Song 1 – I Believe (The Creed)

Romans 6:8–11

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Song 2 – The Solid Rock

Song 3 – Build My Life

Song 4 – Trials of Many Kinds

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity. You can also ask the welcome team or any of our staff team members for more info on giving online.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

A warm welcome to all, and especially to any visitors joining us today – if you’d like to get connected or find out more about UCC, please see our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service!

If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes! 

Our Scripture reading today is 2 Corinthians 4:7–18 (ESV). Hear the Word of God:

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

This is the Word of the Lord.

The Glory That Outweighs It All​

Our present sufferings are temporary and purposeful, leading to an eternal glory that surpasses them all.

1. God’s power in fragile vessels vv 7-12​
2. Faith that sees beyond the present vv 13-15​
3. Momentary affliction, eternal glory vv 16-18​

Song 5 – Broken Vessels 

Song 6 – On That Day

Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.

“‘The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

– Numbers 6:24-26

For all church announcements, please see our digital announcements page: ucclife.fi/announcements

Introduction

1. Reflect on a time when you faced significant challenges or hardships. How did these experiences affect your faith and perspective on life?​

2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that “we tend to imagine strength as something rigid, something that resists pressure and never bends.” How does this perception align with or differ from your own understanding of strength?​

Into the Text

1. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul refers to believers as “jars of clay” containing a treasure. This metaphor suggests that our human frailty highlights the value and power of the gospel we carry. How does recognizing our weaknesses allow God’s strength to be more evident in our lives?​

2. Verses 8-9 outline a series of contrasts (e.g., “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed”). These contrasts illustrate the resilience of faith amidst adversity. How can these truths encourage us during challenging times?​

3. Paul mentions in verse 10 that we are “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” How can embracing this perspective transform our approach to suffering?​

4. In verses 16-18, Paul speaks of the “outer self” wasting away while the “inner self” is being renewed day by day. How can we cultivate an eternal perspective in our daily lives?​

Apply the Text

1. Considering Paul’s perspective on suffering and renewal, how can we shift our focus from temporary hardships to eternal promises in our daily lives?​

2. In the sermon, it was stated that “the Christian life is not about proving our strength—it is about displaying God’s power in our weakness.” How can acknowledging our weaknesses become a testimony to God’s power and grace in our communities?​