We Are A Play-Doh People // 2 Corinthians 4.1-10 (NIV)

A Message by Pastor Mark Jordan

I. Introduction

• Kids love Play-Doh
• I remember using Play-Doh sessions to help Ethan and Mia learn their manners: we’d get them to say, “I want my Play-Doh, please.”
• I find it amazing, however, when we learn about things that have become something different than what they were created for
• Did you know that Play-Doh was invented in 1956 as a wallpaper cleaner by Joseph and Noah McVicker?
• It was patented as a toy in 1965 when it was discovered that it makes a better toy than traditional modeling clay because it is not toxic and is much easier to clean up after
• Now kids who play with Play-Doh everyday, like those in our PreK, could care less about it initially being intended as a wallpaper cleaner because it is such a cool toy in so many cool colors, and like many kids like to remind us all, it even tastes good!
• This is such a famous and awesome toy, there has even been a National Play- Doh Day designated as September 16!

II. Scripture Lesson

• 2 Corinthians 4:1-10 (NIV) | ¹ Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. ⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
  • Paul addressing those who might be downtrodden by defeat handed to Christians by an oppressive world. Paul reminded his disciples then, just as he does today, that we have the glory of Christ even in these temporal and fragile bodies.
  • God gives us this awesome gift—the glory of Jesus—in these broken forms, so we might seek to be changed and change the world around us.

III. Mold and Shape It

• So many different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses
• Can be reformed and reused
• Easy to clean up

IV. Can We Be A Play-Doh People?

• Embrace our unity in diversity
• Repent and turn so we can be reformed
• And in a tiring world, let’s be renewed so God can reuse us!
• If you think it’s hopeless, think again, because Play-Doh is easy to clean up, and God has the tools!

V. God Is Saying, “I Want My Play-Doh, Please!”

• May we be shaped and reshaped by God for unlimited uses
• May we be reformed and reused
• May we be cleaned for effectiveness
• But most of all may we be molded by God for effective service and ministry

Reflection Questions

1. Have you encountered a time when you realized something you found helpful was actually better for a different purpose?
2. Do you allow your life to be pliable in God’s hand?
3. When have you struggled to live for God thinking you were designed or intended for something else?
4. What do you need to do individually, as well as part of God’s Church, to be one of God’s “Play-Doh” people?
5. How will you respond when you hear the Lord call out to you, “I want my Play-Doh, please!”?