TEACHING

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2022
10:30 AM (in-person + livestream + kids! + communion & prayer)
Second Corinthians Series:
Memento Mori
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Memento Mori is a Latin phrase used to remind you that you will die. It has been used in various ways, even during medieval plagues, to come to terms with death. Paul, at the start of his letter, spoke of being faithful to Jesus' call in facing death. When we follow Jesus' teachings and share Christ, our awareness of death can be transformed into a source of power and life NOW! The power of death is changed in Jesus, for the sake of Jesus and in turn, Jesus transforms us as we face it.
EMAIL QUESTIONS HERE or TEXT: 604-426-1230​
CONNECT WITH US HERE
​GIVE HERE

Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.

ONLINE NOTES:

PRINT ME

WHERE WE WERE/WHERE WE’RE GOING

• Outline
• Review

TAKE OFF: Theological Insights

• Motif of dying and rising with Christ

JOURNEY THROUGH THE TEXT

• 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in clay jars,
  • “But”
• 7b so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 
• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed,
  • This is a divine paradox for Paul and the mode of authentic gospel ministry.
• 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body. 
  • Luther’s Rose Cross...https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Lutherrose.svg/1024px-Lutherrose.svg.png 

“if you want to see resurrection at work here and now in your own life, you have to be prepared to see crucifixion at work as well" (NT Wright, 45).

• Two parallel statements that serve to amplify verse 7 and give a theological meaning to the hardships in 8-9.
• “carry around”
• 2 Corinthians 4:10b/11b So that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body...so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body”
  • 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 echo - the aroma of death is also the aroma of life.
• 2 Corinthians 4:12 As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 
  • We know from experience even in the simplest physical things that some pain produces greater strength.
    • Pain of learning produces...
    • Pain of the gym produces...
• The Cross has a power under that is revealed uniquely in our suffering - and the church is built up.
• 2 Corinthians 4:13 But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak.
  • Psalm 116:10
  • The Spirit may mean the Holy Spirit produces faith but, probably the attitude of faith that endures in difficult circumstances. The response of faith is bold telling of Jesus. 
• 2 Corinthians 4:14 We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence.
• 2 Corinthians 4:15 For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. 
  • “all this” suffering, work, proclamation is for the benefit of God’s kingdom breaking in now on earth and to come.

LANDING AND FINAL WORD

​For Reflection and Discussion

​​(NT Wright, others, adapted)

1. When did you experience a setback that seemed overwhelming?
2. What happened later because of or out of that setback?
3. In 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Paul, over and over again, comes back to what life is like for a real/genuine/authentic apostle. How does Paul view his experiences?
4. What does the image of earthenware pots communicate?
5. How does both life and death work at the same time?
6. At the time Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 1, he was feeling he was being crushed, abandoned, and destroyed. How is this an encouragement when we are going through persecution, temptation, suffering, loss/grief, tragedy or sorrow?
7. Think of when you felt crushed and abandoned but now looking back, you realize you were not overcome. How were you actually living out the nature of the gospel in that situation?
8. Paul occasionally quotes a short line from the Bible when he wants his readers to recall a whole story or the whole setting and mood of a passage. In verse 13, he quotes Psalm 116:10. Look over the whole of Psalm 116. How does it fit with 2 Corinthians 4:13-15(16-18)?
9. In your prayer huddles pray the words of 8-9 and for the Lord’s strength and hope for what you are facing now in life.

​