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Introduction:

John Newton wrote the song “Faith’s Review and Expectation” (Amazing Grace).

Verse 3

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

John Newton didn’t write those words because that sounded good or to give the organist an opportunity to play some effective minor chords. He wrote them because he lived them. Its remarkable how many close encounters with death this man had. Notice the three categories:

·         Dangers

·         Toils

·         Snares

Consider a few of his highlights:

·         At a shooting party, he stumbles and his shotgun goes off shooting his hat off his head.

·         During a storm at sea he was sent below while his replacement was washed overboard.

·         He was pulled away from a river trip in Africa, the boat sank: all were lost.

·         He once jumped overboard to retrieve his fallen hat, he couldn’t swim, a shipmate grabbed pulled him to safety.

Newton regarded his survival as proof of the hand of God. It persuaded him that God must have a particular purpose for his life.

Wouldn’t you love to be in heaven with John Newton and Paul sit together and exchange stories?

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (Paul’s list)

23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

If John Newton talked about shipwrecks, Paul could say, “Been there, done that”, three times actually. Perhaps it seems to you that your own life is fairly humdrum, not exactly Hollywood blockbuster material. You can imagine Paul and John Newton looking up at you from that heavenly table and saying, “Now, what’s your story?” And you stammer, “Well you see, I haven’t had too many adventures really, I am a __________.

Think a little harder. We all have our portion of dangers, toils, and snares, some dramatic and most less dramatic, it makes no difference.

·         Have you ever lost a love one and thought your heart would break?

·         Have you experienced a painful divorce?

·         Have you ever been out of work, unable to pay bills and not certain what you were going to do?

·         Or how about this one: have you ever been a parent? If the answer to that one question alone is yes, that you are an authority on dangers, toils and snares. I know of no parent who hasn’t lain awake nights worrying about his or her children for all kinds of reasons.

I’m certain you’ve had your share of each of these:

·         Times of danger: When you’ve been truly afraid!

·         Times of toil: When you labored almost beyond endurance!

·         Times of snare: When you’ve wrestled with temptation, sometimes winning, sometimes losing!

1.                  The Purpose of Grace in the Christian Life

a.       Clay pots have little to no value in itself, but they can hold priceless items. It’s not the jar but the treasure inside that counts.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2.                  The Purpose of Dangers, Toils, and Snares in the Christian Life

a.       Reminds us we aren’t so great

2 Corinthians 12:7-8

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

3.                  God’s Grace Produces Power in the Christian Life

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

4.                  God’s Grace Provides Perspective in the Christian Life

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

5.                  Closing

Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.