You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. Everyone is born with a rebellious sin nature. No one can see God face-to-face as Adam and Eve did and live. Sometimes the storms of life seem overwhelming. We ask ‘where is Jesus’?  Does He really know and care about our hurts? In this study we will examine what the Bible says Jesus is doing, even when life hurts.

So far in this series we have examined these actions Jesus Christ takes

Section 1 – What is Jesus doing for you when life hurts?

Session 01: Limiting the bitterness and taking you through the storm

Session 02: Providing a refuge, place of relief or escape

Session 03: Holding you safe in His hand

Session 04: Serving as your Daysman and Your Advocate

Session 05: Enabling you to stand

Section 2 – What is Jesus doing to you when life hurts?

Session 06: Healing and caring for your wounds and restoring your soul

Session 07: Shepherding: providing guidance, learning and instruction

Session 08: Giving the Holy Spirit to Guide and Comfort

Session 09: Living the experience with you

Session 10: Refining you to increase your value, make you more like Jesus

Section 3 – What is Jesus doing through you when life hurts?

Session 11: Working all things together for good

Session 12: Displaying His wisdom

Session 13: Working all things for His glory

Session 14: Manifesting the savor of His knowledge

Today we examine Jesus Christ using earthen vessels for His glory

According to 2 Corinthians 4, He accomplishes His purpose through earthen vessels

⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

The Touch of the Masters Hand– by Myra Brooks Welch

‘Twas battered and scarred, And the auctioneer thought it hardly worth his while

To waste his time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bid, good people”, he cried, “Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?” “Two dollars, who makes it three?”
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,”

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said “What now am I bid for this old violin?” As he held it aloft with its’ bow.

“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?” “Two thousand, Who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice, Going and gone”, said he.

The audience cheered, But some of them cried,
“We just don’t understand.” “What changed its’ worth?”
Swift came the reply. “The Touch of the Masters Hand.”

“And many a man with life out of tune All battered and bruised with hardship
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice, He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes, And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought By the Touch of the Masters’ Hand.

Questions for reflection

1) How do you feel being an earthen vessel to house the excellency of His power?

2) In a conversation with Jesus what would you say to Him regarding the subjects we touched on in this series?

3) What would you say is the most important lesson for you from this series?

4) What is the next step for you in understanding what Jesus is doing when life hurts?

Does Jesus Care? – Frank E. Graeff, 1901

1. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth or song,
   As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?
2. Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear?
   As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near?
3. Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong;
   When for my deep grief there is no relief, Though my tears flow all the night long?
4. Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” To the dearest on earth to me,
   And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Refrain:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti