Embracing God's Presence in Life's New Norms

In every season of life, God’s presence is our constant, even as we face disruptions and changes that force us into a “new normal.” Whether it’s a global pandemic, personal loss, or unexpected hardship, our natural desire is often to return to the comfort of what was. Yet, the way forward is not a rewind, but an embrace of the present, trusting that God is with us in every circumstance. The same God who was with us before remains with us now and will be with us in the future. We may not always understand why we are where we are, but we can be assured that we are never alone.

Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4, we are reminded that we carry a treasure in “clay jars”—God’s extraordinary power within our fragile humanity. This treasure is not for our own glory or to elevate ourselves above others, but is given so that we might serve others in humility. Every gift, every ability, every blessing is on loan from God, meant to be poured out in service to God’s people. Our value is not in the vessel, but in the treasure God has placed within us.

However, possessing this treasure does not exempt us from trouble. In fact, the anointing of God often attracts adversity. Trials, disappointments, and suffering are not signs of God’s absence, but opportunities for God’s power to be revealed. Paul’s words remind us that though we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, we are not crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed. This is the “divine conjunction”—the “but” that God inserts into our story, transforming our experience of suffering into a testimony of God’s sustaining grace.

Just as Jesus bore the marks of suffering yet rose victorious, we too may carry scars from our journey, but these become the evidence of God’s faithfulness. Our testimony is not that we have avoided trouble, but that God has brought us through. In the new normal, we move forward not in our own strength, but in the power of God, with a testimony that no one can take from us. Let us give thanks for the treasure, endure the trouble, and boldly share our testimony of God’s goodness.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Embracing the New Normal with God’s Presence Change and disruption often leave us longing for the past, but God calls us to move forward, integrating what was, what is, and what is to come. Even when we don’t understand why we are facing certain challenges, we can trust that God is with us in every moment. The journey is not about returning to what was, but about discovering God’s faithfulness in the present and future. [06:30]
• 2. Our Gifts Are Meant for Service, Not Status The treasure God places within us—our gifts, talents, and callings—are not for self-exaltation or personal gain. We are vessels, not owners, and our purpose is to serve others in humility. When we use what God has given us to bless and uplift others, we reflect the heart of Christ and fulfill our true calling. [14:08]
• 3. Trouble Is Inevitable, But Not Defining Being a child of God does not shield us from hardship; in fact, spiritual anointing often attracts greater challenges. Trouble is a part of life, but it does not have the final word. God’s power within us enables us to endure, persevere, and even thrive in the midst of adversity, transforming our trials into testimonies. [23:24]
• 4. The Power of the Divine Conjunction Paul’s use of “but” in describing our struggles is a reminder that God always provides a way through. We may be afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; struck down, but not destroyed. God’s “divine conjunction” changes the meaning of our suffering, turning what was meant for harm into a platform for His glory. [26:40]
• 5. Testimony: Scars as Signs of Victory Like the resurrected Christ who bore the marks of crucifixion, our scars are not signs of defeat but of survival and victory. The evidence of what we’ve endured becomes our testimony to God’s sustaining power. No one can argue with the reality of God’s work in our lives, and our stories of deliverance are meant to be shared for the encouragement of others.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Opening Prayer and Scripture
• [02:15] - Reading 2 Corinthians 4:5-11
• [04:00] - Embracing the New Normal
• [06:30] - Moving Forward After Disruption
• [08:45] - The Ted Lasso Example: Belief in Adversity
• [10:49] - Choosing the New Normal Over Panic
• [12:30] - Paul’s Challenge to the Corinthian Church
• [14:08] - The Treasure in Clay Jars
• [17:30] - Gifts for Service, Not Status
• [20:00] - Treasure Does Not Exempt Us from Trouble
• [23:24] - Anointing Attracts Attacks
• [26:40] - The Divine Conjunction: “But” God
• [28:55] - The Clay Pot and the Death of Jesus
• [30:01] - Scars as Testimony
• [34:02] - Testify to God’s Goodness
• [35:30] - Thanking God for the Testimony
• [36:29] - Closing and Benediction

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Embracing the New Normal

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Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 4:5-11 (NRSV)
> For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
> But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.

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Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 4, what is the “treasure” that we carry in “clay jars”? What does this say about our own strength versus God’s power?
2. In the passage, Paul lists several hardships (afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down). What is the “divine conjunction” that he uses after each hardship, and what does it mean? [26:40]
3. The sermon mentions that our gifts and abilities are “on loan” from God and not for our own glory. How does Paul describe the purpose of these gifts in the passage? [14:08]
4. What does it mean that we are “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies”?

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Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “The way forward does not involve a rewind or just reversing to where we were but we've got to keep moving forward...because God is still with me.” How does this perspective challenge the way people usually respond to disruption or loss? [04:00]
2. Paul says we are “afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” What does this teach us about the relationship between suffering and God’s presence? [26:40]
3. The sermon points out that “anointing attracts attacks.” Why might following God sometimes lead to more challenges instead of fewer? [23:24]
4. The pastor says, “Our testimony is not that we have avoided trouble, but that God has brought us through.” How does this change the way we view our scars and struggles? [30:01]

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Application Questions

1. Think about a recent disruption or “new normal” in your life. Did you find yourself longing for the past, or were you able to trust that God was with you in the present? What helped or hindered you in embracing the new normal? [04:00]
2. The sermon says our gifts are for service, not status. Are there ways you’ve been tempted to use your abilities for your own recognition rather than to serve others? What would it look like to use your gifts more intentionally for God’s people this week? [14:08]
3. When trouble comes, do you tend to hit the “snooze button,” the “panic button,” or the “new normal button”? What would it look like for you to choose the “new normal” and move forward with God’s help? [10:49]
4. The “divine conjunction” means that even when we face hardship, God inserts a “but” into our story. Can you share a time when God’s power changed the outcome of a difficult situation in your life? [26:40]
5. The pastor said, “Our scars are not signs of defeat but of survival and victory.” Is there a scar or struggle in your life that you’ve been ashamed of, but could actually be a testimony to God’s faithfulness? How might you share that story to encourage someone else? [30:01]
6. The sermon encourages us to “boldly share our testimony of God’s goodness.” Is there someone in your life who needs to hear your story of how God has brought you through? What’s one step you can take to share your testimony this week? [34:02]
7. The message says, “We move forward not in our own strength, but in the power of God.” What is one area of your life where you need to stop relying on your own strength and ask for God’s help? How will you do that this week? [35:30]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for His presence in every season, for the treasure He has placed within us, and for the testimony He is building in our lives. Ask for courage to embrace the new normal, to serve others with humility, and to share your story for His glory.