Word for the day by Christina Education Forum
Renewal of the Church
Jicy Mathew
Bethel MTC, PA
11 For while we live, we
are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus
may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
In verses 7-15, Paul relates the minister of the gospel to a piece of Palestinian pottery, “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (v.7). The treasure in which Paul depicts is the good news regarding Jesus Christ. The jars of clay are referred to as “earthenware vessels” (ostrankinois skeuesin). The term skeuos is a vessel that serves a purpose, similar to a cup or a jug. So to be God’s “vessel” is to be his instrument in carrying our specific purpose, which is the ministry of the gospel. Paul’s attitude regarding the clay pots explains that an individual is like a disposable, fragile clay pot, but within the pot is a treasure of love and grace that has been given to us by the power of God.
In 2nd Corinthians 4:18, it says, “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.” Concerning the renewal of the church, having eternal priorities is essential. When our minds are focused on the eternal, our priorities will flow naturally. There are four principles evident in a renewed church:
The first and foremost priority should be to worship God. When we focus on eternity, we see self-worship to be absurd although it is naturally prone to us. A church that is renewed to be Christ-centered is honoring to Christ.
The second priority is to serve God. We as humans are naturally selfish, we like to serve ourselves before we serve others. A renewed church is outward-focused, willing to serve God by serving others. Just as it says in Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
The third priority for the renewal of the church is to give to God. Financial giving is the palpable example of the renewal of the heart. Just as it says in Matthew 6:19-20, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”
The last eternal priority should be to stand as a witness for God. As Christians, it is possible to lose eternal focus, when we lose this focus, we tend to suffer. We as Christians have the Christian obligation to share the gospel with everyone. It will be recognized as a priority when we are renewed in the Lord.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-5.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Let your grace, teach us to serve others, worship you in adoration, and share your ministry with others. Amen.
In verses 7-15, Paul relates the minister of the gospel to a piece of Palestinian pottery, “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (v.7). The treasure in which Paul depicts is the good news regarding Jesus Christ. The jars of clay are referred to as “earthenware vessels” (ostrankinois skeuesin). The term skeuos is a vessel that serves a purpose, similar to a cup or a jug. So to be God’s “vessel” is to be his instrument in carrying our specific purpose, which is the ministry of the gospel. Paul’s attitude regarding the clay pots explains that an individual is like a disposable, fragile clay pot, but within the pot is a treasure of love and grace that has been given to us by the power of God.
In 2nd Corinthians 4:18, it says, “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.” Concerning the renewal of the church, having eternal priorities is essential. When our minds are focused on the eternal, our priorities will flow naturally. There are four principles evident in a renewed church:
The first and foremost priority should be to worship God. When we focus on eternity, we see self-worship to be absurd although it is naturally prone to us. A church that is renewed to be Christ-centered is honoring to Christ.
The second priority is to serve God. We as humans are naturally selfish, we like to serve ourselves before we serve others. A renewed church is outward-focused, willing to serve God by serving others. Just as it says in Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
The third priority for the renewal of the church is to give to God. Financial giving is the palpable example of the renewal of the heart. Just as it says in Matthew 6:19-20, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”
The last eternal priority should be to stand as a witness for God. As Christians, it is possible to lose eternal focus, when we lose this focus, we tend to suffer. We as Christians have the Christian obligation to share the gospel with everyone. It will be recognized as a priority when we are renewed in the Lord.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-5.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Let your grace, teach us to serve others, worship you in adoration, and share your ministry with others. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Let the renewal of our soul reveal the love and life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let the renewal of our soul reveal the love and life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.