2 Corinthians 4:7,10(NKJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us…. always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
The earthen vessel can be a cheap decoration in the home. In the olden times, it was made out of clay. It is worthless once it is broken and will be thrown out. We are earthen vessels since we are made of dust. However, it is different when there is a godly treasure in the vessel because it adds value to it. God is in us. 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that we are God’s temple, and the Spirit of God lives in us. We have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ therefore we have to take care of this body well.
We should concentrate on who is IN us rather than who we are, what we have and what we can do on our own. It is especially important to draw upon God’s strength when we are stressed out. The scripture says that the power may be of God and not of us. Therefore, the secret of weathering a crisis is found in the power of God that resides in us! So, what is that power?
It is a power which overcomes resistance or effects a change.
There is an intrinsic power or inherent ability that strengthens us as we go through the process of a challenging time. It is made available to believers only. The power grants us the ability to function despite the stress in our lives. The power is residing inside us therefore His strength is manifested in our weakness. It is not an adrenalin rush that is sustaining us but the power of the resurrected Christ that sustains us when we are hard-pressed on every side. We are made aware that we are able to go through the period of suffering because of God’s strength being made available to us.
2 Corinthians 12:9a (NKJV) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
We are able to take heart that the power is in us. There is the grace of God that infuses strength into our hearts in the midst of our sufferings. Grace is equal to God’s power and ability that support us during times of weakness.
When God’s grace is sufficient for us, it means that God Almighty gives us a supernatural deposit or endowment of inner strength, gifting, ability, know-how, understanding, knowledge and favor which first lead us to salvation, and help us stand in victory and serve God. God’s grace helps us with the pace of life—the stressed and overloaded lives we often face. We need God’s grace especially during those times when we are weak and helpless! There is a strengthening of the inner man through the power of the Holy Spirit which gives us the ability to face any situation.
If you believe this, then say it, “God’s intrinsic and inherent power is working within me to give me the ability, strength, wisdom, might and capability to deal with the current situation. God’s grace is sufficient for me because His strength is fully manifested in my weakness. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”.
Sermon Series: I Believe Therefore I Speak
神的大能
哥林多后书4:7,10(新译本)我们有这宝贝放在瓦器里，要显明这莫大的能力，是出于神，不是出于我们….身上常带着主耶稣的死，使耶稣的生，也显明在我们身上。
陶器在家里可以是一个廉价的居家装饰品。在古代，它是用粘土做的，一旦坏了就没有价值了，会被扔掉。我们是陶器，因为我们是尘土所造。然而，当器皿里有神圣的宝贝时，情况就不一样了，因为它增加了陶器的价值。神在我们里面。哥林多前书3:16提醒我们，我们是神的殿，神的灵住在我们里面。我们是用耶稣基督的宝血买来的，所以我们必须好好照看这个身体。
我们应该专注于谁在我们里面，更甚于我们是谁，我们拥有什么，我们靠着自己能做什么。当我们感到不堪重负时，支取神的能力尤为重要。圣经上说能力是来自神的而不是我们的。因此，度过危机的秘诀在于住在我们里面的神的大能!那么，这种大能是什么呢?
这种力量能够克敌制胜，或引发变革。
有一种内在的力量或根植的能力，使我们在经历一个充满挑战的过程中变得强大。只有信徒才能支取。这种力量赋予我们在生活的压力下仍能运行的能力。神的大能就在我们里面，所以祂的能力彰显在我们的软弱之处。支撑我们的不是肾上腺素，而是当我们四面受敌时复活基督的大能。我们晓得了：我们能够度过艰困时期，是因为有神的力量供应我们。
哥林多后书12:9a(和合本)祂又对我说:“我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。”
我们可以鼓起勇气，相信大能就在我们身上。在我们受苦的时候，神的恩典将力量注入我们心里。恩典等于神的大能大力，在我们软弱的时候支持我们。
神的恩典够我们用，这就意味着全能的神给了我们一种超自然的储备或禀赋，包括内在的力量、恩赐、才能、技能、理解、知识和恩惠，这些首先引导我们走向救恩，帮助我们得胜并事奉神。神的恩典在生活的每一步帮助我们——我们经常面对的压力和超负荷的生活。我们需要神的恩典，尤其是在我们软弱无助的时候!圣灵的大能使我们内在的人得到坚固，使我们有能力面对任何处境。
如果你相信这一点，那就说吧:“神内在本性中的大能就在我里面运行，赐我处理目前处境的才能、力量、智慧、威力和能力。神的恩典够我用，因为祂的力量在我的软弱中充分显明了。我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能作！
讲章系列:我因信，所以如此说话