In this message we marry Japanese ceramic artistry to the context of 2 Corinthians. Using Ancient Japanese ceramic styles and techniques to illustrate both:

a) the Corinthian Church’s tainted expectation of what Paul

an Apostle should be like, and

b) Paul’s striking response to them. Giving further elaboration to Paul’s emphatic rebuttal of their errant views.

My purpose in metaphorically contrasting these opposing views on what an Apostle (or any follower of Jesus) should be like, is to reveal to how beautiful our brokenness is in the hands of our Heavenly Father.

Image Credit: Marco Montalti - stock.adobe.com

Image Copyright: ©Marco Montalti - stock.adobe.com

The word forged means to be formed by pressing or hammering. Psalm 66 describes the type of forging God puts His people through in order to form and shape them into the kind of people He wants them to be.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is of outmost importance and without Him we can of ourselves do nothing that has any real value in the eyes of God.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is of outmost importance and without Him we can of ourselves do nothing that has any real value in the eyes of God.

The Bible teaches that there are two kinds of education. The one comes from the Spirit of God and the other comes from our 5 physical senses. We need both.

Speak the Word, meditate in it day and night, observe and do what the Word says, and then you will make your way prosperous and have good success.

The purpose of this teaching is to help us understand the importance of being thoroughly equipped through the Word of God for every good work the Lord has assigned us to do.

The life of Christ within us brings with it a change of mind, a change of attitude, a change of dreams and desires, and a change of purpose.

He brings with him a newness of life based on the righteousness of God. This change is so radical, extreme, and fundamental.

The Christ life is a life of service and sacrifice. It is a life devoted to the will and the purposes of God.

There is no room in the Christ life for selfish dreams and ambitions. There is no room for self preservation.

Our Soul Responsibility by Alpha and Omega Ministries International