Everybody Loves a Parade

Introduction

A. Everybody loves a parade. When I was a tot, I can remember going to the Banana Festival in Fulton, KY. There would be a few floats, trucks with hay and people in them, a band or two, some groups marching with signs, all kinds of banana foods. It was a festive time. Other than watching on t.v., I haven’t been to very many parades. Maybe you have. Parades are times to celebrate and have fun as we watch the procession go by. Parades are not new. Even in Paul’s day there would have been parades. Sometimes the parades would have been to honor the conquering heroes returning from battle. Paul uses that image in 2 Corinthians 2:14. Sometimes the parade was a festive occasion. Sometimes the parade was for a particular pagan god. I believe this is the image Paul is using in our text this morning. Everybody loves a parade. According to Paul, we are part of a parade each day—a parade to honor the one true God. Let’s celebrate now our relationship with Him.

Paul’s Defense Continues

A. In our text, Paul continues to defend himself against those who have accused him of not being God’s spokesman. In 3:1, Paul said he didn’t need letters of recommendation. Some who made their living by speaking would bring letters of recommendation to verify their authenticity. This had happened in Corinth. This was one of the criticisms against Paul. He did not have any letter of recommendation. Paul goes on in 3:2 to say that his letter of recommendation is the church in Corinth. Their presence and faith speaks of his authenticity as a preacher of the gospel. In 4:2, Paul says that he speaks the truth directly. There is no distortion of the gospel, which would have been another accusation against him. He speaks the gospel plainly and truthfully.

B. If someone cannot understand the gospel it is because the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who hear it. There is some debate over the phrase “god of this age.” Some think Paul is speaking about God himself. That doesn’t fit the text. Some think Paul is speaking of Satan, but that is awkward. If Satan blinds some minds, why not all minds? If Satan is the god of this age, why not just say Satan? The third possibility concerning this phrase is based on the language and context. The phrase “god of this age” can best be understood as “god which is this age.” Same type of sentence structure is found in verse 6 with the phrase “light of the knowledge of the glory of God” which means “light which consists of the knowledge of the glory of God.” The point is that Paul is saying, people do not listen to the gospel because they focus too much on this age and make what they see their god. This fits the context in v. 18 in which Paul says we fix our eyes on what is unseen rather than what is seen. What’s the point? The gospel can be understood unless one sees only this world.

C. Paul continues that he only Christ. His message was about Jesus not about himself and his accomplishments. God himself illuminates our hearts so that we can see his glory. Then in verses 7-12, Paul continues his defense by reminding his readers that he was only a jar of clay. The real treasure was what he carried inside himself—the gospel of God and his power. Although life has had plenty of bumps along the way, because Jesus is his companion, his suffering has been to reveal the power of God. He demonstrated Jesus’s death over and over again, so that the Corinthians could have life. In fact, verses 13-15, Paul says he has taken the abuse in his body so that they could live and he is hopeful that through God’s power he can join them in God’s presence. I believe this is not a reference to judgment but to his being with them in Corinth.

D. This is a very impassioned defense. It is also very personal. Paul speaks a lot about his motives as a preacher and his desire to not be looked down upon because he has suffered in his body. His suffering has been for their benefit but also all because he was only interested in God being seen in his life. So what does this have to do with living for God now?

Application

A. Before we make a couple of applications, let’s do some more study about the text. Look in verse 7 and notice the phrase “jars of clay.” Most understand this phrase to mean a clay pot and that Paul’s idea is that we are clay pots. Nothing special about us, it’s what’s inside us that counts. This is not a bad understanding. In fact, the outcome is correct. But the image Paul is casting here is more than just a simple clay pot. Parades were present in Paul’s day. One parade was designed to encourage more adherents to a pagan god. Even in those days pagan temples needed to bring more in. In these parades there would be individuals who would carry clay pots. The pot might be decorated in some way, but the most important thing was what was in the pot. Inside the pot was some item which represented the deity. For instance, we have a record of a parade in honor of the Dionysus, the god of wine and as you can imagine in some of those pots would be wine. But eventually the vessels became more elaborate in order to attract more attention and in the process the attention came to rest on the vessel rather than what was inside the vessel. This is what Paul is getting at. He is just an earthen vessel or a clay pot. There is nothing special about him, what is special is what is inside him—the treasure of God.

1.  But Paul gives us another clue that he has this parade idea in mind in verse 10. The phrase "carry around in our body the death of Jesus" is unusual. Again, in these parades for pagan gods, extremely large floats would be designed. These floats would "carry around" some scene which illustrated what the deity had done for the people.

2.  In Dionysus's parade, it would be the scene of changing grapes into wine. Actual grapes would be stomped on top of the float and the liquid would pore out into the streets. Paul says his float demonstrates Jesus's death. That is the great event from his life. And the greatest miracle is found in verse 14, the resurrection. Now what are the lessons.

B. First, we are part of a parade and what we are to reveal is what is inside. What happens all too often in ministry is that the focus turns to the preacher. His style, his personality, his demeanor, his ability to be humorous all come into play when deciding if one is a good preacher. Paul says what makes a good preacher is not the outside but the treasure inside. I don’t believe it a big leap for us to say that the same thing is true about each Christian. What is important is what is on the inside—the treasure of God. We are in a parade daily. We go before the crowds trying to demonstrate the treasure of God. The focus is not on us but on what we carry. We are weak, frail clay pots. Praise the Lord! Some believe the only way to reveal the treasure is through our own strength. But then the focus is on the pot and not the treasure.

1.  When we leave people with the impression that we have it all together then they see our strength and not the treasure. Supposedly Muhammad Ali was on airplane during his glory days. Stewardess reminded him to buckle up. Ali said "Superman don't need no seat belt." Stewardess reminded him, "Superman don't need no airplane either."

2.  Why can't we just be clay pots? Why can't we just admit to ourselves and to others that we don't have it all together? Why don't we just point people to Jesus? Why don't we begin taking the attitude that if God can use me, he can certainly use you? Why don't we make sure that the focus is on the treasure inside of us rather than on us?

C. Second, when we realize that what is important is God’s treasure inside of us and are willing to admit that we are just clay pots, then we do not lose heart when things don’t go our way. Notice in 4:1, Paul begins this section with the phrase “we do not lose heart.” Why? Because God mercifully has given him the treasure to share. Now notice in 4:16 the phrase is found again. What is the context? Wasting away outwardly but inwardly where the treasure is we are being renewed. Paul had been through a lot in his life and there was still more to come. His body carried the scars of serving Jesus. Hardship was always around the corner. There were days that Paul was discouraged, frustrated, and lonely. As he said in verses 8-9, pressed but not crushed; perplexed but not despairing (this is a play on words—at a loss, but not lost; persecuted but not abandoned; thrown down but not destroyed.

1.  He didn't lose heart. Why not? Don't misunderstand, he experienced many of the same emotions as we do. He wasn't superman. He was challenged beyond what many of us could stand. But he didn't lose heart.

2.  Do you realize what God has done? Out of his great mercy, he has placed within you the light of his glory. This great treasure has been given to you. This life with Jesus isn't about you—it's about God. It isn't about how well we do in this world. It isn't about how well liked we are or how prominent we are or how secure we are or how comfortable we are. It's about God. Paul said "you can do whatever you want to me, but it's never been about me, it's about God. I'm just a clay pot. Hold me up to the light of God's glory and you'll see the cracks. What's important is what's inside and that's the part that you need to see and understand." We do not lose heart because God is living inside of me.

D. We are part of a parade. Everybody loves a parade. For some in this world their parade is for honor. They are the conquering heroes. For some their parade is to draw attention to themselves seeking more. For Christians, our parade is to make sure that people see God. The floats in our parade reveal the greatest benevolent act in the history of the world—the death of Jesus. That is what we carry around.

1.  Which parade are you a part of? Is it a parade for self or a parade for God? God wants to give you a great treasure. The result of that treasure will be focusing on Him rather than yourself.

2.  Have you lost heart? Have the challenges of this world caused you to focus more on what is seen than on what is unseen? Invitation.

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